The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.
The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 1999 Disney animated short John Henry (based on the folklore character) as part of Disney's American Legends, the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by Stephen James Taylor
The group has received three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, one Emmy nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five NAACP Image Award nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.
Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.
Hey Jude
Sounds Of Blackness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
Hey Jude, don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
The lyrics to Sounds of Blackness's song Hey Jude are a rallying cry to those who have been hurt by love. The song encourages the listener to take a sad song and make it better by opening their heart to love. The first verse urges Jude not to make things any worse than they already are. Instead, he is encouraged to allow his love interest into his heart and work to make things better.
The second verse admonishes Jude not to be afraid to pursue the woman he loves. The idea is that once she is under his skin, he will be inspired to make things better. The chorus reminds Jude that whenever he feels pain, he should not allow it to weigh him down. He is urged not to be a fool and let the pain make him cold and distant.
The bridge of the song urges Jude to let his feelings out and let love in. The song encourages him to believe in himself and not look for someone else to fix things for him. The repetition of the "na na na" at the end is a call to action, encouraging Jude to take the steps necessary to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Don't worsen the situation, Hey Jude.
Take a sad song and make it better
Try to transform a gloomy situation into a brighter one, Hey Jude.
Remember to let her into your heart
Allow her to become an essential part of your life, Hey Jude.
Then you can start to make it better
Only then, you'll able to start making things better, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
Don't be fearful, Hey Jude.
You were made to go out and get her
You were destined to pursue her, Hey Jude.
The minute you let her under your skin
As soon as you let her close to you, Hey Jude.
Then you begin to make it better
You'll start to improve things, Hey Jude.
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Whenever you feel hurt, Hey Jude, pause.
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
Don't bear a heavy burden, Hey Jude.
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
It's foolish to act indifferent towards it, Hey Jude.
By making his world a little colder
By behaving coldly to others, one can worsen their own life, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't let me down
Don't disappoint me, Hey Jude.
You have found her, now go and get her
You have discovered her, pursue her now, Hey Jude.
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
Express your emotions without hesitation, Hey Jude, and start moving forward.
You're waiting for someone to perform with
You're waiting for a companion to share your stage, Hey Jude.
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
You don't need anyone else, Hey Jude, you can do it yourself.
The movement you need is on your shoulder
You have the strength to move ahead on your own, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Don't worsen the situation, Hey Jude.
Take a sad song and make it better
Try to transform a gloomy situation into a brighter one, Hey Jude.
Remember to let her under your skin
Allow her to become an essential part of your life, Hey Jude.
Then you'll begin to make it
Only then, you'll able to start making things better, Hey Jude.
Better better better better better better, oh
You'll start making things better, and it'll keep getting better, Hey Jude.
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
Instrumental
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HSSU Camera Club
on Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly by Sounds of Blackness
Chorus
Black Butterfly, you can do most anything your heart desires
Freedom comes with understanding who you are
Its time to reclaim your place among the stars
Spread your wings and fly
Awakening the genius has been asleep too long
A people with a beauty rich and strong
A heritage that rates second to none
Original, your qualities, don’t change them to fit in
Now that you’re on top just keep rising
Experience new life, be born again.
Chorus
What’s going on?
To not reveal unless we choose to see
Has generations lost in history
To hide our culture and identity
Keep your pride
You can’t be another color butterfly
So when you shine, let everybody see your light
Cuz you know out of sight means out of mind