Not too long ago, in the summer of 2003 in the U.S., a group calling itself “Black Eyed Peas” released a single entitled “Where Is The Love.” It would be the group’s breakthrough single– and it proved to be one of its biggest hits ever!
The song is about love and responsibility in achieving peace– love for our fellowmen and responsibility for our actions. What is very remarkable about the song are the lyrics. In the chorus, we can find the words “Would you turn the other cheek?” referring, of course, to the New Testament’s “Sermon On The Mount” by Jesus Christ. The reference to the bible verses can be found in Matthew 5:38-42 (as well as in Luke 6:27-31). In Matthew’s version, it says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” [NIV]
The song is very timely, now as it was then. Its message is universal, not just for the U.S., but for every nation! The world needs peace, if not for us, for our children.
Whenever I hear this song, I cannot help but move my head to its beat– to the sides, to the front, to the back, up and down. But mostly, I’m just nodding my head in acknowledgment of the trueness of the song’s message. This has got to be one of the best-written anti-war songs ever, hip-hop or not! Its social realism is dead-on!
I don’t want to be clueless and searching for answers when “people got me, got me questioning: Where is the love?” I can’t be answering “I don’t know” to this question every time. Because I know that deep in my heart lies the answer also: Love. And it has to start with me.
Where Is The Love?
by the Black Eyed Peas
What’s wrong with the world, mama
People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin’
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all
People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love
It just ain’t the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong
Nations droppin’ bombs
Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones
With ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin’ wrong
In this world that we livin’ in people keep on givin’
in
Makin’ wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin’ each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover
The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where’s the love, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the truth, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the love, y’all
People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love?
Sing wit me y’all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That’s all we got)
One world, one world
And something’s wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something’s wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something’s wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That’s all we got
(One world, one world)
lyrics credit: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/blackeyedpeaslyrics/whereisthelovelyrics.html
Filed under: artissining | Tagged: anti-war, artissining, Bible, Black Eyed Peas, hip-hop, Jesus Christ, love, Matthew 5:38-42, Peace, Responsibility, Sermon On The Mount, Where Is The Love? | Leave a comment »
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