The group was led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination.
Their 1975 song "Rock Creek Park" from the City Life album has been sampled numerous times by groups such as De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, NWA, Massive Attack, Ice Cube, Heavy D, Nas and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. The song has also appeared on the soundtrack to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Allan Barnes passed away July 26th, 2016 from an unspecified illness.
Better Days
The Blackbyrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better day is that we looking for dear lord can you hear our pray
vrese1
First step to the top never stop rap is all I got Hip Hop is on my
main friends watching die hope we live our lives with no crop
celebration that we need smoking weed seeping wine where that seeds
we like I don't care what I want I need a bad chick am jobless
our pray with no faith u put a smile in u face while heart full a
hate can u fix that case u need to save a money in ur box while ur
child hungry crying need a bread or u always wasting money for fun
while ur brother waiting to pay him a school fees lord please change
our heart let us be a great seed South Sudan think wisely
this a tech Era don't forget the whole world watching yella
chours
Better day is that we looking for dear lord can you hear our pray
Second verse clear that worth Deja Vu peace and unity dear Dr.
John grang we get ur message wrong we thought strong completely we
found ourselves need to crow uh u can make yourself perfect without
point ur purpose life is good we make it under by killing each others
struggling 21years for freedom we completed is time to join our steps
for sure we can a good gate perfect time to find who I am am rhyming
am from South Sudan is time to think about your nation generation is
our caution any one of us need to live a good time and see his
children growing around to teach em things when he was young life is
full of secrets we find it only if we open our main choose a way
brother we put our hands together or we all say welcome to good die
vrese3
Am not trying to tell the whole world what's going on but already
know how South Sudan Cary on we losing fathers brothers sisters
mothers struggling live day by day with hope everyday is birthday for
us is curse day we live in worth way I wish I can live in my state
and wife rise kids she wake up in the morning and coke cake me drive
them to school at evening I can take em to play basketball what ever
they wanna play am OK movie night cinema let's ur kids be finest and
u can be honest next day u'll see where to find em perfect time to
say goodbye to all a misery start a new life
better days is on a way my homies don't leave stay
The Blackbyrds song Better Days delivers a solemn message about the painful realities of living in South Sudan. The song is a heartfelt plea to the heavens asking for better days, as the people of South Sudan yearn for peace and unity. The lyrics of the song deal with themes such as poverty, hopelessness, family, and the need to change attitudes towards life. The song begins with the idea of an ascent in the rapper's career, but the lines "hope we live our lives with no crop" indicate that the rapper's success is not guaranteed. There is an emphasis on the importance of celebrating the little moments and enjoying life, even amid hard times.
The song's chorus "Better day is that we looking for dear lord can you hear our prayer" is a plea for hope, and the verses are a commentary on the challenges that people face every day. The lyrics in the second verse urge the audience to think about their sense of purpose and to join forces with their fellow South Sudanese. The lines "life is full of secrets we find it only if we open our main choose a way brother we put our hands together or we all say welcome to good die" highlight the significance of solidarity, as the only way to survive is by working together.
Overall, The Blackbyrds' song Better Days is a powerful and emotional testimony on the living conditions of South Sudan. The song speaks of the struggles that people face, but it ends on a message of hope for a brighter tomorrow, a day when everyone can live a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Better day is that we looking for dear lord can you hear our pray
The Blackbyrds sing about the search for a better day and pray to God for help.
First step to the top never stop rap is all I got Hip Hop is on my main friends watching die hope we live our lives with no crop celebration that we need smoking weed seeping wine where that seeds we like
The singer talks about his dreams of success in the music industry, hoping to live life without struggle, and celebrates with friends while indulging in some vices.
I don't care what I want I need a bad chick am jobless hopeless waiting for better day with no pay
The singer confesses to being unemployed, hopeless, and seeking a better day with the company of a woman.
How can a lord listen to our pray with no faith u put a smile in ur face while heart full a hate can u fix that case u need to save a money in ur box while ur child hungry crying need a bread or u always wasting money for fun while ur brother waiting to pay him a school fees lord please change our heart let us be a great seed South Sudan think wisely this a tech Era don't forget the whole world watching yella
The singer questions how God can listen to their prayers when they lack faith, hide their true feelings behind a smile, and neglect their responsibilities. He prays for a change in heart and urges his country to be smart in this technological age while being watched by the world.
Second verse clear that worth Deja Vu peace and unity dear Dr. John grang we get ur message wrong we thought strong completely we found ourselves need to crow uh u can make yourself perfect without point ur purpose life is good we make it under by killing each others struggling 21years for freedom we completed is time to join our steps for sure we can a good gate perfect time to find who I am am rhyming am from South Sudan is time to think about your nation generation is our caution any one of us need to live a good time and see his children growing around to teach em things when he was young life is full of secrets we find it only if we open our main choose a way brother we put our hands together or we all say welcome to good die
The singer reflects on his country's past struggle for freedom and the need for unity and understanding. He urges his people to find their purpose and take responsibility for a better future, to raise their children with the lessons learned from their own youth, and work together towards a brighter tomorrow.
Am not trying to tell the whole world what's going on but already know how South Sudan Cary on we losing fathers brothers sisters mothers struggling live day by day with hope everyday is birthday for us is curse day we live in worth way I wish I can live in my state and wife rise kids she wake up in the morning and coke cake me drive them to school at evening I can take em to play basketball what ever they wanna play am OK movie night cinema let's ur kids be finest and u can be honest next day u'll see where to find em perfect time to say goodbye to all a misery start a new life better days is on a way my homies don't leave stay
The singer knows the struggles of his nation and wishes for a simple life with his family. He encourages his friends to stay hopeful for a new life and a better future.
Writer(s): D. Stewart, R. Monroe, Keith Killgo
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
waxwarrior03
I remember this album was promoted by Fantasy along with Idris Muhammad's "Make It Count" around late 1980-early 81 for the UK market. Robbie Vincent and Froggy used to play some tunes from the album and somewhat became the part of the then-ongoing jazz-funk movement. Folks used to skate to the tapes at Hyde Park, Dulwich Park. Farah trousers, Nike bruins, slim fit Fila tracksuits... Massively fun times and a great George Duke production indeed!
silveray7
An underrated group all around. Thank you for reuploading this album.
XXBRENDOMANXX
That album cover is 🔥
Marcelo Ribeiro Simões
Listening this song today I could notícias a ton o Ray Parker Jr. on the fourth track I guess - "Can't stop the love".
The one after the show Jam and before "Do you wanna dance".
This is a great record I used to listen almost every day.
Thank you.