Is It Because I'm Black
tiken jah fakoly & ken boothe Lyrics


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My people...

The dark brown shades of my skin,
Only add colour to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul

Looking back over my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why my dreams never came true
Somebody tell me... what can I do

Something is holding me back
(Holding me back)
Is it because I′m black?

Yeahhh
In this world of no pity
I was raised in the ghetto of the city

Momma, she worked so hard
To earn every penny

Something is holding me back
Is it because I'm black?

(Is it because I′m black?)

Something is holding me back
Is it because I'm black?

*Interlude musical*

Tell me, because I'm a color
Something is holding me back

Like a child steeling his first piece of candy... and got caught
Wonder around life′s corner somewhere I got lost

Something is holding me back
Is it because I′m black?

(I want to know, I want to know.
Yeahhh...)

Something is holding me back (people)
Is it because I'm black?

(Tell me... can′t you see)

Somebody,... please tell me.
Is it because I'm black?





(Is it because of my color?)

Overall Meaning

The song "Is It Because I'm Black" by Tiken Jah Fakoly and Ken Boothe is about the struggles of black people in a society that discriminates against them based on the color of their skin. The lyrics convey the feeling of helplessness and the desire to understand why people of color are treated unfairly. The singer questions why his dreams never came true and wonders if it is because he is black.


The dark brown shades of his skin only add color to his tears, indicating the pain and sadness felt by the singer due to the discrimination he has faced. The line "something is holding me back" reflects the barriers that black people face in society, preventing them from achieving their dreams and reaching their potential. The line "is it because I'm black?" is a powerful question that highlights the issue of racial discrimination in society.


The verses also touch on the upbringing of the singer, being raised in a ghetto in the city, and the hard work put in by his mother to earn every penny. The song portrays the perspective of a black person who is constantly questioning why they face discrimination and what they can do to overcome it.


Line by Line Meaning

The dark brown shades of my skin,
The color of my skin only adds to the sadness I feel


Only add colour to my tears
My tears are colored like my skin and represent my pain


That splash against my hollow bones
My tears hit hard against my emptiness and hurt deep down


That rocks my soul
My pain affects me deeply and shakes me to my core


Looking back over my false dreams that I once knew
I reflect on the dreams I had that never came true


Wondering why my dreams never came true
I question why my aspirations were never realized


Somebody tell me... what can I do
I need guidance and advice to overcome obstacles


Something is holding me back
An unknown force prevents me from achieving my goals


(Holding me back)
I feel trapped by this force


Is it because I′m black?
Could this force be due to my race?


In this world of no pity
This world lacks empathy and compassion


I was raised in the ghetto of the city
I come from a low-income and urbanized neighborhood


Momma, she worked so hard
My mother sacrificed greatly to support me


To earn every penny
My mother sweated for every dollar she earned


Tell me, because I'm a color
Could my skin color be the reason holding me back?


Like a child steeling his first piece of candy... and got caught
I feel like I am being punished for something small like a child stealing candy


Wonder around life′s corner somewhere I got lost
In my journey through life, I have lost my way


(I want to know, I want to know.
I am yearning for answers and understanding


Yeahhh...)
I am emotional and need support


Something is holding me back (people)
I feel like others are also facing the same force holding me back


Tell me... can′t you see
Can anyone else see what is holding me back?


Somebody,... please tell me.
I need someone to help me understand


Is it because I'm black?
Could my race be the cause of this force holding me back?


(Is it because of my color?)
Again, I am questioning whether my skin color is the reason for my struggles




Writer(s): Jimmy Jones, Syl Johnson, Glenn Watts

Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@joseluislopez5018

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