The group had several hit singles in the early 1970s, including the socially conscious single "Message From A Black Man" in 1970 on A&I International, "Please Make The Love Go Away" also in 1970 but on Stang Records, and their biggest success "I’ll Erase Away Your Pain" in 1971. They performed with fellow Stang Records artists The Moments for the hit single "Girls" in 1974.
The Whatnauts' music has been sampled by numerous artists including their hit "I'll Erase Away Your Pain" in Kanye West's "Late" (2005); "Why Cant People Be Colors Too?" from 1974 sampled in "Oh My God" by A Tribe Called Quest feat. Busta Rhymes (1993); and "Help Is on the Way" from 1981 in both "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" by De La Soul (1991), "Act Like You Know" by Fat Larry's Band (1982), "Sex With You" by Heavy D & the Boyz (1994), "Greatest Day" by Beverley Knight (1998) and "Ain't Leavin Without You" by Jaheim (2010).
One of the most consistent R&B aggregations of the '70s, the Moments enjoyed a string of major hits throughout the decade. The Hackensack, NJ, trio introduced themselves and the Stang label with "Not on the Outside" in 1968, and topped the R&B charts in 1970 with the gold-plated "Love on a Two-Way Street," produced by Sylvia Robinson (one half of Mickey & Sylvia). Other major soul smashes by the Moments included "If I Didn't Care" and "All I Have" in 1970, "Sexy Mama" in 1973, and another number one R&B item, "Look at Me (I'm in Love)," in 1975. Members Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and William Brown changed their billing to Ray, Goodman & Brown in 1978 and topped the soul lists the next year with the slickly harmonized "Special Lady" on Polydor. The renamed trio remained potent soul hitmakers through the '80s. ~ Bill Dahl, Rovi
Help Is On the Way
The Whatnauts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't take that from me just go ahead and try
The Crescent City sleeps while giants in the sky
Preparing to unleash, let loose a mighty cry
Can nobody save us? Will anyone try?
The pyre was burning, the severance has died
And all alone they're saying
Help is on the way
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Hold my hand, to the sea right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Five thousand feet below as black smoke engulfs the sky
The ocean floor explodes, 11 mothers cry
My bones all resonate, a burning lullaby
You can't take that from me just go ahead and try
She stands at the shoreline with hands in the air
Her words miss the dark light, does anyone care?
And all alone they're saying
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Hold my hand, to the sea right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Right here, right here
Right here, right here
Right here, right here
Choking on the black gold upon which we here rely
We keep actions in the attics to see cameras in the sky
Help is on the way they said, they said
Help is on the way they said, they said
We were told, just to sit tight
'Cause somebody will soon arrive
Help is on the way
Well, they never came
They never came
Help is on the way
(They said they said)
Help is on the way
(They said they said)
Hold my hand, to the sea right there in front of me
Help is on the way
On the way
Enjoy the lyrics!!!
The lyrics to The Whatnauts' "Help is on the Way" touch on themes of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. The song begins with a declaration of personal identity, asserting that the singer has inherited aspects of their parents' respective legacies. This declaration is followed by imagery of a troubled world, with a reference to the Crescent City (presumably New Orleans) and "giants in the sky" preparing to unleash a powerful force. The question of whether anyone will come to save humanity is raised, and the sense of isolation is underscored by the repeated refrain of "Help is on the way," which seems to hang in the air with no immediate resolution.
As the song continues, there are references to a disaster involving an oil rig (presumably the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill), with mothers mourning their lost children and the ocean floor exploding. The refrain of "Help is on the way" takes on a more immediate meaning, as the singer pleads for someone to take their hand and lead them to safety. Despite all of this chaos, the song ends with a note of ambiguity, with the final repetition of "Help is on the way" lacking any clear indication of whether help has actually arrived.
Overall, "Help is on the Way" is a song that balances personal identity and communal struggle, with the singer acknowledging their own heritage while also grappling with issues that impact society as a whole. The repeated refrain of "Help is on the way" serves as both a source of comfort and a reminder of the ongoing struggle to overcome adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I have my mother's dreams, I have my father's eyes
I carry the aspirations of my mother and the vision of my father which define who I am.
