Brothers Sly Stone and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) at the end of 1966. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Top 10 hits and four groundbreaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly & the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly & the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
Cynthia Robinson - January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015
Don't Call Me Nigger Whitey
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
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Don\'t call me nigger, whitey!
Don\'t call me whitey, nigger!
Don\'t call me nigger, whitey!
Don\'t call me whitey, nigger!
Well I went down across the country,
and I heard some voices rang.
They was talkin\' softly to each other
and not a word could change a thing.
Chorus (3 separate times)
The lyrics of Sly & The Family Stone's song "Don't Call Me Nigger Whitey" express a raw and powerful message about racial tension and discrimination in society. The chorus, which is repeated multiple times throughout the song, includes the lines "Don't call me nigger, whitey!" and "Don't call me whitey, nigger!" This back-and-forth exchange between racial slurs highlights the misguided and hurtful nature of such language while also acknowledging the fact that prejudice and hatred exist on both sides.
The verses of the song describe the singer's experiences traveling across the country and witnessing people from different backgrounds and cultures. Despite the diversity that exists in the world, the singer recognizes that there are still many barriers and obstacles preventing true equality and understanding. The line "They was talkin' softly to each other and not a word could change a thing" speaks to the sense of hopelessness that can sometimes accompany conversations about race and the difficulties of truly breaking down the walls of division.
Overall, "Don't Call Me Nigger Whitey" is a poignant and provocative song that challenges listeners to confront their own biases and assumptions. By presenting stark and uncomfortable truths about the ways in which racism persists in society, the song is a call to action for greater empathy and understanding among all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't call me nigger, whitey!
Do not label or define me by racial slurs or stereotypes associated with either blacks or whites.
Don't call me whitey, nigger!
Do not address me with derogatory words that dehumanize or insult me based on racial identity.
Well I went down across the country,
I traveled across the United States to experience different cultures, traditions, and perspectives.
and I heard some voices rang.
I encountered people expressing themselves, sharing their thoughts and feelings.
They was talkin' softly to each other
They were whispering, conversing in hushed tones, as if someone was eavesdropping.
and not a word could change a thing.
Despite their dialogue, no significant impact or transformation resulted from their exchange.
Don't call me nigger, whitey!
I refuse to be identified or addressed in ways that perpetuate racial discrimination or prejudice, regardless of the source.
Don't call me whitey, nigger!
I demand respect and dignity as an individual, regardless of my racial identity or the contempt others may hold towards it.
Chorus (3 separate times)
The refrain repeats the message of mutual respect, rejecting derogatory language and stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of individual recognition and appreciation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind