Difference between revisions of "Black Messiah (1978)"
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== Interpretation == | == Interpretation == | ||
| + | The lyrics of "Black Messiah" cite racial and civil differences and unrest. The lead singer is a white man who lives in an all black neighborhood. This causes unrest, with the singer claiming that "they knock me down 'cos they brown and I white". Meanwhile, a "self-made prophet" in the house next door to the singer's claims that a "Black Messiah" "is gonna set the world on fire" and "set the whole world free". At first, the white man is skeptical, but he soon changes his opinion and believes the prophet. The song criticizes the so-called "racial equality" that blacks and whites say they strive for, saying that neither race really believes in this goal wholeheartedly.<ref>Ray Davies. [http://rock.rapgenius.com/The-kinks-black-messiah-lyrics "Lyrics"]. ''Genius''. Retrieved January 30, 2021.</ref> | ||
== Reception == | == Reception == | ||
Revision as of 13:45, 30 January 2021
Black Messiah" is the third track from The Kinks' album Misfits that was released on 19 May 1978. It was written by Ray Davies.[1]
Key Lyrics
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Everybody talking about racial equality
'Cos everybody's equal in the good Lord's eyes
But if I told you that God was black
What would you think of that
I bet you wouldn't believe it
He said the Black Messiah is gonna set the world on fire
And he's no liar, 'cos he has truly heard the word
Everybody talking about racial equality
But I'm the only honky living on an all black street
They knock me down 'cos they brown and I white
Like you wouldn't believe it
Interpretation
The lyrics of "Black Messiah" cite racial and civil differences and unrest. The lead singer is a white man who lives in an all black neighborhood. This causes unrest, with the singer claiming that "they knock me down 'cos they brown and I white". Meanwhile, a "self-made prophet" in the house next door to the singer's claims that a "Black Messiah" "is gonna set the world on fire" and "set the whole world free". At first, the white man is skeptical, but he soon changes his opinion and believes the prophet. The song criticizes the so-called "racial equality" that blacks and whites say they strive for, saying that neither race really believes in this goal wholeheartedly.[2]
Reception
Reference
- ↑ Black Messiah. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ↑ Ray Davies. "Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
