On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and band members Jimmy King (b.1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (b. 1948; organ), Phalon Jones (b. 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (b. 1949; drums) died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin.
Trumpeter Ben Cauley survived the crash and bassist James Alexander (who missed the flight due to returning a rental car) rebuilt the group.
The reformed band consisted of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson, lead vocals.
The group backed dozens of major Stax artists on recordings afterwards, including on Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul album, and changed direction in the 1970s to have a successful funk music career. Lloyd Smith joined the Bar-Kays in 1973. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s and lately have incorporated contemporary rap & remix elements into their continuing career and have performed all over the world.
With a Child's Heart
The Bar-Kays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a child's heart turn each problem into play
No need to worry, no need to fear
Just being alive makes it all so very clear, ooh
With a child's heart nothing can ever get you down
With a child's heart you've got no reason to frown
Love is as welcome as a sunny, sunny day
Take life easy, so easy nice and easy
Like a child so gay and so carefree, yeah
The whole world smiles with you as you go your merry way, woo, woo
Oh, with a child's heart, nothing's gonna get
Nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Woah, with a child's heart, oh, nothing's gonna get
Nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Oh, with a child's heart, nothing's gonna get
Nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Oh, with a child's heart
The Bar-Kays's song With a Child's Heart is a heartfelt reminder to all of us to cherish our inner child and approach life's problems with the simplicity and positivity of a child's mind. The lyrics encourage us to face our worries with a child's heart, which means to turn every problem into play and not be bogged down by worries or fears. The song suggests that being alive is clear with a child's heart, which means to approach life with a sense of wonder and joy that we lose as we grow up.
The song goes on to say that with a child's heart, nothing can ever get us down. Children do not carry the weight and pessimism of adult life, and hence, they have no reason to frown. The lyrics suggest that love is as welcome as a sunny day in a child's heart, and there are no adult thoughts to lead our hearts astray. The song ultimately encourages us to take life easy, nice, and easy like a child so carefree.
Line by Line Meaning
With a child's heart go face the worries of the day
Approach the day's challenges with the curiosity and optimism of a child
With a child's heart turn each problem into play
Adopt a playful attitude towards issues instead of taking them too seriously
No need to worry, no need to fear
There's no need to feel anxious or scared in life
Just being alive makes it all so very clear, ooh
The mere act of existing is enough to provide clarity and purpose
With a child's heart nothing can ever get you down
A childlike perspective can protect against negativity and discouragement
With a child's heart you've got no reason to frown
Having a youthful outlook means there's little cause for sadness or discontent
Love is as welcome as a sunny, sunny day
Love is as warmly received as a bright and cheerful day
No grown up thoughts to lead our hearts astray
Avoid becoming disillusioned or jaded by avoiding overly-adult thinking
Take life easy, so easy nice and easy
Live life at a comfortable and relaxed pace
Like a child so gay and so carefree, yeah
Embody the lightheartedness and freedom of a child
The whole world smiles with you as you go your merry way, woo, woo
A positive attitude can be infectious and inspire joy in others
Oh, with a child's heart, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Maintaining a childlike perspective can prevent obstacles and setbacks from bringing you down
Woah, with a child's heart, oh, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Reiterating that remaining youthful in spirit can keep problems from seeming insurmountable
Oh, with a child's heart, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get, nothing's gonna get me down
Further emphasizing the resilience and confidence that comes with a childlike mindset
Writer(s): HENRY COSBY, VICKY BASEMORE, SYLVIA MOY
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.