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.
Don't Know What to Say
The Blackbyrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You jump the wall, I'll find a place to park
Kill the angels if they′re keeping guard
How do I start when you don't know what to say?
No, I don't know what to say
You said the world′s already full enough
Of defeated people and you would not be one
And find better and I hope that′s where you are
Yeah, I know that's where you are
A doppelgänger with a telling scar
I saw the universe hidden in your heart
Wish I told you this before it got too dark
Where do you start when you know it has to end?
How a flower in the rain
Only grows more when it′s grey
You just shined on brighter
Making gold out of the pain
"I can die, but I can't break," you said
"You can rule, I won′t obey"
As long as I'm still smiling
Well, I don′t know what to say
The Blackbyrds' song "Don't Know What to Say" is a melancholic reflection on loss and regret, particularly on the part of the singer who has lost someone close to them. The opening line, "I'll see you at the gates when it gets dark," sets the stage for the entire song; the singer is envisioning a reunion with the departed in the afterlife, but it is tinged with uncertainty and darkness. The second line, "You jump the wall, I'll find a place to park" reinforces this sense of uncertainty; the singer is not sure where they fit in this new reality.
The next line, "Kill the angels if they're keeping guard," is particularly striking, as it hints at anger and frustration with the concept of divine intervention. The singer seems to be saying that they are willing to do whatever it takes to be reunited with their loved one, even if it means fighting against the very concept of heaven and angels guarding the gates. This sentiment is echoed in the chorus when the singer admits, "How do I start when you don't know what to say? No, I don't know what to say." The grief and confusion is palpable, and the singer is struggling to find the words to express their feelings.
The final stanza of the song is particularly poignant. The singer describes the departed as a "doppelgänger with a telling scar," a clear reference to the idea that we all have our scars and imperfections that make us unique. The singer wishes they had told the departed "before it got too dark" how much they meant to them, but it is too late. The final line of the song, "Well, I don't know what to say," is a heartbreaking admission of defeat; some feelings are simply too complex and overwhelming to put into words.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll see you at the gates when it gets dark
I'll meet you at the appointed place when it's dark outside
You jump the wall, I'll find a place to park
You enter first and I'll secure a place to park my car
Kill the angels if they're keeping guard
Overcome any obstacles in our way, no matter how great
How do I start when you don't know what to say?
I'm at a loss for words and don't know where to begin
No, I don't know what to say
I'm speechless and don't have anything to add
You said the world's already full enough
Life is already challenging and difficult
Of defeated people and you would not be one
But you refuse to give up and be defeated
Always a choice to move yourself along
We always have the choice to keep moving forward
And find better and I hope that's where you are
I hope that you've found a better place
Yeah, I know that's where you are
I have faith that you've found a better place
A doppelgänger with a telling scar
A lookalike with a notable mark or wound
I saw the universe hidden in your heart
I saw a vast and complex world within you
Wish I told you this before it got too dark
I regret not expressing this sooner, before the opportunity passed
Where do you start when you know it has to end?
How do you begin something when you know it will inevitably come to a close?
How a flower in the rain
Like a flower thriving in difficult conditions
Only grows more when it's grey
Blossoming even more in the face of adversity
You just shined on brighter
You radiated even brighter despite the struggles
Making gold out of the pain
Turning a difficult experience into something valuable
"I can die, but I can't break," you said
You proclaimed that you may be vulnerable, but you won't be defeated
"You can rule, I won't obey"
You refuse to submit to anyone else's control or authority
As long as I'm still smiling
As long as you can maintain a positive outlook
Well, I don't know what to say
In conclusion, I'm still at a loss for words
Writer(s): O. Saunders, L. Farmer
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.