Thomas first attracted interest for his work as an accompanist with Donald Byrd and Cannonball Adderley, before working as a session musician in Memphis, Tennessee, and releasing singles on the Goldwax Records label. He had little solo success until he moved to Glades Records in Miami, Florida, and in late 1972 he released "Why Can't We Live Together". This was a memorable and heartfelt message song distinguished by its soulful organ, stripped-down production with a simple drum machine, and impassioned vocals.The record topped the Billboard R&B chart, made the top three in the Billboard Hot 100, and Top Ten in many other countries including the UK.This disc sold over two mllion copies.Both the hit single and the LP including the 1972 hit are extremely rare and considered very collectible.
The follow-up "People Are Changin'" made the charts the next year, and he continued to issue singles. The perception of him as a one-hit wonder is belied by his continued success in the R&B chart, where he had several further hits through to 1984.
He also continued to work on sessions for TK Records artists, including Gwen McCrae , and in later years as a producer.
Thomas appeared on Nicole McCloud's 1985 album "What about me", singing a duet with her called "New York Eyes", and on Joss Stone's The Soul Sessions album.
His song "(Dying Inside) To Hold You" was a massive hit in the Philippines, and gained further popularity in 2017 when it was covered by Darren Espanto for the film All of You.
In 2015, Canadian rapper Drake sampled Thomas' signature hit, "Why Can't We Live Together", on his single "Hotline Bling".
Why Can't We Live Together
Timmy Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can't we live together
Tell me why, tell me why
Why can't we live together
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
Just a little peace
No more war, no more war
All we want is some peace in this world
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
No matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
Everybody wants to live
Everybody's got to be together
Everybody wants to live
Everybody's going to be together
Everybody's got to be together
Everybody wants to be together
I said no matter, no matter what color
You're still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what color
You're still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
Gotta live together
Together
The lyrics of Timmy Thomas's song "Why Can't We Live Together" call attention to the universal desire for unity and peace. The repetition of the phrase "tell me why" emphasizes the frustration and confusion concerning why people can't come together and live in harmony. The singer's desire for unity is expressed in the line "everybody wants to live together" and he questions why this can't be achieved. An important aspect of the song is the call for an end to war and a plea for peace. When the singer says, "just a little peace," he acknowledges that the journey towards peace is not always easy, but it is necessary.
The lyrics also emphasize the message that everyone is equal, regardless of race. The repetition of the line "no matter what color, you are still my brother" highlights the importance of human connection and the need to look beyond differences such as skin color. By emphasizing our sameness, Thomas encourages listeners to think beyond a person's exterior and focus on what unites us as human beings.
Overall, the song's message is simple yet profound - we all long for peace and unity, regardless of race or nationality, and it should not be hard to achieve.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Asking the reason why people can't live together
Why can't we live together
Wondering why different people can't coexist peacefully
Everybody wants to live together
Recognizing that everyone desires to live in harmony
No more war, no more war, no more war
Expressing the need for an end to conflicts between groups
Just a little peace
Desiring a small amount of serenity and calmness
All we want is some peace in this world
Expressing a desire for world peace
No matter, no matter what color
Affirming that skin tone is inconsequential
You are still my brother
Seeing all individuals as equal and as family
Everybody wants to live
Highlighting the universal desire to exist and thrive
Everybody's got to be together
Emphasizing that unity is necessary for progress
I said no matter, no matter what color
Reiterating that skin color does not change one's humanity
Gotta live together
Expressing the idea that living harmoniously is a necessity
Together
Concluding the song with the theme of unity
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Timmy Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@norb9846
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why can't we live together
Tell me why, tell me why
Why can't we live together
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
No more war, no more war, no more war
Just a little peace
No more war, no more war
All we want is some peace in this world
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
No matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
Everybody wants to live
Everybody's got to be together
Everybody wants to live
Everybody's going to be together
Everybody's got to be together
Everybody wants to be together
I said no matter, no matter what color
You're still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what color
You're still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
@jewelramsey1491
The song is 50 years old & it still rocks just as hard as ever. R I P Tommy Thomas
@victormkhaliphi2778
Timmy Thomas
@mjones4083
I agree .Sounds as fantastic as when I first heard it in a "disco " in 1973 . The lyrics have such a positive message too . The record should have been a much bigger hit that's for sure .
@miketurner3964
I walked into my first ever nightclub at the age of 17 in 1978 and this was playing through a smokey haze, dimly lit by a cheap sound to light system…I had my new girlfriend on my arm and I truly thought I’d died and gone to heaven.
God I was lucky.
@alien5440
I can feel what you experience, totally. I´m nearly 70 and love this song.
@janicetorrey8132
Sounds like some of my experiences back in the day 😂
@shivansingh1633
Happy listening enjoy and don't stop enjoying
@miketurner3964
@@janicetorrey8132😊
@fleurettemvangulden7883
Actually written by Noel George Williams, aka King Sporty. The same Jamaican native who with Bob Marley, wrote Buffalo Soldier. Don’t know why he sold the copyright.
@PopShoppekid
This should be the world’s anthem!! Why can’t we Live Together 🎶