Compared To What

The song was recorded in 1969 by pianist Les McCann and saxophonist Eddie Harris for their album, Swiss Movement, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival.




I love the lie and lie the love
A-Hangin' on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin' up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what? C'mon baby!

Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old lady kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can't use it!)
Try to make it real — compared to what? C'mon baby now!

The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what? (Sock it to me)

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preacher's fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!)
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what?

Where's that bee and where's that honey?
Where's my God and where's my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real — compared to what?!

(Music break)

Tryin' to make it real — compared to what?

(spoken)
Donald Dean, Leroy Vinnegar, Benny Bailey, Eddie Harris

Category:

Music

Tags:

• war
• jazz
• live
• protest

[kzearo]

Is this the best jazz tune of all time?

[drgreez]

@kzearo

I would suggest "Night In Tunisia" could be considered one of the all time best.

[take942]

Still such contemporary lyrics. These guys had incredible talent.

I first heard this song playing in a record store in Harvard Square (MA) in 1972 and immediately bought the record. It was on Atlantic Records under their classice green and red record label.

So great to see them playing it live!

[ttpguy]

Hey! He curses a couple of times.  Which, of course, is the absolute best part of this composition.

[882me]

Through all the years, it all stays the same...different only by small degrees.



[jazzbohemia]

As relevant today as ever.

[PhilWard4]

This song brings back such memories from 1969/1970s. It is still an incredible piece of music and jazz history. The lyrics are so representative of the times. I have it on my IPod and love listenting to it.

Thanks drgreez for uploading this classi.

[DYNODRUM]

"Looks like We always Endup In A Rutt". Make It real .The GOP , Crap is a Joke ..."We're Chicken Feathers without One Nut ", AMERICA ...Now, Its Time to Pay the Price : Make it real, Believe what U will ,' Les' ,had a message for You Then and It's Truth to Behold,still AMEN...

[kaligula785]

man from 1969 to today not mach has changed from what hes singing at 3:44

[SexPanther235]

@take942 27 years old and the first time I heard it was probably in my brother's van a few years back, which is always awesome, but, gotta say, I'm so jealous of your first time hearing it!

[Tgager09]

search Gene McDaniels-Compared to What..watch the video