Parliament was originally The Parliaments, a doo-wop group based out of George Clinton's Plainfield, New Jersey barber shop. The name was soon abandoned due to legal issues with Revilot and Atlantic Records, and most of the same people recorded under the name Funkadelic, which consisted of The Parliaments' backing musicians. Billy "Bass" Nelson is credited with creating the name Funkadelic. He also switched from 6-string guitar to bass, creating room for his childhood friend Eddie Hazel to join the group. Soon, Parliament was created in addition to Funkadelic and the two bands consisted of essentially the same people, though both released albums under their respective names.
The legal problems with the name "The Parliaments" were resolved in 1970, and Clinton signed all of Funkadelic to Invictus Records under the name Parliament, releasing Osmium ("The Breakdown" reached #30 on the R&B charts in 1971) but the name Parliament was then abandoned for some time, as Funkadelic was much more successful.
In the early 1970s, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Catfish Collins joined Funkadelic, which released five albums by 1974. With only moderate success, Funkadelic signed with Casablanca Records as Parliament, releasing "Up for the Down Stroke" (off the album of the same name) which reached #10 on the R&B charts but peaked at #63 Pop. The song was the biggest hit of P Funk's career. 1975 saw the release of Chocolate City, which also enjoyed moderate success; the title track reached #24.
With the ensuing albums, Parliament became one of the most respected bands on the 1970s, and are now recognized as one of the forefathers of funk music. Of particular interest are the spacey themes of Starchild, Sir Nose and other recurring characters from multiple albums.
Of particular note is the landmark album Mothership Connection, an amalgam of many '70s themes and the tight "popular" funk sound which was both more commercially viable (particularly in the black community) and more readily emulated by the numerous artists capitalizing on the popularity of funk's mainstream cousin: disco. Artists such as the BeeGees, the Commodores and Kool and the Gang repackaged many of Parliament's innovations into radio-ready pop hits and upon the mass acceptance of disco culture as portrayed in Saturday Night Fever, millions of suburban Americans were able to boogie-oogie-oogie safely protected from exposure to the urban dance scene's multi-ethnic, sexually diverse and cocaine-fueled celebration.
In the early 1980s, with legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup at Casablanca Records, George Clinton dissolved Parliament and Funkadelic as recording and touring entities. Parliament/Funkadelic morphed into P-Funk. New audiences were fueled in the '90s due to extensive sampling by hip hop DJs and producers, including beats used in The Chronic and Cypress Hill's debut album.
A variety of bands evolved in their own right out of the main two bands - they included Bootsy's Rubber Band, The Brides of Funkenstein, Parlet, Mutiny, The Horny Horns, and Quazar.
George Clinton subsequently worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Reformed in January 2018, the first new Parliament release in 38 years was "I'm Gon Make U Sick O'Me", which features the rapper Scarface. A new Parliament album, Medicaid Fraud Dogg, was released in May 2018.
Oh Lord Why Lord
Parliament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To find the reason why oh Lord, why Lord
The color of my skin
Is said to be an awful sin oh Lord, why Lord
No, I cannot understand
No, I can never, never understand
Much more than I can give oh Lord, why Lord
Oh why, why why, why why
Why why, why why, why Lord
In this world it is no secret
All the problems and hatred
Oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
I just can't seem to find why
My every move is so unseen oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
Why this lonely man must try
And can have no peace of mind
Oh Lord, why Lord
I just can't help but cry
The tears won't stay inside
Oh Lord, why Lord why why, why why, why Lord
I've got to live and give
Much more than I can give oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
I feel the weight of everlasting hate
But my strength will not grow faint
Oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
I'll wear the chains
So every man must see the change
Oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
I ask no special kindness
I ask no special deed oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
Only peace and justice forever more
Oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
Is it so much to ask even of you
To be the same as the majority
Why is it that I must suffer
Without even a cause and no one cares
Oh Lord, why God
I've got to live and give
Much more than I can give oh Lord, why Lord
Why why, why why, why Lord
The lyrics to Parliament's song "Oh Lord Why Lord/Prayer" delve into the feelings of frustration, confusion, and despair experienced by the singer, who seems to be grappling with the injustices and challenges faced by individuals due to the color of their skin. The song raises questions about the unfairness of the world and the singer's struggle to understand why they must endure such difficulties.
In the opening lines, the singer expresses their search for answers and the longing to comprehend the reasons behind their plight. The mention of the "open sky" suggests the singer's quest for enlightenment and understanding. They ponder why the color of their skin is seen as an "awful sin," highlighting the societal discrimination and prejudice they face.
