None of Us Are Free by Solomon Burke (2002)

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"None of Us Are Free" is a blues and rhythm song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Brenda Russell in 1993.

In 2002, a version was released by soul singer Solomon Burke on his album Don't Give Up On Me. The track featured The Blind Boys of Alabama on backing vocals, and the album received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album, taking Burke back to the public eye. The song was released as a single in the UK, and "None of Us Are Free" became a feature of Burke's later success. [1]

Key Lyrics

None of Us Are Free by Solomon Burke (2002)

“Well you better listen my sister's and brothers, cause if you do you can hear There are voices still calling across the years. And they're all crying across the ocean, And they're cryin' across the land, And they will till we all come to understand.”

“None of us are free. None of us are free. None of us are free, one of us are chained. None of us are free.”

“Now I swear your salvation isn't too hard too find, None of us can find it on our own. We've got to join together in spirit, heart and mind. So that every soul who's suffering will know they're not alone.”


Black Empowerment

Often songs can have such a common sense that they remain timeless—in other words, the lyrics address the problems we live with, no matter the year. One indication of this is Solomon Burke's 2002 single, "None of Us Are Free," a blues and gospel-soaked sermon on freedom and overcoming injustice of all kinds.

In the beginning of the song, the lyrics can closely resemble blues in terms of painting a depressing image. But as the track continues, Burke's passionate vocals call on fans to be empathic with each other and to use our common human history for good.[2]

It's hard to sing about how much you want your freedom when the same person who refused you your freedom is standing over you with a whip and a pistol. This song, although was initially written by Jewish Caucasians, is loved by many people especially as the combination of Salomon Burke and the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama were such perfect harmony.

This song reminded the listeners of many different struggles, which were faced by people in collective, or as an individual, especially for Black people to rise against slavery and racism. People have been tied up to different kinds of “chains”, be it from racial issues to other physical matters. This song encourages people to reach out to other people and join forces, in order to be freed totally from the chains. [3]


Reference

  1. None of Us Are Free. en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  2. O’Toole, Kit. DeepSoul: Solomon Burke - "None of Us Are Free". April 9, 2012. blindedbysound.com. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  3. Grady, Shady. Music Reviews: None Of Us Are Free. October 21, 2017. theurbanpolitico.com. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.