fripodding and waking up: “wake up everybody”

I instantly fell in love with this song before the chorus was sung. Little did I know that my mind would be blown away by the soul vocals and precise wise raps that makes up the song “Wake Up Everybody.”

What I didn’t know at first about this song, is that it is a cover of the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes song. What I also didn’t know is that the entire album, Wake Up!, brought to you by John Legend and The Roots, is mostly a covers album of socially conscious songs of the 60’s and 70’s. Before that factoid, I was already signed on once I heard The Roots and John Legend. But back to the song…

Not only does it start with Black Thought and the Legendary Roots Crew with Mr. Legend taking on the brunt of the vocals, it also features the lovely Melanie Fiona complimenting ever so perfectly with a great voice. According to her The Bridge album, she seems a bit socially conscious herself, which is definitely a plus in my book. Before knowing this was a cover, I just associated this song to being about current times. Even though it was a song of the past, it’s still very much relevant to today’s time.

Another update to the song come from Common. Could this track get any better? Besides keeping it on repeat… I don’t know. But the video? Yes! Not only do we get the lovely eye candy of Fiona (or maybe that’s just me), but we get a vintage throwback to the era this song came from. If you didn’t know by now, I’m a fan of the vintage. And Common can rock a vest, can he not?

Awesome song, awesome video, awesome artists, awesome message. Let’s not forget what this song is trying to tell people. And it’s for all people. We need to wake up! Everyone should be aware of what’s going on in the world, in their society, in their community. Everyone can make a difference. I’m what I consider a pretty passive activist. I’ll help pass the word around, but at this time in my life, I may not be out in the streets with posters and signs. But I give much respect to the people that do that. I also don’t talk a lot about politics or world events, but that doesn’t mean I’m not aware. My quick thought on this whole “ground zero mosque” is this: if Muslims aren’t allowed a mosque, Christians/Catholics aren’t allowed a church, Jews aren’t allowed a temple, etc.

Anyway, back in the day, Civil Rights and racial equality were still issues, just like they are today. I would think they are a lot better than in those days, but sadly it isn’t gone. It’s sad that some people are still asleep to that. But I even thought, if I could go back to the Civil Rights days, I might join a sit-in. All of that is another story for another day.

Wake Up! is released September 21st.