Ball of Confusion: A Soulful Reminder of Past and Present Global Misery
That's What The World Is Today
Every decade is punctuated by problems. Maybe we remember the good old days because the bad times are still with us.
In 1970, The Temptations released Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) amid the turmoil of explosive racial tension, perpetual political corruption and the never-ending Vietnam War.
In a strange mixture of counter-culture and social upheaval imagery, Ball of Confusion lays it all out in a powerful blast of the classic Motown sound. Motown Records was not only a hit-making label, it was just as relevant as a social influencer of its day.
If you look at the song catalog of The Temptations, you’ll see a range of soul classics that address drugs, social justice, civil rights and, of course, love. The group reached the U.S. Billboard Top 40 on 37 singles. Here’s a few of their hits:
My Girl - “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.” That’s all you need to know about this iconic song.
Cloud Nine - “I’m doing fine on Cloud Nine.” When the world is hard, Cloud Nine takes away the pain and sets you free. This is straight out of the drug culture of the 1960s.
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone - If the intro doesn’t mesmerize you first, then the lyrics and the strings will embed into your soul and hit your heart. It’s a sad tale of an absentee father wrapped in a glorious musical journey. One of my favorite songs, ever.
A Messy, Messy World
With a bit of irony, the song Ball of Confusion is just as messy as the message it communicates. It’s all over the place in a whirlwind of hypnotic sound and rap-like rhythms.
Every generation deals with the state of the world in its own way. And some songs are better are capturing the spirit of the times. Ball of Confusion is a timeless anthem of frustration and disillusionment. Only some of the variables have changed.
That’s why it resonates so well today too. Take a listen first:
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Songwriting is touch enough when trying to evoke a single thought. That’s why I’m just blown away by the scope of this song. Full credit goes to songwriters Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield for tackling a global cacophony of problems.
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
As a protest song, these lyrics cover so much common ground. It’s a short list of local and worldwide issues that any listener can find relevant. How do you even attempt to concoct a massive mix of social issues into a single standout song?
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting, end the war
As a protest song, it hammers the truth even without a real catchy hook. There is no memorable line to repeat over and over. It’s a combination of a groovy beat with a constant beatdown of concerns that affect everyone on the planet.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin', ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Yes, unfortunately, that’s what the world is today … still.
Coda
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, society dealt with chaos and confusion without the benefit of global communication. Today is different, we can choose alternative avenues to send and get messages out.
Granted, the world is still a ball of confusion. But in reality, there’s a new effort to make it a ball of conformity, with full control and authority.
Songs of the past are our key to the present. It helps to reach back and remember better or turbulent times to adjust to changes in the current timeframe.
Sometimes, just being confused and pissed off is enough for people to take action.
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