People Got to Be Free
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, Felix Cavaliere
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All the world over, so easy to see People everywhere just wanna be free Listen, please listen, that's the way it should be Peace in the valley, people got to be free You should see, what a lovely, lovely world this would be If everyone learned to live together It seems to me such an easy, easy thing this would be Why can't you and me learn to love one another All the world over, so easy to see People everywhere just wanna be free I can't understand it, so simple to me People everywhere just got to be free Ah, ah, yeah . . . ah, ah, yeah If there's a man who is down and needs a helping hand All it takes is you to understand and to see him through Seems to me, we got to solve it individually And I'll do unto you what you do to me There'll be shoutin' from the mountains on out to sea (out to the sea) No two ways about it, people have to be free (they got to be free) Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be (ah-ha) It's a natural situation for a man to be free Oh, what a feelin's just come over me Enough to move a mountain, make a blind man see Everybody's dancin', come on, let's go see Peace in the valley, now they want to be free
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: EDWARD J BRIGATI, FELIX CAVALIERE
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Background"People Got to Be Free" is a song released by the band "The Rascals" in 1968. Felix Cavaliere, the eclectic rocker and keyboardist of the band, co-wrote the song along with Eddie Brigati.
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Chart SuccessThe song was a huge success and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, holding that position for five weeks.
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Inspirational MotiveThe song was written as an expression of the band's solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement, following the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
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Felix Cavaliere’s RoleAs one of the primary composers, Cavaliere played a pivotal role in crafting the uplifting and universal message of the song.
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Album Inclusion"People Got to Be Free" was also a part of their album "Freedom Suite," which was a double album. This signaled the band's artistic growth and lyrical sophistication.
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Grammy NominationThe song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Group or Duo.
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Impact on Popular CultureThe song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, has appeared on multiple soundtracks and compilations, and continues to be used as a symbol of the struggle for social justice and equality.
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Iconic LyricsThe song's lyrics, calling for freedom and equality, were considered daring and progressive at the time of its release, and are still celebrated today.
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Inclusion in R&B MusicDespite The Rascals primarily being a rock band, "People Got to Be Free" was warmly received by the R&B audience. It reached number 14 on Billboard's R&B chart.
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Song DurationThe song length is relatively short with a running time of just 2:57 minutes, but its powerful message resonates long after the song ends.
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Musical StyleThe song features upbeat, brass-infused and gospel-influenced melodies that elevated The Rascals' signature blue-eyed soul sound.
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Global RecognitionThe song gained worldwide fame, marking the high point of The Rascals' string of hit singles.
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Citation
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"People Got to Be Free Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4527018/Felix+Cavaliere/People+Got+to+Be+Free>.
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