BALL OF CONFUSION (That's What The World Is Today) - THE TEMPTATIONS

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" is a 1970 hit single for the Gordy (Motown) label, recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield.

Like "Psychedelic Shack" before it, "Ball of Confusion" delves head-on into psychedelia, this time with a strong political message. The lyrics list a multitude of problems that were tearing the world apart in 1970: the Vietnam War, segregation, white flight, drug abuse, crooked politicians, and more. "Round and around and around we go", the Temptations sing, "where the world's headed/nobody knows." The end of each section of the Temptations' lists of woes is punctuated by bass singer Melvin Franklin's line, "And the band played on."

"Ball of Confusion's" lyrics are delivered over an up-tempo instrumental track with two drum tracks (one for each stereo channel), multitracked wah-wah guitars, and an ominous bassline by Funk Brother Bob Babbitt that opens the song. Norman Whitfield's dramatic count-in, always recorded at the very start of a recording for synching purposes only, was left in the mix for this record.

The song was used to anchor the 1970 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 LP. The song reached #3 on the US pop charts and #2 on the US R&B charts.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BALL
• OF
• CONFUSION
• That's
• What
• The
• World
• Is
• Today

[Venator175]

Thumbs up if you got here because of Tropic Thunder.

[demonsbutterfly]

what an absolute Brilliant song & arrangement.

FUNK with attitude.

[mrliveleaf]

Two people cant handle the temptation. Instead they break down and cry, yet we stay strong. we dont cry.We listen to this little peice of awesomeness while eating waffles.oh yeah.

[stephenl181]

quite prophetic for the time...

[GloriusTomatoes]

if this is not a masterpiece I don´t know what is , this song´s message still stand after 40 years and proobably will do in the next 40

[LvCrochet]

2 people dont know the Temptations -.-

[krismalmquist]

Just as pertinent today as it was the day it was written.

[INTERNATIONALKIKI]

FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII­IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII­IRE 

[USArmy1944]

One person went full retard.

[kidcalabria]

Best song ever done? It's hard & silly to classify things that way, but this record has everything: great lyrics - well written, & with a real, poignant message; great sound, arrangement & production; a great beat to dance to; a great performance by The Temptations, who were absolutely astounding... everything that Rock'n'Roll (or Pop music, or whatever you wanna call it) should be about & should aspire to, the best that can be achieved... thanks for the post, & for the notes in the info box

[MrHYPERFORCEGO]

I heard this on Tropic Thunder and I went crazy looking for it on the Internet. Hell of a song.