Ball of Confusion

The Temptations

About Ball of Confusion

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" is a 1970 hit single for The Temptations. It was released on the Gordy (Motown) label, and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. The song was used to anchor the 1970 Greatest Hits II LP. It reached #3 on the US pop charts and #2 on the US R&B charts. Billboard ranked the record as the #24 song of 1970. It reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart. Although a nearly eleven minute long backing track was recorded by The Funk Brothers, only slightly more than four minutes was used for the Temptations' version of the song. The full backing track can be heard on the 1971 LP The Undisputed Truth. 


Year:
2006
14,136 
#10

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People moving out, 
People moving in, 
Why, because of the color of their skin, 
Run, run, run, but you just can't hide. 

An eye for an eye, 
Tooth for a tooth, 
Vote for me and I'll set you free, 
Rap on, brother, rap on. 

Well, the only person talking about loving thy brother is the preacher, 
And it seems nobody's interested in learning, but the teacher, 
Segregation, demonstration, integration, determination, aggravation, humiliation, 
Obligation to our nation. 

Ball of confusion, 
That's what the world is today, hey. 

The sale of pills is at an all time high, 
Young folks walk with their heads in the sky, 
The cities aflame in the summertime, 
And oh the beat goes on. 

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul-shooting rockets to the moon, 
Kids growing up too soon, 
Politicians say, "More taxes will solve everything," 
The band played on. 

So, round and around and around we go, 
Where the world's headed, nobody knows 

Oh, Great Googamooga, 
Can't you hear me talking to you, 
Just a ball of confusion, 
That's what the world is today, hey. 

Fear in the air, tension everywhere, 
Unemployment rising fast, 
The Beatles new record's a gas, 
And the only safe place to live, 
Is on an Indian reservation, 
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!", 
And the band played on. 

Great Googamooga, 
Can't you hear me talking to you, 
Just a Ball Of Confusion, -ac

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The Temptations

The Temptations are an American vocal group known for their success in the 60s and 70s at Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music. Known for their recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and flashy onstage suits, the Temptations have been said to be as influential to soul as The Beatles are to pop and rock. more »

12 fans

Written by: NORMAN WHITFIELD, BARRETT STRONG

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


2 facts about this song

The Temptations" version
"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" is a 1970 hit single for The Temptations. - It was produced by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, known for creating socially-conscious and politically-charged songs. - The song reached #3 on the US Pop Charts and #2 on the US R&B charts. - The track was one of the final recordings by the original lineup of the Temptations, with Paul Williams and David Ruffin making their last appearances. - It was an early example of psychedelic soul music, a style that Whitfield and The Temptations had been innovating since 1968's "Cloud Nine". - The song touches on several controversial subjects of the time including the Vietnam War, racial tensions in America, the drug abuse crisis, and political corruption.
The Undisputed Truth" version
Motown labelmate The Undisputed Truth released a cover version of "Ball of Confusion" in 1971. - Their version was produced by the same creative team of Whitfield and Strong and featured a different musical arrangement. - It was one of the many successful Whitfield-Strong collaborations for The Undisputed Truth, who also scored hits with "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". - The Undisputed Truth's version of "Ball of Confusion" remained relatively obscure, not charting nationally, but achieving some regional success. - The group's cover version was often lengthy, with the recorded version reaching over 10 minutes, and included a more prominent use of synthesizer and special effects. - The Undisputed Truth's rendition focused more on the psychedelic soul aspect of the song and was much darker and more experimental than The Temptations' original.

Discuss the Ball of Confusion Lyrics with the community:

2 Comments
  • lorilei
    Temptations: always current, forever fantastic!
    I was 8 years old when the lyrics blasted out of the radio and into my soul.
    This is still a ''ball of confusion" and I'm now 61 years old. Singing about the wrong of yesterday, and then seeing the wrong of today, hurts like hell. We have not changed as much as people like to think.
    Before you judge, look at history. L it really does repeat itself as long as we stay blind and self centered. 
    LikeReply 21 year ago
  • tonym.80919
    Love it!! That's what the world is today!!
    LikeReply 11 year ago

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