Sly & the Family Stone was a band from Vallejo, California, United States. … Read Full Bio ↴Sly & the Family Stone was a band from Vallejo, California, United States. Active from 1966 until 1975, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia. Headed by singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and containing several of his family members and friends, the band was the first major American rock band to have an integrated lineup in both race and gender.

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.

Everyday People
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics

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Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in

I am everyday people, yeah, yeah

There is a blue one who

Can't accept the green one
For living with a fat one
Trying to be a skinny one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee
Ooh, sha sha
We got to live together

I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
You love me, you hate me
You know me and then
You can't figure out the bag I'm in

I am everyday people, yeah, yeah

There is a long hair that
Doesn't like the short hair
For being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee

Ooh, sha sha
We got to live together

There is a yellow one that
Won't accept the black one
That won't accept the red one
That won't accept the white one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee

Ooh, sha sha
I am everyday people

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sly & The Family Stone's song "Everyday People" are a powerful commentary on society and the different groups within it. The opening lines reveal the singer's self-awareness, acknowledging that although they may be right at times, they too can be wrong. The singer also asserts that their beliefs are personal and part of their identity. However, the message of the song is not about individualism, but rather the acceptance of diversity. The singer considers the roles of different members of society, including the butcher, banker, and drummer, and claims that it doesn't matter which group they belong to because ultimately, they are all "everyday people."

The chorus "I am everyday people" serves as a reminder that regardless of race, ethnicity, class, or any other social construct, every individual is equal and deserves to be treated as such. Through this message, the song highlights the importance of inclusion and acceptance in a society that can often be divided. The second and third verses further emphasize the need for tolerance and understanding, recognizing that people can be different and have different viewpoints, but ultimately are all part of the same community.

Overall, "Everyday People" is a timeless anthem that promotes unity and respect for individual differences. It remains relevant today in the face of ongoing social and cultural divides.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
I have my own opinions and perspectives that may not always be correct

My own beliefs are in my song
My music represents my personal beliefs and values

The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
No matter what profession or walk of life someone comes from, we are all equal and important

Makes no difference what group I'm in
The group or community someone belongs to should not define their worth or character

I am everyday people, yeah yeah
I am just like everyone else, with my own flaws and strengths

There is a blue one who can't accept the green one
Some people are unwilling to accept those who are different from them, whether it be in appearance or beliefs

For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one
The blue one may judge the green one for being with someone who is overweight but trying to lose weight

And different strokes for different folks
Everyone is entitled to their own choices and preferences

And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
There are many more examples of differences and preferences

Oh sha sha we got to live together
Despite our differences, we need to coexist and respect each other

I am no better and neither are you
No one is superior to anyone else, and we all have our own flaws and imperfections

We are the same whatever we do
We are all human beings and share a common humanity, regardless of our actions or beliefs

You love me you hate me you know me and then
People have different emotions and opinions towards me, but they still know me as a person

You can't figure out the bag I'm in
People may not fully understand or categorize me, as I am complex and unique

There is a long hair that doesn't like the short hair
Some people discriminate against others based on physical appearance or style

For bein' such a rich one that will not help the poor one
The long haired person may judge the short haired person for being wealthy but not assisting those who are financially struggling

There is a yellow one that won't accept the black one
There is prejudice and discrimination against people of different races or ethnicities

That won't accept the red one that won't accept the white one
This prejudice extends to other races and ethnicities as well

I am everyday people
Despite our differences and unique qualities, we are all ordinary people trying to navigate life together

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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