It's taken 2 wars, a financial collapse, 8 years of Bush, and a breakdown of Religious tolerance, but the hard times have finally gotten an answer from someone who can speak to the younger generations. John Legend and The Roots new album "Wake Up!" was just playing full blast in my car after making the impulse buy at Starbucks, and I almost cried with happiness as each song went by. The opening song is called "Hard Times." Perfect beginning. These are hard times. Everything we have been taught about American prosperity is being challenged by our current reality.
The second track, "Compared to What" is a 60's anti-war song that can easily be applied to our current situation. The third track, the most moving and inspirational, is called "Wake Up Everybody" a remake of the tune by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes has a verse that touches my heart especially: "Wake up all the teachers, time to teach a new way. Maybe then they'll listen to what you have to say. Cause they're the ones who are comin' up and the world is in their hands. So when you teach the children, teach them the very best you can."
I won't go through the whole album, but let me just mention the 4th track, "Our Generation (The Hope of the World)" This song demands that the young people who grew up after the passing of the Civil Rights era (that means YOU Generations X, Y, and Millenials) wake up and do something about this situation we are in! As the songs says,"Our Generation, it's all left up to us. Let's straighten it out!"
I just can't express how excited I am to see an empowering, world-changing album put out by a famous, relevant and current musician who young generations will listen to. Please go out and buy this album. Or burn a copy. Or listen here. Maybe this will be the chance to get another musical revolution going. Let's change the world.
Fantastic!
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