The Black community from that time recognized the importance of lyrics of this song, but it did go over most peoples heads. Take it from a Black woman in her 60s.😊❤ Great analysis guys.
Thank you for the insight! It's always great to have different perspectives, and Ladi's question about how Living Colour was perceived by the Black community was something I simply could not answer. Thanks for checking out our video! I hope you check out more of our content.
As a white woman in her 60's who loved this group, bought their music and attended their concert, I totally got the meaning of this tune from the get-go! My point of reference; Mussolini in this video talking to the crowds. My grandfather was one of his cooks, my mother sat on Mussolini's lap when she was 4 yrs old. This dictator, who was adored, eventually caused the starvation of millions of Italians, including my Mom, her 3 sisters and her parents.My grandparents lived off of coffee just so their 4 little girls could have a little bread each day. Their belief in him cost them dearly.
I was 22 when this song came out. People of all colors didn't know how to take them. They were so new, fresh and in your face with their passion. Vernon Reid to me is an absolute slayer on the guitar. One of the 10 best ever in my opinion. This song ages like a fine wine. It only gets better and more relevant as time passes.
You underestimate some people! A lot of us got the message right away! Some probably didn't get it right away, but not most! Also, you didn't have to be black to get it! It wasn't just about black people, it was about everybody in society! Not everything is about color!
As a Black Woman who listens to ALL genres of 🎵, When the song was released I knew about LC. But IDT enough ppl appreciated the lyrics at the time. Cult of Personality is truly a great timeless song.
One of the things I love about this songs, is how they change one word in the same set of lyrics and completely changes the meaning. The first time, it's "Only you can set ME free." The second time you hear it, it's "Only you can set YOU free." It's so freaking powerful!!
As a black man that listens to R&B when this song came out I bought the album. Now in my 60s I introduced this song to my son several years ago who is a Punk Rock drummer and was so happy to see rockers that looked like him. Great reaction video spot on about the lyrics that is one of the reasons I bought the album. I know lots of black people that rocked this song back in the day.
I was 13 in 1988. I didn't start hearing this on the radio until late 89, early 90. Late 89 was when we finally got MTV. When I first heard it, I was riding around town with friends (we had a friend with a driver's license). We were chilling, talking shit, just driving around. This song came on the radio. I didn't quite hear the opening speech, but the guitar IMMEDIATELY caught my ears (I'm a drummer, so that's saying a lot) and I yelled at everyone (we were 5 deep in the car) and told them all to shut the f up and I cranked the song so I could hear it. I had never heard anything like it at that time. Most of the lyrics were not lost on me ( I was starting high school by this time, and we were just now learning about the dropped names). I made our friend drive us to a music store and bought the album that day. Finally got home and just listened to the entire album with the lyric sheet out. I have been a big Living Colour fan ever since. It was cool seeing them in the video, as, like most everyone knows, metal and hard rock was dominated by white people when this came out. Everyone was especially swinging on Metallica's nuts by 1988/1989. Vernon is a monster, Corey is a phenomenal singer, dudes, the bass in Cult is just thrumming around like it owns the place and, as a special treat for me, the drums just BOOM. It's criminal how much of a massively under rated and under appreciated band they are in regards to promoters and record producers.
I don't have the same memory as you, but mine is pretty close. There was something about the combination of the groovy, rocking music and Corey's lyrics that really captured me and that seemed really different than the rock that was on heavy rotation on MTV and the radio at the time. I got the tape and immediately started trying to memorize the lyrics, and as I got older, the significance of them got more and more deep.
As a black hip hop head back in 1988, Living Colour was the first hard rock album I ever owned. The next was Nirvana's Nevermind. I saw this video on Headbanger's Ball on MTV and it blew my mind. To see a Black band rock out so hard and so well was awesome!
I am a 60 year old black male who was 25 then and i was a die hard r&b,hip hop and rap fan.but when this came out in 88 i was blown away by first and foremost the fact that this band was black and they were great.most r&b people missed this gem😅
I was an 18 year old when this came out. I didn't know anyone who didn't love this song. And we absolutely got the message. People, at least the people in my life, listened to all kinds of music. Videos were still huge and so you were exposed to all genres just watching MTV for a couple hours.
If he goes to prison, I actually have another song that I'm gonna blare for, like, a week: ruclips.net/video/Xz9DX_VMXdI/видео.html Thanks for checking this one out! I hope you check out more of our content and consider subscribing!
As a HUGE rap fan at the time, when this group came out I started listening to metal. The words grabbed me right away. Being in the military at the time, all of the black guys loved this song and the words.
I was a 23 year old white headbanger in 1988. We listened to a lot of socially conscious metal and listened to their lyrics carefully, so when this song came out, we ate it up. We were mildly surprised by the fact that they were a black metal band, but it never bothered us.
I honestly kinda miss the days of radio and MTV. I'd hear someone on the radio and form a picture in my head, and then I'd see the video, and almost every time the people in the video did not match the image in my head. That's pretty much gone now. And what other socially conscious bands were y'all listening to? I'd love to show Ladi some of those.
I was in my 20s when this came out - and taught high school history and Spanish. I used this song to teach the concept of the cult of personality in my world history class. It made the point better than the textbook, and I got major cool points from the students when they found out that I owned the album - and later saw them open for The Rolling Stones in Atlanta.
Since reaction videos has started. This has to be the best breakdown of the video and song. Great job, Gentlemen! No knock on the other reaction videos, they were good, however you guys ROCKED! No pun intended.
That's an amazing compliment. Thank you so much. I hope you check out more of our stuff, and if you like the content we're creating, please hit that subscribe and keep on hanging out with us.
This came out in my junior year of high school. I remember seeing them on SNL and was hooked. Years earlier in middle school, I had gotten into a heated debate about there not being any good black guitarist. Even though I pointed out Chuck berry and Hendricks, I was told, “Well they didn’t play rock music!” I just shook my head. As a black man, it would be easy to stick with what is familiar, but at the time I liked a bit of everything, still do. Weather it was Journey, Van Helen, Madonna or LL Cool J and Public Enemy, good music is good music….Period. Useless Fact…..I do believe that there was a legal dispute over the rights to the name between the band and the TV show.
Oh I know Body Count very well. Saw them live the last time they were here in Austin. Ricky and I did a matchup with their cover of "Institutionalized." ruclips.net/video/TJbK881qeCI/видео.html
Rock music origins is in black culture which is a branch of the blues with its roots in gospel music which spurned most of America's music genres from jazz to country
I was 23 when this dropped.I was a huge Urban Contemporary and Rap fan from the day.I loved Living Colour because of the message in their songs.They represented the African American view of America.Listen to Open Letter to a Land Lord or Funny Vibe or Which way to your America?Their message is even more relevant today.
MTV wanted nothing to do with this song. Michael Jackson loved the song and told the label to tell the MTV execs, if they don’t play it, they don’t get Michael’s next video. That’s really why we saw it all the time. If you haven’t read I Want My MTV, it’s a good read about the history of MTV. Open Letter to a Landlord is another great Living Colour song and video. Makes me cry every time.
WE LOVED AND STILL DO..... THIS BAND LIVING COLOUR! They just didn't market them to the Black Community by design! Once WE saw them performed on The Arsensio Hall Show and MTV, WE definitely embraced our Brothers in Rock n Soul. So, I would ask these record companies... what's their intention and end game? If our People are talented, then we got their Backs! So, we knew of them and did support them in their genre! We are the Culture forever! *NewFace Magazine LV Team Las Vegas!
We love them here in Chile! They've played several times in Santiago (about 6 I think)... never missed one of their gigs. One of the best bands you can see live, Fucking awesome!!!!!!
David, I was thinking the same thing - very relevant today too. And until now, I’ve never really paid attention to the lyrics either. This song is so well done, even more than previously thought-and I’ve always thought this song was a prime example of A+ 80s rock.
It actually just saddens me how relevant it is today. I know said it in the video, but the "You gave me power IN YOUR GOD'S NAME" is just terrifying. And then the part where Corey sings each word in "I'M...THE...CULT...OF...PER...SON...ALITY!" like he's totally won and is celebrating. Scary stuff.
I am a Black Woman I was 18 years old then and I loved this song I met Vernon Reed that year. I used to Skateboard 🛹 and me and my friends were at the neighborhood Record Store with my friends there was a Skateboard counter my Dad told me I could go by a new Skateboard and we were doing that and Vernon walked up to the counter 😮. Me and my friends screamed lol he was very sweet.. I think it was shocked such a cool encounter though❤️. I was a Rocker though so I knew exactly who he was.
Excellent breakdown of the group and this song. YES, the lyrics went over most people's heads at the time. And I think as a group they dealt with the same thing Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz dealt with being Black and doing rock music many Black people didn't necessarily follow or get into them until way later.
Wow that must have been a badass show! We saw them several years ago on San Antonio, and they're still killing it onstage. Corey's voice still sounds fantastic, and Vernon's playing is just phenomenal.
- It is not only associated with fascism , but also communism. In fact, the term was originally associated with Stalin and Mao Zedong. - The historical characters were not mention due to racism (ex. Gandhi), but instead their elevation to such a level, people overlooked their flaws. - Their music was well received. The original bass player, Muzz Skillings stated in 'Bass Player" that during the time their concerts had black women in gowns side by side with skinheads.
I'm only 7 minutes into your analysis. Dude on the right is spot on!. I've been a fan of Living Colour since they first came on the scene. So relevant to today without naming names, but y'all know who I mean.
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed this video. This song and video are absolute pieces of art, and the meaning behind the lyrics just seems to get more and more poignant. We hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing.
What an incredibly kind comment. Thank you so much. We're glad you enjoyed this one, and I hope you check out more of our content. If you like what we're doing and you haven't done so already please hit the subscribe button and stick around.
