What’s Up?” is a song about the frustration and hopelessness of living in a messed-up world. The song is often seen as a feminist anthem concerning women navigating in a male-dominated world, but “What’s Up?” was also inspired by the political landscape of the 1990s
However the "brotherhood of men" can also be interpreted as gender-neutral, considering that "man" is another way of saying "human".. I think the more important part here is the "brotherhood", suggesting that there is a group of people who have relations and ties beyond common ones. Sort of like the old "Ivy League membership" - if you're one of the "brotherhood", you know it. And if you're not, no matter what you do, you'll never make it.
When this song was released lead singer Linda Perry was a lesbian fronting an all female band in a male dominated music industry. The song expresses her frustrations of trying to rise up & be heard in that industry. Her unique & powerful voice however propelled this song to the top of the charts proving that a good song is a good song regardless of the gender writing & performing it. Linda has had a great career as a songwriter for many artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera as well as others.
@@TarisSinclair yeah but according to Linda Perry, it was about being a female in a world where certain things were appropriate for men….like loving women and being the lead of an all male band
The song is about women trying to make it in the music business. If you weren't blonde and good looking, forget it. Who cares how talented you are. Linda Perry is brilliant and few people know who she is. It's sad.
🎯 yes, she was a huge talent and never got the attention she deserved. But she finally got to a place in the industry where she found her niche with song writing and producing. The 90's were a time when an out of the box female artist could be heard and appreciated. There was a shift in norms about what pop music should 'look like.' Still, they didn't have the mega success that men did.
The lead singer, Linda Perry has gone on to do so much more as a songwriter and record producer for the likes of Pink, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Adele to name a few.
Linda Perry is just an amazing writer. I love the Polama Faith story about her trying to get Poloma to sing Love Only Hurts. Let's say the story is blue but the song turned Poloma from a British star to that of a international star .😂
Typically in writing if you are talking about the male gender you will say "men," but using the word "man" to refer to a group means humanity in general.
Yep, Linda Perry is an old-school Gen X (like myself), so her verbiage is a bit different from the politically correct crap we see, hear, and read today.
@@itsjezzer, read it slowly. Here, I will draw some pictures with crayolas so people can understand: basically, the verbiage used is that to mean mankind. These lyrics were written by someone from a generation who would use that verbiage to mean that and not the male gender. Unlike those today, who would contort it to mean something totally different.
Have you heard many women calling humanity "Man"? In my 50 years, i'm having a hard time recalling an instant, among the 100s of times i heard "Man" used that way by.a man.
@@BensSoZen, well, my background is as an English professor and my grandfather was an English professor, as well. I can assure you, "man" used to mean "mankind" has been a proper way of saying or writing it since the standardization of the English language.
Also, feminism does not mean radical feminism. Just proclaiming women have traditionally been subjugated by men is not attack on you personally. It is a statement of fact; we all like facts right? How do we fix past injustices if we don’t name them first.
@EvertheHumanist I don't take issue with your statement. For the most part, I agree, but since you brought it up, maybe you can explain. "Radical Feminism". What is it? I'm an old woman. I was born into an era when women needed a man to cosign on a credit card or open a business. When I started working, men talked down to us all the time, and there were rarely any females in management. If you were divorced you were considered a whore. You get the picture. Now I see women being able to do anything they want and achieve any goals they want. But I see people complaining like if this was the 50's. My basic question is, why am I hearing "feminism" has become such a dirty word? And what is "radical" feminism? Is there a point when a person can be too equal? I'm sincerely asking because, as an old woman, this perplexes me.
@@isabeljimenez6067 "Is there a point when a person can be too equal?" No, but there is a point where you ask for equality of outcome, not for equality of oportunities.
Linda Perry was an amazing vocal performer, and she wrote her bands music. She then disappeared from the scene. P!nk not only noticed this, but ACTIVELY sought her out. She not only wanted to perform this song with her, but she wanted to convince her to enter a writing room with P!nk. There is a video of this performance posted, it was beautiful. This is when she joined P!nk’s team. She was listed as a co-writer on many tracks from 3 of her albums. They also co-wrote around 150-160 tracks together. These songs will now never be released. P!nk has always kept the members of her team close. In order to do this, she needs to be able to trust them, truly trust them- with anything. Linda Perry presented a song to P!nk that she then recorded expecting to release on her next album. It was her first “solo” writing. The song was “Beautiful”. Now, the reason it ended up with Christina Aguilera has nothing to do with the vocals, the track, or the message. Her record label made an offer Linda couldn’t refuse. The larger issue is that P!nk was never told by Linda, she found out listening to the radio. This ended their relationship, and while P!nk has forgiven she will NEVER work with her again. The reason I point all of this out is important. A lot of people view famous people as untouchable stars. They’re not. They’re people just like you and me. Even though Linda has co-written some AMAZING tracks in her time, I always have a bad taste in my mouth when I hear them. The way you succeed matters.
There is an old adage, never step on those on your way up, that you may need on your way back down. Sounds like she thought she didn’t need Pink anymore, time will tell 🤷🏼♂️
Yeah, it kinda reminded me of when Michael Jackson purchased the rights to The Beatles early music right from under Sir Paul McCartney. Paul was actually teaching Michael about the business side of the industry as well. So, when Paul wanted the rights back to his music, MJ bought it out instead. Paul asked him why he did that and MJ told him it was just business. Thus ended their working relationship and friendship. I love Michael Jackson but I thought that was not a cool thing to do. With the problems The Beatles had with that label, it was like a punch in the gut.
Linda is so talented she really doesn't need anyone. So why can't those songs be released as long as both agree? I think they're making it back to each other. Slowly. But neither of them need each other to survive. The talent is obvious.
The lead singer is Linda Perry and she’s written some of the biggest hits you know from artists you love, like Rihanna and Pink. She’s singing about the difficulties women in the music industry face. She’s talented beyond recognition but she, like all women, was met with getting patted on the head like a child but not being taken seriously. Locked out of the god ol boys club that run all industries, men too afraid that women will show them up which is why they won’t let us into the big leagues.
Ok... this might shock some guys here so maybe sit down (jk.. but also not) but the music industry in the 90s and earlier was really really sexist. The name 4 non blondes, the clothes that were not "sexy" the fact all the wonen played instruments (especially having a woman drummer.... that was almost unheard of back then) were all bucking the trend for women in the music industry who normally had to over sexualize themselves and usually just be the singer and look pretty. The singer Linda Perry has gone on to be a big songwriter/producer for a lot of big name artists. She is really good at writing songs for women which is not normally what you hear. Most songs are written from a mans perspective.
They were mad because back when that song came out…radio stations would play a maximum of ONE female artist per hour. Take a gander at the history of the Lilith Fair!!
I don't think she is a man hater at all,just crying out against injustice! Another listener pointed out that she is crying out against how hard it was to make it as a woman in the music industry! Regardless,they have pure talent,and her voice is off the chain! Alannis Morrisette,Natalie Merchant,and some Pink kickass rolled up in one !🎙🎶👍👏👊🏿
She was and still is a man hater and it was not hard at all for a WOMAN to make it in the industry. It was hard for HER and so like a rad-fem based on hate, she tried to make it sound like it was hard for all women.
@mstayloronlineThose women were exceptional rather than the rule. A lot of women back in the day have said that they were told how they had to look and perform by a male dominated industry. Women were told to shut up and do whatever they were told while male performers were often feared by managers, companies and producers as 'temperamental artists'. Even this song was originally produced by a dude who changed it into a completely different song that the band hated and they were expected to just accept it. But they didn't. The lead singer, Linda Perry, got the band together and produced this song and the dude still showed up at the end uninvited and still gets the credit even though this is her version and not his which was never released.
@@shanegooding4839 Give me a break...radical feminism at work here. You think MEN were not told how they had to look and perform? Why the FUCK do feminists after 1990 all act as if shit is only happening to them, and only happening because they are women...it isnt. Its happening because its a BUSINESS and that is how the BUSINESS makes money. Do you actually think that every man in Heavy Metal, for 2 DECADES all WANTED to have poofy flipping long hair and wear makeup? Hell no and it can be seen by those that lasted into the 1990s and how the metal bands cut their damn hair, stopped wearing makeup and spandex. It was no longer king of music and they were no longer the focus and thus were freed from the chains of the machine.
Linda Perry is a LEGEND in music! She is a songwriter for Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Osbourne, Courtney Love, James Blunt, Aliicia Keys and many others! She has her own record label "LCR" ...
I see a lot of video reactions today where the person is trying to figure out the lyrics all the time, and that's fine, but a lot of music (I don't know about rap) is not literal, it's *art* , so it's open to interpretation. Many songs are intentionally vague, so that the listener can fill in their own meaning to the lyrics, which makes the song much more personal (and therefore meaningful) than if it is a straight up literal song about the singer or writer, etc. Joni Mitchell, in her song titled Blue (from her 1971 album of the same name), explained it this way: *Blue* , *songs are like tattoos* You know I've been to sea before Crown and anchor me Or let me sail away *Hey Blue* , *there is a song for you* *Ink on a pin* *Underneath the skin* *An empty space to fill in* We fill in the meaning of the songs ourselves, what they mean to us, the listeners. It is often better to just go with the flow, let the music wash over you, and let it mean whatever comes to your mind as you listen. If you like the song, then after you have heard it a few times and you're somewhat familiar with it, *then* look up the lyrics or check "Songfacts" or "Song meanings" and see whether the artist or the fans know what the song is actually about, if it is a song that has a specific meaning, as opposed to many songs which are wide open to personal interpretation 👍
The reason that you are giving them a chance is called maturity, you are no longer just a kid who has such a closed mind. Glad to see so many who are finally opening their minds to the great music of our day (80s and 90s or earlier) when music had a purpose
Wikipedia-The song had its origins well before 4 Non Blondes were formed. Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins recalled sitting in a room with Linda Perry, who worked as a waitress down the street, performing their original compositions to one another when the two were struggling musicians in San Francisco. The two played each other early versions of "Semi-Charmed Life" and "What's Up?", both of which would become massive hits for their respective bands. It would be decades later that Jenkins realized the songs performed in that private session would sell a combined 17 million records. The title does not appear in the song's lyrics, but the phrase "what's going on?" is prominently included in the chorus.
I think she means it in general terms. Things were a little different in the 1990s than they are now. And she sang about the experiences in the past up to the current point in time. It's about how a woman was supposed to be, and it was about careers that were hardly possible for women. Such things.... One thing about her voice: You should hear her song "Morphine & Chocolate"! That`s wild!
I was 25 when this song came out. I think it's an anthem for that age - you're an adult, but you know you don't have it all figured out yet. This band was notable because they were all openly gay. It may seem hard to believe, but even in 1995 that was still risky. There were and had been plenty of LGBTQ performers, but almost all of them were cagey about it. Actually even just being an all-female band was probably a challenge at that time, especially if they weren't willing to be conventionally cute/sexy/girlish - which they obviously weren't. I think she prays for things to change, for society to come to more acceptance of differences. The song came right on the cusp of those changes happening.
Over the past 30 years this song has become many things to many people . The glass ceiling for women , mysogyny in the music business , general feminism and just how f**ked up the world is in general but especially politically - it's basically a chameleon of a song whose message can be anything you want to read in to it
I'm so glad I was never expected to only like a certain kind of music growing up cuz i like a bit of everything. I love the journey you're on with new genres. Seeing your response is almost as good as hearing the songs for the first time again myself. ❤
This is a female rage song. It's about how in a patriarchal society, women are second class. Even the name of the group is a dig at the general idea that men prefer blonds. It's not against men specifically, just how things are skewed their way.
15 year old 90s girl anthem 😂 every time this song comes on the radio in the car my sister and i call each other immediately and scream it together. We are in our 40s now...
It's a feminist (Sapphic?) anthem. It came out JUST before Grunge, which wiped them out of the public eye - but the lead singer/songwriter went on to write of the biggest hits in pop: Christian Aguilera's "Beautiful".
You are the very best reaction channel i have ever watched!!! love this song. My take is nothing about sexism. I think it's about the brotherhood of man. What's going on with the world?? Why is there so much hate? Where are we headed? (Destinationf😮? You have said a few times in other reactions and this one "Why did she say oh Man. That was a common expression. Like 'oooo manning' or Mannnn' it's sort of like 'Dude' or "Btuh" it's not an attack on manhood.
A little about sexism... she was unhappy with how talented women were being overlooked in the industry of they didn't fit a stereotype, among other things. This song was written before they became famous, and if you read about her career, she had a very tough time even though she was extremely talented. What I love about this song is it is written so well that it can bring different meanings to different people based on their own experiences. ❤
Here for more reactions. Keep up the variety. Want to write a hit? Put a catchy hook in your song that people want to scream. This song has probably the hookiest hook of them all. Be in a bar where it's being covered. The entire bar will be singing along. It's a high quality song.
This came out when I was in my 20’s and I remember it resonating with me at a time that I was struggling to find my way in the “real world” as an adult. I had some work & life experiences under my belt at this point and the realization that how I thought life would be and how it actually was very different. I turned to singer song writers music a lot during this time to because I related so much. Suzanne Vega, Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, Alison Moyer, Annie Lennox I could keep going. 😊❤
I think there's a good reason Linda Perry did not title the song “What's Going On,” even though that is the song's hook and beginning of the chorus. Back around 1970 Marvin Gaye released an album titled “What's Going On,” and both that album and its title track are regarded as landmarks in the history of popular music. Perry's “What's Up” and Gaye's song have a lot in common, thematically though not musically. The songs are both reactions to what the artists perceived as a messed up world.
Alanis Morrissette also spoke up about the issues in the music business for women -- in her song "Right Through You". Wait a minute man You mispronounced my name You didn't wait for all the information Before you turned me away Wait a minute sir You kind of hurt my feelings You see me as a sweet back-loaded puppet And you've got a meal ticket taste I see right through you I know right through you I feel right through you I walk right through you You took me for a joke You took me for a child You took a long hard look at my ass And then played golf for a while Your shake is like a fish You pat me on the head You took me out to wine dine 69 me But didn't hear a damn word I said I see right through you I know right through you I feel right through you I walk right through you Oh hello Mr. Man You didn't think I'd come back You didn't think I'd show up with my army And this ammunition on my back Now that I'm Miss Thing Now that I'm a zillionaire You scan the credits for your name And wonder why it's not there I see right through you
Linda Perry (the front woman) is a complete badass producer today, having produced multiple grammy winners and world famous albums. She’s a real one. One of my heroes.
30 + years ago, but sometimes seems like yesterday. This song dominated bars in Southern Europe for months. It was an anthem, and men sang out with women. It caught fire.
Another one to cross off my list! 😊 I'm so glad u are giving things a second chance cuz u definitely missed out on so much good music!! Linda Perry has an amazing voice, and this song is basically about a connection to humanity...
This song is referencing one of the core issues that grunge music addressed, which is the disillusionment with the world. Linda Perry is a fantastic singer and song writer. She doesn't sing that much anymore, the band are no longer together, but she does still write songs for big name stars like Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Pink. Alanis has definitely sighted 4NB and Linda Perry specifically as inspiration before. She still champion's women's voice in the music industry and is known to give generously to help women get started. If I am not mistaken they only had the one album and this was their only hit.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time!!! It's just a feel good song. It makes you feel like it's okay to just enjoy and love life. She's asking "what's up world", like what new and exciting thing are you going to give me today. Ready to take on the world.
I was in my 20s when this song came out and it was and still is one of my favorite songs. Its about life and society as a whole back then and honestly it resonates with the world today too. As a side note I feel it personally as my life had many ups and downs and still does. Its one of those songs that really hits you and that hill of hope is the thing that keeps me going.
back in 93, went to Aerosmith concert in an open air coliseum. 4 non blondes opened, and What's Up was the last song they played. And it poured down rain, and everybody freaking loved it. Still remains a favorite concert memory for me.
If you werent conventionally cute, skinny, blonde and straight in the 80s and 90s you got no love from the music industry...didnt matter if you were an extremely talented song writer and musician! This was 90's female grudge theme!
This song has been used in many TV and movie soundtracks, that’s where you have probably heard the hook. Fun fact: Linda Perry, the lead singer is married to Sara Gilbert who plays Darlene on Roseanne and The Conners.
She is really famous.She has released solo work, and produced and written songs on albums by Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Courtney Love and Kelly Osbourne.
This song came out when I was about 13/14 yo, I remember me & my friends belting it out at school. 44 yo, haven’t heard it in years & im belting it out! Great song!
It's not feminist. It's about being done with the world as we know it because it's nuts. Brotherhood is a reference to mankind as a whole. Revolution doesn't actually mean anything extreme. Her reference to brotherhood and revolution is just ideals. The enedited version she's talking about doing drugs, hence getting "high" so it's likely her lyrics link to drug abuse or recreational use. And I think that's part of why she's angry too, just having to do drugs to make the world ok
This song is over 30 years old. It was on a loop of about 30 songs we played at my younger brothers viewing in 2017. Along with Momma I'm coming home from Ozzie. They were the 2 songs everyone complimented. God bless ✌️✌️ & ❤❤
They titled the song "What's Up" because "What's going on" was already a song title by Marvin Gaye, and they didn't want the song to be confused with that. The 90s was a different time so I wouldn't read too much into the lyrics when considering today's political and social environments, they are not the same thing today as it was in the 90s.
Just as a point of reference; Linda Perry is the wife of Sarah Gilbert. Yes, there are feminist undertones in the song. It is technically a politically based song written about the 1990's (Bush era) state of affairs. But, I've never listened with those those thoughts in mind, as I think she cleverly left out all the things and left it open to interpretation. It is one that I go to when I'm having trouble making sense of what is going on in life. Another great reaction.
The revolution might be an lesbian female latina getting a seat at the table of power. People just want to have a voice, and unfortunately it takes an upheaval in society for some to get a place at the table. But she made it! And she did it with the integrity of her music and her voice. Listen to Beatiful. She wrote it for xtina aguilera to sing.
This was my anthem in my 20’s. I didn’t take it to have a deeper meaning. In my early 20’s, I truly wondered, “what’s going on?” Now, well into my 50’s… I’m still wondering. 😄
No she was not... K.D. Lang. Melisa Etheridge, The Go Gos, Indigo Girls, Riot Grrrrl, Team Dresch, Tribe 8, Kate Pierson of the B52s...everyone already knew about how 3 of the girls from The Runnaways were at LEAST bi with their bragging about having sex with each other so you are talking about Lita Ford and Joan Jett...
This song was huge in the 90s they were definitely a big "one hit wonder" that made an impact. Her voice always reminded me of a grittier version of Natalie Merchant with the band 10,000 maniacs.
Hey, as a teen of the time i was poor and fat and a new kid at school many times. I hit high school as a stranger, and there was no place for me to fit in. There were all these groups and types of kids, and being nice to people wasnt as normal as it is today. Also at the time there was a new group of teens. They were wearing bell bottons again, i to 60s culture and attitudes, being nice on purpose. These were the only types of people who treated me as anything. This song and artist reresents this new thing and people of this time. Ill always hear this song as a friend singing to me. Same with blind melon. I can remember hearing blind melon on the bus to school one morning, it was like light being turned on in darkness.
This song reflects on the singer’s feelings of frustration, confusion about life, the search for meaning and purpose, and a desire for change or revolution. Lead songwriter Linda Perry encapsulates the universal struggle of feeling lost and seeking answers in an increasingly complex world through this song. Starting Point: The song begins with the singer revealing she is 25 years old but expressing feelings of discontent and confusion. She is lying in bed, crying as a form of relief. Morning Relief: By the time morning arrives, she is feeling a whole lot better. This sensation makes her “scream from the top of (her) lungs” the question “what’s going on?” Internal Issues and Institutions: She expresses that her internal issues may actually be based on an “institution”, which reads like a personification of the culture at large. Her beef with the system is so intense that she actually “prays for a revolution”. Homophobia and Sexism: Some have attributed these sayings to be in reference to the homophobic and sexist aspects of American society, since the 4 Non Blondes are openly gay. However, that theory is yet to be definitively proven. Unofficial Title: The track has an unofficial title: “What’s Going On?” It was intentionally named “What’s Up?” to avoid confusion with Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic of the same name. Success and Impact: The song was so successful that it landed at number 94 on VH1’s list of “100 Greatest One Hit Wonders”. It topped the charts in several countries, including Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. Even decades after its release, it is still used as "a queer anthem". In summary, while the lyrics may not have a straightforward narrative, they evoke a sense of questioning, frustration, and a longing for change. The song’s emotional impact transcends its literal meaning, resonating with listeners worldwide.
When you are in your mid-twenties and early thirties you start to realize the world is a tuff place to be. You're proving to others that you can stand on your own but you come across blocks in your way. Anyway, at that time there was wars with Iran and Iraq, and a process of a homeless problem emerging. The world was changing quickly.
I was working the graveyard shift at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel front desk back when this song blew up and Linda Perry (and I guess the rest of the band) was staying with us. One night she called the front desk and my co- worker answered. I could only hear the conversation from his side of the phone call but it was the funniest thing I ever heard. He just kept saying I’m sorry the bar is closed, no I’m sorry we can’t bring any alcohol up to your room because it’s after 2am, the conversation went round and round with her until finally he say “Yes, I know who you are. I don’t care if you’re the pope, the bar is closed”, and he hung up. I must of laughed for 10min straight. I heard the next night she threw a chair at the door to the Cinegrill bar (again after 2a) and broke the window on the door. I’m told security was called. Ah, those youthful days of overnight stardom going to your drunken head. 😂
Linda Perry is a goddess! Her producing and songwriting abilities are astronomical! (check her Grammys out) When I hosted karaoke (waaaaayyy back in the day - '93-ish) this was my go-to song. Toot my own horn... I won a lot of competitions with this song lol I feel like it's the trials and tribulations of trying to find a place in society and humanity, which could be a brotherhood of man or sisterhood of women, or political/religious issues. "Who is right? Who is wrong? Where do I fit in? What's going on?" etc. Great tune!
This is straight up an anthem regarding frustration in this mad, mad world that we live in. Intelligent & beautiful. Linda Perry is incredible & her voice is her own. Thank you for sharing.
This came out [became popular] during the fall of my freshman (only) year of college, 1993. The fraternity I was pledging at the time had a brother named Stefan, so we'd all sing along, but then sing, "What's up, Stefan?" I sing it that way to this day!
Man to me in this song is just mankind, with the song basically referring to the 'glass ceiling'. Not just for women, but every walk of life struggles. In a nutshell.
That shot of the carrousel is in Golden Gate Park children’s playground, and I worked at that Hershel Spellman carrousel for many years including that day of the shoot - I ran the ride for them 😅😂
The lead singer did some time in a psychiatric ward hence the "institution" reference. The song can be interpreted many ways to many people, but in the end it was her struggle to deal with her emotions and depression. It's a stunning and moving song. It was huge. Their albums had a bunch of good songs. The album "Bloodletting had so many unique and good songs but the lyrics went very deep and could be quite dark.
She played this song on Howard Stern not long ago and still sounds awesome. I wonder if Hilary Clinton used this when she campaigned for president? That glass ceiling.
It's like a grown-up dude has come out of his kid's rap pants and, overwhelmed by the wealth of musical genres and vocalists, is trying to catch up with the music world! It's all right!
Singer is one of the most prolific song writers of her time. This is the only album she recorded. Got rich from writing sings. Great friend of Dolly Parton.
What’s Up?” is a song about the frustration and hopelessness of living in a messed-up world. The song is often seen as a feminist anthem concerning women navigating in a male-dominated world, but “What’s Up?” was also inspired by the political landscape of the 1990s
However the "brotherhood of men" can also be interpreted as gender-neutral, considering that "man" is another way of saying "human".. I think the more important part here is the "brotherhood", suggesting that there is a group of people who have relations and ties beyond common ones. Sort of like the old "Ivy League membership" - if you're one of the "brotherhood", you know it. And if you're not, no matter what you do, you'll never make it.
When this song was released lead singer Linda Perry was a lesbian fronting an all female band in a male dominated music industry. The song expresses her frustrations of trying to rise up & be heard in that industry. Her unique & powerful voice however propelled this song to the top of the charts proving that a good song is a good song regardless of the gender writing & performing it. Linda has had a great career as a songwriter for many artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera as well as others.
"brotherhood of man" speaks of humanity as a whole. Everyone!
@@TarisSinclair yeah but according to Linda Perry, it was about being a female in a world where certain things were appropriate for men….like loving women and being the lead of an all male band
Male authoritisim
The song is about women trying to make it in the music business. If you weren't blonde and good looking, forget it. Who cares how talented you are. Linda Perry is brilliant and few people know who she is. It's sad.
That’s wild. Valid point
🎯 yes, she was a huge talent and never got the attention she deserved. But she finally got to a place in the industry where she found her niche with song writing and producing. The 90's were a time when an out of the box female artist could be heard and appreciated. There was a shift in norms about what pop music should 'look like.' Still, they didn't have the mega success that men did.
That’s what I always thought it was about, Women who want to be Rockstars in a male dominated business
Exactly! That's the brotherhood.
The thing is, she is good looking and many people would agree with me!!!!!!
The lead singer, Linda Perry has gone on to do so much more as a songwriter and record producer for the likes of Pink, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Adele to name a few.
Soooo talented and accomplished
i wish she had continued singing, she has such a powerful and unique voice. She is phenomenal.
Sarah Gilbert's wife.
didnt know that ty
Linda Perry is just an amazing writer. I love the Polama Faith story about her trying to get Poloma to sing Love Only Hurts. Let's say the story is blue but the song turned Poloma from a British star to that of a international star .😂
Linda Perry is one of the biggest songwriters for artists you probably love. She has the grammys to prove it.
Personally, I don't think they are singing about "man" and "woman" but human kind in general aka man
Exactly. That's why she used man as a plural instead of men.
I was thinking the Brotherhood of mankind, but I also read somewhere that it's about child abuse
Typically in writing if you are talking about the male gender you will say "men," but using the word "man" to refer to a group means humanity in general.
Yep, Linda Perry is an old-school Gen X (like myself), so her verbiage is a bit different from the politically correct crap we see, hear, and read today.
@@johndeeregreen4592 I can 100% assure you that is not what I meant
@@itsjezzer, read it slowly. Here, I will draw some pictures with crayolas so people can understand: basically, the verbiage used is that to mean mankind. These lyrics were written by someone from a generation who would use that verbiage to mean that and not the male gender. Unlike those today, who would contort it to mean something totally different.
Have you heard many women calling humanity "Man"? In my 50 years, i'm having a hard time recalling an instant, among the 100s of times i heard "Man" used that way by.a man.
@@BensSoZen, well, my background is as an English professor and my grandfather was an English professor, as well. I can assure you, "man" used to mean "mankind" has been a proper way of saying or writing it since the standardization of the English language.
Brotherhood of man = mankind. Not men.
Exactly.
Also, feminism does not mean radical feminism. Just proclaiming women have traditionally been subjugated by men is not attack on you personally. It is a statement of fact; we all like facts right? How do we fix past injustices if we don’t name them first.
@EvertheHumanist I don't take issue with your statement. For the most part, I agree, but since you brought it up, maybe you can explain. "Radical Feminism". What is it?
I'm an old woman. I was born into an era when women needed a man to cosign on a credit card or open a business. When I started working, men talked down to us all the time, and there were rarely any females in management. If you were divorced you were considered a whore. You get the picture. Now I see women being able to do anything they want and achieve any goals they want. But I see people complaining like if this was the 50's.
My basic question is, why am I hearing "feminism" has become such a dirty word? And what is "radical" feminism? Is there a point when a person can be too equal? I'm sincerely asking because, as an old woman, this perplexes me.
You got it!
@@isabeljimenez6067 "Is there a point when a person can be too equal?" No, but there is a point where you ask for equality of outcome, not for equality of oportunities.
Linda Perry was an amazing vocal performer, and she wrote her bands music. She then disappeared from the scene. P!nk not only noticed this, but ACTIVELY sought her out. She not only wanted to perform this song with her, but she wanted to convince her to enter a writing room with P!nk. There is a video of this performance posted, it was beautiful.
This is when she joined P!nk’s team. She was listed as a co-writer on many tracks from 3 of her albums. They also co-wrote around 150-160 tracks together. These songs will now never be released.
P!nk has always kept the members of her team close. In order to do this, she needs to be able to trust them, truly trust them- with anything. Linda Perry presented a song to P!nk that she then recorded expecting to release on her next album. It was her first “solo” writing. The song was “Beautiful”. Now, the reason it ended up with Christina Aguilera has nothing to do with the vocals, the track, or the message. Her record label made an offer Linda couldn’t refuse. The larger issue is that P!nk was never told by Linda, she found out listening to the radio.
This ended their relationship, and while P!nk has forgiven she will NEVER work with her again.
The reason I point all of this out is important. A lot of people view famous people as untouchable stars. They’re not. They’re people just like you and me. Even though Linda has co-written some AMAZING tracks in her time, I always have a bad taste in my mouth when I hear them.
The way you succeed matters.
There is an old adage, never step on those on your way up, that you may need on your way back down. Sounds like she thought she didn’t need Pink anymore, time will tell 🤷🏼♂️
Yeah, it kinda reminded me of when Michael Jackson purchased the rights to The Beatles early music right from under Sir Paul McCartney. Paul was actually teaching Michael about the business side of the industry as well. So, when Paul wanted the rights back to his music, MJ bought it out instead. Paul asked him why he did that and MJ told him it was just business. Thus ended their working relationship and friendship. I love Michael Jackson but I thought that was not a cool thing to do. With the problems The Beatles had with that label, it was like a punch in the gut.
Linda is so talented she really doesn't need anyone. So why can't those songs be released as long as both agree? I think they're making it back to each other. Slowly. But neither of them need each other to survive. The talent is obvious.
Sad...
Get over yourself hahahaha
I listened to this song on repeat as a teenager! 😂 I loved it!!! Linda Perry is a phenomenal song writer! She’s written a bunch of stuff w/ Pink! ❤
The lead singer is Linda Perry and she’s written some of the biggest hits you know from artists you love, like Rihanna and Pink. She’s singing about the difficulties women in the music industry face. She’s talented beyond recognition but she, like all women, was met with getting patted on the head like a child but not being taken seriously. Locked out of the god ol boys club that run all industries, men too afraid that women will show them up which is why they won’t let us into the big leagues.
Which was all nonsense and not true at all.
You're right till "She's talented". After that just nonsense.
Ok... this might shock some guys here so maybe sit down (jk.. but also not) but the music industry in the 90s and earlier was really really sexist. The name 4 non blondes, the clothes that were not "sexy" the fact all the wonen played instruments (especially having a woman drummer.... that was almost unheard of back then) were all bucking the trend for women in the music industry who normally had to over sexualize themselves and usually just be the singer and look pretty. The singer Linda Perry has gone on to be a big songwriter/producer for a lot of big name artists. She is really good at writing songs for women which is not normally what you hear. Most songs are written from a mans perspective.
They were mad because back when that song came out…radio stations would play a maximum of ONE female artist per hour. Take a gander at the history of the Lilith Fair!!
Bro…you need to make a point of adding more female artists to your list.
This was an absolute banger. I remember blasting this and squawking along, as i could never hit those high notes. Lol.
I don't think she is a man hater at all,just crying out against injustice! Another listener pointed out that she is crying out against how hard it was to make it as a woman in the music industry! Regardless,they have pure talent,and her voice is off the chain! Alannis Morrisette,Natalie Merchant,and some Pink kickass rolled up in one !🎙🎶👍👏👊🏿
She was and still is a man hater and it was not hard at all for a WOMAN to make it in the industry. It was hard for HER and so like a rad-fem based on hate, she tried to make it sound like it was hard for all women.
@mstayloronlineThose women were exceptional rather than the rule. A lot of women back in the day have said that they were told how they had to look and perform by a male dominated industry. Women were told to shut up and do whatever they were told while male performers were often feared by managers, companies and producers as 'temperamental artists'. Even this song was originally produced by a dude who changed it into a completely different song that the band hated and they were expected to just accept it. But they didn't. The lead singer, Linda Perry, got the band together and produced this song and the dude still showed up at the end uninvited and still gets the credit even though this is her version and not his which was never released.
@@shanegooding4839 Give me a break...radical feminism at work here.
You think MEN were not told how they had to look and perform? Why the FUCK do feminists after 1990 all act as if shit is only happening to them, and only happening because they are women...it isnt. Its happening because its a BUSINESS and that is how the BUSINESS makes money.
Do you actually think that every man in Heavy Metal, for 2 DECADES all WANTED to have poofy flipping long hair and wear makeup? Hell no and it can be seen by those that lasted into the 1990s and how the metal bands cut their damn hair, stopped wearing makeup and spandex. It was no longer king of music and they were no longer the focus and thus were freed from the chains of the machine.
You can’t both be feminist and not hate men, feminism is a supremacy movement.
Lmao stop your just embarrassing yourself 😂@shanegooding4839
Linda Perry is a LEGEND in music!
She is a songwriter for Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Osbourne, Courtney Love, James Blunt, Aliicia Keys and many others! She has her own record label "LCR" ...
I see a lot of video reactions today where the person is trying to figure out the lyrics all the time, and that's fine, but a lot of music (I don't know about rap) is not literal, it's *art* , so it's open to interpretation.
Many songs are intentionally vague, so that the listener can fill in their own meaning to the lyrics, which makes the song much more personal (and therefore meaningful) than if it is a straight up literal song about the singer or writer, etc.
Joni Mitchell, in her song titled Blue (from her 1971 album of the same name), explained it this way:
*Blue* , *songs are like tattoos*
You know I've been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
*Hey Blue* , *there is a song for you*
*Ink on a pin*
*Underneath the skin*
*An empty space to fill in*
We fill in the meaning of the songs ourselves, what they mean to us, the listeners.
It is often better to just go with the flow, let the music wash over you, and let it mean whatever comes to your mind as you listen.
If you like the song, then after you have heard it a few times and you're somewhat familiar with it, *then* look up the lyrics or check "Songfacts" or "Song meanings" and see whether the artist or the fans know what the song is actually about, if it is a song that has a specific meaning, as opposed to many songs which are wide open to personal interpretation 👍
The reason that you are giving them a chance is called maturity, you are no longer just a kid who has such a closed mind. Glad to see so many who are finally opening their minds to the great music of our day (80s and 90s or earlier) when music had a purpose
Wikipedia-The song had its origins well before 4 Non Blondes were formed. Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins recalled sitting in a room with Linda Perry, who worked as a waitress down the street, performing their original compositions to one another when the two were struggling musicians in San Francisco. The two played each other early versions of "Semi-Charmed Life" and "What's Up?", both of which would become massive hits for their respective bands. It would be decades later that Jenkins realized the songs performed in that private session would sell a combined 17 million records. The title does not appear in the song's lyrics, but the phrase "what's going on?" is prominently included in the chorus.
Can you imagine being in the room for that?
I'm a 64 year old rock fan. But the first time i heard this ,I was hooked!!!!!! Still love it after 100 times listening to it!!!
Didn’t she also write the song Beautiful for Christina Aguilera
She did 😊
WOW
No she wrote it for pink
Co-wrote Hurt as well
I think she means it in general terms. Things were a little different in the 1990s than they are now. And she sang about the experiences in the past up to the current point in time. It's about how a woman was supposed to be, and it was about careers that were hardly possible for women. Such things....
One thing about her voice: You should hear her song "Morphine & Chocolate"! That`s wild!
That melody line. One of the coolest steals in music history. Linda Perry is pure genius...
You missed out on Linda Perry's incredible voice.
I was 25 when this song came out. I think it's an anthem for that age - you're an adult, but you know you don't have it all figured out yet. This band was notable because they were all openly gay. It may seem hard to believe, but even in 1995 that was still risky. There were and had been plenty of LGBTQ performers, but almost all of them were cagey about it. Actually even just being an all-female band was probably a challenge at that time, especially if they weren't willing to be conventionally cute/sexy/girlish - which they obviously weren't. I think she prays for things to change, for society to come to more acceptance of differences. The song came right on the cusp of those changes happening.
Over the past 30 years this song has become many things to many people . The glass ceiling for women , mysogyny in the music business , general feminism and just how f**ked up the world is in general but especially politically - it's basically a chameleon of a song whose message can be anything you want to read in to it
Brotherhood of man = mankind, or humanity, as a whole.
I'm so glad I was never expected to only like a certain kind of music growing up cuz i like a bit of everything. I love the journey you're on with new genres. Seeing your response is almost as good as hearing the songs for the first time again myself. ❤
This is a female rage song. It's about how in a patriarchal society, women are second class. Even the name of the group is a dig at the general idea that men prefer blonds. It's not against men specifically, just how things are skewed their way.
15 year old 90s
girl anthem 😂 every time this song comes on the radio in the car my sister and i call each other immediately and scream it together. We are in our 40s now...
Love that you did this reaction I forgot I use to listen to listen this song over and over as a older teen to young adult when I liked steam punk
It's a feminist (Sapphic?) anthem. It came out JUST before Grunge, which wiped them out of the public eye - but the lead singer/songwriter went on to write of the biggest hits in pop: Christian Aguilera's "Beautiful".
IMO she's speaking to the patriarchy that's been in place since the beginning of humanity.
You are the very best reaction channel i have ever watched!!! love this song. My take is nothing about sexism. I think it's about the brotherhood of man. What's going on with the world?? Why is there so much hate? Where are we headed? (Destinationf😮?
You have said a few times in other reactions and this one "Why did she say oh Man. That was a common expression. Like 'oooo manning' or Mannnn' it's sort of like 'Dude' or "Btuh" it's not an attack on manhood.
A little about sexism... she was unhappy with how talented women were being overlooked in the industry of they didn't fit a stereotype, among other things. This song was written before they became famous, and if you read about her career, she had a very tough time even though she was extremely talented.
What I love about this song is it is written so well that it can bring different meanings to different people based on their own experiences. ❤
She has a great voice. She also wrote many hits for other artists.
this song would have 99 billion, had RUclips existed... 30 years ago.
Here for more reactions. Keep up the variety. Want to write a hit? Put a catchy hook in your song that people want to scream. This song has probably the hookiest hook of them all. Be in a bar where it's being covered. The entire bar will be singing along. It's a high quality song.
This came out when I was in my 20’s and I remember it resonating with me at a time that I was struggling to find my way in the “real world” as an adult. I had some work & life experiences under my belt at this point and the realization that how I thought life would be and how it actually was very different. I turned to singer song writers music a lot during this time to because I related so much. Suzanne Vega, Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, Alison Moyer, Annie Lennox I could keep going. 😊❤
"What's Up" is never uttered in the lyrics of the song. "What's going on." is. o
I think there's a good reason Linda Perry did not title the song “What's Going On,” even though that is the song's hook and beginning of the chorus. Back around 1970 Marvin Gaye released an album titled “What's Going On,” and both that album and its title track are regarded as landmarks in the history of popular music. Perry's “What's Up” and Gaye's song have a lot in common, thematically though not musically. The songs are both reactions to what the artists perceived as a messed up world.
The singer wrote hits for Pink and others. Her voice is amazing
Alanis Morrissette also spoke up about the issues in the music business for women -- in her song "Right Through You".
Wait a minute man
You mispronounced my name
You didn't wait for all the information
Before you turned me away
Wait a minute sir
You kind of hurt my feelings
You see me as a sweet back-loaded puppet
And you've got a meal ticket taste
I see right through you
I know right through you
I feel right through you
I walk right through you
You took me for a joke
You took me for a child
You took a long hard look at my ass
And then played golf for a while
Your shake is like a fish
You pat me on the head
You took me out to wine dine 69 me
But didn't hear a damn word I said
I see right through you
I know right through you
I feel right through you
I walk right through you
Oh hello Mr. Man
You didn't think I'd come back
You didn't think I'd show up with my army
And this ammunition on my back
Now that I'm Miss Thing
Now that I'm a zillionaire
You scan the credits for your name
And wonder why it's not there
I see right through you
Linda Perry (the front woman) is a complete badass producer today, having produced multiple grammy winners and world famous albums. She’s a real one. One of my heroes.
30 + years ago, but sometimes seems like yesterday. This song dominated bars in Southern Europe for months. It was an anthem, and men sang out with women. It caught fire.
Another one to cross off my list! 😊 I'm so glad u are giving things a second chance cuz u definitely missed out on so much good music!! Linda Perry has an amazing voice, and this song is basically about a connection to humanity...
This song is referencing one of the core issues that grunge music addressed, which is the disillusionment with the world. Linda Perry is a fantastic singer and song writer. She doesn't sing that much anymore, the band are no longer together, but she does still write songs for big name stars like Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Pink. Alanis has definitely sighted 4NB and Linda Perry specifically as inspiration before. She still champion's women's voice in the music industry and is known to give generously to help women get started. If I am not mistaken they only had the one album and this was their only hit.
#HOGtheARMY STILL HAVE THE CD , THE WHOLE ALBUM IS DOPE !
So do I and still love listening to it
I liked it from the beginning... even when my fam would get annoyed😆... their song TRAIN goes hard too🤘🏽😎
10:23 They did not have great commercial support by their label. I saw zero marketing for this band.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time!!! It's just a feel good song. It makes you feel like it's okay to just enjoy and love life. She's asking "what's up world", like what new and exciting thing are you going to give me today. Ready to take on the world.
I was in my 20s when this song came out and it was and still is one of my favorite songs. Its about life and society as a whole back then and honestly it resonates with the world today too. As a side note I feel it personally as my life had many ups and downs and still does. Its one of those songs that really hits you and that hill of hope is the thing that keeps me going.
back in 93, went to Aerosmith concert in an open air coliseum. 4 non blondes opened, and What's Up was the last song they played. And it poured down rain, and everybody freaking loved it. Still remains a favorite concert memory for me.
If you werent conventionally cute, skinny, blonde and straight in the 80s and 90s you got no love from the music industry...didnt matter if you were an extremely talented song writer and musician! This was 90's female grudge theme!
Her outfit is steampunk. o
This song has been used in many TV and movie soundtracks, that’s where you have probably heard the hook. Fun fact: Linda Perry, the lead singer is married to Sara Gilbert who plays Darlene on Roseanne and The Conners.
She is really famous.She has released solo work, and produced and written songs on albums by Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Courtney Love and Kelly Osbourne.
you should also check out "dear mr. president" and "spaceman". both awesome songs. great reaction my guy!!
The song TRAIN from them is good too... It was on the B-side of the single 🤘🏽😎
That last line hurt..... at 50, 25 years after this came out
Love Linda Perry’s steampunk fashion sense in this video.
This song came out when I was about 13/14 yo, I remember me & my friends belting it out at school. 44 yo, haven’t heard it in years & im belting it out! Great song!
Linda Perry, the singer, served as mentor and co-writer for Punk on her second album Misunderstood!
Now to check out Concrete Blonde. You can start with their commercial hit "Joey".
Mexican Moonlight
@@dorothyannford8448 Tomorrow Wendy 😀
Bloodletting
I bought the CD. Still, play it, it's Great.
It's not feminist. It's about being done with the world as we know it because it's nuts. Brotherhood is a reference to mankind as a whole. Revolution doesn't actually mean anything extreme. Her reference to brotherhood and revolution is just ideals. The enedited version she's talking about doing drugs, hence getting "high" so it's likely her lyrics link to drug abuse or recreational use. And I think that's part of why she's angry too, just having to do drugs to make the world ok
"Brotherhood of Man" is not specific to men or women but about Humanity ...
This song is over 30 years old. It was on a loop of about 30 songs we played at my younger brothers viewing in 2017. Along with Momma I'm coming home from Ozzie. They were the 2 songs everyone complimented. God bless
✌️✌️ & ❤❤
They titled the song "What's Up" because "What's going on" was already a song title by Marvin Gaye, and they didn't want the song to be confused with that. The 90s was a different time so I wouldn't read too much into the lyrics when considering today's political and social environments, they are not the same thing today as it was in the 90s.
Linda is not only a vocal beast, she is a great songwriter and has composed hits for other popular artists
I'm blonde. I think she's beautiful for perspective, confidence and attitude.
Nothing hateful, just a little peculiar.
Just as a point of reference; Linda Perry is the wife of Sarah Gilbert. Yes, there are feminist undertones in the song. It is technically a politically based song written about the 1990's (Bush era) state of affairs. But, I've never listened with those those thoughts in mind, as I think she cleverly left out all the things and left it open to interpretation. It is one that I go to when I'm having trouble making sense of what is going on in life. Another great reaction.
She actually tutored Alicia Moore when she first started out....Alicia is now better known as Pink!
The revolution might be an lesbian female latina getting a seat at the table of power. People just want to have a voice, and unfortunately it takes an upheaval in society for some to get a place at the table. But she made it! And she did it with the integrity of her music and her voice. Listen to Beatiful. She wrote it for xtina aguilera to sing.
This was my anthem in my 20’s. I didn’t take it to have a deeper meaning. In my early 20’s, I truly wondered, “what’s going on?” Now, well into my 50’s… I’m still wondering. 😄
Linda Perry was one of the first openly gay woman in rock this song is about how people treated her in the music business.Love her voice
No she was not...
K.D. Lang. Melisa Etheridge, The Go Gos, Indigo Girls, Riot Grrrrl, Team Dresch, Tribe 8, Kate Pierson of the B52s...everyone already knew about how 3 of the girls from The Runnaways were at LEAST bi with their bragging about having sex with each other so you are talking about Lita Ford and Joan Jett...
I was a metal head when this came out. I was also a cook in the army though and they played this a lot in the mess hall. It grew on me pretty quickly.
This was one of the first songs that opened me up to other genres and types of music. Now I listen to literally everything
Linda Perry is the best. 💯
This song was huge in the 90s they were definitely a big "one hit wonder" that made an impact. Her voice always reminded me of a grittier version of Natalie Merchant with the band 10,000 maniacs.
I think it would be interesting to hear a song collaboration between the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes and Ren. I wonder what that would song like.
She's talking about her frustration with the Patriarchy. She wants a revolution to smash the Patriarchy.
Hey, as a teen of the time i was poor and fat and a new kid at school many times. I hit high school as a stranger, and there was no place for me to fit in. There were all these groups and types of kids, and being nice to people wasnt as normal as it is today.
Also at the time there was a new group of teens. They were wearing bell bottons again, i to 60s culture and attitudes, being nice on purpose. These were the only types of people who treated me as anything. This song and artist reresents this new thing and people of this time. Ill always hear this song as a friend singing to me. Same with blind melon. I can remember hearing blind melon on the bus to school one morning, it was like light being turned on in darkness.
90s Power Women and angst, the Female answer to Grunge.
This song reflects on the singer’s feelings of frustration, confusion about life, the search for meaning and purpose, and a desire for change or revolution. Lead songwriter Linda Perry encapsulates the universal struggle of feeling lost and seeking answers in an increasingly complex world through this song.
Starting Point:
The song begins with the singer revealing she is 25 years old but expressing feelings of discontent and confusion.
She is lying in bed, crying as a form of relief.
Morning Relief:
By the time morning arrives, she is feeling a whole lot better.
This sensation makes her “scream from the top of (her) lungs” the question “what’s going on?”
Internal Issues and Institutions:
She expresses that her internal issues may actually be based on an “institution”, which reads like a personification of the culture at large.
Her beef with the system is so intense that she actually “prays for a revolution”.
Homophobia and Sexism:
Some have attributed these sayings to be in reference to the homophobic and sexist aspects of American society, since the 4 Non Blondes are openly gay.
However, that theory is yet to be definitively proven.
Unofficial Title:
The track has an unofficial title: “What’s Going On?”
It was intentionally named “What’s Up?” to avoid confusion with Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic of the same name.
Success and Impact:
The song was so successful that it landed at number 94 on VH1’s list of “100 Greatest One Hit Wonders”.
It topped the charts in several countries, including Denmark, Germany, and Sweden.
Even decades after its release, it is still used as "a queer anthem".
In summary, while the lyrics may not have a straightforward narrative, they evoke a sense of questioning, frustration, and a longing for change. The song’s emotional impact transcends its literal meaning, resonating with listeners worldwide.
This has nothing to do with sexism and no one can ever make me think different. Not even Linda.
When you are in your mid-twenties and early thirties you start to realize the world is a tuff place to be. You're proving to others that you can stand on your own but you come across blocks in your way. Anyway, at that time there was wars with Iran and Iraq, and a process of a homeless problem emerging. The world was changing quickly.
😂😂😂 i couldnt wait til I turned 25. Played this song on repeat ALL DAY 25 years later, well, shiit aint much better!!😂😂
' Brotherhood of Man' means everybody on Earth who is Human and embraces Humanity whether Male or Female !
I was working the graveyard shift at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel front desk back when this song blew up and Linda Perry (and I guess the rest of the band) was staying with us. One night she called the front desk and my co- worker answered. I could only hear the conversation from his side of the phone call but it was the funniest thing I ever heard. He just kept saying I’m sorry the bar is closed, no I’m sorry we can’t bring any alcohol up to your room because it’s after 2am, the conversation went round and round with her until finally he say “Yes, I know who you are. I don’t care if you’re the pope, the bar is closed”, and he hung up. I must of laughed for 10min straight.
I heard the next night she threw a chair at the door to the Cinegrill bar (again after 2a) and broke the window on the door. I’m told security was called.
Ah, those youthful days of overnight stardom going to your drunken head. 😂
Linda Perry is a goddess! Her producing and songwriting abilities are astronomical! (check her Grammys out)
When I hosted karaoke (waaaaayyy back in the day - '93-ish) this was my go-to song. Toot my own horn... I won a lot of competitions with this song lol
I feel like it's the trials and tribulations of trying to find a place in society and humanity, which could be a brotherhood of man or sisterhood of women, or political/religious issues. "Who is right? Who is wrong? Where do I fit in? What's going on?" etc. Great tune!
This is straight up an anthem regarding frustration in this mad, mad world that we live in. Intelligent & beautiful. Linda Perry is incredible & her voice is her own. Thank you for sharing.
This came out [became popular] during the fall of my freshman (only) year of college, 1993. The fraternity I was pledging at the time had a brother named Stefan, so we'd all sing along, but then sing, "What's up, Stefan?" I sing it that way to this day!
Man to me in this song is just mankind, with the song basically referring to the 'glass ceiling'. Not just for women, but every walk of life struggles.
In a nutshell.
first time hearing and went to elusive disc, did searh and they are only on a completion album. will look for used
That shot of the carrousel is in Golden Gate Park children’s playground, and I worked at that Hershel Spellman carrousel for many years including that day of the shoot - I ran the ride for them 😅😂
Try their song Dear Mr.President. A Great song but underrated imo
She is a top music talent. Producer of top talent too
The lead singer did some time in a psychiatric ward hence the "institution" reference. The song can be interpreted many ways to many people, but in the end it was her struggle to deal with her emotions and depression. It's a stunning and moving song. It was huge. Their albums had a bunch of good songs. The album "Bloodletting had so many unique and good songs but the lyrics went very deep and could be quite dark.
She played this song on Howard Stern not long ago and still sounds awesome.
I wonder if Hilary Clinton used this when she campaigned for president? That glass ceiling.
"Brotherhood of Man" equates to humankind in general. C'mon...what did they stop teaching in schools in the last few decades?
It's like a grown-up dude has come out of his kid's rap pants and, overwhelmed by the wealth of musical genres and vocalists, is trying to catch up with the music world! It's all right!
The singer is bigger behind the scenes. She has written a bunch of music/lyrics for other artists.
She was also a very big activist for lesbians.
I have the joints rolled! 🎶"And I take a deep breath and get real high!"🎶
Goodness, when she says "Brotherhood of Man" she's speaking about mankind not men. Two and a half minutes talking about cutting off the radio.
Singer is one of the most prolific song writers of her time. This is the only album she recorded. Got rich from writing sings. Great friend of Dolly Parton.