The song "Ball of Confusion" was written in 1970. Not doubt the Tempts were addressing the choas in the world during those times. But I must say that the 21 century has about as much choas as any other era of the history of the United States of America. This may not be the opinion of others older than me but I can only speak on what I know. Anyway, I found the words to the song Ball of Confusion and thought I would see if anything had changed from 1970 until 2005. You know there are those who think we have progressed. We're so much better off because of technology and so much smarter than back then. Hmmmmm...I don't know about that. True, things are made to be more convenient but has the world gotten any better morally or spiritually - I tend to say No. Anyway, let's look at the song...my opinions are in RED!
The Temptations—Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 1970
People movin' out,
People movin' in.
Why, because of the color of their skin
Well, so much for overcoming Racism...Not much has changed there (i.e. Federal repsonse to Hurricane Katrina victims).
Run, run, run, but you sho' can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
Gotta get that revenge. Everybody was all fired up after 9/11 to go to war with Osama Bin Laden. So GWB sends troops to IRAQ! Hey, wait a minute...is Osama in Iraq?
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Vote for me or I will just steal some votes. Either way, I win!
The only person talkin' about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Is anybody really talking about love thy brother?
And do teachers still care about learning? Teachers may be more interested if parents would parent, they made more money and had military survival training to protect themselves from these out of control children of the corn.
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration,
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
Segregation - yep in the school systems and especially on Sunday! Obligation to our nation - yes soldiers - You signed up voluntary remember so you have no right to question why we are at war. At least that is what the war supporters are going to tell you. They'll say "Free Iraq and bring back some oil...if you die, it's your duty to your country. And if you come home hurt, you might get some assistance."
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
the sale and the price...without medical insurance you may as well hang it up.
Young folks walkin' around with their heads in the sky
and their pants below their butts showing their ol' raggedy underwear...
The cities aflame in the summertime and, oh
The beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul
We can't even stop little kids from getting guns shooting each other. What makes us think we can exercise gun control in the nation?
Shooting rockets to the moon
Tax dollars at being utilized to the fullest. Let's go to the moon, who cares if the earthlings are starving!
Kids growing up too soon
and not getting the proper beat downs...Hello...psychiatrists, time out is not working!
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
If more taxes didn't fix things then why are we still saying they will in 2005.
So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Read the book of Revelations and you will know where the world is headed.
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion, oh yeah
That's what the world is today, hey
"Great googamooga!" I didn't know that phrase was in a song!!!
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment's rising fast,
WHOA if this ain't 2005, I don't know what is!
The Beatles' new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live
Is in an Indian Reservation
Funny that the reservation is the safest place to live considering the Native Americans were called "savages".
And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction
City inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand
Population out of hand
Suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills,
People all over the world are shouting "End the War"
People are still shouting "End the War". In fact, they are marching in DC as I type this blog!
And the band played on
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion,
That's what the world is today (in 2005), hey
No progression as far as I can see from then to now. How is that possible?
The Temptations—Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 1970
People movin' out,
People movin' in.
Why, because of the color of their skin
Well, so much for overcoming Racism...Not much has changed there (i.e. Federal repsonse to Hurricane Katrina victims).
Run, run, run, but you sho' can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
Gotta get that revenge. Everybody was all fired up after 9/11 to go to war with Osama Bin Laden. So GWB sends troops to IRAQ! Hey, wait a minute...is Osama in Iraq?
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Vote for me or I will just steal some votes. Either way, I win!
The only person talkin' about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Is anybody really talking about love thy brother?
And do teachers still care about learning? Teachers may be more interested if parents would parent, they made more money and had military survival training to protect themselves from these out of control children of the corn.
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration,
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
Segregation - yep in the school systems and especially on Sunday! Obligation to our nation - yes soldiers - You signed up voluntary remember so you have no right to question why we are at war. At least that is what the war supporters are going to tell you. They'll say "Free Iraq and bring back some oil...if you die, it's your duty to your country. And if you come home hurt, you might get some assistance."
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
the sale and the price...without medical insurance you may as well hang it up.
Young folks walkin' around with their heads in the sky
and their pants below their butts showing their ol' raggedy underwear...
The cities aflame in the summertime and, oh
The beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul
We can't even stop little kids from getting guns shooting each other. What makes us think we can exercise gun control in the nation?
Shooting rockets to the moon
Tax dollars at being utilized to the fullest. Let's go to the moon, who cares if the earthlings are starving!
Kids growing up too soon
and not getting the proper beat downs...Hello...psychiatrists, time out is not working!
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
If more taxes didn't fix things then why are we still saying they will in 2005.
So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Read the book of Revelations and you will know where the world is headed.
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion, oh yeah
That's what the world is today, hey
"Great googamooga!" I didn't know that phrase was in a song!!!
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment's rising fast,
WHOA if this ain't 2005, I don't know what is!
The Beatles' new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live
Is in an Indian Reservation
Funny that the reservation is the safest place to live considering the Native Americans were called "savages".
And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction
City inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand
Population out of hand
Suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills,
People all over the world are shouting "End the War"
People are still shouting "End the War". In fact, they are marching in DC as I type this blog!
And the band played on
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion,
That's what the world is today (in 2005), hey
No progression as far as I can see from then to now. How is that possible?
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Mickey