I’ve never shared a reaction videoEVER…. BUT I SHARED THIS ONE ☝🏽 I’m sharing with other reactor channels as well bc they did absolutely no research so there was no understanding 🫡🫡🫡🫡 Much Respect 2 you Sir & thank you.
I had this single on tape ❤. The song was a huge hit and did strike a deep chord, but most of us weren’t seasoned or old enough to understand it. Hearing it and seeing this video is profound as an adult during these times.
"Hearing it and seeing this video is profound as an adult during these times." Yeah, this is one of those pieces of art that gets more and more profound with older I get.
or because they are a horrible group that sound like 100's of other early 2000's bland rock bands. Living Color toured all in the 80s including the south, Including playing at Auburn University in Alabama in 1986. You obviously do not know anything about the south.
this is by far, is the best reaction to this timeless MASTERPIECE! take it from a black spokesman, metal is my sinful pleasure but this song did not reach the black masses and for those that it reached, it went over their heads. Thanks for the reaction!!!!!!!!!!!!! t
Thanks so much! We're really glad you liked this reaction. I love Living Colour and really wish they'd have hit it so much bigger. I have tickets to see them and Extreme here in Austin, and I can't wait!
I’ve never shared a reaction video, EVER…. BUT I SHARED THIS ONE ☝🏽 I’m even going 2 share it with other reactor channels as well bc they did absolutely no research so there was no understanding 🫡🫡🫡🫡 Much Respect 2 you Sir & thank you. 5:50 45 talks to the lowest base 7:00 they played ‘em w other black artists just as Bey is getting racist flack for her country song. 9:51 OR they completely understood the song’s message & that’s why they didn’t give it airtime back then 17:20 😂😮 Black ppl loved it & listened to the lyrics as well but I was close to NYC where there had to be a mssg but yeah we were like FINALLY
Thank you so much. We're so glad you liked this one. For songs that I love, I really try to do my homework and make sure I bring up important aspects of the song or band, and Living Colour deserves every ounce of respect we can give them. And thank you for sharing your experience as well. We hope you've subbed and plan on sticking around the channel. And if you liked this reaction, you might like our deep dive into The Cranberries "Zombie" music video: ruclips.net/video/QIKxpI45rGg/видео.html
Back then, music was such a mix... rap, pop, glam... Like Run DMC was playing with Madonna and Michael Jackson and David Bowie. The Beastie Boys. Aerosmith. Everything was accessible. The only specific channels I remember were Country and Classic Rock. I also learned that LC and Michael Jackson had the same promoter. (I think it was promoter) And they told MTV that they wouldn't let them run the Smooth Criminal video without playing this. So it ended up getting huge play because of that. Also...I think I heard Reid said that he was so proud of this song, because they wrote it in one rehearsal meet up.
You know, one of the reasons we started this channel is because all the founding members are stage performers in some way (music, improv, comedy, etc.) And during the pandemic, we missed hanging out with each other, so we pivoted to doing YT stuff. And I knew I wanted to do a reaction segment, but instead of the typical YT reaction (what should I watch? like and subscribe!) I knew I wanted to recreate what it was like watching music videos during the 80s. Sometimes you'd seen the video 100 times. Sometimes it was something new. Sometimes it was heavy, and sometimes it was funny. MTV would go from rock to rap to metal to pop and back again. But it was always fun because you were hanging with friends. So that's what we try to do here. I did not know that about their promoter! That's pretty neat. Thanks for checking this one out! We hope you keep hanging out with us.
The biggest message I get out of this song is from the line "only you can set me free". When they sing it a second time, they change it to "only you can set You free".
I do agree with you that this songs lyrics went over a lot of people's heads back in the day just because the music was so great. However, the rock/metal genre lends itself to this song's message a lot better than the country genre did to the song by the Dixie Chicks. Btw this is the best breakdown of this song I've ever heard. Awesome job!
"However, the rock/metal genre lends itself to this song's message a lot better than the country genre did to the song by the Dixie Chicks" Yeah, I totally agree. I feel like country music artists are expected by their audience to think/act a certain way, and are harshly judged for any deviations. Whereas rock/metal fans give the artists much more leeway. Like, I think "Appetite for Destruction" is maybe one of the best rock albums of the 80s, but I also think "One in a Million" off the LIES album is a racist piece of shit song that shouldn't have never left the studio. Slash should'a punched Axl in the mouth for even writing the lyrics. But I can hold those two thoughts simultaneously. Or Dave Mustaine is another example. I find him to be an insufferable dickhead of a human being, but I'll listen to his music all night long! " Btw this is the best breakdown of this song I've ever heard." Thanks so much! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing. Fair warning though: Some of our reactions, like The Cranberries "Zombie" are really serious like this. Others we just slam beers and joke around, so we're all over the place.
This is such a great analysis (for once, thanks to RUclips’s algorithm for bringing this to me). On a personal level, I was a young Black girl, in elementary school from a Jamaican family living just outside of NYC, who grew up on reggae, Caribbean and soul music, studied piano and when I saw this on MTV, I was riveted! The song rocks and rocks hard. I was a bookworm, and considered myself pretty smart and looking back, I had only a surface understanding of what the lyrics were actually about, especially with the newsreel footage, I considered it history. Today, it’s chilling how relevant these lyrics still are. I do think that a lot of hip hop heads got into this song. With RUN-DMC having collaborated with Aerosmith, and their use of heavy rock riffs in songs like “Rock Box”, the popularity of The Beastie Boys, many hip hop fans would have already been primed to like a song, especially if they saw the visuals of this video for the first time as hearing the song, as I did. And the presence and energy of Living Colour is undeniable.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We love being introduced to different perspectives. " Today, it’s chilling how relevant these lyrics still are." I completely agree. The lyrics are almost more relevant today than they were when this song came out. I really love collaborations like you're talking about. Aerosmith and RUN DMC or Anthrax and Public Enemy. Rock and Hip-Hop feel like two sides of the same coin: Fighting suffocating power structures. I wish there were more collaborations like that. And we actually got to see Living Colour last week here in Austin. They're currently on tour with Extreme (their new album is amazing, btw; we've reacted to a lot of their stuff). The next song I'm going to introduce Ladi to by Living Colour is "Open Letter to a Landlord," and then during PRIDE week, I'm going to show him their video for "Bi." I hope you've hit the subscribe button and plan on sticking around.
Oh, and I mentioned Extreme. I'd be interested in your thoughts of their new song "The Mask": ruclips.net/video/FS_rgTWkf94/видео.html And here's our reaction to it: ruclips.net/video/uKeHujFOaq8/видео.html
I recall reading about them in Rolling Stone before they hit it with Cult of Personality. I was a fan from that opening riff.. in fact just saw them four months ago and they rocked the house.
I had the same tapes, and I wore all of them out. We haven't covered 2 Live Crew yet, but you might like this Run DMC video we did: ruclips.net/video/LWLK9jjgb3o/видео.html Thanks for checking out our video! I hope you've subscribed already.
First, an excellent intelligent discussion, guys. As far as the song’s mentioning of positive leader figures, like Kennedy and Gandhi, along with fascist figures, I think their similarity is in the way that human beings respond to either of them. We trade our individuality and independent thought, in exchange for group belonging and collective thought, whether constructive or destructive.
Thanks so much! We're glad you liked the video and our discussion. "I think their similarity is in the way that human beings respond to either of them." That's a great way to look at it, and it kind of mirrors what I've seen Vernon Reid and Cory Glover say about the song. A cult of personality isn't inherently good or bad, it just is because we're humans. But when it's wielded for evil, it's really evil.
This song is what gave me my love of history and politics. I was in junior high when this song came out and I understood some references in the song but had no idea what a cult a personality meant. So, I went to the library and looked up. From there I began to research more of the historical reference which eventually led into politics. I went from hating history and politic to almost becoming obsessed. Lol I also have to say out of all the reaction I have watch on this song this reaction is the only one that touches on the meaning of the lyrics. I love that because as relevant as it was when this song first came out, it still is today just as relevant. Thank you!
I know exactly what you mean. I didn't go to the library like you, but I was listening to the song because it's a badass song, and the dudes in the band look rad as hell in the video, but the meaning kept slowly revealing itself as I learned more about the world. It's a really powerful song. "I also have to say out of all the reaction I have watch on this song this reaction is the only one that touches on the meaning of the lyrics. I love that because as relevant as it was when this song first came out, it still is today just as relevant. Thank you!" Thank you for watching and commenting! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing. We do a lot of deep dives like this on songs. My background is english lit, so it's hard to me to turn that part of my brain off. Sometimes we also just have beers and joke around. So there's that too!
In the Spring or Summer of 1987 I attended the University at Buffalo and we had out annual Black Student Union picnic. Grand Master Flash was supposed to be playing at the event but instead Living Colour was booked. When they first hit the stage we had no idea of who they were and I remember laughing at how they looked and started to walk away from the outdoor stage. The first thing they did was to play the message from Malcolm X which caused me to slow down my pace...BUT when Vernon Reid started playing the guitar, it was like the Pied Piper! I kid you not, people from everywhere RAN to hear them!!! I've been a HUGE fan of theirs ever since and to this day my fellow college friends still talk about that day. To say the least, yes the black community embraced Living Colour and they appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show and tore that performance up!
Corey Glover was also an actor, most notably a sizable role in “ Platoon”. ❤ What a find! You guys- so knowledgeable from all angles. Old music fanatic here- I’ve seen quite a bit of history! Subbed!❤
I honestly had not idea Corey was in Platoon! I love that movie, and I love the band, and NEVER knew that! And thanks so much! We're glad you liked this one, and thank you for subscribing!
Hey greetings from Argentina !! Excellent analysis in general. The importance of the lyrics of this song is (unfortunately?) eternal!!! I have been able to see Living Colour live every time they have visited my country, I recommend you to see them now that they are on tour!!!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked this video. I saw them several years ago, but I'm hoping to catch them again pretty soon. They're actually touring with Extreme right now, and that new Extreme album is phenomenal if you haven't heard it yet. Nuno is really doing some amazing guitar work on it. Thanks for checking this one out! And greeting from Austin!
It was well received in the rap and rock genre. I worked at a bar directly across from the "welcome to Compton" plaque, when i put this song on the jukebox, it was a couple of my customers that introduced me to this song. They often listened to LL Cool J and Beastie Boys, not much of Whitney Houston, she wasnt even relevant to the connection that was rapidly approaching when it came to music. I really appreciate your input, you have facts in your arsenal that are relevant to the information that it could be relatable and timeless in the message. Also, i got some "useless information" that i can put away in my mind for later use. One of my favorite watches.
Man, I bet you have some fascinating stories! I lived out in the middle of the country, and we only had country music stations I could pick up, so just hearing this kind of stuff either required me to stay up late to watch Friday Night Videos, or get someone to drive me 30 minutes into a town big enough to have a record store that sold anything other than George Strait. And thanks! I'm glad you liked our video. A buddy of mine calls me a fountain of useless knowledge, so I'm glad I was helpful here! I hope you've subbed and plan on sticking around the channel. Also, on Monday for Pride week, we take a look at Living Colour's "Bi" music video. Come back for that one! It's a fun time.
They're mostly from NYC, but Vernon Reid was born in London. Btw, I was living in Austin when these guys hit, and played the hell out of their first album on cassette. Should've kept up with them a lot more, because they're awesome, and glad to find out they're touring currently.
Oh man that must've been an amazing show! They actually played here a few months ago at the Moody Theater. They were opening for Extreme, and man they kicked ass. It was a great show.
This song is TRUTH. Reid wrote an all time philosophical academic thesis in a short crude presentation, namely rock music. It gave average people a way to connect to what academics write books on and build careers on. Human foibles are based on misguided support to people based on charisma both in politics and religion. Amazing. I don't think even he could completely realize how important what he said is and should be part of academic study and it should be discussed in high schools and colleges. Plus, It freakin rocks!
Yeah you're absolutely right. This is a rare piece of art that not only is a fantastic piece of art in its own right, but also has a really deep message. This is going to be a weird comparison, but it reminds me of George Carlin's comedy. George always had a deep message to his comedy, but he also knew it had to be funny. So in the middle of a well-thought out position on humanity's position on the planet, we'd get some fart jokes. Same here. We get a phenomenal message about the dangers of fascism and autocrats, PLUS a rockin' tune with a face-melting solo. Thanks for checking this one out! I hope you check out more of our stuff and subscribe if you haven't already.
I remember when this came out and I loved the sound!! (I’m 63) It was rock!! I didn’t know about the lyrics though. Very interesting and it needs to be in rotation (is there a rotation now?). We need to wake people up to the fact that tRump is in this category. And yes, in San Antonio we are very harder rockers!! 🤘
As a Black man with arguably the most eclectic ear on the planet (LOL!), I grew up torn between the emergence of hip hop (especially the conscious hip hop of the late 80's) and the second British Invasion, loving both, yet rejected by one for loving the other. When "Cult of Personality" dropped in '88, it was the first time I didn't have to feel that way anymore. A Black metal group with relevant, sociopolitical commentary on a high level was something I couldn't have ever imagined. I'm eternally grateful to this group. ❤❤❤❤❤
I don't know if you've read it, but the book "I Want My MTV" is fascinating. The leadership at MTV really dictated what we saw and heard, and they did not think black artists belonged on the channel. They essentially had to have their arms twisted to play black artists. Corey Glover has talked about their uphill battle to even get airplay, much less rotation on MTV. He said that they'd gigged around for so long before they finally broke that they were like a machine on stage because they'd played the same stuff hundreds and hundreds of times. Thanks for checking this one out! I hope you've subbed and plan on sticking around.
A lot of reactors are just now hearing this song. Just search it and you will be in disbelief of how many reactors from all races are reacting to this song. As a teenager when it came out OMG we ROCK and was all over the place acting like lead singer. New Subscriber just by searching for other reactions to this song and is unbelievable they have never heard of them and are in Awe. Very fitting for today on lyric’s but we jammed to beat. ❤
Yeah it's amazing to me how even people from our era never even listened to the lyrics of this one. It's a phenomenal song musically, but the lyrics are just spine chilling. Another song that kinda seems prescient is Metallica's "King Nothing." Good lord. Listening to that lyrics now and it feels like it was written specifically about one person.
I am from the classic Hard rock when it all first started. It was the greatest time to grow up, close to Motown, and I heard it my whole life. Rock gods from my brother starting in the late Sixty's. Living colour do not and never did get the recognition that they should have. Musicality and lyrics. We're way above what most people could understand! I have to say this song right here should live on forever! Many different times in our lives could sympathize with the cult of personality! I do love the way you talk and analyze what the message is! Because my grandmother came from a communist country I knew right away what they were talking about. However we all live with propaganda everyday!! As it has been said before, If you do not learn from your past, You are doomed to repeat it!
I was in my teens at the time when this song came out and I remember being very fascinated by the lyrics. I remember going to the Libray doing research on Cult of Personality. Also, I remember most of my friends just loving the song but they had no idea what it was about and I had to explain it to them. I just showed this song to my son a few months ago and he said "Wow Mom even though this was written 35 years ago it is sadly still so relevant today."
It's really disheartening how relevant this song still is. I could have been written yesterday and still make 100% sense with what we're still struggling with as a nation.
I was arapper then, I'm a rapper now. I was on this song from DAY ONE. I listen to as much today as I did back then. I loved it, this LP sold millions. They also did Talkin Heads "Memories Can't Wait". Talking Heads say they did it the way they wish they would have.
Hey guys.. wow this is a blast from way back.. judging by Ladi's reaction to Living Colour, i would love to see his reaction to BodyCount. Is it just me, or would these lyrics be just as at home in a slipknot song? Theyre really profound and ahead of their time. Lyrics from Times up are also very relevant to todays world. That last solo reminds me a little of Ernie C. On hey Joe. What an awesome song, thanks guys for your hard work bringing us this video🙏🏻 When you guys get together, bringing your thoughts and insight, its absolutely a joy to watch!
"judging by Ladi's reaction to Living Colour, i would love to see his reaction to BodyCount. " Oh man that's a great recommendation. And I'm assuming "Cop Killer"? I'll put that on our Ladi's list of songs to learn about. And yeah, the lyrics do sound kinda Slipknotty, or even kinda Stone Sourish to me. I feel like Corey Taylor writes in a similar way. "When you guys get together, bringing your thoughts and insight, its absolutely a joy to watch!"
I remember when this song came out, I was pleasantly surprised by it. Not that black artists COULD do hard rock because that wasn't a surprise, but that they DID do it. But I only recently paid attention to the lyrics. Yeah, prophetic.
"Not that black artists COULD do hard rock because that wasn't a surprise, but that they DID do it. " Totally agree. My grandparents loved Motown and older music, so I knew black artists, but there just weren't that many black rock and roll artists at the time, so these guys were really just a breath of fresh air. And yeah, those lyrics still get me. Such good writing.
If I may...... The reason there was no "Dixie Chicks" backlash is the fact there was no social media to blow up. I knew the meaning of the song all along. Love it.
Yea I sure miss the days when everyone couldn’t be immediately offended and broadcast their often misguided anger all around the world. Think about Bob Dylan in the 1960s? Could he get a break today if he was a young man starting out? Not on your life.
Yeah, me too! I love Living Colour! We recently bought tickets to see Extreme, and Living Colour is opening for them! I can't wait. Thanks for checking this one out!
I was in my 20s when this came out and loved it instantly because the subversive lyrics are more punk rock even though it's hard rock. I was amazed what he was saying at the time and nobody seemed to get it. Now after all these years, its lyrics are terrifying.
I agree. The lyrics to this song are terrifying. The fact that the protagonist switches from "Only you can set me free" to "Only you can set you free" is just horrifying. The protagonist KNOWS what he's doing. He knows the only thing that can stop him are the people who support him. But they'll never stop him. It's just scary as all hell.
For the most part, the Black Community didn't even know this band existed. They did played the Arsenio Hall show once and the crowd was just shocked with this band. Like they were all thinking who are these people making that loud noises?
Great reaction .. Crazy VR hates the solo it's one of my favourites ever! Ladi's ready for a Living Colour deep dive .. so many amazing tracks just off the first album alone
Our friend Ricky is a prof. of music at Texas State University and a HUGE Vernon Reid fan, and he has the Guitar World from the 90s where Vernon talks about this solo, and apparently he likes the solo itself. He just hated his performance on the album. He had a crappy day and thought he could have done way better. Which is insane to me. It's such a perfect solo. But of course, Eddie Van Halen said the exact same thing about "Eruption." He said if he'd known Templeman was recording him and planning on using it on the album he would have "played it better." Like, what the hell? That solo re-defined guitar and Ed thought he played it crappy.
As a fan from that era. We did not consider Living Colour a Heavy Metal band. IN the 80's this is pure FUNK. Straight out of the 70's. As in FUNKADELIC 1970-76 when Eddie Hazel was the lead guitarist (Maggot Brain, Super Stupid, Miss Lucifer's Love, I Wanna Know, Free Your Mind, Red HOT MAMA, Owe You Something Good.) Mark "DRAC" Hicks From the band SLAVE. ( Slide, Drac is Back, Volcano Rupture) And of course there is Hendrix and Ernie Isley. Living Colour has a lot of great songs that one might consider to be "BLUES". Love rares it's Ugly Head, Letter To A LandLord. Because there was no social media in the 80's. You guys gave credibility to a lot of rumors we heard about this song. One in particular Reid's solo dissatisfaction. GREAT JOB GUYS !!!
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked this one, and thank you for the insight! I know rock and roll and blues really well, but funk is just not something I know a lot about, so thank you!
I was blessed to be a child of the 60s. I love music. All kinds. I never stop to think about race. I'm a big fan of funky basslines, hard rock, classic rock, soul and classic soul, etc. I love discovering music that I have never heard before.....😊
@Like Minded Lunatics Production Absolutely! I would like to see you react to Mississippi Queen by Mountain. Leslie West RIP was amazing 👏 😍 btw I was 10 years old, jammin to this 😊😅😊
🤦🏿♀️ I'm so old 😒 I remember when MTV didn't play black people. 🤗 Few years later LCs 'Cult of Personality', 'Glamour Boys' & their other songs were in heavy rotation. 🥰🐰
Thank you! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing! I had the tape, too! I wore it out so much the tape sounded wonky during this song.
@@LikeMindedLunatics cm punk, one of the most polemic and famous wrestlers in the world calls himself "the best in the world" and "the voice of the voiceless" and uses this song as his entrance theme
I have been a LC fan since this first album, have gotten to see them live so many times. Part of Vernon and all of them is that they improvise all the time, so he almost never plays a solo the same way twice. And it was funny hearing you talk about how well received they were on MTV etc. They only got a record deal after Mick Jagger gave them studio time to record a demo and then shopped their demo for them. All the other labels passed, in the end Jagger’s label signed them. They only got the high rotation on MTv as the person booking video also was booking Michael Jackson’s newest video. Done with MJ’s permission to support more black music in mainstream segments of MTv. (MJ fought had to be reclassified as pop to be played for a mixed audience. R&B meant primarily for black audiences at the time in radio and music industry speak.) LC only got heavy attention when the industry was forced by those with heavy credibility to demand it. They have so much great music, but the industry has never known how to handle them or their content. Type was my favorite from back in the day, but check out Collidescope for what they did with the W era and Shade which dropped in 2017 for their thoughts on what has happened since then. Their song Time’s Up is 30 years old and still absolutely true, very sadly. Great breakdown.
Today I was saying, I almost wish that I could wake up and be brainwashed. Just so I wouldn't feel so much grief and anger. I could just go with the flow. But the problem with that is that I think for myself. ❤️✌️
The difference between them and Dixie Chicks is that DC were explicitly anti-war which didn’t fit the country music ethos. LC is more timeless. I wish it wasn’t as true now as it was then. We can thank Reagan for some of the inspiration.
...and...LC is a bunch of much better musicians, Will Calhoun will melt your face with the drums, Vernon....is incredible....Muzz was rock solid, Corey is a force.
Well, and they're also playing in a genre that has wildly divergent thoughts thoughtout artists; whereas country? Everyone's in lock-step I think. Plus it was three females talking outta turn. That don't sit well with some of them folks.
.The TV show had to change their name because of this band. The TV show was not originally "In Living Color". Just an FYI. and this isn't really a "metal band". Been a LC fan since forever! This song is with Muzz Skillings on bass. Great musicians, great shows, always Living Colour is all about their love of music and performing. Corey Glover once accidentally elbowed me in the face at a show! OK so many people won't list that as a positive...wasn't Corey's fault. They were performing with Bad Brains so it got a little rowdy with the crowd, and he was carried across the first ten or twelve rows...partly against his will I think lol.
"Corey Glover once accidentally elbowed me in the face at a show! OK so many people won't list that as a positive" I mean, as long as he didn't inure you for life, that's a RAD story dude! I'd be so happy to have a "Corey Glover elbowed me in the face" story!
I've always loved that part of Mr. Reid's solo because to me it sounds like a discordant distant group argument. All the punks and (politically progressive) metal heads I knew all loved LC when they hit, and most of us thought their record company gave them the short end of the stick. They should have been stadium performers, and they ended up playing the festival circuit and 2-4k seat theaters instead. I met them when they swung through AZ in '91 because I did catering then. All I remember was they were amazing conversationalists and ridiculously educated about music.
I was shocked when I learned that originally Reid was unhappy with the solo as it was recorded because I'm with you. That solo is amazing. And that's so nice to hear they were good dudes when you met them! We saw them live here in Austin several months ago, and they still put on a fantastic show.
Shout Out to Vernon and all my Black Rock Coalition members. 🤷🏿♀️ Nobody would book us, so we booked ourselves. 😏 Funny cause we played with a bunch of White dudes who rapped & played funk, and couldn't get booked either since they didn't fit the "MTV Hair Band" mold. 🤗 How you ended up with Beastie Boys & Mike D playing with Living Colour & Fishbone at NYU on a Tuesday, then CBGBs for Hardcore Matinee All Age Sundays. You'd see Bad Brains, Living Colour & Crossfire Choir for like 😒 $6 bucks. 😂 Back when Beasties played actual instruments AND had a DJ. #BRC4Life 🥰🐰 #ENRGYZRBunny
🙋🏿♀️ May I suggest 'Letter to My Landlord' by Living Colour, should you continue this journey. 👼🏿 Corey "takes us to Church" vocally on that song as well as speaks for the people in their neighborhood. 🤔 We literally watched people leave their homes, see buildings torn down & NYU Dormitories pop up all over the Village in 2, 3 decades. Clubs we performed in 30,40 yrs ago are now Sushi places. 😳 Crazy yo..... 🥰🐰
Living Colour Is One of The Greatest Hard Rock Bands Ever, The MESSAGE IS APPLIES TO TODAY!!! FOR AS IT IS WRITTEN, THOUSANDS Of YEAR AGO, THUS SAITH The LORD GOD & TRUE JESUS CHRIST, ECCLESIASTES 1:9. The THING THAT HATH BEEN, IT IS THAT WHICH SHALL BE; and THAT WHICH IS DONE IS THAT WHICH SHALL BE DONE: and THERE IS NO NEW THING UNDER The SUN (ON EARTH)!!! *** TO THOSE Who HAVE SPIRITUAL EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR!!!
Have you done a reaction to Epic by Faith No More??? They were the one of the first to mix rock and rap (after Blondie with Rapture) and long before the Red Hot Chilli Peppers).
I haven't covered "Epic," but I did look at "Midlife Crisis" a long time ago: ruclips.net/video/WnDUKMlht6A/видео.html And we also looked at the two different versions of "We Care a Lot": ruclips.net/video/rgq7xDF8ItY/видео.html I'm sure I'll do "Epic" at come point, but honestly, that video was so overplayed, I've kinda steered away from it. Thanks for commenting. I hope you sub and stick around!
I was young when this song came out and I was definitely listening to the lyrics. The Cult of Personalities are created and adored by the media. Who gets an unearned Nobel Prize? Obama & Gore managed to. Who says "you must sacrifice for the greater good"? Every fascist ever. Guns'n'Roses came out with Civil War a couple years later which has similar themes. I heard this song many times and didn't know these guys were black for a couple years. I thought it was awesome. We were listening to Metallica, Violent Femmes, NWA and Public Enemy all at the same time. No one cared. Still don't. "Only you can set you free" in the final line. A fascist wants to centralize power. A non-fascist begs you to think for yourself and move power as close to the people as possible. Imagine if your bank account was frozen for having the wrong political view. Well, it's already happening. There's your fascist.
The Black community from that time recognized the importance of lyrics of this song, but it did go over most peoples heads. Take it from a Black woman in her 60s.😊❤ Great analysis guys.
Thank you for the insight! It's always great to have different perspectives, and Ladi's question about how Living Colour was perceived by the Black community was something I simply could not answer. Thanks for checking out our video! I hope you check out more of our content.
As a white woman in her 60's who loved this group, bought their music and attended their concert, I totally got the meaning of this tune from the get-go! My point of reference; Mussolini in this video talking to the crowds. My grandfather was one of his cooks, my mother sat on Mussolini's lap when she was 4 yrs old. This dictator, who was adored, eventually caused the starvation of millions of Italians, including my Mom, her 3 sisters and her parents.My grandparents lived off of coffee just so their 4 little girls could have a little bread each day. Their belief in him cost them dearly.
I was 22 when this song came out. People of all colors didn't know how to take them. They were so new, fresh and in your face with their passion. Vernon Reid to me is an absolute slayer on the guitar. One of the 10 best ever in my opinion. This song ages like a fine wine. It only gets better and more relevant as time passes.
@@GeorgeLennon100 I agree
You underestimate some people! A lot of us got the message right away! Some probably didn't get it right away, but not most! Also, you didn't have to be black to get it! It wasn't just about black people, it was about everybody in society! Not everything is about color!
As a Black Woman who listens to ALL genres of 🎵, When the song was released I knew about LC. But IDT enough ppl appreciated the lyrics at the time. Cult of Personality is truly a great timeless song.
One of the things I love about this songs, is how they change one word in the same set of lyrics and completely changes the meaning. The first time, it's "Only you can set ME free." The second time you hear it, it's "Only you can set YOU free." It's so freaking powerful!!
As a black man that listens to R&B when this song came out I bought the album. Now in my 60s I introduced this song to my son several years ago who is a Punk Rock drummer and was so happy to see rockers that looked like him. Great reaction video spot on about the lyrics that is one of the reasons I bought the album. I know lots of black people that rocked this song back in the day.
I was 13 in 1988. I didn't start hearing this on the radio until late 89, early 90. Late 89 was when we finally got MTV. When I first heard it, I was riding around town with friends (we had a friend with a driver's license). We were chilling, talking shit, just driving around. This song came on the radio. I didn't quite hear the opening speech, but the guitar IMMEDIATELY caught my ears (I'm a drummer, so that's saying a lot) and I yelled at everyone (we were 5 deep in the car) and told them all to shut the f up and I cranked the song so I could hear it. I had never heard anything like it at that time. Most of the lyrics were not lost on me ( I was starting high school by this time, and we were just now learning about the dropped names). I made our friend drive us to a music store and bought the album that day. Finally got home and just listened to the entire album with the lyric sheet out.
