He claimed that he was of the "Angel Race", not from Earth but from Saturn. Some of his most notable influences were African and African-American theatre, theosophy, and masonic Afro-futurism. His interest in these art forms and principles led to the development of a complicated but consistent set of cosmic philosophies and lyrical poetry, which preached spiritual awareness and peace.
Born on 22nd May 1914 as Herman Poole Blount, in Birmingham, Alabama, he was nicknamed "Sonny" from his youth. Later, after his release from a detention camp for protesting against World War II, he took on the name and persona of Sun Ra (after the ancient Egyptian sun god).
Sun Ra could play many modern and classical works from memory and had worked in country and western bands before moving to Chicago. His personal music collection contained over 10,000 discs, and he was constantly reviewing and studying. Many of his improvisational and compositional innovations were extensions of ideas from twentieth-century European composers. He is responsible for having brought these ideas into jazz decades before many commercial artists popularised the same methods.
From 1955 until his death on 30th May 1993, Sun Ra led a big-band ensemble with a constant core of John Gilmore (the only sax player John Coltrane thought "worth listening to") and Marshall Allen (master of alto saxophone pyrotechnics), wrapped by an ever-changing lineup of sidemen who are big names in modern jazz today. The Arkestra, so named as to be an "ark between two worlds", never repeated a performance and rarely repeated an arrangement. Additionally, they appeared under a variety of names, including "The Solar Myth Arkestra", and the "Blue Universe Arkestra".
There is some disagreement as to Sun Ra's date of birth. He stated that he had "arrived on Earth" on a number of dates. He was fond of showing his doubters his United States passport, which clearly gave the place of birth as the planet Saturn. 22nd May 1914 appeared on his passport, but other sources place his birth anywhere from 1910 to 1918; most sources support a birth year of 1914 or 1915.
Star Time
Sun Ra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know your kind, now's your time,
To break out on the dance floor
Without no shame, without no shame, just let it go
Now you won't ask why tonight
'cause you know the magic is right
You let your passion take flight
Get ready to lift off, you just damn want to explode
Strut... Strut...
You blow my mind, who ever thought,
You'd break out on that dance floor
Without no shame, now where's that shame,
I used to know
Now I won't ask why tonight
'cause I know the magic is right
I see those stars in your eyes, get ready to lift off
Come on, you've got to move baby,
Come on and do it just right
Do what you got to do, sugar to keep my lovin' in line
Break out on the dance floor
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Eyes up, left hand back, break out on the dance floor
If you're tryin' to blow my mind, try
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
If you're tryin' to blow my mind, try
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Strut... Strut...
Pipe up the sound, get up now get down
Pumpin to the rhythm so this really can go round
Any race, listen to this jam, pump it till you can, move understand
Floor should be packed, you know where you're at
If you're livin' at large, runaway jack
Then get on the dance floor and move to this track, come on
Get on up and jack to the beat
This heart likes a cocktail rhythm, that'll make ya move your feet
Get on the dance floor and prove you can move it
Loco pumpin' hipe, so use it
Get on the dance floor and show me how
Now dance now, honey...eyes up, left hand back...
You got to move
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
You should be dancin all night
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Get up get up
Eyes up, left hand back
Break out on the dance floor
The lyrics to Sun Ra's song "Star Time" invite the listener to dance freely and without shame. In the first verse, the singer encourages the listener to let their passion take flight and be ready to explode. The second verse praises the dancer's moves and comments on the absence of shame in the dancer's previous behavior. The song goes on to encourage everyone to dance, regardless of race or status, and to move to the music freely.
Sun Ra's "Star Time" encourages the listener to let go and find freedom through dancing. The repetition of "Strut... Strut..." emphasizes the importance of confidently moving to the music. The lyrics are also inclusive, as they invite everyone to dance regardless of race or status. The song's use of metaphors, such as "lift off" and "blow my mind" create a sense of urgency and excitement as the singer encourages the listener to dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Strut... Strut...
Get ready to dance and move to the rhythm.
I know your kind, now's your time,
This is the right moment for you to do what you do best.
To break out on the dance floor
Start dancing without hesitation or fear.
Without no shame, without no shame, just let it go
Don't worry about what others may think or say, just dance freely.
Now you won't ask why tonight
There's no need to question why you're dancing, just enjoy the experience.
'cause you know the magic is right
You feel the energy and excitement of the music and know that it's right.
You let your passion take flight
Allow your love for dancing to take over and guide you.
Get ready to lift off, you just damn want to explode
Prepare to be lifted to a higher level of enjoyment and freedom, and feel the urge to fully express yourself.
You blow my mind, who ever thought,
I'm amazed and impressed by your dancing skills and energy.
Now where's that shame, I used to know
I remember a time when you were hesitant or embarrassed to dance, but now you're fully confident and unashamed.
I see those stars in your eyes, get ready to lift off
I recognize the excitement and joy in your eyes, and know that you're about to take your dancing to a higher level.
Come on, you've got to move baby,
It's time to get up and dance.
Come on and do it just right
Dance in a way that feels natural and expressive to you.
Do what you got to do, sugar to keep my lovin' in line
Dance to keep my love for you strong and steady.
Eyes up, left hand back, now go 'head'n strut
Put your focus and energy into your dancing and give it your all.
If you're tryin' to blow my mind, try
If you want to impress me, use your dancing to do it.
Pipe up the sound, get up now get down
Increase the volume of the music and start dancing energetically.
Pumpin to the rhythm so this really can go round
Dance in sync with the beat so that the energy keeps flowing.
Any race, listen to this jam, pump it till you can, move understand
Everyone can dance to this song, so listen to it and move your body until you feel the rhythm and flow.
Floor should be packed, you know where you're at
The dance floor should be crowded with people enjoying the music and dancing.
If you're livin' at large, runaway jack
If you're someone who likes to live big and free, then put those qualities into your dancing and move with abandon.
Then get on the dance floor and move to this track, come on
Join everyone else on the dance floor and start moving to the music.
Get on up and jack to the beat
Get up and dance energetically to the rhythm of the music.
This heart likes a cocktail rhythm, that'll make ya move your feet
This music has a powerful rhythm that will make you want to dance and move your feet.
Loco pumpin' hipe, so use it
The music is full of energy and excitement, so take advantage of it.
Get on the dance floor and show me how
Demonstrate your dancing skills and impress me.
Now dance now, honey...eyes up, left hand back...
Start dancing now, focusing on the music and giving it your all.
You should be dancin all night
Dance for as long as you want and enjoy the experience.
Get up get up
Get up and start dancing with everyone else.
Break out on the dance floor
Start dancing freely and confidently, without hesitation or shame.
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.