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 bullsh** 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 a** 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