I have always loved this and it should really be used NOW by people who really care you guys arguing defeats the purpose! Just go help one family yourself ....;nobody has to know who or how much and the song says to care but no politics are mentioned. If you get upset by this why were you even listening ? Do what you do and let those of us that care do our thing and we will not attack your CHOICE . My Wise Mother always says ,If we were all the same the world would be boring".
@mermaidhawk I and gto66solstice08 agree with you 100%. We should be helping people on our own or through private charities. But politics plays a part, and it matters. You can choose to be blind to the reality, but the fact is that once the government gets involved, people become lifelong dependents. Their lives become ruined, not improved. Private charities and individuals will not allow that to happen because we actually care; we're not doing it to get votes.
The beauty of this just can't be separated from the feelings expressed. It was controversial when it came out, maybe because the word "damn" was used. It was about the time my transformation began from hard core welfare hating NRA conservative to one more thoughtful and humane. My education caused that. Once you get past the propaganda and discover the rich get far more welfare and subsidy in this country than the poor, it changes your outlook on the needy.
@spambedam Too bad you were brainwashed in college. That the rich get welfare unjustly does not make it right that the "needy" get it. Before the leftists sought to control every aspect of our lives, the private charities served as a perfectly adequate safety net for those in need. Once the gov gets involved, it creates an entitlement-mentality, dependency class that will always vote for the ones who promise the handouts. Public sector unions now getting all the welfare at our expense.
@frederickus I get the picture perfectly well. It is a sad picture, and the policies enacted by those who claim to care so much have made the picture much worse since the song was written. You help people by lifting them up and giving them motivation and inspiration to help themselves, not by making them chronic dependents.
The New York Urban Coalition campaign that used this song damn near made me a liberal....Thank God for Bill Buckley and the Young Americans for Freedom in 1968!
Mind you, I still like the song as music, and I agree we need to assist those in need. It is the methods and policies that provide our differences. I believe in the power of the individual....The left genuflects @ the alter of "The Great and Powerful Big Government" ... AKA the man behind the curtain. Let the '12 games begin!
@gto66solstice08 I didn't experience my political epiphany until 1992. Prior to that I was simply ignorant or ambivalent. Of course, I now agree with you completely, including about liking the song for the music. When I was in college in 1976 I couldn't have cared less about politics, but I thought the name "Jimmy" sounded unpresidential. Little did I know what would happen 32 years later.
this is far from anything spanky released. and it took guts to risk their following! i give em so much credit to go with this, but i think it cost them their fan base! only people like dylan ,stones & the beatles can change so drastic & still be relevent!
@theseventhprotocol I posted this song specifically because I love the music. But the music wasn't created in a vacuum--it exists specifically because of the political situation at the time. And lyrics are also part of the music, so commenting on them or the reason the song was written is perfectly legit. And I was the one who posted the political comment. Nobody forced you to read the comments, nor is it necessary to read them in order to enjoy the music.
There we were, my younger brother, my best friend, and I, staying at the Broadway Central Hotel in Greenwich Village in the Summer of 68, when a city bus goes by with the logo, "Give A Damn" with a photo of Spanky & Our Gang on it. If I memory serves me right it was part of a campaign of Mayor Lindsay's. For what exactly... I forgot! As fate would have it...I actually saw Spanky sing in a mid-80s version of The Mamas & Papas with John, Denny, Spanky & Mackenzie Phillips!!!
I posted another youtube video to my blog last year of this song. Part of my message about this song was : In spite of being banned in several states because of the profanity in its title - and in some cases due to the fact that it was a comment on racial equality that became the theme song for the New York Urban Coalition - the song became a regional hit where released and overall made #43. I still like the expression of equality it preaches, no matter what groups you attribute it to.
Shut your political pie holes & appreciate that that we can still listen to this old, good song. Thankyou YouTube! I wish their rendition of "Suzanne" was still available.
Good to have you back, Mr. T1! You are right about the political viewpoints and musical quality. Of course times and economic conditions were different then.
@peeterpoon Thanks very much, Mr. P. Hope you are doing well. But I'd have to disagree. The same problems exist today. The people who kvetched about the problems back then are now in power and their naive and simplistic approach to solving them has not changed.
@MrTrashcan1 As a Republican, I agree with you. You can't throw money at problems and you can't get peace by appeasing your enemies. Thankfully, the Israelis understand that better than Obama does.
Unfortunately, due to the last 3o years of "trickle down economics" and dereguulation, the economic condictions are even worse now than they were then. If the bleedin' neocons would WORK WITH the progressives instead of trying to make this economy as bad as possible just so they can grab power again we might see some improvement. God help us all if they ever get back in power, though! :(
for a complertely different reading of this great song,do a youtube search for Wendy Saddington+ Give a Damn
maloneyroo 5 months ago
Alot of straight laced folks missed out on a great set of lyrics due to the title for sure.
Thanks for posting.
68NYC 5 months ago
I have always loved this and it should really be used NOW by people who really care you guys arguing defeats the purpose! Just go help one family yourself ....;nobody has to know who or how much and the song says to care but no politics are mentioned. If you get upset by this why were you even listening ? Do what you do and let those of us that care do our thing and we will not attack your CHOICE . My Wise Mother always says ,If we were all the same the world would be boring".
mermaidhawk 6 months ago
@mermaidhawk I and gto66solstice08 agree with you 100%. We should be helping people on our own or through private charities. But politics plays a part, and it matters. You can choose to be blind to the reality, but the fact is that once the government gets involved, people become lifelong dependents. Their lives become ruined, not improved. Private charities and individuals will not allow that to happen because we actually care; we're not doing it to get votes.
MrTrashcan1 6 months ago
I have always loved this and it should really be used NOW by people who really care
mermaidhawk 6 months ago
As much as I love The Gang, the version by the Staple Singers is 100% better. I think you will agree.
7927jackpark 6 months ago in playlist The New Seekers
gto solstice I worked among the neeedy in nyc it was unforgettable
cippy2k 6 months ago
The beauty of this just can't be separated from the feelings expressed. It was controversial when it came out, maybe because the word "damn" was used. It was about the time my transformation began from hard core welfare hating NRA conservative to one more thoughtful and humane. My education caused that. Once you get past the propaganda and discover the rich get far more welfare and subsidy in this country than the poor, it changes your outlook on the needy.
spambedam 7 months ago 3
@spambedam Too bad you were brainwashed in college. That the rich get welfare unjustly does not make it right that the "needy" get it. Before the leftists sought to control every aspect of our lives, the private charities served as a perfectly adequate safety net for those in need. Once the gov gets involved, it creates an entitlement-mentality, dependency class that will always vote for the ones who promise the handouts. Public sector unions now getting all the welfare at our expense.
MrTrashcan1 7 months ago
@MrTrashcan1 Now I know why they call you "Mr. Trashcan". Too bad you don't get the picture this song paints.
frederickus 6 months ago
@frederickus I get the picture perfectly well. It is a sad picture, and the policies enacted by those who claim to care so much have made the picture much worse since the song was written. You help people by lifting them up and giving them motivation and inspiration to help themselves, not by making them chronic dependents.
MrTrashcan1 6 months ago
Another group that had gorgeous harmony. And they carried some potent lyrics in this tune which hit like a hammer.
DG19075 7 months ago
Thanks! for the posting..... an old favorite.
Much appreciated....
ATF
aonechicago 7 months ago
The New York Urban Coalition campaign that used this song damn near made me a liberal....Thank God for Bill Buckley and the Young Americans for Freedom in 1968!
Mind you, I still like the song as music, and I agree we need to assist those in need. It is the methods and policies that provide our differences. I believe in the power of the individual....The left genuflects @ the alter of "The Great and Powerful Big Government" ... AKA the man behind the curtain. Let the '12 games begin!
gto66solstice08 8 months ago
@gto66solstice08 I didn't experience my political epiphany until 1992. Prior to that I was simply ignorant or ambivalent. Of course, I now agree with you completely, including about liking the song for the music. When I was in college in 1976 I couldn't have cared less about politics, but I thought the name "Jimmy" sounded unpresidential. Little did I know what would happen 32 years later.
MrTrashcan1 8 months ago
this is far from anything spanky released. and it took guts to risk their following! i give em so much credit to go with this, but i think it cost them their fan base! only people like dylan ,stones & the beatles can change so drastic & still be relevent!
tommieparch 9 months ago
loved the song in '68 as an eighteen year-old and the lyrics hit me like a hammer...Sadly, little has changed
SMSHCT55 9 months ago
I always loved the song. So sad and so true. It's too bad that this wonderful group was only together for such a short time. It was true magic though.
Rats instead of nursery rhymes. Flames like tempers reaching higher.
Suppose you lived there all your life, do you think that you would mind?
Good song. Made some of us think. But unfortunately, some not.
454something 11 months ago
thank god for youtube...
as a young man i found so much juice of life for my youth
GabrielDhalaman2 11 months ago
I remember this song! Many stations refused to play it due to the
riots that summer.
b3j8 11 months ago
Dont remember this song. It's great. Love Spanky & Our Gang.
Thank You for Posting this. Sir David
sixtiesforever1966 1 year ago
I can't believe some idiots talk politics and forget about the beauty of the music which transcends all that crazy crap !
theseventhprotocol 1 year ago
@theseventhprotocol I posted this song specifically because I love the music. But the music wasn't created in a vacuum--it exists specifically because of the political situation at the time. And lyrics are also part of the music, so commenting on them or the reason the song was written is perfectly legit. And I was the one who posted the political comment. Nobody forced you to read the comments, nor is it necessary to read them in order to enjoy the music.
MrTrashcan1 1 year ago
@theseventhprotocol this is a song with political ramifications.
jwmellott 1 year ago
There we were, my younger brother, my best friend, and I, staying at the Broadway Central Hotel in Greenwich Village in the Summer of 68, when a city bus goes by with the logo, "Give A Damn" with a photo of Spanky & Our Gang on it. If I memory serves me right it was part of a campaign of Mayor Lindsay's. For what exactly... I forgot! As fate would have it...I actually saw Spanky sing in a mid-80s version of The Mamas & Papas with John, Denny, Spanky & Mackenzie Phillips!!!
yrageon 1 year ago
I posted another youtube video to my blog last year of this song. Part of my message about this song was : In spite of being banned in several states because of the profanity in its title - and in some cases due to the fact that it was a comment on racial equality that became the theme song for the New York Urban Coalition - the song became a regional hit where released and overall made #43. I still like the expression of equality it preaches, no matter what groups you attribute it to.
dstars8888 1 year ago
Shut your political pie holes & appreciate that that we can still listen to this old, good song. Thankyou YouTube! I wish their rendition of "Suzanne" was still available.
larrygould2002 1 year ago
Thank you sir for putting up this seldom heard oldie by Spanky and Our Gang.
boswell69 1 year ago
I had this 45. Bobby Kennedy's campaign song. Can't believe you posted this...thanks greatly.
WALNUTS52 1 year ago
@WALNUTS52 Not surprised it was his campaign song. I actually posted it a year ago, but they blocked it. Now apparently it's allowed.
MrTrashcan1 1 year ago
Good to have you back, Mr. T1! You are right about the political viewpoints and musical quality. Of course times and economic conditions were different then.
peeterpoon 1 year ago
@peeterpoon Thanks very much, Mr. P. Hope you are doing well. But I'd have to disagree. The same problems exist today. The people who kvetched about the problems back then are now in power and their naive and simplistic approach to solving them has not changed.
MrTrashcan1 1 year ago
@MrTrashcan1 As a Republican, I agree with you. You can't throw money at problems and you can't get peace by appeasing your enemies. Thankfully, the Israelis understand that better than Obama does.
peeterpoon 1 year ago
@MrTrashcan1 SO SO TRUE! THANK YOU! Sir David
sixtiesforever1966 1 year ago
@peeterpoon
Unfortunately, due to the last 3o years of "trickle down economics" and dereguulation, the economic condictions are even worse now than they were then. If the bleedin' neocons would WORK WITH the progressives instead of trying to make this economy as bad as possible just so they can grab power again we might see some improvement. God help us all if they ever get back in power, though! :(
Deina0TG 1 year ago
@Deina0TG I agree totally.
454something 1 year ago
Really nice..!
PERIZ99 1 year ago