None of Us Are Free by Solomon Burke (2002)

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"None of Us Are Free" is a blues and rhythm song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Brenda Russell in 1993.

In 2002, a version was released by soul singer Solomon Burke on his album Don't Give Up On Me.The track included The Blind Boys of Alabama on backing vocals, and the album got the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album, bringing Burke to the public eye. The tune was released as asingle in the UK, and "None of Us Are Free" turned into  a feature of  Burke's later achievement.[1]

Key Lyrics

None of Us Are Free by Solomon Burke (2002)

“Well you better listen my sister's and brothers,

cause if you do you can hear

There are voices still calling across the years.

And they're all crying across the ocean,

And they're cryin' across the land,

And they will till we all come to understand.”


“None of us are free.

None of us are free.

None of us are free, one of us are chained.

None of us are free.”


“Now I swear your salvation isn't too hard too find,

None of us can find it on our own.

We've got to join together in spirit, heart and mind.

So that every soul who's suffering will know they're not alone.”

(Solomon Burke. Lyrics to “None of Us Are Free.” Genius, 2002, genius.com/Solomon-burke-none-of-us-are-free-lyrics.)[2]

Black Empowerment

Often songs can have such a common sense that they remain timeless—in other words, the lyrics address the problems we live with, no matter the year. One indication of this is Solomon Burke's 2002 single, "None of Us Are Free," a blues and gospel-soaked sermon on freedom and overcoming injustice of all kinds.

As the song starts, the lyrics can closely look like blues regarding painting a discouraging picture. Yet, as the track proceeds, Burke's energetic vocals approach fans to be empathic with one another and to to use common human history for good.[3]

It's not easy to sing about how much a person wants a freedom when the exact same person refused the freedom by standing over with whip and a piston. This song, despite the fact that was at first composed by Jewish Caucasians, is cherished by many people particularly as the mix of Salomon Burke and the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama were such perfect harmony.

The song helped the audience to remember various battles, which were faced by people in collective, or as an individual, particularly for Black people to ascend against slavery and prejudice. People have been tied up to various types of "chains", be it from racial issues to other physical matters. This melody urges people to connect with others and unite, to be liberated from the chains. [4]

Reference

  1. None of Us Are Free. en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  2. None of Us Are Free. genius.com.
  3. O’Toole, Kit. DeepSoul: Solomon Burke - "None of Us Are Free". April 9, 2012. blindedbysound.com. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  4. Grady, Shady. Music Reviews: None Of Us Are Free. October 21, 2017. theurbanpolitico.com. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.