I have been a big Living Colour fan ever since. It was cool seeing them in the video, as, like most everyone knows, metal and hard rock was dominated by white people when this came out. Everyone was especially swinging on Metallica's nuts by 1988/1989. Vernon is a monster, Corey is a phenomenal singer, dudes, the bass in Cult is just thrumming around like it owns the place and, as a special treat for me, the drums just BOOM. It's criminal how much of a massively under rated and under appreciated band they are in regards to promoters and record producers.
I don't have the same memory as you, but mine is pretty close. There was something about the combination of the groovy, rocking music and Corey's lyrics that really captured me and that seemed really different than the rock that was on heavy rotation on MTV and the radio at the time. I got the tape and immediately started trying to memorize the lyrics, and as I got older, the significance of them got more and more deep.
That's a big thumbs up!
As a black hip hop head back in 1988, Living Colour was the first hard rock album I ever owned. The next was Nirvana's Nevermind. I saw this video on Headbanger's Ball on MTV and it blew my mind. To see a Black band rock out so hard and so well was awesome!
Oh man that's very cool. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for checking out our video. We appreciate it.
I am a 60 year old black male who was 25 then and i was a die hard r&b,hip hop and rap fan.but when this came out in 88 i was blown away by first and foremost the fact that this band was black and they were great.most r&b people missed this gem😅
I was an 18 year old when this came out. I didn't know anyone who didn't love this song. And we absolutely got the message. People, at least the people in my life, listened to all kinds of music. Videos were still huge and so you were exposed to all genres just watching MTV for a couple hours.
Also Corey was in platoon
stabbed himself in the leg!
Holy shit I didn't not realize that!
Hey Taylor, that you?! We two-timers man. We're getting outta here!
Very impressed with the commentary. Really. Most thoughtful I have seen. Great context. Spot on historical analysis.
it was well received in the hip hop community
That's good to know!
You NAILED IT with the 5th avenue comment... DAMN, this song is so timely... I'm gonna have this on repeat when he goes to prison.
If he goes to prison, I actually have another song that I'm gonna blare for, like, a week: ruclips.net/video/Xz9DX_VMXdI/видео.html
Thanks for checking this one out! I hope you check out more of our content and consider subscribing!
@@LikeMindedLunatics perfect!
As a HUGE rap fan at the time, when this group came out I started listening to metal. The words grabbed me right away. Being in the military at the time, all of the black guys loved this song and the words.
I was a 23 year old white headbanger in 1988. We listened to a lot of socially conscious metal and listened to their lyrics carefully, so when this song came out, we ate it up. We were mildly surprised by the fact that they were a black metal band, but it never bothered us.
I honestly kinda miss the days of radio and MTV. I'd hear someone on the radio and form a picture in my head, and then I'd see the video, and almost every time the people in the video did not match the image in my head. That's pretty much gone now.
And what other socially conscious bands were y'all listening to? I'd love to show Ladi some of those.
Living Colour was played at that time on "BET" right along with rap and r&b.
We Love them I'm 60, and rap. we knew what they where saying, they black remember! And Blacks invented Rock and Roll!
I was in my 20s when this came out - and taught high school history and Spanish. I used this song to teach the concept of the cult of personality in my world history class. It made the point better than the textbook, and I got major cool points from the students when they found out that I owned the album - and later saw them open for The Rolling Stones in Atlanta.
Since reaction videos has started. This has to be the best breakdown of the video and song. Great job, Gentlemen! No knock on the other reaction videos, they were good, however you guys ROCKED! No pun intended.
That's an amazing compliment. Thank you so much. I hope you check out more of our stuff, and if you like the content we're creating, please hit that subscribe and keep on hanging out with us.
I feel the same, spot on!
I like the switch from the earlier "Only you can set me free" to the later "Only you can set you free".
Yeah, that progression is really kind of chilling. This whole tune is just scary as hell.
❤❤nice catch..most ppl miss that
This came out in my junior year of high school. I remember seeing them on SNL and was hooked. Years earlier in middle school, I had gotten into a heated debate about there not being any good black guitarist. Even though I pointed out Chuck berry and Hendricks, I was told, “Well they didn’t play rock music!” I just shook my head. As a black man, it would be easy to stick with what is familiar, but at the time I liked a bit of everything, still do. Weather it was Journey, Van Helen, Madonna or LL Cool J and Public Enemy, good music is good music….Period. Useless Fact…..I do believe that there was a legal dispute over the rights to the name between the band and the TV show.
Check out this band called Body Count There Goes the Neighborhood The Lead Singer is Ice T
Oh I know Body Count very well. Saw them live the last time they were here in Austin.
Ricky and I did a matchup with their cover of "Institutionalized." ruclips.net/video/TJbK881qeCI/видео.html
Rock music origins is in black culture which is a branch of the blues with its roots in gospel music which spurned most of America's music genres from jazz to country
I think this resonates more today because of such division that exists in politics, race, and religion today.
I was 23 when this dropped.I was a huge Urban Contemporary and Rap fan from the day.I loved Living Colour because of the message in their songs.They represented the African American view of America.Listen to Open Letter to a Land Lord or Funny Vibe or Which way to your America?Their message is even more relevant today.
MTV wanted nothing to do with this song. Michael Jackson loved the song and told the label to tell the MTV execs, if they don’t play it, they don’t get Michael’s next video. That’s really why we saw it all the time. If you haven’t read I Want My MTV, it’s a good read about the history of MTV.
Open Letter to a Landlord is another great Living Colour song and video. Makes me cry every time.
WE LOVED AND STILL DO..... THIS BAND LIVING COLOUR! They just didn't market them to the Black Community by design! Once WE saw them performed on The Arsensio Hall Show and MTV, WE definitely embraced our Brothers in Rock n Soul. So, I would ask these record companies... what's their intention and end game? If our People are talented, then we got their Backs! So, we knew of them and did support them in their genre! We are the Culture forever! *NewFace Magazine LV Team Las Vegas!
Fantastic episode guys! 💯 Accurate on the assessment and applicability to today!!
Thanks so much! I had a ton of fun doing this one. Ladi was caught off guard I think.
We love them here in Chile! They've played several times in Santiago (about 6 I think)... never missed one of their gigs. One of the best bands you can see live, Fucking awesome!!!!!!
David, I was thinking the same thing - very relevant today too. And until now, I’ve never really paid attention to the lyrics either. This song is so well done, even more than previously thought-and I’ve always thought this song was a prime example of A+ 80s rock.
It actually just saddens me how relevant it is today. I know said it in the video, but the "You gave me power IN YOUR GOD'S NAME" is just terrifying. And then the part where Corey sings each word in "I'M...THE...CULT...OF...PER...SON...ALITY!" like he's totally won and is celebrating. Scary stuff.
I am a Black Woman I was 18 years old then and I loved this song I met Vernon Reed that year. I used to Skateboard 🛹 and me and my friends were at the neighborhood Record Store with my friends there was a Skateboard counter my Dad told me I could go by a new Skateboard and we were doing that and Vernon walked up to the counter 😮. Me and my friends screamed lol he was very sweet.. I think it was shocked such a cool encounter though❤️. I was a Rocker though so I knew exactly who he was.
Excellent breakdown of the group and this song. YES, the lyrics went over most people's heads at the time. And I think as a group they dealt with the same thing Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz dealt with being Black and doing rock music many Black people didn't necessarily follow or get into them until way later.
Watched them in the 1980s supporting Anthrax in the uk and they were amazing still one of the best supporting acts I’ve ever seen
Wow that must have been a badass show! We saw them several years ago on San Antonio, and they're still killing it onstage. Corey's voice still sounds fantastic, and Vernon's playing is just phenomenal.
I thought you meant they were pro anthrax the chemical and I was like what that’s bad
- It is not only associated with fascism , but also communism. In fact, the term was originally associated with Stalin and Mao Zedong.
- The historical characters were not mention due to racism (ex. Gandhi), but instead their elevation to such a level, people overlooked their flaws.
- Their music was well received. The original bass player, Muzz Skillings stated in 'Bass Player" that during the time their concerts had black women in gowns side by side with skinheads.
Yup, cue in Russia, China and N Korea
Absolutely the best breakdown of this song!
Banger! When this came out I just had to check the lyrics and have been hooked ever since. Great reaction guys!
Yeah, this is such a great song.
And we just got tickets yesterday to see them and Extreme on tour! Should be an amazing show!
I'm only 7 minutes into your analysis. Dude on the right is spot on!. I've been a fan of Living Colour since they first came on the scene. So relevant to today without naming names, but y'all know who I mean.
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed this video. This song and video are absolute pieces of art, and the meaning behind the lyrics just seems to get more and more poignant.
We hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing.
Awesome reaction! Have always loved this song, and people need to be hearing it these days!!
This is the best analysis I ever seen of this song
What an incredibly kind comment. Thank you so much. We're glad you enjoyed this one, and I hope you check out more of our content. If you like what we're doing and you haven't done so already please hit the subscribe button and stick around.
I’ve never shared a reaction videoEVER…. BUT I SHARED THIS ONE ☝🏽 I’m sharing with other reactor channels as well bc they did absolutely no research so there was no understanding 🫡🫡🫡🫡 Much Respect 2 you Sir & thank you.
I might be wrong but I think this song and the Album each won a Grammy.
I had this single on tape ❤. The song was a huge hit and did strike a deep chord, but most of us weren’t seasoned or old enough to understand it. Hearing it and seeing this video is profound as an adult during these times.
"Hearing it and seeing this video is profound as an adult during these times."
Yeah, this is one of those pieces of art that gets more and more profound with older I get.
