The Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma had earned the nickname America’s Black Wall Street. By 1921, it was a 35-block neighborhood with a bustling retail scene, as well as two schools, two newspapers and a hospital. Dozens of successful black-owned, black-run businesses were there. Hundreds of Blacks lived within walking distance of grocery stores, hotels, nightclubs, billiard halls, theaters, doctor’s offices and churches.
It was a city within a city.
Tulsa Race Massacre
Post Civil War
According to a New York Times article, “Many African-Americans migrated to Tulsa after the Civil War, carrying dreams of new chapters and the kind of freedom found in owning businesses. Others made a living working as maids, waiters, chauffeurs, shoe shiners and cooks for Tulsa’s new oil class.
In Greenwood, residents held more than 200 different types of jobs. About 40 percent of the community’s residents were professionals or skilled craftspeople, like doctors, pharmacists, carpenters and hairdressers, according to a Times analysis of the 1920 census. While a vast majority of the neighborhood rented, many residents owned their homes.”
Though Blacks enjoyed success within Greenwood, as with all areas in the United States, the majority white Tulsa community continued to deny them access to society in general.
Tulsa Race Massacre
May 30 and June 1, 1921
On May 30, 1921 there was an elevator incident. As with nearly all such incidents, the truth is likely not close to the stories that were told.
The incident involved Dick Rowland, 19, a young Black shoe shiner, and Sarah Page, 17, a white elevator operator and likely was that Rowland tripped and grabbed onto the arm of Page while trying to catch his fall. She screamed, and he ran away, according to the 200-page 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission report released on February 28, 2001.
Tulsa Race Massacre
May 31, 1921
Authorities arrest Dick Rowland the following day and jailed him in the Tulsa County Courthouse. As usual, the white-owned newspapers inflamed white Tulsa residents with the headline: “Nab Negro for Attacking Girl in Elevator.”
While any report, however spurious, of any Black person’s “disrespect” of a White person was cause for revenge, the interaction between a Black male and a White female was particularly provoking.
A lynch mob showed up outside the Courthouse. Twice, a group of armed Black Tulsans, many of them World War I veterans, offered to help protect Rowland but the sheriff turned them away.
As the men left the second time, a white man tried to disarm one of the black men. His weapon discharged and that sparked the always-simmering excuse to teach “them” a lesson.
Later, authorities would drop the charges against Rowland and concluded that he had most likely tripped and stepped on the Page’s foot, but that conclusion came far too late.
Tulsa Race Massacre
2-days of Destruction
A white mob descended on Greenwood.
Again according to the NY Times article, The mob “…indiscriminately shot Black people in the streets, ransacked homes, stole money and jewelry.
“They set fires, “house by house, block by block,” according to the commission report.
“Terror came from the sky, too. White pilots flew airplanes that dropped dynamite over the neighborhood, the report stated, making the Tulsa aerial attack what historians call among the first of an American city.
“The numbers presented a staggering portrait of loss: 35 blocks burned to the ground; as many as 300 dead; hundreds injured; 8,000 to 10,000 left homeless; more than 1,470 homes burned or looted.”
Though some Black residents attempted to stay and rebuilt, it never again was America’s Black Wall Street.
Tulsa passed a fire ordinance intended to prevent Black property owners from rebuilding on their own and insurance companies that refused to pay damage claims.
Tulsa hid the story. Decades later when some young Black college students from Tulsa learned of the Massacre, they responded with disbelief how effective the secret keeping had been.
No one was ever prosecuted or punished for the Massacre and in 2005, the Supreme Court declined to hear a case brought by massacre victims, who appealed the decision of two federal court judges who said the victims waited too long to file their lawsuit.
July 9, 2023: there had been a lawsuit regarding compensation but on this date Oklahoma Judge Caroline Wall threw out the lawsuit.
August 16, 2023: the Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of July 9 dismissal of the lawsuit filed by the attack’s last at the time three living survivors.
June 12, 2024: the Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s dismissal of the lawsuit.