You can't take that from me just go ahead and try
No one can strip me of the essence of who I am.
The Crescent City sleeps while giants in the sky
The city is oblivious to the looming threat from above.
Preparing to unleash, let loose a mighty cry
The danger from the sky is about to become a reality and bring destruction.
Can nobody save us? Will anyone try?
Is there no one who can rescue us from this impending disaster? Is there anyone willing to help?
The pyre was burning, the severance has died
Something valuable has been destroyed, and the damage is irrevocable.
And all alone they're saying Help is on the way (They said, they said)
The people affected by the calamity falsely hope for rescue, and they keep repeating that it's coming.
Hold my hand, to the sea right there in front of me Help is on the way
Come with me to the shore, and we'll find help together.
Five thousand feet below as black smoke engulfs the sky
The depths of the ocean are igniting and polluting the sky.
The ocean floor explodes, 11 mothers cry
The explosion on the ocean floor led to the deaths of 11 people, and their mothers mourn their loss.
My bones all resonate, a burning lullaby
I feel the effects of the disaster on a visceral level, it's like a painful melody stuck inside me.
She stands at the shoreline with hands in the air
A person is standing on the shore, feeling helpless, waiting for the rescue.
Her words miss the dark light, does anyone care?
Her pleas go unheard, and she wonders if anyone is taking notice of the predicament they are in.
Choking on the black gold upon which we here rely
We depend on oil heavily, but it's slowly killing us.
We keep actions in the attics to see cameras in the sky
We expect that we are being watched and feel like we need to hide.
Help is on the way they said, they said
The reassurance of help coming continues, but it is still absent.
We were told, just to sit tight, 'cause somebody will soon arrive Help is on the way
We were asked to wait patiently for someone to rescue us.
Well, they never came They never came Help is on the way (They said they said)
Despite repeated reassurances, the rescue never came.
On the way
There's still hope for the rescue to arrive.
Writer(s): James Stanley Carter
Contributed by Violet Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Negro Matapacos
The LYRICS are nowhere on the internet but I did some work and managed to write them down by ear. They might not be completely correct but they're the best I could get.
Cheers, -Duttle
Help is on the way
(It's gonna be alright)
Help is on the way
(Yes I see the light)
Help is on the way
(Don't worry, don't worry)
Help is on the way
All you've got to do is pray
Momma never said
Life would be easy no no
She never told me
Every day would be peaches and cream
But she said when
(You) You've got a problem
That's hard for you to bear
When it seems like in your lonely life
You're not getting anywhere
[Chorus]
Help is on the way
Getting closer to that day
Help is on the way
All you've got to do is pray (x2)
[Instrumental]
Help is on the way (x2)
Help is on the way
Getting closer to that day
Help is on the way
All you've got to do is pray (x2)
Problems will occur
Accept the bitter with the sweet
There's no need of letting what will be
Knock you off your feet, no no no no
if you feel that ill, baby
(if you feel a little down)
if you feel a little down, yeah
there's no need to take a pill
there's no need to take a silly pill
[Chorus]
[Instrumental]
Mystoneshavenomoss Gill
The bass line that never dies, just multiplies.
DARVIN ENTERTAINMENT, LLC.
Yes. It is so good!!!
Mujahid Ali
Say it again
Martin Hudson
You ain’t never lied. Jaheim,De La Soul,etc,etc…..
Darryl Jenkins
Rodney Skeet Curtis on bass.
Richard werkNprog Hall
The bass line is stupidly funky and relentless. Much respect to P-Funk alumni, bassist Rodney 'Skeet' Curtis.
t. alas
@HolyRollerTV man i was thinking and researching for almost 10 minutes about from where i know that bassline. i did found it out by myself and then did read your comment. could save me 10 minutes of lifetime xD
MaroonCorey
@t. alas no worries, life is in the seeking, fam
Eric Pena
That bass line!
deadman568
The real deal underground groove classic.
I don't care what anyone says that bassline is savage.