cat's meow

this is a song to set the record straight

because before long its gonna be too late

to save the music from corporate oppression

we got to take back the radio stations

to all you producers and executives

so dedicated to churning out the hits

we don't want to hear no more cheese

auto tune pop bullshit

we want the roots not this jawaiian candy

i remember a time we used to sing on the corner for nickels and dimes

now i look around and how everything has changed

but somehow the music has always stayed the same throughout the changes

and its got me thinking that even when the world all around us is sinking

jah music will always be living going strong

long after humanity has been dead and gone

it will live on

and all these records will rot and decay

and only the vibrations will remain

and if the sound you made was pure and true

your music it will live on long after you

so this is a message to you pop singers

all who have forgotten your roots and culture

this is a reminder

a simple thought to ponder

are you yourself or are you just another

a beautiful face there on the mtv

an original or a carbon copy

are you just one of them

just trying to fit in

is there an original bone in your body?

i remember a time when all the musicians would stand outside in a line

just to get a chance to jump up on stage and blow

to see if you got the talent to give the people a show

now its just all about who you know

who's ass you kiss in this puppet show

but there's one thing that all of them don't know

true music can never be bought or sold

so if american idol is your favorite show

well worshiping idols is a big no no

cause if you worship wealth

or if you worship yourself someday soon your true colors are gonna show

if glitter and glam is all you desire

then sooner or later you'll feel the fire

licking up at your heels

burning away all you conceal

revealing the truth that's hiding in your soul

so we give respect to all musicians unchained and free

all of them who are playing for the love and never the love of money

this is a song for you all

we're all one big family

whether you play roots

rock

jazz

blues

hip-hop

or r&b

this is a call to the people

all the singers and players

the poets and painters

dancers and appreciators

all who play music for the good of the greater

who know all music comes from jah the creator

gotta free up the music

gotta free up the culture

and leave these corporate music industry vultures

gotta keep the music pure forever

and give the people something fresh and innovative

unexpected and creative

something they can all relate with

we gotta mix it up

gotta change it up

rearrange it up

and give them lyrics that will make them think cause we are standing on the brink

rastaman

give yourself a pat on the back

and pick up the slack

cause we gotta keep on trodding til we reach the zion heights above

and we gotta keep the music flowing in a positive direction

give the people a reflection of jah love

so man if you ain't got the message by now

original music is the cat's meow

so turn your radio up

and roll your windows down

and let the people hear you sing it out loud

we got to free up jah music