The ruling concluded the lawsuit that Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109, and Viola Ford Fletcher, 110, filed in 2020. Another survivor of the massacre, Hughes Van Ellis, the younger brother of Ms. Fletcher, died at 102 in October 2023.
The justices ruled that the plaintiffs’ grievances, including any lingering economic and social impact of the massacre, “do not fall within the scope of our state’s public nuisance statute” and do not support a claim for reparations.
“The continuing blight alleged within the Greenwood community born out of the Massacre implicates generational-societal inequities that can only be resolved by policymakers — not the courts,” the ruling stated. [NYT article]
* * * * * *
Here is a linkto many photos related to the Massacre.
And here a link to an excellent Smithsonian Magazine article entitled Artifacts From the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Sly and the Family Stone had finished one of the festival’s most memorable set (for some the most memorable set) thus far. Chip Monck had reminded the crowd that The Who were next.
Woodstock Ventures never intended that the festival be a political event, but it was 1969 and no one could avoid the presence of Vietnam, assassinations, civil rights, and injustices. Especially if 500,000 young people showed up at the same place at the same time.
PBS described Abbie Hoffman as, ” a radical, revolutionary, political activist and social clown, if somebody is against something, odds are good Hoffman is against it too. Although his fame is cemented in the ’70s, his revolutionary bona fides are established in the ’60s”
Woodstock Ventures had permitted Hoffman to be a part of the event, albeit a minor part. Before The Who came on, he blew into the mic and spoke of the arrest and imprisonment of White Panther John Sinclair who was facing “ten fucking years for two joints of marijuana while we’re all sitting here digging rock music.” He spoke for 30 seconds.
5 AM
It was 5 AM. Sunrise was about an hour away. Woodstock’s second day of music was 17 hours old.
My favorite album that summer was The Who’s Tommy. Not only was it a great album, I had gotten it for free by re-subscribing to Rolling Stone Magazine. I hoped the band would do some of Tommy.
Wish completely fulfilled.
Below right is The Tommy album track listing. I have asterisked those songs that The Who did not perform at Woodstock. On the right is their Woodstock setlist.
Overture *
It’s a Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight to the Blind/The Hawker
Christmas
Cousin Kevin *
The Acid Queen
Underture *
Do You Think It’s Alright
Fiddle About
Pinball Wizard
There’s a Doctor
Go To the Mirror
Tommy Can You Hear Me? *
Smash the Mirror
Sensation *
Miracle Cure *
Sally Simpson *
I’m Free
Welcome
Tommy’s Holiday Camp
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Heaven and Hell [not Tommy]
I Can’t Explain [not Tommy]
It’s a Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight to the Blind
Christmas
Acid Queen
Pinball Wizard
Abbie Hoffman incident
Do You Think It’s Alright?
Fiddle About
There’s a Doctor
Go to the Mirror
Smash the Mirror
I’m Free
Tommy’s Holiday Camp
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Summertime Blues [not Tommy]
Shakin’ All Over[not Tommy]
My Generation[ not Tommy]
Even with Abbie Hoffman’s surprise second brief appearance, the Who are only on stage a bit over an hour.
Even with only three people in the band typically played an instrument, bassist John Entwistle remained behind the scene to the perpetually moving Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and Roger Daltry.
Heaven and Hell had been the B-side of the Who’s single, Summertime Blues, but had been on an album.
On top of the sky is a place where you go if you’ve done nothing wrong If you’ve done nothing wrong And down in the ground is a place where you go if you’ve been a bad boy If you’ve been a bad boy
Why can’t we have eternal life And never die Never die? In the place up above you grow feather wings and you fly round and round With a harp singing hymns
And down in the ground you grow horns and a tail and you carry a fork And burn away
Why can’t we have eternal life, and never die Never die?
The Who Woodstock
I Can’t Explain
I Can’t Explain had been the Who’s first single as the Who (they’d released a single with “Zoot Suit”/”I’m the Face” as the High Numbers. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, Townshend referred to “I Can’t Explain” as “a song, written by some 18-year-old kid, about the fact that he can’t tell his girlfriend he loves her because he’s taken too many Dexedrine tablets.”
The Who Woodstock
It’s a Boy
Their performance of Tommy did not have the overture the album contained, but as soon as the crowd hears the opening of “It’s a Boy” they knew what was coming.
It’s a boy, Mrs. Walker, it’s a boy
It’s a boy, Mrs. Walker, it’s a boy
A son
A son
A son
The Who Woodstock
1921
The story continues…
[Lover]
I’ve got a feeling twenty one
Is going to be a good year.
Especially if you and me
See it in together.
[Father:]
So you think 21 is going to be a good year.
It could be for me and her,
But you and her-no never!
I had no reason to be over optimistic,
But somehow when you smiled
I could brave bad weather
[Mother:]
What about the boy?
What about the boy?
What about the boy?
He saw it all!
[Mother and Father:]
You didn’t hear it
You didn’t see it.
You won’t say nothing to no one
ever in your life.
You never heard it
Oh how absurd it
All seems without any proof.
You didn’t hear it
You didn’t see it
You never heard it not a word of it.
You won’t say nothing to no one
Never tell a soul
What you know is the Truth.
The Who Woodstock
Amazing Journey
Deaf, dumb and blind boy He’s in a quiet vibration land. Strange as it seems, his musical dreams Ain’t quite so bad.
Ten years old with thoughts as bold as thoughts can be. Loving life and becoming wise In simplicity.
Sickness will surely take the mind Where minds can’t usually go. Come on the amazing journey And learn all you should know.
A vague haze of delirium Creeps up on me. All at once a tall stranger I suddenly see. He’s dressed in a silver sparkled Glittering gown And his golden beard flows Nearly down to the ground.
Nothing to say and nothing to hear And nothing to see. Each sensation makes a note In my symphony.
Sickness will surely take the mind Where minds can’t usually go. Come on the amazing journey And learn all you should know.
His eyes are the eyes that Transmit all they know. Sparkle warm crystalline glances to show That he is your leader And he is your guide On the amazing journey Together you’ll ride.
The Who Woodstock
Sparks
An amazing instrumental.
The Who Woodstock
Eyesight to the Blind/The Hawker
The Who used the lyrics written by Sonny Boy Williamson for the rock opera’s next song.
You talk about your woman I wish you could see mine You talk about your woman I wish you could see mine Every time she starts to lovin’ She brings eyesight to the blind
You know her daddy gave her magic I can tell by the way she walks Her daddy gave her magic, I can tell by the way she walks Every time she start to shakin’ The dumb begin to talk
She’s got the power to heal you, never fear! She’s got the power to heal you, never fear! Just a word from her lips And the deaf begin to hear
The Who Woodstock
Christmas
The story continues and we hear for the first time the heart wrenching lines, See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Did you ever see the faces of the children They get so excited Waking up on Christmas morning Hours before the winter sun’s ignited They believe in dreams and all they mean Including heaven’s generosity Peeping round the door To see what parcels are for free In curiosity
And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is He doesn’t know who Jesus was Or what praying is How can he be saved From the eternal grave?
Surrounded by his friends He sits so silently And unaware of anything Playing poxy pinball, Picks his nose and smiles and Pokes his tongue at everything I believe in love But how can men who’ve never seen Light be enlightened Only if he’s cured Will his spirits future level ever heighten
And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is He doesn’t know who Jesus was Or what praying is How can he be saved From the eternal grave?
Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Can you hear me? How can he be saved?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me! See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you hear me? Can you, can you, can you hear me? How can he be saved?
Did you ever see the faces of the children They get so excited Waking up on Christmas morning Hours before the winter sun’s ignited They believe in dreams and all they mean Including heaven’s generosity Peeping round the door To see what parcels are for free In curiosity
And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is He doesn’t know who Jesus was Or what praying is How can he be saved From the eternal grave?
