Sing A Simple Song
Sly Lyrics


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Sing a simple song

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last

Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"

Sing a simple song
Try a little do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs
I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns
You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
A simple song might make it better for a little while

Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm talking, talking, talking, talking
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking
I'm living, living, living, living
I'm giving love and lovin' loving

Everybody sing together
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya

Sing it in the shower
Sing it every hour
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it
Sing it with your mother sing it
Sing it, mama, sing it
Sing it with your father sing it
Sing it, papa, sing it, sing it, woo ta ta ta ta ta

Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
I'm talking now, I'm walking




I'm walking, hey ey ey hey yeah
Okay, okay now

Overall Meaning

In "Sing a Simple Song," Sly & The Family Stone emphasizes the importance of keeping things simple and relying on music to help you through life's struggles. The first two verses describe the constant movement and change in life, with the singer talking and walking in his sleep and on the street. However, the chorus emphasizes the power of singing a simple song, symbolized by the do-re-mi scales. The lyrics suggest that, no matter what happens in life, there is always hope in simplicity and music.


The song encourages listeners to join in on the chorus, demonstrating the unifying power of music. The final verse specifies the power of music in overcoming hardship, describing how a simple song can make life feel better, even if only for a short while. The repetition of "yeah, yeah, yeah" and "ya, ya, ya" in the chorus adds to the infectious and uplifting nature of the song, making it easy to sing along and appreciate the simplicity of the message.


Line by Line Meaning

Sing a simple song
Encouraging everyone to sing a simple tune to uplift them in tough times


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The chorus of the song, repeating the simple lyrics


I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
Thinking about life and its complexities even when resting


I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Moving forward in life despite facing challenges along the way


Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
Life goes on and time never stops, reminding the artist of their mortality


All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last
In the midst of turmoil, a simple tune can be a source of comfort and stability


Let me hear you say "Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"
Encouraging listeners to participate in singing the simple tune


Try a little do re mi fa so la ti do Do re mi fa so la ti do Do re mi fa so la ti do
Providing a basic scale to the simple song that anyone can follow


I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs
Experiencing life to the fullest, both good times and bad times


I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns
Spreading positivity and happiness even in the midst of challenges


You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
Acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining a positive outlook when things get tough


A simple song might make it better for a little while
The power of music to provide a temporary escape from difficult situations


I'm talking, talking, talking, talking I'm walking, walking, walking, walking I'm living, living, living, living I'm giving love and lovin' loving
Repeating the simple actions of talking, walking, living, and loving, emphasizing the importance of such basic human experiences


Everybody sing together Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Encouraging everyone to sing the simple tune in unison


Sing it in the shower Sing it every hour
Urging listeners to sing the song often, even in private and mundane moments


Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it Sing it with your mother sing it Sing it, mama, sing it Sing it with your father sing it Sing it, papa, sing it, sing it, woo ta ta ta ta ta
Encouraging listeners to sing the song with their loved ones as a way to connect with each other


Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya I'm talking now, I'm walking I'm walking, hey ey ey hey yeah Okay, okay now
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the basic actions of talking and walking, as a reminder of the simple yet powerful message of the song




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@smokinjz

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last
Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"
Sing a simple song
Try a little do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs
I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns
You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
A simple song might make it better for a little while
Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking
I'm living, living, living, living
I`m giving love and lovin' loving
Everybody sing together
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Sing it in the shower
Sing it every hour
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it
Sing it with your mother sing it
Sing it, mama, sing it
Sing it with your father sing it
Sing it, papa, sing it, sing it
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
I'm talking now, I'm walking
I'm walking, oh yeah
Okay, okay now



@smokinjz

Sing a simple song
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last
Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"
Sing a simple song
Try a little do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do
Do re mi fa so la ti do
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs
I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns
You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
A simple song might make it better for a little while
Let me hear you say
"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya"
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking
I'm living, living, living, living
I`m giving love and lovin' loving
Everybody sing together
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Sing it in the shower
Sing it every hour
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it
Sing it with your mother sing it
Sing it, mama, sing it
Sing it with your father sing it
Sing it, papa, sing it, sing it
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
I'm talking now, I'm walking
I'm walking, oh yeah
Okay, okay now



All comments from YouTube:

@TheJmax59

I was a senior in high school, all-black high school, one of two in the entire state of Indiana. This song was one of those that kept us going during those crazy late 60's. Thank you Sly, thank you Sly, still gives me goose bumps. I still jam to it!!

@marshallallen72

Not the hole state of indiana...we had a all black school to..

@TheJmax59

If you're referring to Gary Roosevelt, didn't you read that I said "one of two all-black schools in Indiana?" I can tell you that we have different histories as to why we were built. I have friends from all of the schools in Gary, those that have been consolidated as well. We do not have the same history, watch the DVD about CAHS, you'll see what I mean. Take care!

@marshallallen72

TheJmax59
I read that part, but there was more than 2...lol. If your referring to the late 60's...Gary was a really great city back then and yes I'm close to that city...Where I am from we had race riots in school, but I am pretty sure you guys had them too..

@TheJmax59

Hello Sinky G - Well, we played high schools all over the state and still do, even in 2018--are you referring to East Chicago Roosevelt and Washington? We played all of the mostly black schools for sure. I thought that Gary Roosevelt was the other one that was 100% as we were, up to 1974. Please advise if you would. No, we didn't have any racial issues until they forcibly integrated in 1969, beginning with removing heads of departments, all degreed (PhD's or Master's). They taught at Crispus Attucks because when they sought jobs, no other schools would hire them in Indianapolis or in Indiana. We did have racial issues in the mid'70's. If you're familiar with PBS, go to their website and look for the DVD, "Attucks: The School That Opened A City". Should be required viewing for all students, or for anyone. It tells the history of Indianapolis, not only Crispus Attucks High School. Periodically, they show it. I loved Gary (still do), loved going up there to play against them in basketball and competing in track and field, but the first time I rode through downtown it mortified me! It was so empty. My daughter-in-law is from Gary. We have very interesting conversations, as you can imagine:) Take care!.

@sheldontaylor2002

@TheJmax59 crispus attucks!

1 More Replies...

@Fontsman

The combination of rythmn guitar, vocals and bass is irresistible. One of the greatest ever funk records.

@courtbeall7768

As a young drummer in the late 60s early 70s,Sly,s grooves helped shape my playing and I'm way better because of them.

@johnlightholder6798

Damn near threw my back out tonight dancing to this rhythm after so many years! The music is still strong, me...not so much! :)

@sandradeelawson.9655

I guess we all do sir. I can/t dance that much either. I can only pretend
though.

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