Curtis Mayfield

Listen/Download – Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up

 

Greetings all.

Welcome back to the house with sixteen funky corners.

I’m writing this prior to the Election, since the fam and I are heading out for a few days of much needed rest and relaxation.

The crispness of Fall is in the air (along with lots of leaves), so hopefully all of us will be able to get outside, clear our heads and have a good time.

Because this is being written prior to any voting or the results thereof, and since realism does not allow me the luxury of optimism, I’m just going to go ahead and assume that come Wednesday morning, I’m not going to be happy, and a whole new set of challenges will lie ahead for this country, and progressive causes in general.

That said, what better time for a positive message, from the man that I (and I’m sure a lot of other people) consider to be the greatest of the socially conscious soul masters, the mighty Curtis Mayfield.

I’ll go ahead and assume that you all know something about Curtis – and if you don’t, step out into the day and read up on your read ups – via his hits with the Impressions, his stellar solo work or the countless amazing records that he either wrote, arranged, or produced (or all three) for others.

Among his finest ‘message’ songs, is today’s selection ‘Move On Up’ from the brilliant 1971 ‘Curtis’ album.

I’ll let Curtis Mayfield speak for himself, with the added note, that if the lyrics below are not words to live by, I don’t know what else to say.

Move On Up

Hush now child,
and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you
by and by
Move on up
towards your destination
You may find
from time to time
Complications

Bite your lip
and take a trip
Though there may be
wet road ahead
You cannot slip
Just move on up
and peace you will find
Into the steeple
of beautiful people
Where there’s only one kind

So hush now child
and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you
by and by
Just move on up
and keep on wishing
Remember your dreams
are your only schemes
So keep on pushing
Take nothing less –
not even second best
And do not obey –
you must have your say
You can past the test

Move on up!

I’ll be back later in the week with my Marvin set from my DC trip back in September, and of course this Friday’s Funky16Corners Radio Show, which is dedicated entirely to the Harthon sound, and the memory of Weldon McDougal III.

See you then.

Peace

Larry

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PS Head over to Iron Leg

4 Responses to “Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up”

1. Rob says:

   November 3, 2010 at 1:19 pm

   Crazy. A good friend of mine mentioned this post on Facebook. Why? Because in my post-election distress, I chose “Darker than Blue” to post. You see, here in Philly, it looks like we alone could’ve determined whether we had a democrat or Republican senator. We didn’t get even close to our 2008 turnout. In Philly, that means a substantial number of my people didn’t vote. Curtis always told the truth.
   “Are we gonna stand around this town and let what other people say come true. You’re all good for nothin’ they all figure, a grown up shiftless …” You get the point. 🙁

2. James says:

   November 3, 2010 at 7:33 pm

   Thanks Larry, I hope you have had a pleasant few days of R&R.

   Curtis – honestly what can I say? Beautiful man. Humble genius.

   Cheers,
   James
   x

3. JohnH says:

   November 4, 2010 at 12:44 am

   Larry, I’ve never heard the long version before – thanks, and more thanks.

   John

4. JJ Money says:

   November 6, 2010 at 4:55 pm

   Fresh track, then and now.

   If you haven’t already, you should check out the movie The Groove Tube. It’s where I first heard this song as the opening theme to the movie.