Quicksilver Messenger Service — What About Me
Album: What About MeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 651
Length: 6:37
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the airs not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something
Oh... what you gonna do about me?
Oh... what you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
"If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down"
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live like an outlaw
An' I'm always on the run
An I'm always getting busted
And I got to take a stand
I believe the revolution
Must be mighty close at hand
I smoke marijuana
But I can't get behind your wars
And most of what I do believe
Is against most of your laws
I'm a fugitive from injustice
But I'm goin' to be free
Cause your rules and regulations
They don't do the thing for me
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live just like an outlaw
An' I'm always on the run
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the airs not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something
Oh... what you gonna do about me?
Oh... what you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
"If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down"
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live like an outlaw
An' I'm always on the run
An I'm always getting busted
And I got to take a stand
I believe the revolution
Must be mighty close at hand
I smoke marijuana
But I can't get behind your wars
And most of what I do believe
Is against most of your laws
I'm a fugitive from injustice
But I'm goin' to be free
Cause your rules and regulations
They don't do the thing for me
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live just like an outlaw
An' I'm always on the run
Comments (39)add comment
I was around 14 years old when this song was hitting the airwaves. I suppose you had to live through it to understand how powerful this song was to young Americans watching their older brothers and fathers getting shipped off to fight and die in a shitty war in a far off place most Americans didn't even know existed. In that context, it bums me out to see this song doesn't even reach a 7, much less the 9, I think it deserves. As they say, you had to be there.
This piece of dreck represents one of the more lamentable products of a once-really good band. The lyrics suit the term sophomoric and musically, contrasted with the albums this group generated earlier in their career, this was probably embarrassing for such as John Cipollina. Yet this was the song that probably received more air play than anything they ever recorded. Thus is the reality of the world.
Not from my generation, but it reminds me of the one before me. How did that generation stray so far? Modern politics have strayed so much from the ideals of this song. I'm sad for the hope of American exceptionlism
cc_rider wrote:
Yeah, it's a new one on me although I only knew "Fresh Air" from QMS before this...
Never heard this before. QMS is always interesting. Lyrics have shades of Marvin Gaye. I'm not sure what I think, but I'd listen again, so hey.
c.
c.
Yeah, it's a new one on me although I only knew "Fresh Air" from QMS before this...
cpeterkelly386 wrote:
Black Pumas could do it justice.
c.
The “spoken/rap” like portions and the message make me wonder if this isn’t a candidate for a contemporary remake. Everything old is new again…
c.
Hey...look at them faces on that album cover.
Now...what in the heck were they doing the moment before that there photo was snapped?
Now...what in the heck were they doing the moment before that there photo was snapped?
I love this; always have, always will... Timeless message, well said... I also love the album art -- very reminiscent of After Bathing at Baxter's by Jefferson Airplane... and didn't they all share a house in those days? Must have been a hell of a party!
laserace wrote:
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth
That's genuinely one of the weirder comments I've read hereabouts. Is it a quotation?
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth
That's genuinely one of the weirder comments I've read hereabouts. Is it a quotation?
The “spoken/rap” like portions and the message make me wonder if this isn’t a candidate for a contemporary remake. Everything old is new again…
Even more relevant today
I wasn't paying attention to the lyrics but just the music, and I was thinking how much it sounded like a random song you would hear dialing around on the radio in the early 1970s. Brought back a bit of nostalgia.
Old Skool Rock!! Flashbacks of many nights at the Filmore,Owsley would make you see the music coming out from these cats and bounce around the rafters. Finally a flashback,I've been waiting for eons! Cool,Bill, Maui luvs you
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth
Released a few months after I was born, but as relevant and timely as ever.
bkrans9 wrote:
Never heard this before? You can't be serious.
I can be serious. And don't call me Shirley.
What?
c.
Never heard this before? You can't be serious.
What?
c.
Some prophesies just transcend themselves.
Copy paste, repeat!
Copy paste, repeat!
laserace wrote:
_as if we all age well?