The Canadian band Veer Union was fronted by a black singer. Their US record company apparently advised them not to tour the US South..
or because they are a horrible group that sound like 100's of other early 2000's bland rock bands.
Living Color toured all in the 80s including the south, Including playing at Auburn University in Alabama in 1986. You obviously do not know anything about the south.
this is by far, is the best reaction to this timeless MASTERPIECE! take it from a black spokesman, metal is my sinful pleasure but this song did not reach the black masses and for those that it reached, it went over their heads. Thanks for the reaction!!!!!!!!!!!!! t
Thanks so much! We're really glad you liked this reaction.
I love Living Colour and really wish they'd have hit it so much bigger. I have tickets to see them and Extreme here in Austin, and I can't wait!
Just came across this and man you guys did one helluva job dissecting the Cult Of Personality...freaking awesome.
I’ve never shared a reaction video, EVER…. BUT I SHARED THIS ONE ☝🏽 I’m even going 2 share it with other reactor channels as well bc they did absolutely no research so there was no understanding 🫡🫡🫡🫡 Much Respect 2 you Sir & thank you.
5:50 45 talks to the lowest base 7:00 they played ‘em w other black artists just as Bey is getting racist flack for her country song. 9:51 OR they completely understood the song’s message & that’s why they didn’t give it airtime back then 17:20 😂😮 Black ppl loved it & listened to the lyrics as well but I was close to NYC where there had to be a mssg but yeah we were like FINALLY
Thank you so much. We're so glad you liked this one. For songs that I love, I really try to do my homework and make sure I bring up important aspects of the song or band, and Living Colour deserves every ounce of respect we can give them.
And thank you for sharing your experience as well. We hope you've subbed and plan on sticking around the channel.
And if you liked this reaction, you might like our deep dive into The Cranberries "Zombie" music video: ruclips.net/video/QIKxpI45rGg/видео.html
Back then, music was such a mix... rap, pop, glam... Like Run DMC was playing with Madonna and Michael Jackson and David Bowie. The Beastie Boys. Aerosmith. Everything was accessible. The only specific channels I remember were Country and Classic Rock.
I also learned that LC and Michael Jackson had the same promoter. (I think it was promoter) And they told MTV that they wouldn't let them run the Smooth Criminal video without playing this. So it ended up getting huge play because of that.
Also...I think I heard Reid said that he was so proud of this song, because they wrote it in one rehearsal meet up.
You know, one of the reasons we started this channel is because all the founding members are stage performers in some way (music, improv, comedy, etc.) And during the pandemic, we missed hanging out with each other, so we pivoted to doing YT stuff.
And I knew I wanted to do a reaction segment, but instead of the typical YT reaction (what should I watch? like and subscribe!) I knew I wanted to recreate what it was like watching music videos during the 80s. Sometimes you'd seen the video 100 times. Sometimes it was something new. Sometimes it was heavy, and sometimes it was funny. MTV would go from rock to rap to metal to pop and back again.
But it was always fun because you were hanging with friends.
So that's what we try to do here.
I did not know that about their promoter! That's pretty neat.
Thanks for checking this one out! We hope you keep hanging out with us.
The biggest message I get out of this song is from the line "only you can set me free". When they sing it a second time, they change it to "only you can set You free".
History repeats itself, over and over.
Almost 40 years later, its more important today than when it was released. Great unpacking of the song guys. New subscriber
I do agree with you that this songs lyrics went over a lot of people's heads back in the day just because the music was so great. However, the rock/metal genre lends itself to this song's message a lot better than the country genre did to the song by the Dixie Chicks. Btw this is the best breakdown of this song I've ever heard. Awesome job!
"However, the rock/metal genre lends itself to this song's message a lot better than the country genre did to the song by the Dixie Chicks"
Yeah, I totally agree. I feel like country music artists are expected by their audience to think/act a certain way, and are harshly judged for any deviations.
Whereas rock/metal fans give the artists much more leeway. Like, I think "Appetite for Destruction" is maybe one of the best rock albums of the 80s, but I also think "One in a Million" off the LIES album is a racist piece of shit song that shouldn't have never left the studio. Slash should'a punched Axl in the mouth for even writing the lyrics. But I can hold those two thoughts simultaneously.
Or Dave Mustaine is another example. I find him to be an insufferable dickhead of a human being, but I'll listen to his music all night long!
" Btw this is the best breakdown of this song I've ever heard."
Thanks so much! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing. Fair warning though: Some of our reactions, like The Cranberries "Zombie" are really serious like this. Others we just slam beers and joke around, so we're all over the place.
This is such a great analysis (for once, thanks to RUclips’s algorithm for bringing this to me). On a personal level, I was a young Black girl, in elementary school from a Jamaican family living just outside of NYC, who grew up on reggae, Caribbean and soul music, studied piano and when I saw this on MTV, I was riveted! The song rocks and rocks hard. I was a bookworm, and considered myself pretty smart and looking back, I had only a surface understanding of what the lyrics were actually about, especially with the newsreel footage, I considered it history. Today, it’s chilling how relevant these lyrics still are. I do think that a lot of hip hop heads got into this song. With RUN-DMC having collaborated with Aerosmith, and their use of heavy rock riffs in songs like “Rock Box”, the popularity of The Beastie Boys, many hip hop fans would have already been primed to like a song, especially if they saw the visuals of this video for the first time as hearing the song, as I did. And the presence and energy of Living Colour is undeniable.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We love being introduced to different perspectives.
" Today, it’s chilling how relevant these lyrics still are."
I completely agree. The lyrics are almost more relevant today than they were when this song came out.
I really love collaborations like you're talking about. Aerosmith and RUN DMC or Anthrax and Public Enemy. Rock and Hip-Hop feel like two sides of the same coin: Fighting suffocating power structures. I wish there were more collaborations like that.
And we actually got to see Living Colour last week here in Austin. They're currently on tour with Extreme (their new album is amazing, btw; we've reacted to a lot of their stuff).
The next song I'm going to introduce Ladi to by Living Colour is "Open Letter to a Landlord," and then during PRIDE week, I'm going to show him their video for "Bi."
I hope you've hit the subscribe button and plan on sticking around.
Oh, and I mentioned Extreme. I'd be interested in your thoughts of their new song "The Mask": ruclips.net/video/FS_rgTWkf94/видео.html
And here's our reaction to it: ruclips.net/video/uKeHujFOaq8/видео.html
U guys are dropping knowledge all through this video. So much went over the heads of people when it came out. Well done
Thank so much! I'm so glad you liked this one! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing if you haven't already.
I love the lyrics from the first time I heard the song.
I recall reading about them in Rolling Stone before they hit it with Cult of Personality. I was a fan from that opening riff.. in fact just saw them four months ago and they rocked the house.
That's awesome man! We saw them about the same amount of time ago here in Austin. They opened for Extreme. Where'd you see them?
Gradated in 88 and had the tape playing loud on a couple of 12s back in the day along with two live crew and run dmc
I had the same tapes, and I wore all of them out. We haven't covered 2 Live Crew yet, but you might like this Run DMC video we did: ruclips.net/video/LWLK9jjgb3o/видео.html
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@@LikeMindedLunatics thanks I will check it out
First, an excellent intelligent discussion, guys.
As far as the song’s mentioning of positive leader figures, like Kennedy and Gandhi, along with fascist figures, I think their similarity is in the way that human beings respond to either of them. We trade our individuality and independent thought, in exchange for group belonging and collective thought, whether constructive or destructive.
Thanks so much! We're glad you liked the video and our discussion.
"I think their similarity is in the way that human beings respond to either of them."
That's a great way to look at it, and it kind of mirrors what I've seen Vernon Reid and Cory Glover say about the song. A cult of personality isn't inherently good or bad, it just is because we're humans. But when it's wielded for evil, it's really evil.
This song is what gave me my love of history and politics. I was in junior high when this song came out and I understood some references in the song but had no idea what a cult a personality meant. So, I went to the library and looked up. From there I began to research more of the historical reference which eventually led into politics. I went from hating history and politic to almost becoming obsessed. Lol I also have to say out of all the reaction I have watch on this song this reaction is the only one that touches on the meaning of the lyrics. I love that because as relevant as it was when this song first came out, it still is today just as relevant. Thank you!
I know exactly what you mean. I didn't go to the library like you, but I was listening to the song because it's a badass song, and the dudes in the band look rad as hell in the video, but the meaning kept slowly revealing itself as I learned more about the world. It's a really powerful song.
"I also have to say out of all the reaction I have watch on this song this reaction is the only one that touches on the meaning of the lyrics. I love that because as relevant as it was when this song first came out, it still is today just as relevant. Thank you!"
Thank you for watching and commenting! I hope you check out more of our stuff and consider subscribing. We do a lot of deep dives like this on songs. My background is english lit, so it's hard to me to turn that part of my brain off.
Sometimes we also just have beers and joke around. So there's that too!
In the Spring or Summer of 1987 I attended the University at Buffalo and we had out annual Black Student Union picnic. Grand Master Flash was supposed to be playing at the event but instead Living Colour was booked. When they first hit the stage we had no idea of who they were and I remember laughing at how they looked and started to walk away from the outdoor stage. The first thing they did was to play the message from Malcolm X which caused me to slow down my pace...BUT when Vernon Reid started playing the guitar, it was like the Pied Piper! I kid you not, people from everywhere RAN to hear them!!! I've been a HUGE fan of theirs ever since and to this day my fellow college friends still talk about that day.
To say the least, yes the black community embraced Living Colour and they appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show and tore that performance up!
Corey Glover was also an actor, most notably a sizable role in “ Platoon”. ❤
What a find! You guys- so knowledgeable from all angles.
Old music fanatic here- I’ve seen quite a bit of history!
Subbed!❤
I honestly had not idea Corey was in Platoon! I love that movie, and I love the band, and NEVER knew that!
