Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Ball Of Confusion
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People moving out, people moving in
Why? Because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run but you sure can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to my nation
Ball of confusion
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today
Woo, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky
The cities ablaze in the summer time
And oh, the beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, said nobody knows
Oh, great Googamooga
Can't you hear me talking to you?
Just a ball of confusion
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today
Woo, hey, hey
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation
And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting
'End the war' and the band played on
Great Googamooga
Can't you hear me talking to you?
It's a ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin' ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin' ball of confusion
Tesla's song "Ball of Confusion" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world in the 1990s. The lyrics depict a world in chaos, where people are judged and discriminated against based on their skin color, where violence begets violence, and where people are more interested in their own self-interest than in learning or understanding others. The song starts off with a jab at segregation, with people moving in and out based on the color of their skin. The lyrics then move on to a critique of politicians who make promises to set people free, but who are only interested in their own self-interests. The chorus reflects the confusion and chaos of the world, with the singer noting that nobody knows where the world is headed.
The song also touches on other issues that were prevalent at the time, including drug use, the state of the economy, and the Vietnam War. The line "fear in the air, tension everywhere, unemployment rising fast" speaks to the anxiety felt by many people during the recession of the early 1990s. The line "people all over the world are shouting 'end the war'" suggests that even though the Vietnam War had ended, people were still advocating for an end to violent conflict.
Overall, "Ball of Confusion" is a powerful critique of society and the issues faced by people at the time. The song acknowledges the problems facing the world while also urging people to come together and seek change.
Line by Line Meaning
People moving out, people moving in
People are constantly changing their living situations
Why? Because of the color of their skin
The reason for some people's moves is due to racial discrimination
Run, run, run but you sure can't hide
People try to avoid the problems they face, but it ultimately catches up with them
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Revenge and retaliation are common responses in today's world
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Politicians make promises to gain votes but often fail to keep them
Rap on, brother, rap on
Continue to speak out against injustice and inequality
Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher
Religious figures are the only ones promoting peace and love
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
The only way to educate and improve society is through teaching and learning
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Current events include protests and struggles for equal rights and opportunities
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to my nation
There is frustration and shame about the state of the country that people feel a duty to fix
Ball of confusion
The world is a confusing and chaotic place
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today
This chaos and confusion is a reality of modern life
Woo, hey, hey
An expression of enthusiasm and energy
The sale of pills are at an all time high
The pharmaceutical industry is booming
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky
The younger generation is idealistic and optimistic
The cities ablaze in the summer time
Riots and unrest are happening in urban areas during the summer months
And oh, the beat goes on
Despite all the chaos, life continues
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul
Various social, scientific, and political issues are at the forefront of society
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Advancements in technology are happening at the same time as children are losing their innocence
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
Elected officials often resort to raising taxes to solve problems, but it is not always effective
And the band played on
Life goes on, despite the societal issues faced
So, round and around and around we go
Society continues to cycle through similar issues and cycles
Where the world's headed, said nobody knows
It is uncertain where the world and society are headed
Oh, great Googamooga
An expression of surprise or exasperation
Can't you hear me talking to you?
A plea for attention and communication
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
People are scared and anxious
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas
The job market is not strong, but people still find joy in music and art
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation
Indigenous peoples' land is the only safe space in a dangerous world
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors
A list of stressful and negative things happening in society
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills
Fashion trends are popular, but overpopulation and financial burdens are causing people to feel hopeless
Hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting 'End the war'
People are seeking alternative lifestyles, and there are ongoing protests against war
Sayin' ball of confusion
Reiterating that the world is a confusing and chaotic place
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Encouraging audience participation
Sayin' ball of confusion
Reiterating that the world is a confusing and chaotic place
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Encouraging audience participation
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Encouraging audience participation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!