The majority of songs recorded in the late sixties, and throughout the seventies, sound a bit bass-light. This is because the studios used gigantic (the correct size) loudspeakers with multiple 15" LF drivers. Those loudspeakers were putting out hardballs to the chest and the bass was dialed back to a level appropriate to the overall spectral balance.
_as if we all age well?
The majority of songs recorded in the late sixties, and throughout the seventies, sound a bit bass-light. This is because the studios used gigantic (the correct size) loudspeakers with multiple 15" LF drivers. Those loudspeakers were putting out hardballs to the chest and the bass was dialed back to a level appropriate to the overall spectral balance.
What a timely blast from the hazy past! I remember this being all over the radio, and belting out, "Oh, whoah...whatcha gonna do about ME?" to my parents...
This was one of my favorite groups in my Hippie days. Still enjoy it.
They were rebellious times, Vietnam war, Prez Nixon, etc. Young against old.
Those were the days, my friend. we thought they'd never end!!!
PEACE!!!
They were rebellious times, Vietnam war, Prez Nixon, etc. Young against old.
Those were the days, my friend. we thought they'd never end!!!
PEACE!!!
zair99 wrote:
I agree, but mostly because of the sound quality. It sounds like it was recorded with a toaster.
_as if we all age well?
I agree, but mostly because of the sound quality. It sounds like it was recorded with a toaster.
_as if we all age well?
nomnol wrote:
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
__as such it was the ultimate protest song . Being from Motown Marvin Gaye knew this.
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
__as such it was the ultimate protest song . Being from Motown Marvin Gaye knew this.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana
Always timely.
Timeless.
nomnol wrote:
Yes, the whole thing is happening again. Police brutality, endless war, young people dropping out. This time, though, we are finding out all the crap that has been hidden lo these many years. Maybe knowing what happened will help us prevent it happening in the future.
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers
They just put you on
They never tell you
The whole story
They just put your
Young ideas down
I was wonderin' could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh... oh What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
Wow it's back in rotation ! One of my favorite QMS songs.
A 10.
A 10.
cc_rider wrote:
Never heard this before? You can't be serious.
Never heard this before. QMS is always interesting. Lyrics have shades of Marvin Gaye. I'm not sure what I think, but I'd listen again, so hey.
c.
c.
Never heard this before? You can't be serious.
federico wrote:
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
What you gonna do about me?
What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
decent, but did not age well at all
Yeah. The lyrics really don't apply to today. Or do they?
You poisoned my sweet water
You cut down my green trees
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease
My world is slowly fallin' down
And the air's not good to breathe
And those of us who care enough
We have to do something...
What you gonna do about me?
What you gonna do about me?
I work in your factory
I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling
As the word is passed around
If you stand up for what you do believe
Be prepared to be shot down
the_jake wrote:
It has a Jefferson Airplane vibe to it with the background vocals.
I think that I remember this song , but recorded by someone else.
Jefferson Airplane/Starship maybe?
It has a Jefferson Airplane vibe to it with the background vocals.
I think that I remember this song , but recorded by someone else.
Jefferson Airplane/Starship maybe?
Jefferson Airplane/Starship maybe?
Never heard this before. QMS is always interesting. Lyrics have shades of Marvin Gaye. I'm not sure what I think, but I'd listen again, so hey.
c.
c.
Dubbelito wrote:
Okay, the timing on this post was fantastic.
Agree to disagree?
Fantastic song to listen to with high-fidelity headphones and just search for all the different instruments and mix channels used!
Okay, the timing on this post was fantastic.
Agree to disagree?Fantastic song to listen to with high-fidelity headphones and just search for all the different instruments and mix channels used!
federico wrote:
I agree, but mostly because of the sound quality. It sounds like it was recorded with a toaster.
decent, but did not age well at all
I agree, but mostly because of the sound quality. It sounds like it was recorded with a toaster.
Ya gotta love the album cover art work.
A lost art. Get it?
A lost art. Get it?
really enjoying this. I don't recognize it but oddly it somehow churns a nostalgic feeling...
federico wrote:
Project much?
decent, but did not age well at all
Project much?
QMS is always a welcome addition to the music mix! Rockin' over 50 years!!
decent, but did not age well at all
Love this song!