The repeated refrain of "why Lord" portrays the singer's plea for answers and their inability to comprehend the reasons for their suffering. The lines "My every move is so unseen" and "Why this lonely man must try/And can have no peace of mind" further emphasize the feelings of isolation, invisibility, and mental anguish experienced by the singer.
Despite the weight of hatred and adversity, the singer still maintains determination and resilience. They declare their willingness to "live and give much more than I can give," suggesting a desire to overcome the challenges they face and make a positive impact in the world. The song concludes with a plea for peace, justice, and equality, emphasizing the singer's hope for a better future.
Overall, "Oh Lord Why Lord/Prayer" explores the deep-rooted frustration, existential questioning, and desire for understanding and change that individuals facing discrimination and prejudice may encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
I've searched the open sky
I have explored the vastness of the sky, hoping to find an answer
To find the reason why oh Lord, why Lord
To discover the purpose behind my existence, questioning the divine
The color of my skin
The tone of my complexion
Is said to be an awful sin oh Lord, why Lord
Is considered a dreadful wrongdoing, leading to my confusion and plea for understanding
No, I cannot understand
No, I am unable to comprehend
No, I can never, never understand
No, it is beyond my capacity to ever understand
Oh Lord, why Lord i've got to live and give
Oh Almighty, why am I compelled to exist and continuously contribute
Much more than I can give oh Lord, why Lord
Far beyond my capability to offer, oh Divine, why is this expected of me
Oh why, why why, why why
Oh why, why must I question repeatedly
Why why, why why, why Lord
Why, oh Lord, do these inquiries persist
In this world it is no secret
It is widely known in this world
All the problems and hatred
The abundance of issues and animosity
Oh Lord, why Lord
Oh Lord, why does this prevail
I just can't seem to find why
I simply cannot discern the reason
My every move is so unseen oh Lord, why Lord
My actions seem to go unnoticed, oh Lord, enlighten me
Why this lonely man must try
For what reason must this isolated individual strive
And can have no peace of mind
Without any mental tranquility
I just can't help but cry
I cannot resist shedding tears
The tears won't stay inside
The tears refuse to remain concealed
Oh Lord, why Lord why why, why why, why Lord
Oh Lord, why is this sorrow and confusion persistent
I feel the weight of everlasting hate
I experience the burden of eternal animosity
But my strength will not grow faint
However, my fortitude remains unyielding
Oh Lord, why Lord
Oh Lord, why is this the case
I'll wear the chains
I will bear the bondage
So every man must see the change
In order for every individual to witness the transformation
Oh Lord, why Lord
Oh Lord, why is this necessary
I ask no special kindness
I do not request any particular favor
I ask no special deed oh Lord, why Lord
I do not seek any extraordinary action, oh Lord, why is this my reality
Only peace and justice forever more
Exclusively desiring everlasting peace and fairness
Oh Lord, why Lord
Oh Lord, why is this not achieved
Is it so much to ask even of you
Is it an unreasonable expectation even from you
To be the same as the majority
To be identical to the prevailing majority
Why is it that I must suffer
For what reason must I endure pain
Without even a cause and no one cares
Without any justification, and the absence of concern from others
Oh Lord, why God
Oh Lord, why do you allow this, God
I've got to live and give
I must continue existing and contributing
Much more than I can give oh Lord, why Lord
Significantly beyond what I am able to offer, oh Lord, why is this my burden
Why why, why why, why Lord
Why, oh why, do these questions persist, oh Lord
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lindajoyrainbowneal5609
... why ?!! ... because God is giving everyone a chance to show exactly who they are ... & one day, 'the 1st shall be last, & the last shall be 1st' !!! ... & Lord, l'm looking forward to that !!! ... ❤
@joshuagibson1515
RIP Cal Simon 1942-2022, thank u for the music and your service of this country Mr. Simon.
@s4ujxm
Played this song for my dad back in 1992 as a birthday present. I know he carried these feelings in him as he took care of his family and provided us with an opportunity to take things to the next level in life. Thanks dad! I see what's going on today and we still have much work to do!
@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597
Praise God we are 🙏 alive today!!!! Many other children are no longer here but today for today,thanks for us to live that moment. Thanks to you father.
@BevisFriend2010
Most beautiful song ever.
@joshuagibson1515
one of the reasons Calvin Simon deserved more leads.. incredible singer
@chrisedwards3214
Calvin just died last week
@joshuagibson1515
@@chrisedwards3214 yea dude i been knew that
@minxlabrada
Great reminder to reject the illusion of division. Gorgeous song.
@willchristopher1899
Three of my favorite songs from Osmium, including this one, were all written by Ruth Copeland. Well done Ruth!