And thanks so much! We're glad you liked this one, and thank you for subscribing!
@@LikeMindedLunatics he played Francis. So happy to have found you guys.
And starred on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas ❤
Hey greetings from Argentina !!
Excellent analysis in general. The importance of the lyrics of this song is (unfortunately?) eternal!!!
I have been able to see Living Colour live every time they have visited my country, I recommend you to see them now that they are on tour!!!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked this video.
I saw them several years ago, but I'm hoping to catch them again pretty soon. They're actually touring with Extreme right now, and that new Extreme album is phenomenal if you haven't heard it yet. Nuno is really doing some amazing guitar work on it.
Thanks for checking this one out! And greeting from Austin!
It was well received in the rap and rock genre. I worked at a bar directly across from the "welcome to Compton" plaque, when i put this song on the jukebox, it was a couple of my customers that introduced me to this song. They often listened to LL Cool J and Beastie Boys, not much of Whitney Houston, she wasnt even relevant to the connection that was rapidly approaching when it came to music. I really appreciate your input, you have facts in your arsenal that are relevant to the information that it could be relatable and timeless in the message.
Also, i got some "useless information" that i can put away in my mind for later use. One of my favorite watches.
Man, I bet you have some fascinating stories!
I lived out in the middle of the country, and we only had country music stations I could pick up, so just hearing this kind of stuff either required me to stay up late to watch Friday Night Videos, or get someone to drive me 30 minutes into a town big enough to have a record store that sold anything other than George Strait.
And thanks! I'm glad you liked our video. A buddy of mine calls me a fountain of useless knowledge, so I'm glad I was helpful here! I hope you've subbed and plan on sticking around the channel.
Also, on Monday for Pride week, we take a look at Living Colour's "Bi" music video. Come back for that one! It's a fun time.
They're mostly from NYC, but Vernon Reid was born in London. Btw, I was living in Austin when these guys hit, and played the hell out of their first album on cassette. Should've kept up with them a lot more, because they're awesome, and glad to find out they're touring currently.
Oh man that must've been an amazing show!
They actually played here a few months ago at the Moody Theater. They were opening for Extreme, and man they kicked ass. It was a great show.
Am Gambian & saw them in Stockholm "Vivid concert ". Did black ppl. PROUD.
This song is TRUTH. Reid wrote an all time philosophical academic thesis in a short crude presentation, namely rock music. It gave average people a way to connect to what academics write books on and build careers on. Human foibles are based on misguided support to people based on charisma both in politics and religion. Amazing. I don't think even he could completely realize how important what he said is and should be part of academic study and it should be discussed in high schools and colleges. Plus, It freakin rocks!
Yeah you're absolutely right. This is a rare piece of art that not only is a fantastic piece of art in its own right, but also has a really deep message.
This is going to be a weird comparison, but it reminds me of George Carlin's comedy. George always had a deep message to his comedy, but he also knew it had to be funny. So in the middle of a well-thought out position on humanity's position on the planet, we'd get some fart jokes.
Same here. We get a phenomenal message about the dangers of fascism and autocrats, PLUS a rockin' tune with a face-melting solo.
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I remember when this came out and I loved the sound!! (I’m 63) It was rock!! I didn’t know about the lyrics though. Very interesting and it needs to be in rotation (is there a rotation now?). We need to wake people up to the fact that tRump is in this category. And yes, in San Antonio we are very harder rockers!! 🤘
I wish there was a rotation!
And yeah, SA definitely rocks! We lived there for 10 years and I miss the shows and metal crowds!
As a Black man with arguably the most eclectic ear on the planet (LOL!), I grew up torn between the emergence of hip hop (especially the conscious hip hop of the late 80's) and the second British Invasion, loving both, yet rejected by one for loving the other. When "Cult of Personality" dropped in '88, it was the first time I didn't have to feel that way anymore. A Black metal group with relevant, sociopolitical commentary on a high level was something I couldn't have ever imagined. I'm eternally grateful to this group. ❤❤❤❤❤
I don't know if you've read it, but the book "I Want My MTV" is fascinating. The leadership at MTV really dictated what we saw and heard, and they did not think black artists belonged on the channel. They essentially had to have their arms twisted to play black artists. Corey Glover has talked about their uphill battle to even get airplay, much less rotation on MTV. He said that they'd gigged around for so long before they finally broke that they were like a machine on stage because they'd played the same stuff hundreds and hundreds of times.
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@LikeMindedLunatics - That's already a done deal!
A lot of reactors are just now hearing this song. Just search it and you will be in disbelief of how many reactors from all races are reacting to this song. As a teenager when it came out OMG we ROCK and was all over the place acting like lead singer. New Subscriber just by searching for other reactions to this song and is unbelievable they have never heard of them and are in Awe. Very fitting for today on lyric’s but we jammed to beat. ❤
Yeah it's amazing to me how even people from our era never even listened to the lyrics of this one. It's a phenomenal song musically, but the lyrics are just spine chilling.
Another song that kinda seems prescient is Metallica's "King Nothing." Good lord. Listening to that lyrics now and it feels like it was written specifically about one person.
I am from the classic Hard rock when it all first started. It was the greatest time to grow up, close to Motown, and I heard it my whole life. Rock gods from my brother starting in the late Sixty's. Living colour do not and never did get the recognition that they should have. Musicality and lyrics. We're way above what most people could understand! I have to say this song right here should live on forever! Many different times in our lives could sympathize with the cult of personality! I do love the way you talk and analyze what the message is! Because my grandmother came from a communist country I knew right away what they were talking about. However we all live with propaganda everyday!! As it has been said before, If you do not learn from your past, You are doomed to repeat it!
I was in my teens at the time when this song came out and I remember being very fascinated by the lyrics. I remember going to the Libray doing research on Cult of Personality. Also, I remember most of my friends just loving the song but they had no idea what it was about and I had to explain it to them. I just showed this song to my son a few months ago and he said "Wow Mom even though this was written 35 years ago it is sadly still so relevant today."
It's really disheartening how relevant this song still is. I could have been written yesterday and still make 100% sense with what we're still struggling with as a nation.
I was arapper then, I'm a rapper now. I was on this song from DAY ONE. I listen to as much today as I did back then. I loved it, this LP sold millions. They also did Talkin Heads "Memories Can't Wait". Talking Heads say they did it the way they wish they would have.
Saw them open for the Rolling Stones in 89, great band great show, left half way through the Stones,
I was in high school when this came out, most of the teenagers listening to this probably didn’t get all the references…but we got the message.
Hey guys.. wow this is a blast from way back.. judging by Ladi's reaction to Living Colour, i would love to see his reaction to BodyCount.
Is it just me, or would these lyrics be just as at home in a slipknot song? Theyre really profound and ahead of their time. Lyrics from Times up are also very relevant to todays world.
That last solo reminds me a little of Ernie C. On hey Joe. What an awesome song, thanks guys for your hard work bringing us this video🙏🏻
When you guys get together, bringing your thoughts and insight, its absolutely a joy to watch!
Damn. Bodycount. "Right now my motherfucken job is eatin this motherfucken DOnut!" LOL
"judging by Ladi's reaction to Living Colour, i would love to see his reaction to BodyCount. "
Oh man that's a great recommendation. And I'm assuming "Cop Killer"? I'll put that on our Ladi's list of songs to learn about.
And yeah, the lyrics do sound kinda Slipknotty, or even kinda Stone Sourish to me. I feel like Corey Taylor writes in a similar way.
"When you guys get together, bringing your thoughts and insight, its absolutely a joy to watch!"
I remember when this song came out, I was pleasantly surprised by it. Not that black artists COULD do hard rock because that wasn't a surprise, but that they DID do it. But I only recently paid attention to the lyrics. Yeah, prophetic.
"Not that black artists COULD do hard rock because that wasn't a surprise, but that they DID do it. "
Totally agree. My grandparents loved Motown and older music, so I knew black artists, but there just weren't that many black rock and roll artists at the time, so these guys were really just a breath of fresh air.
And yeah, those lyrics still get me. Such good writing.
If I may...... The reason there was no "Dixie Chicks" backlash is the fact there was no social media to blow up. I knew the meaning of the song all along. Love it.
We've actually covered The Chicks before if you wanna check it out: ruclips.net/video/KALrTvPrCfc/видео.html
Yea I sure miss the days when everyone couldn’t be immediately offended and broadcast their often misguided anger all around the world. Think about Bob Dylan in the 1960s? Could he get a break today if he was a young man starting out? Not on your life.
As a teenager, I bought this album and wore it out. Fantastic.
Yeah, me too! I love Living Colour! We recently bought tickets to see Extreme, and Living Colour is opening for them! I can't wait.
Thanks for checking this one out!
I was in my 20s when this came out and loved it instantly because the subversive lyrics are more punk rock even though it's hard rock. I was amazed what he was saying at the time and nobody seemed to get it. Now after all these years, its lyrics are terrifying.
I agree. The lyrics to this song are terrifying.
The fact that the protagonist switches from "Only you can set me free" to "Only you can set you free" is just horrifying. The protagonist KNOWS what he's doing. He knows the only thing that can stop him are the people who support him. But they'll never stop him. It's just scary as all hell.
For the most part, the Black Community didn't even know this band existed. They did played the Arsenio Hall show once and the crowd was just shocked with this band. Like they were all thinking who are these people making that loud noises?
Great reaction ..
Crazy VR hates the solo it's one of my favourites ever!
Ladi's ready for a Living Colour deep dive .. so many amazing tracks just off the first album alone
Our friend Ricky is a prof. of music at Texas State University and a HUGE Vernon Reid fan, and he has the Guitar World from the 90s where Vernon talks about this solo, and apparently he likes the solo itself. He just hated his performance on the album. He had a crappy day and thought he could have done way better.
Which is insane to me. It's such a perfect solo.
