Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lyrics

[Chorus]
Well, have you ever lived down in the ghetto?
Have you ever felt that cold wind blow?
Well if you don't know what I mean
Won't you stand up and scream
Because there's things going on that you don't know

[Verse 1]
Too many lives they've spent across the ocean
Too much money been spent upon the moon
Well, until they make it right
I hope they never sleep at night
They better make some changes and do it soon
Do it now, do it to it

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 2]
Well they're going ruin the air that we breathe
Lord have mercy
They're gonna ruin us all, by and by
I'm telling all you beware
I don't think they really care
I think they just sit up there
And just get high
[Chorus]
Have you ever lived down in that ghetto?
And have you ever felt that cold wind blow?
Well if you don't know what I mean
Won't you stand up and scream
'Cause there's things going on that you don't know

Well if you don't know what I mean
Won't you stand up and scream
'Cause there's things going on that you don't know

[Outro]
Tell it
Tell it, tell it
Things going onEmbed

Things Goin' On is a track that emerged from Lynyrd Skynyrd's revolutionary journey, specifically the album 'Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd.' The 1973 song features Ronnie Van Zant's voice and Gary Rossington's guitar as well as a few piercing violin notes. Though how the song came to life is shrouded in mystery, the lyrics suggest a sinister tale of a reclusive and secretive structure of the American elite, primarily politicians, who are unreachable to the common man.

About Things Goin’ On

The track Things Goin’ On has deep roots in the social outcry that dominated the late 60s and early 70s. It was a time when the African American community had stepped up with powerful civil rights protests that culminated in a march in Washington in 1963, calling for equality and respect for all people, regardless of their skin color or religious affiliations. The youth took up the baton in the 60s, challenging the dominant status quo and demanding more freedom to express themselves. Many artists and musicians, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, used their voice and art to criticize societal inequities with powerful, thought-provoking lyrics.

Things Goin’ On picks up on particular aspects of the society that were under the radar, the ghetto; downtrodden, and poverty-ridden neighborhoods that covered entire cities across the USA. The song's structure is a blend of rough edges and melody, with a bluesy feel, verse-chorus-verse pattern, and soaring solos from Rossington's guitar, compelling their message forward.

In the track, the band describes how some individuals living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods feel left out of the structures of society. They have no connection with the firmly entrenched politicians who are unwilling to care for the problems of the people living in these communities. This social commentary about the power imbalance existing in America and how some citizens are marginalized, and their issues ignored, continues to resonate even today, four decades later.

The themes in Things Goin’ On delve deep into the beating heart of the problems of the US society, giving insight into the invisible problems that most people in the American elite do not want to acknowledge. The violin sounds and Gary Rossington's guitar build a haunting mood throughout the song, lending emphasis to the social commentary.

In many ways, the song is Lynyrd Skynyrd's statement on the state of the union. They are trying to bring out the struggles of the people living on the fringes of society and point the finger at the ones in power, politicians, and the elite. At the same time, through their music, they are highlighting valuable social issues, issues that still have an essential implication on society now.

It is clear that Lynyrd Skynyrd crafted a signature track about the social imbalance existing in the USA's structure, focusing on the downtrodden, poverty-ridden neighborhoods, and their challenges. Things Goin’ On is, therefore, one of the most powerful anthems that came out of rock music in the 70s, a track that has been covered by various artists and still remains relevant up to this day.

If anything, the legacy of the track proves that music can be much more than catchy melodies and soaring riffs. It can be used as a tool for social commentary and a medium for people to express themselves and voice their opinions, making Things Goin’ On one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most important contributions to society.

• Release Date: August 13, 1973
• Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd