They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.
With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.
Before You Make Your Move
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do the birds sing songs
To warm a heart of love for you each day?
Why do the breeze blow so strong
To prove the power of love is here to stay?
(Chorus)
Before you find your groove
We got to try and understand everything
Before you make your move
Before you make your move
Why do the love we have inside
Refuse to be a part of someone else?
Why do we always run and hide
To keep a love so stocked upon a shelf?
(Chorus)
We got to be able to melt with everyone yeh
Before you find your groove
We got to try and understand everything
Before you make your move
Before you find your groove
Before you make your move
(Keyboard Solo)
Before you make your move
(You don't got nothing to prove)
Before you make your move
Before you make your move
Melt with everyone
You gotta get up and make your move (Repeat)
The lyrics of Third World's song "Before You Make Your Move" are a contemplation on the nature of love and the importance of understanding before taking action. The chorus repeats the idea that we need to "be able to melt with everyone" and "try and understand everything" before making our move. The verses ask rhetorical questions about the natural world - why do birds sing and the breeze blow? - to highlight the power of love and the difficulties we face in sharing it.
The first verse suggests that nature itself is a reflection of the power of love, and that the birds and the breeze are there to remind us of this. The second verse reflects on the obstacle of being vulnerable and sharing our love with others - we often prefer to keep it to ourselves rather than risk rejection or disappointment.
The keyboard solo is an instrumental interlude, and the final repeated lyrics are a call to action - "you gotta get up and make your move" - but with the caveat that we need to approach this action with empathy and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do the birds sing songs
The birds sing songs to warm up a heart of love dedicated to you every day.
To warm a heart of love for you each day?
The songs sung by the birds are designed to make you feel loved every single day.
Why do the breeze blow so strong
The breeze blows so strongly to prove that the power of love is real and is here to stay.
To prove the power of love is here to stay?
The strength of the wind is used to signify that the power of love is unshakable and will endure forever.
(Chorus)
This is the chorus of the song.
We got to be able to melt with everyone
We should be able to get along with everyone.
Before you find your groove
Before you identify your path in life and reach the pinnacle of your success.
We got to try and understand everything
We must endeavor to understand everything around us.
Before you make your move
Before we make any significant life decision or take any major action.
Why do the love we have inside
Why does the love we possess fail to be shared with someone else?
Refuse to be a part of someone else?
Why do we tend to hold on tight to our love and refrain from sharing it with others?
Why do we always run and hide
Why do we dodge the love that is waiting for us and seclude ourselves?
To keep a love so stocked upon a shelf?
Why do we choose to leave our love on a shelf, only to watch it gather dust and rot over time?
(Chorus)
This is the chorus of the song.
Before you find your groove
Before you established your course in life and become successful.
Before you make your move
Before you embark on any significant life-altering decision.
(Keyboard Solo)
This is the portion of the song where the keyboard takes a solo.
Before you make your move
Before you take any action with a significant impact.
(You don't got nothing to prove)
You do not have to prove anything to anyone.
Before you make your move
Before you take any step that could have a drastic impact on your life or that of others.
Before you make your move
Before we take any significant life decision.
Melt with everyone
We should be able to get along with everyone, always.
You gotta get up and make your move (Repeat)
You have to wake up, step up and showcase your love to everyone around you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yma Sumac
It was composed by Steve Wonder for Third World. A perfect mix. One of my favourite songs ever🥰🥰🥰🥰
Sol Inspired
I love 80s reggae so much. I have this on vinyl. ❤️💎 Love Bunny Rugs RIP
Judith Davis
This band rocks!!!
Duncan Wood
✌
Anthony Walsh
bought this album decades ago. Still spins on my turntable 🙏
Ziggy Ustar
This song has the ability to bring me to my knees every time I hear Third World they have all the answers the world needs to hear these words before You make move, find your groove the harmonies so beautiful enough to make my broken heart heal
Lidia Hayes
You know Ziggy that you are exactly right you know all the life in the healing and spiritual you know it's a message for us today I don't know how young you are keep your head up keep your heart in it no you going anytime you feel anyting good or bad listen to this song sound like you already know God bless you my brother peace may God continue a blessing all of us that asked of him bless you my brother Lydia
Lidia Hayes
Ziggy just my opinion listen to the whole album it reflects my spirit tear my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now listen to it is how I feel and still feel the same way Lift Me Up still bring me joy wow I get to Ziggy keep your head up Thai Heavenly Father listen to this album again just felt like it's just the whole album was the Christian album that's how I felt yes I took the music glad I listened to the words and I see our people and I mean by our people all peoples are people because God created us all red black yellow green how he did here we are One Love one love Lydia
Ziggy Ustar
when they sing this song pure magic is in their voices reaching all of us on every level Cheers HAPPY NEW YEAR
Latisha Gabriel
I love the beat it makes you deep into the song