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
Time For Livin'
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
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No time for makin' up a monster to share
Time for livin', time for givin'
No time for breakin' our own fairy tale
Ain't, ain't, ain't nobody's got to spell it for me
Ain't nobody got it yet I can see
Ain't nobody got the thing I can hear
Time for livin', time for givin'
No time for runnin' over anyone
Let's share time for livin', time for givin'
No time for passin', done the fun
Ain't nobody's got to spell it for me
Ain't nobody got it yet I can see
Ain't nobody got the thing I can hear
Don't you, don't you, don't you, yell in my ear
Time for changin', re-arrangin'
No time for peace, just pass the buck
Rearrangin', leader's changin'
Pretty soon he might not give a damn
Ain't nobody's got to spell it for me
Ain't nobody got it yet I can see
Ain't nobody got the thing I can hear
But if I have to I will yell in your ear
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time rearrangin', time rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
The lyrics of Sly & The Family Stone's "Time For Livin'" are a call to action to live in the present, to embrace life and give to others, rather than becoming obsessed with creating a monster to share, or breaking our own fairy tale. The tone is one of urgency and vitality, as the words "time for livin'" and "time for givin'" are repeated throughout, highlighting the importance of seizing the moment and being generous with our time and energy. The lyrics warn against selfishness, running over others or passing up opportunities to have fun and engage in meaningful relationships.
The song implies a need for social and political change, urging people to embrace new ideas and roles, to break with the past and work towards a better future. The lines "time for changing, rearranging, no time for peace, just pass the buck" suggest an impatience with the status quo, a desire to shake things up and take control of one's destiny. The song can be seen as a statement of the counterculture of the 1960s, with its emphasis on free love, experimentation and social activism. Overall, "Time For Livin'" is an uplifting and inspiring anthem that encourages listeners to live life to the fullest and make a positive difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Time for livin', time for givin'
It's time to enjoy life and be generous to others.
No time for makin' up a monster to share
Stop creating negative stories to spread around.
No time for breakin' our own fairy tale
Don't ruin the good things in our life with negativity.
Ain't, ain't, ain't nobody's got to spell it for me
I already understand without needing it explained.
Ain't nobody got it yet I can see
No one else truly understands what I do.
Ain't nobody got the thing I can hear
Others aren't able to perceive what I can.
But if I have to I will yell in your ear
If necessary, I'll make sure you hear what I have to say.
No time for runnin' over anyone
We should avoid hurting others along our path.
Let's share time for livin', time for givin'
We should all embrace the good parts of life and be generous.
No time for passin', done the fun
Don't let the enjoyment pass you by.
Don't you, don't you, don't you, yell in my ear
I don't want to hear your yelling and negativity.
Time for changin', re-arrangin'
It's time to make some changes and adjust our outlook.
No time for peace, just pass the buck
We shouldn't avoid responsibility and pass problems off onto others.
Rearrangin', leader's changin'
There are changes happening with leadership.
Pretty soon he might not give a damn
The leader may soon stop caring about those they're leading.
Time's a changin', rearrangin'
Things are changing and transforming.
Time rearrangin', time rearrangin'
Time is bringing about changes and rearrangements.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILES KELLY, NOAH EVANS, SYLVESTER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind