Music Monday: People In Tha Middle by Spearhead

Music Monday is a meme that was created by Drew from The Tattooed Book Geek. Bjørn and I will pick a song alternatively on each Monday and share our thoughts about them. Bjørn’s pick this week is People In Tha Middle by Spearhead.

Before Michael Franti started releasing songs about waving your hands in the air like you just don’t care and disowned most of his complicated past, he left the heavy-handed Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy behind to form Spearhead, sign with a major label, and release deceptively catchy social commentary pieces disguised as hip-hop/soul/pop songs. (The entire Stay Human record is a concept album about death penalty. Capitol Records dropped Spearhead just in time to not release that one.) An urban legend says that Franti was considered dangerous enough to be spied upon by the American government; maybe that’s why he followed Stay Human with an album called Everyone Deserves Music which is largely about everyone deserving music. But before that, he taught me – and a lot of other young people, I would imagine – many interesting things about politics.

The first song on the first Spearhead album is a slightly irritated apology for signing with Capitol Records instead of remaining unknown outside a very small niche. On the tracklisting it’s followed by songs called ‘Love Is da Shit’, ‘Piece o’Peace’ and ‘Positive’ which, as you would expect after only hearing this song and reading the titles, is about awaiting a letter (that was 1994) with the results of an HIV test. Franti didn’t (yet) give up on activism. He got it on the radio.

I am not a Muslim but I read the Final Call
because within its pages there is something for us all
and I am not professional but I love basketball
the squeaking of the sneakers they echo in the hall
But if I don’t have enemies I’m not doin’ my job
I might throw out a curve ball but I never throw a lob
people criticize me but I know it’s not the end
I try to kick the truth not just to make friends

But hey diddle diddle to the people in the middle
We got hot wax and it cookin’ on the griddle
Got the guitar strummin’, the drummer drummin’
The people all hummin’ and the vibe was lovin’
On and on and on ’til the breakadawn

I am not a jerk although sometimes I act like one
and I am deadly serious about us havin’ fun
well I go many places but I know I’m not with you
and I am not a sucker even though I’m stuck on you
each one- should teach one and share with one anotha
so many is out there-that’s livin undercover
your motha your fatha your sista your brotha
your friends and their enemies all have their lovers

But hey diddle diddle to the people in the middle
We got hot wax and it cookin’ on the griddle
Got the guitar strummin’, the drummer drummin’
The people all hummin’ and the vibe was lovin’
On and on and on ’til the breakadawn

So tell me the definition of a sell-out
cast your first stone, but then get the hell out
people say they know me I can tell you that they don’t
people say they own me I can tell you that they won’t
the left and the right they all try to use me
but I’ll be in they faces before they can abuse me
so roll down ya window and listen what I’m sayin’
relax ya mind and let the band keep playin’
on and on and on ’til the breakadawn
(chorus)