6 James Brown songs of social commentary

'Don't Be a Dropout' (1966)

Alan Leeds: A self-explanatory title and lyric, this record led to a national campaign with Vice President Hubert Humphrey encouraging kids to stay in school.

Key lyric: "Said he went for a job/ And Mr. Man said/ Without an education/ You might as well be dead."

'America Is My Home' (1968)

Leeds: JB's attempt to combine his patriotism with his politics failed. Most black radio stations ignored the record entirely and most white stations had stopped playing his records anyhow.

Key lyric: "Now I am sorry for the man/ Who don't love this land/ Now black and white, they may fight/ But when up the enemy come/ We'll get together and run about all side."

'Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud' (1968)

Key lyric: "We've been 'buked and we've been scorned/ We've been treated bad, talked about as sure as you're born/ But just as sure as it takes two eyes to make a pair/ Brother we can't quit until we get our share."

'I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I'll Get It Myself)' (1969)

Leeds: Or as the Rev. Al Sharpton recently said, "Get off my neck." This was the most musically interesting of Brown's "message songs." Maceo Parker's blistering sax solo would open any door.

Key lyric: "We got talents we can use/ On our side of town/ Let's get our heads together/ And get it up from the ground."

'Soul Power' (1971)

Key lyric: "What we missing (soul power)/ What we want (soul power)/ What we need (soul power)."

'Funky President (People It's Bad)' (1974)

Leeds: Brown all but gives up when Gerald Ford becomes president: "I need to be the governor and change some things 'round here."