Most often, I just like a song for the music … the tune, the singer(s), the rhythm, and there is no real rhyme nor reason … I just like what I like. But there are a few songs that I also like for the message, and Everyday People is one of those. Today, in the U.S. and other parts of the world, the message is one that … is even more relevant than it was in 1968 when this song was released. Today, the bigots, homophobes, and racists, those who believe they are somehow “better” than others, seem the loudest voices in the land. It disgusts and sickens me, some days so much so that I just want to bow out of the human species.
The meaning in this song isn’t deep, mysterious or cryptic … it is quite simple: we are all the same … everyday people. Nobody is better than another. Personally, I think this song should be required to be played in every church, synagogue and mosque throughout the world, for it gets down to the basics of what religion ought to be about. You get this message down, then the rest follows naturally.
The song was originally released by Sly and the Family Stone in 1968 and was the first single by the band to go to #1.
The song was used in the movie Milk, about gay rights activist Harvey Milk who, in 1977 when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, became the first openly gay elected official in the United States. Less than one year later, on November 27, 1978, Milk was gunned down along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. The shooter was Supervisor Dan White, a conservative board member who had campaigned on a platform of law and order, civic pride, and family values. The movie is worth a watch, if you haven’t seen it.
Sly & the Family Stone was a mash up of musical styles with band members of different genders and ethnic backgrounds — they lived the message they sang about. And now, I’ve chattered enough … just listen …
Everyday People
Sly & the Family Stone
Sometimes I’m right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a blue one who can’t accept the green one
For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
You love me you hate me you know me and then
You can’t figure out the bag I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a long hair that doesn’t like the short hair
For bein’ such a rich one that will not help the poor one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
There is a yellow one that won’t accept the black one
That won’t accept the red one that won’t accept the white one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
I am everyday people
Songwriters: Sylvester Stewart
Everyday People (from Milk) (Re-Recorded / Remastered) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Filosofa's Word 
This song really makes fun! xx Michael
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Glad you liked it, dear friend! xx
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks, Michael!!!
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Loved it then, love it more now. I always loved the words to this one and back then was singing it in church with my group. It’s definitely one that should remain at the top of every playlist in the world.
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I’m so glad! Yes, this is one that will never become irrelevant, I think.
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Pingback: ♫ Everyday People ♫ (Redux) — Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
I could not say that I know the song, but the short chorus sounds familiar. Great song with great lyrics!
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I wasn’t sure if you would have heard it or not. I’m really glad you liked it, though!
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Absolutely!
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Redux of comment from Dec. 12, 2020:
This is why I listen to the words before I commit to liking a song. A pleasant melody or catchy chorus cannot overcome songs of hatred or cruelty for me. Sly and the Family Stone were way ahead of their time, but really they were long overdue. The hippie movement was long overdue. But those who opposed us won out in the end. Power rules, even over peace and love. Trump is proof of that.
If the human race doesn’t get it soon, maybe they never will…
The above comment explains my approach to music: It may not have to be meaningful but it has to be nice, or at least friendly. This song is all of those. What I like is that it gives good advice rather than must asking a question. Sly made it personal:
“I” am everyday people
That way, when you sing along, you are singing that “you” are everyday peope too. If only everyone who sings it believed it!
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They weren’t really the kind of music I was listening to back then but I always liked this one. I don’t think its message will ever not be relevant.
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I’m with you, Clive … I no longer believe that the day will come when humans set aside their prejudices and learn to live together in peace and harmony. I once believed in that dream, but no longer. I’m glad you liked the song!
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There were a plethora of well meaning songs back in this era, weren’t there?. The unique aspect of this one is that it warned about everyone’s prejudices.
Because back then there were dirty little secrets letting slip here and there.
You are quite right Jill, it should be played- everywhere.
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Aye, the age of consciousness, as it were. I wonder what happened in between then and now? I know that electing a Black president, not once but twice, had an effect, and that Donald Trump was a pushback against that. And I know that Trump promoted racism like Crest promotes toothpaste. But I still don’t understand today’s utter hatred toward “other”. Sigh. I’ve outlived this world … or it changed and I stayed behind. The worst part is that I’ve concluded the world will never learn, never set aside it’s prejudices until we destroy each other once and for all. 🐺
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Sadly Jill, it is hard to argue against that view. No one bears examination. We might have grown up thinking that racists were white folks with no understanding or just bitter….. think again….delete the word ‘white’ ….Oh yeah. It’s world-wide.
You’d be saddened.
Well you an’ me. We will just to hope that Keith’s mindset will spread and stem the tide and maybe in centuries rawgod’s hopes and intentions will have taken root.
🐺🐺🐺🐺
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Sigh. I suppose, but frankly I don’t think the human species can survive another century in its current form. Between the rapidly increasing effects of climate change, the violence that we see escalating, and the existence of nuclear weapons, I think we are, as Barry McGuire sang, “On the Eve of Destruction.” I hope I’m wrong, but … 🐺🐺🐺🐺
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For me, the place where science and theistic beliefs start, once more to cross over.
Let’s just hope you and I are proven all wrong, wrong, wrong.
🌷🌼🌻
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Awww … thanks for the flowers … 😊
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By the way Jolly and Joyful breezed in just as I trudged in from snow patrol and bringing in the shopping. We had mugs of hot chocolate 🍵.
They are bundled up investigating the wilderness that is our garden (we claim we planned it that way).
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I’m glad they made the trip safely! I hope they have a great time playing in the snow … we had one big snow at Christmas, and not much since, so they’ve been deprived! Take a picture if they build a snowman!!! ☃️
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Would you believe it. The mini-blizzard stopped, the sun came out and the thaw started.
Yeah Gwannie and we had lotsa puddles to jump in…splish-splish-splosh!
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I’m glad you two are having such a good time! Be sure to help Uncle Woger and Aunt Sheila with chores, too, okay?
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WE frew a whole pile of paper in a bin, an’ gonna play with a shredder before we fly home!
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And that ‘splains why your hair was practically white when you got home! Hmmmm … now WHAT is Uncle Woger shredding … 🤔
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Redacted……😉
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Mmmmm hmmmmm … 🤔
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Yep! 😀
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