He began his adult life as a young preacher in Philadelphia, where he hosted a gospel radio show. In the 1960s, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music. His first hit was Just Out Of Reach Of My Open Arms, a cover of a country song. Though well-received by both peers and critics, and attaining a few moderate pop and several major R&B hits, Burke never could quite break through into the mainstream as did his contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
Nevertheless, his emotive delivery, polished production, as well as the touches of country and pop sensibility in his music won him admirers and imitators. In 1964 he wrote and recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love his most prominent bid for an enduring soul standard. Covered by the Rolling Stones the same year, other well-known versions include one by Wilson Pickett and another a decade and a half later in the 1980 feature film by The Blues Brothers. Burke's biggest hit was a 1969 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.
His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of the album Don't Give Up On Me, produced by Joe Henry, where he sang songs written specifically for the album by a roster of top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Joe Henry himself.
He is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle singing Turn on Your Love Light and Down in the Valley.
As of October 2002 Burke was the father of 14 daughters and 7 sons with 64 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry, though none as much so as their patriarch.
Burke died, arriving at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where he was supposed to perform with Dutch band De Dijk with whom he recorded an album, entitled Hold on Tight.
Rock icon Mick Jagger performed a tribute to Burke at the 2011 Grammy Awards, laying down Burke's classic hit "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love".
A cover of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love received huge exposure as the music for Amazon's 2019 Christmas commercial.
Stupidity
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All around the world every boy and girl
Take a lesson from me do the stupidity
Woah, oh!
My Mama she says it's silly
Baby i don't mind criticism
Because we're doin it every day in school
Come along with me see how much
Fun it can be while watchin' me
Oh, baby do the stupidity ohhh, My Mama
She says it's silly my Papa
Says I look like a fool
But i don't mind the criticism
Because we do it every day in school
Come along with me
See how much fun it can be watch it on TV
(No, Baby) That's a stupidity
You make me feel so good
Hahaha Like I know I should baaaaby
Solomon Burke's song "Stupidity" seems to celebrate and embrace the concept of acting foolish and making mistakes. The song begins with an invitation to everyone in the world to "take a lesson from me" and "do the stupidity." While the singer acknowledges that some authority figures such as his mother and father may think the behavior is silly or foolish, he does not mind the criticism because "we're doin' it every day in school."
Throughout the song, the singer seems to revel in the idea of being seen as foolish, inviting the listener to come along and watch while he acts foolishly. The repeated refrain of "Baby do the stupidity" further emphasizes the idea that this behavior is not only acceptable but desirable.
Ultimately, the song seems to be advocating for individuality and not being afraid to make mistakes or look silly. The emphasis on having fun and enjoying life, even if it means acting foolish, is a message that can be interpreted as both joyful and liberating.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey (Hey) everybody (Everybody)
Greetings to everyone around the world
All around the world every boy and girl
In every corner of the world, regardless of gender or age
Take a lesson from me do the stupidity
Learn from my example and engage in foolish, nonsensical behavior
Woah, oh!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
My Mama she says it's silly
My mother believes it is foolish
My Papa says "you look like a fool"
My father thinks I appear foolish while doing the stupidity
Baby i don't mind criticism
I am not bothered by criticism or negative feedback
Because we're doin it every day in school
Because we engage in foolish behavior on a daily basis while in school
Come along with me see how much
Join me and witness how enjoyable
Fun it can be while watchin' me
Engaging in foolish behavior can be entertaining, especially when viewing it secondhand
Oh, baby do the stupidity ohhh, My Mama
Indirectly encouraging and inviting others to engage in foolish behavior
She says it's silly my Papa
Repeating criticism received from parents
Says I look like a fool
Reiterating the negative perception of My Papa
But i don't mind the criticism
Despite the negative feedback received, I still enjoy the activity
Because we do it every day in school
Repeatedly emphasizing how commonplace and accepted the foolish behavior is while in school
Come along with me
Inviting others to join in the activity
See how much fun it can be watch it on TV
Highlighting how entertaining it is to watch others engage in foolish behavior
(No, Baby) That's a stupidity
Acknowledging that the behavior is indeed foolish and nonsensical
You make me feel so good
Expressing the positive emotions associated with engaging in the stupidity
Hahaha Like I know I should baaaaby
Laughing and enjoying the moment, as if fulfilling a natural inclination to engage in silly behavior
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donald Morrow
I first heard this song as an almost simultaneously released cover by the Van Dykes in Baltimore. As great as that version was, Solomon's original not only delivers raw, masterful soul but teaches just how it is done. The magic trick done here is that the song gives gravitas to the most tongue in cheek lyrics you will ever hear in soul music. This should be required listening for every Solomon Burke fan.
ThomEA
A lost gem..."I don't mind criticism, 'cause they do it every day in school" You hear a line like that, you never forget it!
James Leser
I first heard this at a beer bar north of Milw and the band played it so well...but when I heard Solomon do it, there was no equal. The horn section is great and sounds huge. "Cry to Me" is another Burke classic...heard in "Dirty Dancing"
ritchierich07
Thanks so much. I had this 45 back in the mid 1960s, along with others by him. This was one of my favorites and I hadn't heard it since then. Put an ear to ear grin on my face.
Patrick Higgins
For Dr Feelgood in October 1976 it was their N°1 live LP!
Anders Gustavsson
R.I.P. what a great singer!
strangewayz
Fantastic track man...thanks for it
Blackpool77
Incredibly played last hr at Parkers in Manchester in early 90s
Doc Cartwright
The Liverpool band The Undertakers which lined up with a sax used to do this with I think a longer instrumental break. Change the words a bit and it's not a dance but a commentary on the state of the world "All around the world - see the stupidity". Great song, RIP Solomon
D. Oliver
The Detroit Cobras cover brought me here. Both versions amazing.