In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.
Songs of Freedom
Santana Lyrics
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Your soul is precious, but it just ain't good enough
You need a single to help you through
Program directors, they all make the rules
I said, you're kidding, you're putting me on
What about the Constitution, freedom of expression
Listen to the music, just feel the sound
Love is the motion, that's what makes the world go around
[Chorus]
Sing, Songs of Freedom
Bring joy to the world
Sing, Songs of Freedom
Bring joy to the world
Everybody listen, stop and take some time
To understand the world situation
There is no meaning in fighting the way we do
Let's come together and forgive each other
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Santana's "Songs of Freedom" speak to the pressure that artists face from music industry executives to conform to a certain mold in order to achieve commercial success. The singer is being told that their songs are beloved but that they need a "single" to make it big. The program directors are the gatekeepers who enforce this mandate. The singer is incredulous that they are being asked to compromise their integrity and artistic vision to satisfy a commercial imperative, as guaranteed by the Constitution's protection of free expression. The singer calls on listeners to disregard the program directors and instead "listen to the music" and "feel the sound" - in other words, to connect with the transcendent and emotional aspects of art that can't be measured or quantified. Love, the "motion" that "makes the world go around," is what will save us from the oppressive forces that try to box us in.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody tells me, we love your songs
Everyone praises my music
Your soul is precious, but it just ain't good enough
My music has soul, but it's not commercially successful
You need a single to help you through
I'm being pressured to make a hit song
Program directors, they all make the rules
Radio stations dictate what music gets played
I said, you're kidding, you're putting me on
I'm incredulous at the idea of compromising my artistic integrity
What about the Constitution, freedom of expression
I believe in my right to creative freedom
Listen to the music, just feel the sound
Music is about emotion, not just a commercial product
Love is the motion, that's what makes the world go around
Love is the force that drives humanity
Sing, Songs of Freedom
Bring joy to the world
Music has the power to uplift and inspire people
Everybody listen, stop and take some time
To understand the world situation
We need to stop and listen to each other to make the world a better place
There is no meaning in fighting the way we do
Let's come together and forgive each other
Fighting and holding grudges is pointless, we need to reconcile and move forward
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: Buddy Miles, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson, Tom Coster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind