Sly Johnson is the original singer and creator of the song. For those in the thread who haven’t heard the original go listen. Shout out to Nicky Thomas and band 1 love ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
I was about to google who originally sang it. I was hearing Ken Boothe in this version & come to find out he did a version as well. I’ve heard sly’s version. His daughter Syleena also does a version alone and another with Salaam Remi, Stephen Marley, Anthony Hamilton & Black Thought. Beautiful song. #alutacontinua
The first time I heard this song I couldn’t move, tears filled my eyes and no matter how many times I hear it the same thing happens. Lord God what an evil world we live in. We need You Lord please.
@mariuspetre1613 Marius , I can't believe that I have been listening to Nicky Thomas for 5 months now . I am never going to have enough of his capacity for singing with such emotion. It's so sad that he killed himself.. I wish you a wonderful day. From UK 🇬🇧
Yet the lgbq movent is successfully pushing it’s agenda further and further. Supported by rich members. Through Movies, music videos, fashion, Make-up and own flag manifesting it on our daily lifes to make our youth think that its normal. What about racism?
I don’t get why black people went from doing the best music like this and had the most interesting voices, rhythm, swing to the crap we hear today… so sad
@@lucianocolitti the money power heavily infiltrated the music industry and turned the direction towards their agenda especially in hip hop where you see the glorification of gang culture, black on black crime and the disrespect of women
@@lucianocolitti the corporate interests infiltrated the music business and swayed the positive direction into gang banging, black on black crime, disrespect of our women because they knew this is the undoing of a nation of people. Sad but true
This is not a raggea song and this version does not do it any justice. The original version is by Syl Johnson and really tells the story of Black Americans in the 60's.
This version though a cover IS Reggae and the commentary still stands... Read the persons opening statement before you attempt to drop your very useful information (which I appreciated).@blackdiamond2977
@@Iandiradio ,He sings with emotions n pours out of discrimination, its gods gift black is beauty ..not all can hv ...people r cruel in this world...he sang it out so the whole world an hear...what's wrong with black...
Qué tal interpretación, primera vez la oigo pero basta oírla una sola vez para darse cuenta de la calidad del cantante y la banda ni hablar. Espectacular!
Is It Because I’m Black (Syl Johnson) The dark brown shades of my skin Only add color to my tears Oh, oh That splash against my hollow bones That rocks my soul Looking back over my false dreams that I once knew Wondering why my dreams never came true Is it because I'm black? (Uh huh) Somebody tell me, what can I do? Oh Lord, oh Something is holding me back (uh, huh) Is it because I'm black? (Yeah) In this world of no pity I was raised in the ghetto of the city Yeah, oh Lord (uh) Momma, she works so hard To earn every penny (yeah, oh lord) Something is holding me back (uh huh) Is it because I'm black? (Ahh) Like a child stealing candy for the first time, and got caught Peeping around life's corner somewhere, I got lost (oh) Something is holding me back (uh huh) I wonder, is it because I'm black? Somebody tell me what can I do? Will I survive, or will I die? Oh, oh You keep on holding me back Keep on holding on Keep on picking on me Oh, you keep on holding me back Keep on holding on, keep on holding on (uh) You're holding me back I wonder why, you do me like that But you keep on holding me back Keep on putting your foot on me But I, I, I, I've got to break away Somehow and someday 'Cause I wanna be somebody so bad, so bad I wanna be somebody, I wanna be somebody so bad You see, I want diamond rings and things, like you do And I wanna drive Cadillac cars (uh huh) Oh, I wanna be somebody so bad But you keep on putting your foot on me And I, I believe, I believe I can break away And be somebody, somehow, and someway Ya see I heard somebody say one time You can make it, if you try Oh, and some of us, we tried so hard, we tried so hard I want you to know that I don't speak for myself But I speak for y'all too right now Uh huh, ya see If you half white, light-brown skinned, or high yellow You're still black So we all got to stick together right now Mhm This I wanna say to you my sisters and my brothers Right on sister, mhm Right on brother Dig this If we keep on pushing, y'all Oh, we've got to make it a little bit further We've got to make it a little further All we got to do is try, try, try And some of us, we've tried so hard We've tried so hard, we've tried so hard (uh huh) We've tried so hard , so hard to be somebody (um) We've tried so hard, although, they're holding us back And it stands to reason That they're doin' us like that You know what? It is I believe, it is because we are black (uh huh) But hey, we can't stop now, we can't stop now Got to keep on, keep on, keep on, keepin' on We've got to keep on, keeping on I know and I know and I know that you know, that I know, it ain't right Oh, it ain't right, it ain't right, it ain't right That they hold us, hold us, hold us back They're holding us back, they're holding us back I wonder, sometimes I sit down, sit down and I wonder I sit down and I think about it Sometimes it makes me so mad It makes me so madSyl Johnson
Он господствует над собой И эта нота его. В моем правовом обороте Понятие гений непринято , На таких как этот парень равнятся мир ! ,, О " -- держим ! ... Корифеи .
@@franciscacarneiro8188 que fala racista o que oh! Nada a ver o que você falou. Vocês que são pretos, são cheio de traumas, tudo pra vocês é racismo. Vocês mesmos é que geram isso, depois vem querer culpar os brancos
Nicky Thomas would sing ,and his Songs would touch ones soul...like my ALL TIME favourite "HAVE A LITTLE FAITH"..This song i loves as a 10 yr old and DECADES later,still loving its DEEPNESS❤❤❤❤RIP 🙏, and THANK YOU for leaving us with such Beautiful tunes❤
WOW! I've only ever heard Syl Johnson sing this, and I thought that he wrote it. Both versions are amazing. It's so beautiful to see this other version....love it. Nicky did this song justice. I will download it to my Spotify to keep it in my archives.
What a voice! He died aged just 46, way too young, and under unclear circumstances. Wikipedia say He died in about 1990. According to his record company, "the precise circumstances surrounding his death seem confused to this day - the most common account tells of the singer suffering a broken heart and subsequently taking his own life."
Além disso a música dele fala sobre a luta contra o racismo nUma época sombria da humanidade ! Além de ser um ótimo cantor, foi corajoso mostrando ao mundo que podemos viver igualmente !
Holyyyyyyy shit...I've been listening to Nesta, the Burning Spear, and Alpha Blondie, among many others, for two decades...how am I just now discovering this? I always thought Winston Rodney's "The Invasion" was fire, but this is a whole other level.
These are the real music that speak to your soul
*This is real music that speaks to your soul.
Хорошиё нигер .
Это, просто, чудо, насколько музыкален, 😊все, тело, поёт!
👏🏾👏🏾top
@@shinobi_1_kenobi796 ❤
Singing with every fiber of your being ...real artist!
I love the way he was acting like he's reacting to coke
@@peterkay1968Is personal experience why you know how someone reacts to coke?
@@peterkay1968 Black ppl build with a soul that you crack heads dream to find 😀
Sly Johnson is the original singer and creator of the song. For those in the thread who haven’t heard the original go listen. Shout out to Nicky Thomas and band 1 love ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
I was about to google who originally sang it. I was hearing Ken Boothe in this version & come to find out he did a version as well. I’ve heard sly’s version. His daughter Syleena also does a version alone and another with Salaam Remi, Stephen Marley, Anthony Hamilton & Black Thought. Beautiful song. #alutacontinua
NICKY THOMAS SONG IT BETTER, MORE SERIOUS
*Syl Johnson.
Thanks! Checking it out now
Thanks for that. I did go and listen to that. It's beautiful
Leave it to the black man to give you their soul on the palm of their hand. How deep this cuts.
Once upon a time, when music had a message
Maybe you js need to listen more. Every song created, no matter who by, needs to be listened too. No matter how many hear
This is one of the most amazing and emotional performances I have ever seen.
And it so raw for this time frame where everyone was suited and booted and choreographed
The first time I heard this song I couldn’t move, tears filled my eyes and no matter how many times I hear it the same thing happens. Lord God what an evil world we live in. We need You Lord please.
Amen Lord come
🙏🏼
The color of our skin is because of the gentle kiss of God.
We in Ukraine have always treated all races well, many students from Africa treat them as their own, love reggea💛💙
We need to fight...as one...like the lion.
Wow ,never seen or heard of him what a man singing from the depths of his soul.
I am possessed, mesmerised, captivated, and lost in his words .
@tonythomas1010
That's so sad .. May he rest in peace..
Really omg @tonythomas1010
Come se portasse dentro tutto il dolore del mondo...😢
Tell me about it!! Can’t grt enough of his emotions.. and i m not even black… such an amazing performance ❤
@mariuspetre1613 Marius ,
I can't believe that I have been listening to Nicky Thomas for 5 months now .
I am never going to have enough of his capacity for singing with such emotion.
It's so sad that he killed himself..
I wish you a wonderful day.
From UK 🇬🇧
I really appreciate this song 100%🥹 I m so proud of my skin black 🫡😌
Written in 1969……and we still ask ourselves the same question in 2024. 🤦🏾♂️
We are in some sort of matrix,someone is playing with us.
...sad to say but true
Stop asking and move on.
Salute ✌🏿
Yet the lgbq movent is successfully pushing it’s agenda further and further. Supported by rich members. Through Movies, music videos, fashion, Make-up and own flag manifesting it on our daily lifes to make our youth think that its normal. What about racism?
This man is bearing his soul 🥹 Powerful ❤
It's my 1st time listening to this song.All we need is black love from black to another black.
What a beautiful song. Back when Black folk bared everything on the line without selling out to push poison.
Nah. There were plenty of Black folks who were sellouts even back then.
I don’t get why black people went from doing the best music like this and had the most interesting voices, rhythm, swing to the crap we hear today… so sad
@@lucianocolitti the money power heavily infiltrated the music industry and turned the direction towards their agenda especially in hip hop where you see the glorification of gang culture, black on black crime and the disrespect of women
@@lucianocolitti the corporate interests infiltrated the music business and swayed the positive direction into gang banging, black on black crime, disrespect of our women because they knew this is the undoing of a nation of people. Sad but true
@@lucianocolittiwhy is it wrong to make music differently? It still conveys a message, no lesser in importance, just need to interpret it
Reagge will never die...it speaks to our souls!!!
This is not a raggea song and this version does not do it any justice. The original version is by Syl Johnson and really tells the story of Black Americans in the 60's.
@@blackdiamond2977shut up. This is reggae strait up. It may be a cover song. But it is reggae. Don’t lie
This version though a cover IS Reggae and the commentary still stands... Read the persons opening statement before you attempt to drop your very useful information (which I appreciated).@blackdiamond2977
@@blackdiamond2977music is universal. don't care what genre it is. if it's a strong message, it is still a strong message.
The way he moves while he sings shows he truly means what he sings and gives his absolute best. Top performance!
So true!
Looks like he’s on that snow
@@jimi7399 hahah yeah i was gonna say the same
or he's on heroine, bruhh
@@Iandiradio ,He sings with emotions n pours out of discrimination, its gods gift black is beauty ..not all can hv ...people r cruel in this world...he sang it out so the whole world an hear...what's wrong with black...
I’m so happy to be black ❤❤❤❤
Moi aussi ns sommes fiere d etre noire et de coeur blanc
Я біла. Та вважаю це дар від Всевишнього, яке то Бог дав дар, таке відчуття ритму. Мало кому з білих воно дається))
Me too!
Your Brown
Get your colors right.
... you're a friend of mine because of your statement and look on self.
What a powerful and beautiful performance , sadly the words are still relevant
Jamaica has produced some greats---Nikki is one.
this will make a good soundtrack to open a movie!!💯
hi mate, you are so right on this.
I agree with you
Jordan Peele probably gonna use it soon
No. This would be a Great battle cry. We don’t need more movies we need to be free. Yall still don’t fucking get it. Smh.
It has
Il suo corpo é un strumento musicale.Straordinario....
Me gusta mucho esta versión, tiene sentimiento, y el bit es increíble
This!!! This is how Reggae music should sound!
Reggae when played like this, is indeed an art form!!
Tight, tight tight band !
👊🏾🇳🇬👊🏾🇳🇬!
i like dance hall
@@deathmetalhell dance hall is not reggae ... it's tin pan crap. Reggae has feeling and meaning.
Respect!
Dancehall is Babylon music.
@@JohannSebastianBach505 Not all of it is.
A nice mixture of the blues set to a reggae rhythm
And where do you think reggae came from?
Smooth!@@@@
Chuck!!!!
It's sad that we dont have this passion in the music today just look at how this man is singing this song with so much feelings
Only a few folks who really understand power of music are still clinging to this kind of music. The rest have gone astray
BLACK AND PROUD....SAY IT OUT LOUD!!
Yaas!
Why? No one cares
I’m not visually seen as a black person, but I’m proud to be my complexion.
@@idread3523well you cared enough to respond why watch a video that you hate you so bitter and hateful
✊🏽
My first time hearing this artist in my life and this song is amazing!
Please listen to the original by Syl Johnson you will get chills from hearing it.
Qué tal interpretación, primera vez la oigo pero basta oírla una sola vez para darse cuenta de la calidad del cantante y la banda ni hablar. Espectacular!
Somethings holding me back… is it because I’m black 🤔 😔 💪🏾 🙏🏽 🔥
Something is holding me back is it because am black, still the question in 2023
Inferiority complex
Ignorant racist @@heritier5119
@@heritier5119 yes two random words and absolutely no other context, perfectly explains your point or whatev3r your trying to say.
This is a tre example of a man singing from the heart
The reggae music was just all up in his soul , what a powerful music.
This performance was perfect especially the way he end it.
You can tell he feeling every word of it !! 😥
Is It Because I’m Black
(Syl Johnson)
The dark brown shades of my skin
Only add color to my tears
Oh, oh
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
Looking back over my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why my dreams never came true
Is it because I'm black? (Uh huh)
Somebody tell me, what can I do?
Oh Lord, oh
Something is holding me back (uh, huh)
Is it because I'm black? (Yeah)
In this world of no pity
I was raised in the ghetto of the city
Yeah, oh Lord (uh)
Momma, she works so hard
To earn every penny (yeah, oh lord)
Something is holding me back (uh huh)
Is it because I'm black? (Ahh)
Like a child stealing candy for the first time, and got caught
Peeping around life's corner somewhere, I got lost (oh)
Something is holding me back (uh huh)
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me what can I do?
Will I survive, or will I die?
Oh, oh
You keep on holding me back
Keep on holding on
Keep on picking on me
Oh, you keep on holding me back
Keep on holding on, keep on holding on (uh)
You're holding me back
I wonder why, you do me like that
But you keep on holding me back
Keep on putting your foot on me
But I, I, I, I've got to break away
Somehow and someday
'Cause I wanna be somebody so bad, so bad
I wanna be somebody, I wanna be somebody so bad
You see, I want diamond rings and things, like you do
And I wanna drive Cadillac cars (uh huh)
Oh, I wanna be somebody so bad
But you keep on putting your foot on me
And I, I believe, I believe I can break away
And be somebody, somehow, and someway
Ya see
I heard somebody say one time
You can make it, if you try
Oh, and some of us, we tried so hard, we tried so hard
I want you to know that I don't speak for myself
But I speak for y'all too right now
Uh huh, ya see
If you half white, light-brown skinned, or high yellow
You're still black
So we all got to stick together right now
Mhm
This I wanna say to you my sisters and my brothers
Right on sister, mhm
Right on brother
Dig this
If we keep on pushing, y'all
Oh, we've got to make it a little bit further
We've got to make it a little further
All we got to do is try, try, try
And some of us, we've tried so hard
We've tried so hard, we've tried so hard (uh huh)
We've tried so hard , so hard to be somebody (um)
We've tried so hard, although, they're holding us back
And it stands to reason
That they're doin' us like that
You know what? It is
I believe, it is because we are black (uh huh)
But hey, we can't stop now, we can't stop now
Got to keep on, keep on, keep on, keepin' on
We've got to keep on, keeping on
I know and I know and I know that you know, that I know, it ain't right
Oh, it ain't right, it ain't right, it ain't right
That they hold us, hold us, hold us back
They're holding us back, they're holding us back
I wonder, sometimes I sit down, sit down and I wonder
I sit down and I think about it
Sometimes it makes me so mad
It makes me so madSyl Johnson
That's not lyrics that a poem. Words so true and deep
💜
Thank you
Lyrically_poetic is this Natural Mystic of the Shades of my skin. When Reggae hits you, it is always mystical!
Love this ❤️
Yes mi bredda, Rasta feel the amotion you sing that song with 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲👊👊👊👊👊
Love it 🖤🖤🖤 Something is holding me back is it because I'm black🖤🖤🖤
O cara tá possuído está sob o domínio das notas musicais encorpado até os ossos no MAIOR.
Maravilha !!
Он господствует над собой
И эта нота его.
В моем правовом обороте
Понятие гений непринято ,
На таких как этот парень
равнятся мир !
,, О " -- держим ! ... Корифеи .
Com certeza, cheio da graça de Deus, espalhando cânticos de amor e fraternidade!
Isso é o verdadeiro "cantar com a alma" que dizem
Uma fala racista disfarçada de elogio, mas como todo racista é hipócrita e covarde.
@@franciscacarneiro8188 que fala racista o que oh! Nada a ver o que você falou. Vocês que são pretos, são cheio de traumas, tudo pra vocês é racismo. Vocês mesmos é que geram isso, depois vem querer culpar os brancos
The sound, the lyrics and watching him singing the song hit me deep into my soul.
Reminds of when I lived in Kingston, Jamaica 30yrs ago. Nicky you will always be remembered brother.
The way this dude manage the time feel with his voice is beyond this world
Oh heavens,give me more love to love this genius, after a life of music to find this lost soul,,,peace musicmaestro🙏🏽✊🏾
Damn. Well, that's a performance. I feel it
Si nice to hear the original, I've heard Yami sing this song. I never knew it was a cover. Outstanding.
I see in the comments that this isn't the original wow. I have to find it now 👍🏿
First time to hear and watch this song by 18:36 hrs on January 9th, 2024! Surprised it was a reggae song but it is really good!
It’s cover of a song by an artist named Syl Johnson. He was a label mate of Al Green.
@@GeneralTarik Noted and thank you for the reply.
Powerful song! SALUTE!!!
So much soul and feeling and emotions this is what is missing from the music industry real talk
This song reached my soul man,no matter the colour of my skin🔥
singing what he means - meaning what he is singing .... you get the message
This is incredible. Why haven't I heard of this before? I love this vibe. Great vocals, the works - they are working this song. 🥰🎶🎹🥁🎸🎤
Wow this is too much!! People back in the day really had it all 🙌🏿😭❤️
And the Cimarons too!
نعم انها العالم الاخر 🎉🎉
I just listened to this chune 10x back to back.
It's running in his Soul too
Rest in Peace my black Bretheren
About one year ago me listeng this song and yet can't stop listening it... what a great piece...
This is gold. You can see on the way if affects him how much he means the words he's actually saying. Great music, thanks for uploading.
Incredible! Never heard of Nicky Thomas before today [Sept. 17, 2024] - the music is in his bones and in his soul.
One of the most outstanding performances of I have ever heard from a reggae performer
You must not listen to much reggae
Nicky Thomas would sing ,and his Songs would touch ones soul...like my ALL TIME favourite "HAVE A LITTLE FAITH"..This song i loves as a 10 yr old and DECADES later,still loving its DEEPNESS❤❤❤❤RIP 🙏, and THANK YOU for leaving us with such Beautiful tunes❤
Black men! what a journey??! totally captivated
not heard this since i was a kid. Tremendous. Original reggae roots rock reggae the best.
Real music Real talent Real lyrics, this is music that means something ❤️
WOW! I've only ever heard Syl Johnson sing this, and I thought that he wrote it. Both versions are amazing. It's so beautiful to see this other version....love it. Nicky did this song justice. I will download it to my Spotify to keep it in my archives.
The song says; that he wants to be somebody & he has to try hard.
I would say that he is somebody - he is a great singer!
A magical era of Reggae, I just love this.
How could I miss this one???? My first time hearing it.... wow
Welcome to the real hard core
I know right!❤
Geweldig dit raakt je hard❤
Listen the the original by Sly Johnson
The humming made this song into something else what a legendary performance.
Absolutely blown away by the performance,actually adds depth to the meaning of the words....rare to see ..
Love it , what a great song, the reggae rhythm and song lyrics are so moving 🙏🙏
powerful song still sounding great 50yrs down the line
Thanks for that true artist to let me listen to someone & something so wise & honest 😊
Mr. Johnson sir , you are a gentleman and a wonderful musician . Thank you for this song.
!!!
@@sharonthomson2985the person who wrote the song if that what you meant!
My soul is with me.
What a voice! He died aged just 46, way too young, and under unclear circumstances. Wikipedia say He died in about 1990. According to his record company, "the precise circumstances surrounding his death seem confused to this day - the most common account tells of the singer suffering a broken heart and subsequently taking his own life."
🥹
Amazing song this message is still relevant to this day sadly
ANCESTRAL CHUNE. MOVING AND VIBING IN THE GRAVE✨️🎉🔥🎤🎼💯MEDS
Very Nice. real Black music. good very good soul music.
Algum brasileiro curtindo esse som mágico?!
tamo ai
Boa xarada q som velho, encontrei os vídeos do Nick Thomas por acaso e viciei, q cantor sensacional. Tamo junto.
salve! pedrada eh pedrada
Além disso a música dele fala sobre a luta contra o racismo nUma época sombria da humanidade ! Além de ser um ótimo cantor, foi corajoso mostrando ao mundo que podemos viver igualmente !
@@BrunoAlves-zx2tf realmente um grande artista
ESTE HOMBRE CANTA CON EL ALMA, Y LA BANDA ES SIMPLEMENTE GENIAL.
Beautiful such a fantastic rhythm love it
A boom song this mi love it good it’s uplifting to upliftment upstanding singer.
Man what a top singer!
The guy embodies the music to the soul! Fantastic!
There's moving to the music; and then there's *convulsing* to the music. I've never seen anyone so far into their soul before, incredible.
This is what I was talking about 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
It moves me...
First time to hear this soul wrestling-song
I love it
I have never seen these performance anywhere. Thank you so much. Amazing artists!!!
Sing that song Boo I’m feeling his vibe and every word this is when music had meaning reaching down in my soul💯🔥🔥🔥🥰❤️
This song penetrates my soul and takes me to a different dimension
I love you from morocco, tinks
Era a época de verdadeiros attistas! Onde também os negros tinham orgulho da raça!
O timbre da voz negra nem me fale! Não existe beleza igual!
Pura verdade!!!!! Infelizmente hoje a indústria da Música, não constrói valores e sim imagens e aparência.
essa musica é boa demais slc o cara cantava com a alma
Holyyyyyyy shit...I've been listening to Nesta, the Burning Spear, and Alpha Blondie, among many others, for two decades...how am I just now discovering this? I always thought Winston Rodney's "The Invasion" was fire, but this is a whole other level.
*This is incredibly awesome.*
The great Nicky Thomas left behind great music❤️🔥❤️✊🏽
LOL, my Jamacian brothers, this song was not made by Nikkie, or whoever you say, the person who wrote and sang this song in the 60's was Syl Johnson.
Curti muito o som e a performance. Não conhecia esse moço talentoso👋👋👋👋🇧🇷❤️🇧🇷
TMJ🔥
Sim E top viu
I didn't want this to stop.
This man is a genius,he is so talented.And the song lives in him.
He's doing a cover of Sly Johnson the creator ofd the song
I am not black but when i hear this song i am felling like a black! Big respect for these people
💪🏽✊🏽
You do not have to be black. You recognize the talent and respect the artistic talent. You are great.
De arrepiar! Se vc não sente a vibe desse som, sinto muito por vc... 😎🔥
é uma alma morta. um defunto
I found this today. I can't stop watching it. What a song and what a voice ❤
Powerful performance!! Powerful song. Just saw this singer.
Yes uncovering more great artists from this amazing music ! Salute Nicky!
After DNA came back and said 1.8% West African I just smiled cause I knew I was a Soul brother like no other. Beautiful song Bro
1.8% does not mean anything, is the variable of default misreadings.. sorry, work with data science of stats... those dna matches are not real...
This is satire right? 😂
@@SimplicityForGood
Never mind that as long as he's happy..
Yes?
I'm white but I love black ppls music etc, thisa boos tune 🎸.let nothing hold you back brother 🇮🇪