The Who Woodstock
Acid Queen
[Gypsy:]
If your man ain’t all he should be now This girl will put him right. I’ll show him what he could be now Just give me one night. I’m the Gypsy – the acid Queen. Pay before we start. I’m the Gypsy – The acid queen. I’ll tear your soul apart.
Give us a room and close the door Leave us for a while. Your boy won’t be a boy no more Young, but not a child. I’m the Gypsy – the acid queen. Pay before we start. I’m the Gypsy the acid queen. I’ll tear your soul apart.
Gather your wits and hold on fast, Your mind must learn to roam. Just as the Gypsy Queen must do You’re gonna hit the road.
My work is done now look at him He’s never been more alive. His head it shakes his fingers clutch. Watch his body writhe I’m the Gypsy – the acid queen. Pay before we start. I’m the Gypsy – I’m guaranteed. To break your little heart.
The Who Woodstock
Pinball Wizard
Playing a pinball machine was a common entertainment. It was for Boomers, the Game Boy before the Game Boy. The band skips the album’s Underture and jumps Pinball Wizard in front of Do You Think It’s Alright
Ever since I was a young boy I’ve played the silver ball From Soho down to Brighton I must have played them all But I ain’t seen nothing like him In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball!
He stands like a statue Becomes part of the machine Feeling all the bumpers Always playing clean Plays by intuition The digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball!
He’s a pinball wizard There has to be a twist A pinball wizard’s got such a supple wrist
‘How do you think he does it? I don’t know What makes him so good?’
Ain’t got no distractions Can’t hear no buzzers and bells Don’t see no lights a-flashin’ Plays by sense of smell Always gets the replay Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball!
I thought I was The Bally table king But I just handed my pinball crown to him
Even on my favorite table He can beat my best His disciples lead him in And he just does the rest He’s got crazy flipper fingers Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball!
The Who Woodstock
Abbie Hoffman interruptus
This is the Abbie Hoffman that Woodstock remembers. For whatever reason Hoffman felt he needed another moment to emphasize John Sinclair’s plight. Townshend reportedly didn’t know who Hoffman was and tells him to “Get off my fuckin’ stage.” The crown enthusiastically endorses Townshend’s view, but then he says, “I can dig it.”
The Who Woodstock
Do You Think It’s Alright?
Getting uncomfortable now both lyrically and after the brief Do You Think It’s Alright Townshend says that the “the next fuckin’ person who comes on the stage is gonna get fuckin’ killed [applause]. I mean it.” Apparently he’s had a change of heart.
Do you think it’s alright To leave the boy with Uncle Ernie? Do you think it’s alright He’s had a few too many tonight Do you think it’s alright? I think it’s alright
The Who Woodstock
Fiddle About
Uncle Ernie babysits.
I’m your wicked Uncle Ernie
I’m glad you won’t see or hear me
As I fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Your mother left me here to mind you
Now I’m doing what I want to
Fiddling about, fiddling about, fiddle about
Down with the bedclothes
Up with your nightshirt
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
You won’t shout as I fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle about, fiddle about, fiddle about
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
The Who Woodstock
There’s a Doctor
There’s a man I’ve found
Could bring us all joy!
There’s a doctor in town could cure the boy!
There’s a doctor in town could cure the boy!
There’s a man I’ve found could remove his sorrow,
He lives in this town let’s see him tomorrow,
He lives in this town let’s see him tomorrow!
The Who Woodstock
Go to the Mirror
The return of the refrain, See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
He seems to be completely unreceptive
The tests I gave him show no sense at all
His eyes react to light the dials detect it
He hears but cannot answer to your call
[Tommy:]
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
There is no chance no untried operation
All hope lies with him and none with me
Imagine though the shock from isolation
When he suddenly can hear and speak and see
[Tommy:]
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me
[Doctor:]
His eyes can see
His ears can hear his lips speak
All the time the needles flick and rock
No machine can give the kind of stimulation
Needed to remove his inner block
Go to the mirror boy
Go to the mirror boy
[Father:]
I often wonder what he’s feeling
Has he ever heard a word I’ve said?
