What Kind Of World
Verna Francis Lyrics
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A better kind of world
In my backyard
There stands a tree
It's been living, longer than you
Longer than me
In the distance
Seems the horizon, is closing in on me
[Chorus]
We should be living in
A better kind of world
Are we living in
A better kind of world
What you gonna do?
You better begin
In my neighbourhood, in my
I look around
Nothing but cocu, covers the ground
They used to be shaped here
Now the sun is beating down
How couldn't you notice?
The city has come to town
[Chorus]
In my city
There's no space to spare
Overcrowding
But the politicians don't care
Scientists and teachers, they all agree
Take care of your backyard
And the path to your dreams
What kind of world?
[Chorus]
What a world are we living in?
Better! Yeah
Oh, a better kind of world
Tell me, yeah
A better kind of world
The song "What Kind of World" by Verna Francis talks about the degradation of the environment and how the modern world has caused damage through pollution, overcrowding, and urbanization. The song opens with Francis describing a tree in her backyard that has outlived her and her listeners, emphasizing how nature has an enduring quality that humans don't. However, Francis notes that the distance between the tree and the city seems to be shrinking, indicating how urbanization is encroaching upon nature. The chorus urges listeners to live in a better kind of world and challenges them to start doing something to make the world a better place.
In the second verse, Francis looks at her neighborhood and notes how everything is covered in concrete, signifying the loss of green spaces. She asks how it is possible for people not to notice the negative impact of the city on the environment. Francis also mentions overcrowding in her city and how politicians seem to be indifferent to the concerns of scientists and teachers. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the need for change and a better future.
Overall, "What Kind of World" is a call to environmental action, urging listeners to make conscious changes in their daily lives to improve the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
What kind of world?
Questioning what type of world we are living in
A better kind of world
Expressing a desire for a world that is improved
In my backyard
Referring to her personal space and surroundings
There stands a tree
Acknowledging the presence and longevity of nature
It's been living, longer than you
Highlighting the long lifespan of the tree
Longer than me
Comparing the tree's lifespan to her own
In the distance
Looking towards the faraway features within her view
I see the lights of the city
Observing the urbanized area from afar
Seems the horizon, is closing in on me
Feeling the encroachment of the expanding city on her personal space
We should be living in
Expressing a belief of how we ought to exist
Are we living in
Reflecting on the current state of the world
What you gonna do?
Implying that action must be taken to bring about desired change
You better begin
Encouraging action towards change
In my neighbourhood, in my
Referring to her personal living area
I look around
Observing what is present in her neighbourhood
Nothing but cocu, covers the ground
Noticing the lack of lushness and abundance in her neighbourhood
They used to be shaped here
Describing how the neighbourhood used to appear in the past
Now the sun is beating down
Suggesting the transformation of the neighbourhood from lushness to barrenness
How couldn't you notice?
Expressing surprise at the disregard of the neighbourhood's degradation
The city has come to town
Blaming the growth of the nearby city for the neighbourhood's decline
In my city
Referring to her immediate urban environment
There's no space to spare
Noticing the overcrowding in her city
Overcrowding
Describing the overwhelming population density in her city
But the politicians don't care
Expressing frustration over the government's negligence towards the problem
Scientists and teachers, they all agree
Indicating a consensus among some professionals
Take care of your backyard
Promoting the idea of being responsible for one's own surroundings
And the path to your dreams
Suggesting that taking care of one's immediate environment can lead to achieving one's goals
What a world are we living in?
Expressing disbelief and disappointment in the current state of the world
Better! Yeah
Insisting that the world can be improved
Oh, a better kind of world
Reaffirming the desire for a more ideal world
Tell me, yeah
Encouraging others to also express their opinions on the matter
A better kind of world
Reinforcing the belief that the world needs improvement
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bobrofmad
this song is still killing me softly; more music from Verna in the future Ian,please
elvingtonred
Great Record and a great version! Love It!
BarbraAlejandro
Woo Hoo Finally Gonna Get This Wonderful Track On Your New Collection "Midnight Ride" Coming This Spring...Thanks Ian
BarbraAlejandro
Love The Song, Video & Fabulous Singer!!!! Thanks Ian...Take Care-David
Metropolitan Soul
If Barabara Acklin, LaVern Baker or Erma Franklin had recorded a version of this back in the day they couldn't have done a better job. Verna, you are as fabulous as they come !
Janna Yisrael
I Love this Woman
CarrotSuprise
Ohhh what a beauty, in voice and skillz🕵
CarrotSuprise
Indeed.
ALL THAT MEECH
i love my sister
dundee520
oooooo yes this is a tune 4 dancing too ktf