1. Straight Ahead fo… Read Full Bio ↴There are 2 bands with the name Straight Ahead.
1. Straight Ahead formed in New York City in 1986 from the ashes of NYC Mayhem. They recorded what some consider the best New York Hardcore record ever - the Breakaway 12" on IRisk Records in 1987. They also appear on the End The Warzone compilation with Larm and Attitude Adjustment. The 12" has been bootlegged countless times as a 7" EP, and another bootleg appeared in 2002 as a split LP with NYC Mayhem.
2. An all African-American female jazz band from Detroit. Members include Cynthia Dewberry (lead vocals/flute), Gayelynn Mckinney (Drums/Background vocals), Eilleen Orr (Piano/Synths/Background vocals), and Marion Hayden-Banfield (Bass/Background vocals) and formerly award-winning violinist Regina Carter. McKinney is the scion of Detroit's "first family of bop" the daughter of legendary jazz pianist Harold Mckinney. Their albums include Body and Soul, Look Straight Ahead (Atlantic Records) and Dance of the Forest Rain.
From Wikipedia: ", Branford Marsalis was quoted as saying, "They truly swing.” They released a trio of albums on the Atlantic Jazz label including their self-titled debut, Body and Soul, and Look Straight Ahead. Carter went solo before the release of their third album Dance of the Forest Rain and began an impressive run, establishing herself as a force in the jazz world on the violin. In 1991, she left the band and moved to New York City.".
STRAIGHT AHEAD
Straight Ahead Lyrics
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The lyrics of Straight Ahead's song "Straight Ahead" promote the idea of unity and mutual support among people. The song emphasizes the importance of a caring and helpful attitude towards others. It urges listeners to look deep within themselves to find their better selves and to become more sympathetic to the plight of others.
The first few lines "I'm for the people. I stand for them. If everyone learned to give a helping hand." emphasizes that the singer's allegiance is with the people and that he is willing to stand up for their welfare. He stresses that if everyone started helping each other, the world would be a much better place, thereby highlighting the importance of community and social support.
The lyrics, "Broken spirits, they walk that line," describes the isolation and loneliness that many people feel, and urges listeners to look inside themselves to find their caring and supportive side. The song stresses that mutual support and caring is the key to a better world, and it advocates for a positive attitude that enables people to help those in need.
Overall, "Straight Ahead" serves as a positive message of hope and support to listeners, urging them to embrace a caring and supportive attitude towards others in the pursuit of a better, more unified world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm for the people.
I am in support of the people.
I stand for them.
I will stand up and advocate for them.
If everyone learned to give a helping hand.
If everyone practiced helping each other out.
You can count on me, your fellow man.
I am reliable and trustworthy as a fellow human.
In our fight for unity, we stand.
We will remain united in our efforts to promote togetherness.
So many people, seem they don't mind.
Many people appear apathetic.
Broken spirits, they walk that line.
Their spirits are defeated and they continue to suffer.
Look deep inside yourself and try to find,
Search within yourself and attempt to discover,
a caring person with an open mind.
someone who is compassionate and has an open attitude.
The way we think. The way we act.
Our thought processes and actions.
We walk STRAIGHT AHEAD willing to give.
We will move forward with determination to help others.
Always dare hold out our hands cause we care.
We will always extend a helping hand because we have concern for others.
We'll do the best we can.
We will give our utmost effort.
I'm for the people.
I am in support of the people.
I stand for them.
I will defend and support them.
If everyone learned to give a helping hand.
If everyone practiced helping each other out.
You can count on me.
You can rely on me.
Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chrisfrancz
So classic! I was lucky to see a lot of these bands in 1988 as I lived in PA only 1 hour outside NYC so bands were always coming up to play.