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
Poet
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
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And the frame of mind I'm in
I'm a songwriter
A poet
I'm a songwriter
A poet
They all reflect in what I say
I'm a songwriter
I'm a poet
I'm a songwriter
Oh yeah, a poet
When Sly & The Family Stone wrote the song "Poet," they introduced to the world the idea that a songwriter is, in essence, a poet. In the opening lines, Sly sang that his only weapon is his pen and the frame of mind he's in. The lyrics reflect the idea that a writer's most valuable asset is his or her ability to use words to make an impact on the world around them. Sly suggests that he is a songwriter and a poet, and that what he writes reflects the things he thinks and feels.
Throughout the song, Sly explores the idea that a songwriter is a poet. He suggests that the things he "flashes on" every day reflect in what he says through his music. In other words, his writing comes from the things he personally experiences and the feelings those experiences evoke. The song is an ode to the power of words and their ability to inspire, motivate, and change the world.
Overall, "Poet" is a celebration of the art of songwriting and the power of words. It's a reminder that the pen is mightier than the sword and that the things we say and write can have a profound impact on the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
My only weapon is my pen
My most powerful tool is my ability to write.
And the frame of mind I'm in
The way I feel mentally affects my writing.
I'm a songwriter
I create music with my words.
A poet
I use language to express profound emotions and ideas.
And the things I flash on everyday
The thoughts that come to my mind every day.
They all reflect in what I say
My thoughts and emotions are reflected in my writing.
I'm a songwriter
I create music with my words.
I'm a poet
I use language to express profound emotions and ideas.
I'm a songwriter
I create music with my words.
Oh yeah, a poet
And I use my talent to convey powerful messages in my writing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN C. STEWART, MICHAEL STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind