The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. They won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2003 and have collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller and Gordon Goodwin.
In 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, a Seventh-Day Adventist College, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom (later said to be in Peterson Hall), getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night.[1] Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group. The group performed under the moniker "Alliance".
The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.
The group was signed to Warner Brothers in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder.
In 1991, after the release of their second album, So Much 2 Say, Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer. Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. The group added instrumentation to their purely a cappella sound beginning with the record He Is Christmas; Join The Band and Brothers continued their streak of success, and Take 6 amassed a total of seven Grammys and eight Dove awards, as well as topping the Downbeat Magazine's Reader's and Critic's poll for seven years' consecutively.
Take 6's 1998 release, So Cool, brought the group back to its a cappella origins.
In 2006 the group launched Take 6 Records and the 2006 release Feels Good was released on that label.
The group currently lists Nashville, Tennessee as its home.[2] All members grew up Seventh-Day Adventist.[
Where Do the Children Play
Take 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin' in the schoolyard (watch out boys! )
I need to have your time and attention
Oh I've got crack and things like that (what, oh no, don't do it! )
And I guarantee your money back (watch out boys! )
If the trip ain't right (what are you talking about?)
Come here girls (no! )
Standin' on the corner (watch out girls! )
Well, you work for me, your rent is free (what, don't listen, go back home! )
And promise job security
If you throw it right (give it up! )
We look in the mirror every morning
Not realizing there's a warning
These are our children
Don't let them slip away
We've got to uplift them
Give them guidance
Show them a future free of sadness
If we ignore (this)
Well it's on ya
[Chorus:]
Where do the children play?
They're living a come what may
Where will they play?
They can make it
Just lead them on their way
Oh Lord, they're living in a wicked world
Where will they play?
You know you better find out
'Cause their future begins today
Come here kids (Yo, please listen! )
Searching in the darkness (we've got something, listen up! )
I need to have your time and attention (just listem, you better pay attention)
It's okay to lay your blame (tell 'em, Lord)
I died for you so with no shame (you can call)
You can call my name
We're reading the labels every morning
Not seeing the writings or the warnings
They're living in a world not their own
Show them a place where love is holy
Lead them away from sad and lonely
If you don't do it
Well, It's on ya
[Chorus]
Give them a future!
The lyrics of Take 6's song Where Do the Children Play? highlight the dangers of drugs, poverty, and lack of guidance that push young children away from their innocence and threaten their future. The song begins with a warning to boys playing in the schoolyard, tempting them with drugs and guaranteeing their money back if the trip is not satisfactory. Similarly, girls standing on the corner are offered job security and rent-free accommodation if they "throw it right." In both cases, the children are being lured away from their safe space, and the chorus asks, "Where do the children play?"
The song's lyrics then underscore the need for adults to protect vulnerable children and guide them towards a future that is free of sadness. It is the responsibility of adults to uplift and provide these children the necessary guidance they need to grow and become positive contributors to society. The chorus emphasizes the bleak reality that children are living in a wicked world, but also gives hope that they can make it if they are led on the right path. By showing them a place where love is holy, children can be led away from sad and lonely places.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here boys
Addressing young boys to listen to what he has to say
Playin' in the schoolyard (watch out boys! )
Boys playing in the schoolyard must be careful
I need to have your time and attention
Urging the boys to focus on him
Oh I've got crack and things like that (what, oh no, don't do it! )
Offering drugs and other harmful substances to the boys (with a warning not to listen)
And I guarantee your money back (watch out boys! )
Promising money back if the boys don't enjoy the drugs (with another warning to be cautious)
If the trip ain't right (what are you talking about?)
Referring to the drug experience not being enjoyable
Come here girls (no! )
Addressing young girls to listen to what he has to say
Standin' on the corner (watch out girls! )
Girls standing on the street corner must be careful
I need to have your time and attention (don't listen, stop talking that smack! )
Urging the girls to listen to him (with a warning not to believe his lies)
Well, you work for me, your rent is free (what, don't listen, go back home! )
Offering a job to the girls in exchange for free rent (with a warning not to accept)
And promise job security
Promising job stability for the girls
If you throw it right (give it up! )
Referring to the girls performing sexual favors for him
We look in the mirror every morning
Reflecting on oneself every morning
Not realizing there's a warning
Not noticing the issues and dangers around us
These are our children
Reminding the listener that the children around us are our responsibility
Don't let them slip away
Urging the listener not to let the children fall into harmful situations
We've got to uplift them
Encouraging the listener to help improve the lives of children
Give them guidance
Offering direction and support to children
Show them a future free of sadness
Presenting a positive, happy future for children
If we ignore (this)
If we neglect our responsibility to help children
Well it's on ya
The responsibility of the negative consequences falls on the listener
[Chorus:]
Beginning of the chorus section
Where do the children play?
Asking where children can safely spend their time
They're living a come what may
Children are living in a world without guidance or structure
Where will they play?
Asking where children can find a safe place to play
They can make it
Assuring that children can succeed in life
Just lead them on their way
Encouraging the listener to help guide children in the right direction
Oh Lord, they're living in a wicked world
Expressing concern and sadness for the difficulties children face
You know you better find out
Urging the listener to become informed and help children
'Cause their future begins today
Reminding that the future of children is impacted by today's actions
Come here kids (Yo, please listen! )
Addressing children to listen closely
Searching in the darkness (we've got something, listen up! )
Implying a search for something important in difficult times
I need to have your time and attention (just listem, you better pay attention)
Urging children to focus and pay attention
It's okay to lay your blame (tell 'em, Lord)
Providing comfort and reassurance that it's okay to take responsibility for mistakes
I died for you so with no shame (you can call)
Referencing a religious belief that Jesus died for one's sins and can be called upon for help
You can call my name
Encouraging children to seek help and guidance
We're reading the labels every morning
Paying close attention to information presented to us
Not seeing the writings or the warnings
Missing important warning signs or misinterpreting information
They're living in a world not their own
Not feeling at home or comfortable in their environment
Show them a place where love is holy
Encouraging the listener to present a loving and supportive environment for children
Lead them away from sad and lonely
Assisting children in finding happiness and community
If you don't do it
If we don't help children in need
Well, It's on ya
We are responsible for the consequences
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus section
Give them a future!
An emphatic call to action to provide a positive future for children
Contributed by Brody G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.