But of course, Eddie Van Halen said the exact same thing about "Eruption." He said if he'd known Templeman was recording him and planning on using it on the album he would have "played it better."
Like, what the hell? That solo re-defined guitar and Ed thought he played it crappy.
As a fan from that era. We did not consider Living Colour a Heavy Metal band. IN the 80's this is pure FUNK. Straight out of the 70's. As in FUNKADELIC 1970-76 when Eddie Hazel was the lead guitarist (Maggot Brain, Super Stupid, Miss Lucifer's Love, I Wanna Know, Free Your Mind, Red HOT MAMA, Owe You Something Good.) Mark "DRAC" Hicks From the band SLAVE. ( Slide, Drac is Back, Volcano Rupture) And of course there is Hendrix and Ernie Isley. Living Colour has a lot of great songs that one might consider to be "BLUES". Love rares it's Ugly Head, Letter To A LandLord. Because there was no social media in the 80's. You guys gave credibility to a lot of rumors we heard about this song. One in particular Reid's solo dissatisfaction. GREAT JOB GUYS !!!
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked this one, and thank you for the insight! I know rock and roll and blues really well, but funk is just not something I know a lot about, so thank you!
I was blessed to be a child of the 60s. I love music. All kinds. I never stop to think about race. I'm a big fan of funky basslines, hard rock, classic rock, soul and classic soul, etc. I love discovering music that I have never heard before.....😊
"funky basslines, hard rock, classic rock, soul and classic soul"
And Living Colour has all that!
@Like Minded Lunatics Production Absolutely! I would like to see you react to Mississippi Queen by Mountain. Leslie West RIP was amazing 👏 😍 btw I was 10 years old, jammin to this 😊😅😊
🤦🏿♀️ I'm so old 😒 I remember when MTV didn't play black people. 🤗 Few years later LCs 'Cult of Personality', 'Glamour Boys' & their other songs were in heavy rotation. 🥰🐰
This is the best reaction of any out there! I had the cassette (yes, cassette) and played it to death in my car.
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I had the tape, too! I wore it out so much the tape sounded wonky during this song.
Subscribed! 👍🏻
@@nantzlynn77 Thank you! We actually have another Living Colour reaction coming up soon!
Your “customer service” is spot on. You replied to my comment, thanked me and invited me to subscribe. I appreciate that
Thank you! We really try to keep up with comments. Sometimes it's hard, but we try!
La mejor explicación y reacción de esta song, saludos cordiales desde Mexicali México.
The black community loved it like me I was 13 and this song boosted my love for metal
It's clobberin tiiiiiime!!!
and from chicago ilinois weight in ..CM PUNK
such a great song. a wrestler should use this as their entrance song that would be awesome
I stopped watching wrestling at the end of the Attitude Era, but surely someone has used it? If not, that's a crime worthy of a Leg Drop!
that a right THE BEST IN THE WORLD CM PUNK@@LikeMindedLunatics
@@LikeMindedLunatics cm punk, one of the most polemic and famous wrestlers in the world calls himself "the best in the world" and "the voice of the voiceless" and uses this song as his entrance theme
1988 senior year in high school.
The chorus guitar section is amazing. It's big, but very open for the vocalist to take center stage. Not to mention melodic!
I have been a LC fan since this first album, have gotten to see them live so many times. Part of Vernon and all of them is that they improvise all the time, so he almost never plays a solo the same way twice. And it was funny hearing you talk about how well received they were on MTV etc. They only got a record deal after Mick Jagger gave them studio time to record a demo and then shopped their demo for them. All the other labels passed, in the end Jagger’s label signed them. They only got the high rotation on MTv as the person booking video also was booking Michael Jackson’s newest video. Done with MJ’s permission to support more black music in mainstream segments of MTv. (MJ fought had to be reclassified as pop to be played for a mixed audience. R&B meant primarily for black audiences at the time in radio and music industry speak.) LC only got heavy attention when the industry was forced by those with heavy credibility to demand it. They have so much great music, but the industry has never known how to handle them or their content. Type was my favorite from back in the day, but check out Collidescope for what they did with the W era and Shade which dropped in 2017 for their thoughts on what has happened since then. Their song Time’s Up is 30 years old and still absolutely true, very sadly. Great breakdown.
Today I was saying, I almost wish that I could wake up and be brainwashed. Just so I wouldn't feel so much grief and anger. I could just go with the flow. But the problem with that is that I think for myself. ❤️✌️
The difference between them and Dixie Chicks is that DC were explicitly anti-war which didn’t fit the country music ethos. LC is more timeless. I wish it wasn’t as true now as it was then. We can thank Reagan for some of the inspiration.
At least you didn’t make Ladi cry
BTW, a linguistic analysis of the former guy showed that he communicates at a third grade level.
...and...LC is a bunch of much better musicians, Will Calhoun will melt your face with the drums, Vernon....is incredible....Muzz was rock solid, Corey is a force.
Well, and they're also playing in a genre that has wildly divergent thoughts thoughtout artists; whereas country? Everyone's in lock-step I think. Plus it was three females talking outta turn. That don't sit well with some of them folks.
Ha! Now when he describes Ladi's Rockuction to people, and I'm meaning in real life at shows, he tells them it's where I make him cry!
.The TV show had to change their name because of this band. The TV show was not originally "In Living Color". Just an FYI. and this isn't really a "metal band". Been a LC fan since forever! This song is with Muzz Skillings on bass.
Great musicians, great shows, always Living Colour is all about their love of music and performing. Corey Glover once accidentally elbowed me in the face at a show! OK so many people won't list that as a positive...wasn't Corey's fault. They were performing with Bad Brains so it got a little rowdy with the crowd, and he was carried across the first ten or twelve rows...partly against his will I think lol.
"Corey Glover once accidentally elbowed me in the face at a show! OK so many people won't list that as a positive"
I mean, as long as he didn't inure you for life, that's a RAD story dude! I'd be so happy to have a "Corey Glover elbowed me in the face" story!
I was 25 when this came out, I got the message then, very clear what it is conveying. Excellent breakdown of it, thank you guys.
You should check out Open Letter to a Landlord. Also very deep
I've always loved that part of Mr. Reid's solo because to me it sounds like a discordant distant group argument. All the punks and (politically progressive) metal heads I knew all loved LC when they hit, and most of us thought their record company gave them the short end of the stick. They should have been stadium performers, and they ended up playing the festival circuit and 2-4k seat theaters instead. I met them when they swung through AZ in '91 because I did catering then. All I remember was they were amazing conversationalists and ridiculously educated about music.
I was shocked when I learned that originally Reid was unhappy with the solo as it was recorded because I'm with you. That solo is amazing.
And that's so nice to hear they were good dudes when you met them! We saw them live here in Austin several months ago, and they still put on a fantastic show.
Shout Out to Vernon and all my Black Rock Coalition members. 🤷🏿♀️ Nobody would book us, so we booked ourselves. 😏 Funny cause we played with a bunch of White dudes who rapped & played funk, and couldn't get booked either since they didn't fit the "MTV Hair Band" mold. 🤗 How you ended up with Beastie Boys & Mike D playing with Living Colour & Fishbone at NYU on a Tuesday, then CBGBs for Hardcore Matinee All Age Sundays. You'd see Bad Brains, Living Colour & Crossfire Choir for like 😒 $6 bucks. 😂 Back when Beasties played actual instruments AND had a DJ. #BRC4Life 🥰🐰 #ENRGYZRBunny
🙋🏿♀️ May I suggest 'Letter to My Landlord' by Living Colour, should you continue this journey. 👼🏿 Corey "takes us to Church" vocally on that song as well as speaks for the people in their neighborhood. 🤔 We literally watched people leave their homes, see buildings torn down & NYU Dormitories pop up all over the Village in 2, 3 decades. Clubs we performed in 30,40 yrs ago are now Sushi places. 😳 Crazy yo..... 🥰🐰
Living Colour Is One of The Greatest Hard Rock Bands Ever, The MESSAGE IS APPLIES TO TODAY!!! FOR AS IT IS WRITTEN, THOUSANDS Of YEAR AGO, THUS SAITH The LORD GOD & TRUE JESUS CHRIST, ECCLESIASTES 1:9. The THING THAT HATH BEEN, IT IS THAT WHICH SHALL BE; and THAT WHICH IS DONE IS THAT WHICH SHALL BE DONE: and THERE IS NO NEW THING UNDER The SUN (ON EARTH)!!! *** TO THOSE Who HAVE SPIRITUAL EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR!!!
Have you done a reaction to Epic by Faith No More??? They were the one of the first to mix rock and rap (after Blondie with Rapture) and long before the Red Hot Chilli Peppers).
I haven't covered "Epic," but I did look at "Midlife Crisis" a long time ago: ruclips.net/video/WnDUKMlht6A/видео.html
And we also looked at the two different versions of "We Care a Lot": ruclips.net/video/rgq7xDF8ItY/видео.html
I'm sure I'll do "Epic" at come point, but honestly, that video was so overplayed, I've kinda steered away from it.
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Nope. Rap listeners didn't listen or know about this band. Today tho, rap listeners are reacting to this and are amazed!
I was young when this song came out and I was definitely listening to the lyrics. The Cult of Personalities are created and adored by the media. Who gets an unearned Nobel Prize? Obama & Gore managed to. Who says "you must sacrifice for the greater good"? Every fascist ever. Guns'n'Roses came out with Civil War a couple years later which has similar themes. I heard this song many times and didn't know these guys were black for a couple years. I thought it was awesome. We were listening to Metallica, Violent Femmes, NWA and Public Enemy all at the same time. No one cared. Still don't. "Only you can set you free" in the final line. A fascist wants to centralize power. A non-fascist begs you to think for yourself and move power as close to the people as possible. Imagine if your bank account was frozen for having the wrong political view. Well, it's already happening. There's your fascist.