In 1967, they signed to Philips and issued a debut, non-LP single ('Let's Go Hide In The Forest' b/w 'Disparity Waterfront Blues'). In 1968, they released a self-titled debut LP which includes several notable songs, including 'It's A Monday Kind Of Tuesday' and '(As I Went Down To) Jerusalem'. By this time, the group had relocated to New York City where they frequently performed at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village and at the Players Theater, upstairs from the Café Wha?
Later in 1968, the Hello People released a second LP titled 'Fusion', which is also quite good. By this time, Tongue had left the fold to become a full-time songwriter and was replaced by Peter Weston (guitar, vocals). One of the tracks featured on the album ('Anthem') is a bitingly sarcastic stab at the U.S. establishment and was actually penned by ex-member Tongue who had done some time in federal prison in the mid-60s for draft resistance. The song charted in Cleveland but was then suddenly banned from airplay there and in some southern U.S. radio markets too! Other standout songs on the record include 'Pray For Rain' and the instrumental 'Jelly Jam'. Although the group didn't have a hit record, they were often seen around this time on major network television shows such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the controversial Smothers Brothers Show.
In the 1970s, the group reorganized and moved out to Los Angeles where they shared the stage with famous comedians such as Richard Pryor and George Carlin. They issued a third LP in 1971 titled 'Have You Seen The Light' and later in the decade caught the eye of Todd Rundgren and became a part of his regular touring group. Also around this time, both Weston and Sagarese left the band, reducing it to a foursome for the remainder of its days.
Future Shock
The Hello People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, hoo...
Hey, little sister
Where's your brother
See your mother
Standing on the soup line
Ain't got the strength
To be bothered
The almighty world
Hear me now
Whisper on
To weigh him down
[Chorus:]
We got to stop all men
From messing up the land
When won't we understand
This is our last and only chance
Everybody, it's a future shock
Future shock, future shock
Future shock, future shock
All worldly figures
Playing on niggers
Oh, see them passing
See how they're dancing
To the Superfly
Oh, ain't it wrong
When you don't know
Where we come from
Dancing in our youth
Dying at the truth
It ain't over
(Over, over, ain't over)
[Repeat chorus]
Future shock, future shock
The price of the beat
Higher than the dope in the street
Is it any wonder
For those with nothing to eat
[Repeat chorus]
Future shock, future shock
The Hello People's song "Future Shock" paints a picture of a world that is spiraling out of control. The opening verse introduces us to a family struggling to make ends meet - a mother standing on a soup line, a father too weak to work, and a sister looking for her brother. The song comments on the disparity between the rich and the poor, with the "worldly figures" playing on and exploiting the "niggers" while the lower classes struggle to survive. The "Superfly," a reference to the popular blaxploitation film, is used as a symbol of this exploitation, with the dancers oblivious to the realities of the world around them.
The chorus urges us to take action to stop men from ruining the land, suggesting that this is our last chance to address the problems facing our world. The phrase "future shock" is repeated throughout the song, a term coined by Alvin Toffler in 1970 to describe the disorienting effects of rapid technological and social change. The song suggests that we are all experiencing future shock as we struggle to keep up with a world that seems to be spinning faster and faster.
Line by Line Meaning
Future shock
The overwhelming feeling of confusion and disorientation about the changes that are happening in the present and what that means for the future.
Hey, little sister
Addressing a younger person to bring attention to what's happening around them.
Where's your brother
Asking where another family member is because they too should be aware.
See your mother
Noticing someone who is supposed to be taking care of them is in need themselves.
Standing on the soup line
On a line waiting for food assistance because they cannot afford it otherwise.
God bless your father
Wishing God's blessing on a father who cannot cope with the hardships of life anymore.
Ain't got the strength
Doesn't have the physical, emotional, or mental fortitude to deal with any more.
To be bothered
Too exhausted and overwhelmed to take care of their family anymore.
The almighty world
The powerful individuals or systems in the world at large.
Hear me now
Listen and pay attention to what I'm going to say next.
Whisper on
Gossiping about the downfall of the aforementioned father.
To weigh him down
Adding to the burdens and pressure he already faces.
We got to stop all men
Men being used generally to refer to all of humanity, regardless of gender.
From messing up the land
Taking care not to deplete the resources of the earth that they depend on for survival.
When won't we understand
Lamenting humanity's slow response to environmental issues and noting the urgency of the situation.
This is our last and only chance
The situation has gotten so dire that there might not be another chance to fix it if action is not taken.
Everybody, it's a future shock
This feeling of disorientation is shared among all and is a reminder to take the necessary steps now to prepare.
All worldly figures
The powerful and influential people in the world.
Playing on niggers
Exploiting the poor and minority groups to maintain their riches and power.
Oh, see them passing
Observing as they ignore the needs and struggles of the marginalized.
See how they're dancing
Celebrating their wealth while remaining unaware of the harm it's causing.
To the Superfly
A reference to an iconic character from a blacksploitation film who personifies the excess and corruption of the era.
Oh, ain't it wrong
Expressing disapproval of their lack of empathy and concern for their fellow humans.
When you don't know
Showing frustration with those who profit from exploiting others yet remain blind to their plight.
Where we come from
Forgetting their own roots and how they used to struggle before amassing their wealth.
Dancing in our youth
Reflecting on simpler and more carefree times when they were young and oblivious to the issues facing them.
Dying at the truth
Realizing the hard truths of the world may be too much to bear and can be interpreted as a metaphor for struggling to survive in the face of injustice.
It ain't over
Noticing that they have a choice in how to respond to the circumstances around them.
The price of the beat
The cost paid for material thrills and indulgences that take precedence over more vital needs.
Higher than the dope in the street
Acknowledging that the pursuit of material and societal status may be more addictive and destructive than drugs.
Is it any wonder
Asking in disbelief how people can prioritize frivolity over the necessities of life.
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@daleschmitt2163
@@jackgrattan1447 You make some interesting points. In fall of '69 I was entering fourth grade. I never sought to be perceived as cool--I just listened to what I liked. It was mid-1975 when I got into FM in a big way, but I did listen to those stations you mentioned a little in my earlier years. In '75 there was a new station called M105. I preferred them because they played a lot of Todd Rundgren. Only a couple of times in my life have I been musically hip. I admit it was nice, but for the most part I've blazed my own trail.
You mentioned fall of '69, and coincidentally I recently assembled a playlist of songs from that period. I won't bother trying to explain why I think of these songs together, but if you listen to them, you might detect a musical similarity--and they're all from the same time period. Here goes:
You, I--The Rugbys
Stay with Me--The Rugbys
Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games with Me--Crow
Did You See Her Eyes--The Illusion
Baby It's You--Smith
Eli's Coming--Three Dog Night
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye--Steam
I Want to Take You Higher--Sly & the Family Stone
Keem-O-Sabe--The Electric Indian
All available on YouTube. You might give them a listen. I enjoyed reading your reply.
@archangelo52
This song has been in my head since I first heard it on WNEW-FM in NYC in 70s. So glad I found it on YouTube.
@nedthetoothpick
An incredible song~~~ Way ahead of the times. Thank you for the song~ Good thing I have the LP.
@kathyhard3936
I loved this album when I was a teenager in the 70’s!
@harmonichebe
Kathy "..into the void, boy" we are seemingly in the void now. Be Blessed and stay safe and sane
@countrypaul
I played it on the radio in Connecticut when it was new. It's new again, isn't it?!?
@harmonichebe
@@countrypaul sure is!!!
@ericexaybachay
You're lucky. I was only born the year this record was released. I wish I could've come of age in that decade.... 😪
@Synthetrix
I remember doing my 6th grade homework and listening to this song on the radio.
@rickhesia2318
this song is way ahead of its time
@johngolofit1208
From the Winter of 1974/75. One of many memories so long ago at 19. Now just Flying in Time with Future Shock...