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.
How Can You
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know where I've been
This world keeps going round
There's no love to be found
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
Sit there and let the children cry
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
Sit there and let good people die
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
My mind is so confused
There's no cure for my blues
I, ya, I have been used
Like a carpenter uses a tool
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
Sit there and let the children cry
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
How can you?
Sit there and let good people die
Never in this world my dear
I, so much war and fear
Love is gonna come our way
And soon, oh yes
The lyrics to Third World's song "How Can You" express the confusion and heartbreak felt by the singer as they witness the suffering and injustice in the world around them. The opening lines describe a feeling of being lost and disoriented, as the singer's mind spins with the overwhelming nature of the world. They lament the lack of love and compassion that seems to be present in society, which leaves them feeling helpless and disillusioned.
The repeated question "How can you?" is directed at those who seem to be able to sit back and watch as people suffer and die. The singer cannot understand how anyone could be so callous or indifferent, and they implore these individuals to take action and make a change. The repeated lines "Sit there and let the children cry" and "Sit there and let good people die" make it clear that the singer sees this behavior as morally reprehensible.
The final lines of the song express a faint hope that love will eventually prevail over the hate and fear that currently dominate the world. It is a small glimmer of optimism in an otherwise bleak worldview, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still reason to hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
My mind is in a spin
I am confused and disoriented
Don't know where I've been
I am lost and unable to comprehend my past
This world keeps going round
The world is constantly moving and changing
There's no love to be found
Love is scarce and hard to find
Sit there and let the children cry
You passively allow children to suffer
Sit there and let good people die
You passively allow good people to perish
My mind is so confused
I am extremely disorientated and distressed
There's no cure for my blues
I feel helpless and hopeless in my feelings of sadness
I, ya, I have been used
I have been exploited and taken advantage of
Like a carpenter uses a tool
In the same way that a carpenter utilizes his tools
Never in this world my dear
In this world, it seems impossible
I, so much war and fear
There is an excessive amount of war and fear
Love is gonna come our way
Love will eventually come to us
And soon, oh yes
It will happen imminently
Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Karl de B
What a calm voice brother Rugs had. R.I.P. Mr. Clarke.
TheTamihana
So grateful to get to see Bunny Rugs and the band when they finally made it to New Zealand - so many memories from young days listening to this fruitful music.
viuva
Adoro essa musica
SuperKeith 007
Third World is my favorite band ever...I would like to see them perform here in the sunshine state
Essette Mariam
Super Keith in real life.
Antonio Rodrigues Junior
Top demais
marc mcfarlane
This song is a testimony of how the rich treat the poor
José Wilson da Silva jwilson
Eu tava procurando essa musica faz 5 anos
O.K. FRED
Então que bom que você encontrou aqui ! 😎
John Rembert
One of my favorites 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