Look at him in the mirror dreaming
What is happening in his head?
[Tommy:]
Listening to you I get the music
Gazing at you I get the heat
Following you I climb the mountain
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you I see the millions
On you I see the glory
From you I get opinions
From you I get the story
[Father:]
What is happening in his head
Ooooh I wish I knew, I wish I knew
The Who Woodstock
Smash the Mirror
Skipping Tommy Can You Hear Me? the band jumps to Smash the Mirror.
[Mother:]
You don’t answer my call With even a nod or a twitch But you gaze at your own reflection! You don’t seem to see me But I think you can see yourself. How can the mirror affect you?
Can you hear me Or do I surmise? That you fear me can you feel my temper RISE.
Do you hear or fear or Do I smash the mirror. Do you hear of fear or Do I smash the mirror? SMASH!
The Who Woodstock
I’m Free
Skipping Sensation, Miracle Cure, and Sally Simpson the band jumps to I’m Free.
[Tommy:]
I’M FREE- I’m free, And freedom tastes of reality, I’m free-I’m free, AN’ I’m waiting for you to follow me.
If I told you what it takes to reach the highest high, You’d laugh and say ‘nothing’s that simple’ But you’ve been told many times before Messiahs pointed to the door And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
I’m free-I’m free And freedom tastes of reality I’m free-I’m free And I’m waiting for you to follow me.
[Chorus:]
How can we follow? How can we follow?
The Who Woodstock
Tommy’s Holiday Camp
Skipping “Welcome” the band goes directly to camp.
Good morning Campers!
I’m your Uncle Ernie and I’ll welcome you to Tommy’s Holiday Camp The camp with the difference Nevermind the weather When you come to Tommy’s The holiday’s forever
The Who Woodstock
We’re Not Gonna Take It
The band closes Tommy with what is also the album’s last song and for many one of the most plaintive songs ever written.
Welcome to the camp I guess you all know why we’re here My name is Tommy And I became aware this year If you want to follow me You’ve got to play pinball And put in your ear plugs Put on your eye shades You know where to put the cork
Hey you gettin’ drunk So sorry, I got you sussed Hey you smokin’ mother nature This is a bust Hey hung up old Mr. Normal Don’t try to gain my trust ‘Cause you ain’t gonna follow me Any of those ways Although you think you must
We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it Never did and never will We’re not gonna take it Gonna break it Gonna shake it Let’s forget it better still
Now you can’t hear me Your ears are truly sealed You can’t speak either Your mouth is filled You can’t see nothing And pinball completes the scene Here comes Uncle Ernie To guide you to Your very own machine
We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it Never did and never will Don’t want no religion And as far as we can tell We ain’t gonna take you Never did and never will We forsake you Gonna rape you Let’s forget you better still
We forsake you Gonna rape you Let’s forget you better still
See me, feel me Touch me, heal me See me, feel me Touch me, heal me See me, feel me Touch me, heal me See me, feel me Touch me, heal me
Listening to you, I get the music Gazing at you, I get the heat Following you, I climb the mountain I get excitement at your feet Right behind you, I see the millions On you, I see the glory From you, I get opinions From you, I get the story
The Who Woodstock
Summertime Blues
Tommy is over, but not The Who. “Summertime Blues” is a song co-written and recorded by Eddie Cochran.
Well, I’m gonna raise a fuss I’m gonna raise a holler ‘Bout workin’ all summer Just to try to earn a dollar Well, I went to the bossman Tried to get a break But the boss said ‘No dice, son, You gotta work late’
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do ‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
Well, my Mom and Poppa told me Son, you gotta earn some money If you want to use the car To go riding next Sunday Well, I didn’t go to work I told the boss I was sick He said ‘You can’t use the car ‘Cause you didn’t work a lick’
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
Gonna take two weeks Gonna have a fine vacation Gonna take my problem To the United Nations Well’ I went to my congressman He said ‘quote’ ‘I’d like to help you son, But you’re too young to vote’
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do ‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
The Who Woodstock
Shakin’ All Over
“Shakin’ All Over” is a song originally performed by Johnny Kidd & the Pirates. Johnny Kidd wrote it and his original recording reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1960.
When you move in right up close to me That’s when I get the shakes all over me Quivers down my back bone I’ve got the shakes down the kneebone Yeah havin’ the tremors in the thighbone Shakin’ all over Just the way you say goodnight to me Brings that feeling on inside of me Quivers down my back bone I’ve got the quivers down the thighbone Yeah the tremors in my back bone Shakin’ all over Quivers down my back bone Yeah I have the shakes in the kneebone I’ve got the tremors in the back bone Shakin’ all over
Well, you make me shake and I like it, baby Well, you make me shake and I like it, baby Well, you make me shake and I like it, baby
The Who Woodstock
My Generation
The song was released as a single on 29 October 1965, reaching No. 2 in the UK, The Who’s highest charting single in their home countr and No. 74 in America.“My Generation” also appeared on The Who’s 1965 debut album, My Generation (The Who Sings My Generation in the United States),
People try to put us d-down (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Just because we get around (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin’ ’bout my generation) I hope I die before I get old (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation This is my generation, baby
Why don’t you all f-fade away (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Don’t try to dig what we all s-s-s-say (talkin’ ’bout my generation) I’m not trying to ’cause a big s-s-sensation (talkin’ ’bout my generation) I’m just talkin’ ’bout my g-g-g-generation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
My generation This is my generation, baby
Why don’t you all f-fade away (talkin’ ’bout my generation) And don’t try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (talkin’ ’bout my generation) I’m not trying to ’cause a b-big s-s-sensation (talkin’ ’bout my generation) I’m just talkin’ ’bout my g-g-generation (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation This is my generation, baby My my my generation
People try to put us d-down (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Just because we g-g-get around (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (talkin’ ’bout my generation)
This is my generation This is my generation, baby My my my generation
this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation (Talkin’ ’bout my generation) this is my generation
The Who Woodstock
Sunday Sunrise
The sun rose and it was good.
Sunday morning August 17, 1969. Photo by J Shelley
I doubt many of the half million people at Woodstock had ever attended a show that had an act come on at 3:30 AM, but that’s when Sly and the Family Stone took the stage. And they took the crowd as well!
They’d only be on stage about 52 minutes, but what an amazing 52 minutes they were. Sly Stone is credited as composer for each of the songs
Medley: Everyday People > Dance To The Music > Music Lover > I Want To Take You Higher
Love City
Stand!
Sly Family Stone Woodstock
M’Lady
Not that the crowd needed any encouragement, but M’Lady jump starts any sleepiness that may have crept into the bodies of the crowd. A Sly composition, the song came from their nearly year old album, Life.
M’Lady, M’Lady M’Lady, M’Lady
A smile of pleasure, Beautiful and kind
A pretty face, a pretty face Oh what a gorgeous mind
Sees me when I, hey, Give her some attention Just thought I’d mention that
Give her some time (time, time)
Give her some time (time, time)
Give her some time (time, time)
M’Lady, M’Lady M’Lady, M’Lady
Hoo now now, hoo now Hoo now now yeah yeah yeah
M’Lady, M’Lady M’Lady, M’Lady
Sly Family Stone Woodstock
Sing A Simple Song
Sly tells the crowd that they have some equipment problems, so would the crowd rather wait for resolution or forge ahead. The band forges ahead with a second Sly composition from their then most recent album, Stand! released in May.
Sing a simple song
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep I’m walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last
Let me hear you say “Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya”
Sing a simple song Try a little do re mi fa so la ti do Do re mi fa so la ti do Do re mi fa so la ti do
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m living, living, living life with all its ups and downs I’m giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns You’re in trouble when you find it’s hard for you to smile A simple song might make it better for a little while
Let me hear you say “Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya”
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m talking, talking, talking, talking I’m walking, walking, walking, walking I’m living, living, living, living I’m giving love and lovin’ loving
Everybody sing together Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Sing it in the shower Sing it every hour Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it Sing it with your mother sing it Sing it, mama, sing it Sing it with your father sing it Sing it, papa, sing it, sing it, woo ta ta ta ta ta
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya I’m talking now, I’m walking I’m walking, hey ey ey hey yeah Okay, okay now
Sly Family StoneWoodstock
You Can Make It If You Try
Another song from Stand! The album would be the band’s most commercially successful.
You can make it if you try You can make it if you try
Push a little harder Think a little deeper Don’t let the plastic Bring you down
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah
You can make it if you try You can make it if you try
Time still creepin’ ‘Specially when you’re sleepin’ Wake up and go For what you know
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah
You can make it if you try You can make it if you try
You’ll get what’s due you Everything coming to you You got to move If you want to be ahead
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah
You can make it if you try You can make it if you try
Time still creepin’ ‘Specially when you’re sleepin’ Wake up and go For what you know
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah
You can make it if you try Ma-ma-make it You can make it if you try Pa-pa-make it
You can make it if you try You can make it if you try You can make it if you try Make it make it make it make it make it make it, make it make it make make it make it You can make it if you try (da da da)
You can make it if you try Make it make it make it make it don’t stop make it (good god) You can make it if you try You can make it if you try Make it make it make it make it make it momma, make it momma, make it momma, make it You can make it if you try Make it, make it momma, make it momma, awh
Sly Family Stone Woodstock
Medley
I’m often surprised that bands mostly play one song at a time as opposed to stringing several together. If a medley has the right combination, a show can be supercharged. That’s why Sly did: Everyday People > Dance To The Music > Music Lover > Higher
Sly Family Stone Woodstock
Everyday People
Again from their Stand! album where it appeared as a stand alone.
Sometimes I’m right and I can be wrong My own beliefs are in my song The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then Makes no difference what group I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a blue one who can’t accept the green one For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one And different strokes for different folks And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
I am no better and neither are you We are the same whatever we do You love me you hate me you know me and then You can’t figure out the bag I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a long hair that doesn’t like the short hair For bein’ such a rich one that will not help the poor one And different strokes for different folks And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
There is a yellow one that won’t accept the black one That won’t accept the red one that won’t accept the white one And different strokes for different folks And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
I am everyday people
Dance To The Music
From their 1967 album, Dance To the Music. It had been the band’s first single to reach the Billboard Top 10. There are no long solos in any of the set’s songs, but each member is regularly given their moment in the spotlight.
Get up and dance to the music! Get on up and dance to the fonky music!
Dance to the Music, dance to the music Dance to the Music, dance to the music
All we need is a drummer For people who only need a beat I’m gonna add a little guitar And make it easy to move your feet
I’m gonna add some bottom So that the dancers just won’t hide
You might like to hear my organ I said ride Sally ride If I could hear the horns blow Cynthia on the throne, yeah!
Cynthia and Jerry got a message that’s sayin’ All the squares, go home!
Dance to the Music, dance to the music Dance to the Music, dance to the music
Music Lover
The song had not appeared on any album to this point, but did appear on the historic Woodstock movie soundtrack release.
Hey music lover L-O-V-E-R across the nation What a G-double-O-D vibration
Hey music lover, yeah, yeah Let us start with the beat If you like it, move your feet
Hey music lover Hey music lover Music for the human race I’m gonna add some funky bass
Hey music lover Hey music lover Don’t wanna be no social drag by playin guitar Hey music lover I just wanna sing to you Cos playin’ dead is hard to do Hey music lover Hey-hey-hey it’s alright Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey it’s alright Hey music lover Tryin’ my best to lay it funky style Don’t wanna put nobody down Hey music lover
All I wanna do I wanna take you higher (higher) Higher (higher) Higher (higher) Higher (higher) Up, up and away, yeah Up, up and away, yeah
Hey music lover Hey music lover Hey music lover Hey music lover
Woo-ooo…
Up, up and away, yeah (hey music lover) Up, up and away, yeah (hey music lover) Up, up and away, yeah (hey music lover) Up, up and away, yeah (hey music lover)
I Want To Take You Higher
Completing the 4-song medley, I Want To Take You Higher had also appeared on Stand! as a stand alone album. During a brief band-backed interlude, Sly explains to the crowd that he’d like this part to be a sing-along. That it may seem old fashion and that “most of us need approval…need approval from our neighbors before we can actually let it all hang down…but it’s not a fashion, it’s a feeling. If it was good in the past, it’s still good.”
This version is a remake of “Higher,” from the band’s 1968 Dance to the Music LP.
The success of Sly’s hope if proven by listening to the crowd repeatedly echo his shout of “Higher!”
I Want To Take You Higher
After a few moment, the medley jumps into I Want To Take You Higher. It was the B-side of their successful single, Stand! As if the crowd needed any more encouragement, the song brings everyone to their feet.
Feeling’s gettin’ stronger Music’s gettin’ longer too Music is flashin’ me I want to, I want to, I want to take you higher I want to take you higher Baby, baby, baby, light my fire I want to take you higher
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Feeling’s nitty-gritty Sound is in your city too Music’s still flashin’ me Don’t ya, don’t ya, don’t ya want to get higher Don’t ya want to get higher Baby, baby, baby, light my fire Want to take you higher
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Higher! Higher! Higher! Higher! Higher!
C’mon light my fire Want to take you higher
Feeling that should make you move Sounds is there to help you groove Music still flashin’ me Take your places I want to take you higher Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I want to take you higher Baby, baby, baby, light my fire I want to take you higher
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Higher! Let’s take you Higher! Do you want to go Higher! Just meet me Higher! Yes, you do Higher! Would you light my fire Higher! Wanna take you higher
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Higher! I’m feelin’ Higher! Yeah Higher! Higher! Higher Just wanna go higher! Higher! I wanna take you higher! Yea, yea
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Higher! Always got the slip Higher! Ain’t no way to miss Higher! Higher! I wanna take you higher Higher! Higher! I wanna take you higher Higher!
The encores begin. From the Life album where it was a mere 2 minute 43 second song, this live version is 5:46. At about the 4 minute mark, Sly calls out that he wants them to spell a four-letter word, but his isn’t Country Joe. The letters are L-O-V-E.
Knowing what works, Sly ends the song with another call for “I want to take you higher!”
Love city Love city
Another generation Who do you wanna be? Get into your own thing Everybody’s free, free, free, free
Love city Love city
Look into the future Tell me what you see Brothers and sisters holding hands And you sitting next to me, now
Peaceful minds and beautiful heads You see short and long hair You just might even see Harry Truman Groovin’ with ‘The Squares’, yeah
I can see a big reunion How could we go wrong, now? All these wonderful people singin’ All these wonderful songs, yeah
Love city, love city Love city, love city Love city, love city Love city, love city
I want it, love city I want it now, now, now, now Love city, love city I want it now, now, now, now
Sly Family Stone Woodstock
Stand!
The crowd still wants more. Chip Monck stretches a bit to give the band time to reset and reminds the crowd that The Who are next.
Stand In the end you’ll still be you One that’s done all the things you set out to do Stand There’s a cross for you to bear Things to go through if you’re going anywhere Stand For the things you know are right It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight Stand All the things you want are real You have you to complete and there is no deal Stand. stand, stand Stand. stand, stand Stand You’ve been sitting much too long
There’s a permanent crease in your right and wrong Stand There’s a midget standing tall And the giant beside him about to fall Stand. stand, stand Stand. stand, stand Stand They will try to make you crawl And they know what you’re saying makes sense and all Stand Don’t you know that you are free Well at least in your mind if you want to be
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What's so funny about peace, love, art, and activism?
