About the song
The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today),” released in 1970, is a landmark song for a few reasons. Here’s a breakdown of its background and themes:
Background:
- Songwriter Team: Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, a team known for pushing boundaries at Motown with socially conscious lyrics [Behind the Song: Ball of Confusion by The Temptations – American Songwriter]
- Genre: Often referred to as “psychedelic soul,” the song blends Motown’s signature sound with elements of rock and the emerging sounds of the late 60s [Behind the Song: Ball of Confusion by The Temptations – American Songwriter]
- Context: 1970 was a tumultuous time. The Vietnam War raged on, the Civil Rights Movement faced new challenges, and social unrest simmered.
Themes:
- Social Commentary: The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world in chaos, referencing pollution, war, poverty, and racial tensions.
- Disillusionment: The song reflects a loss of innocence and optimism prevalent during the earlier part of the decade.
- Search for Answers: Despite the bleak outlook, there’s an underlying question about how to navigate these confusing times.
- Apathy Critique: The repeated line “the band plays on” can be interpreted as a criticism of those who ignore the world’s problems while enjoying entertainment.
“Ball of Confusion” remains a powerful anthem, capturing the anxieties and frustrations of a specific era, while also resonating with anyone experiencing a world that feels overwhelming.
Video
Lyrics
One, two, one, two, three, four, ow
People moving out, people moving inWhy, because of the color of their skinRun, run, run but you sure can’t hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothVote for me and I’ll set you freeRap on, brother, rap on
Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacherAnd it seems nobody’s interested in learning but the teacherSegregation, determination, demonstration, integrationAggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of confusionOh yeah, that’s what the world is todayWoo, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time highYoung folks walking round with their heads in the skyThe cities ablaze in the summer time
And oh, the beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soulShooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soonPoliticians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
So, round and around and around we goWhere the world’s headed, nobody knows
Oh, great googa-looga, can’t you hear me talking to youJust a ball of confusionOh yeah, that’s what the world is todayWoo, hey
Fear in the air, tension everywhereUnemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record’s a gas
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation
And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectorsMod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many billsHippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting, end the war
And the band played on
Great googa-looga, can’t you hear me talking to youSayin’ ball of confusionThat’s what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear yaSayin’, ball of confusionThat’s what the world is today, hey, heyLet me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear yaBall of confusion