About the song
Sly & The Family Stone’s Everyday People is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a rallying cry for unity and equality. Released in 1969, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the track served as a powerful counterpoint to the societal divisions of the era.
The song’s significance lies in its ability to transcend musical genres, seamlessly blending elements of funk, rock, and soul. This eclectic sonic palette mirrored the diverse makeup of the band itself, a microcosm of the multicultural America that the song celebrated. Sly Stone, the band’s charismatic frontman, possessed a unique vocal style that combined raw energy with soulful introspection. His performance on Everyday People is nothing short of iconic.
Lyrically, the song is a masterclass in social commentary. With its repetitive, almost mantra-like chorus of “I am everyday people,” Stone challenges the notion of racial, social, and economic superiority. The song’s message is profoundly simple yet undeniably powerful: we are all fundamentally the same, regardless of our differences. Everyday People is a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire and unite.
Beyond its lyrical content, the song’s arrangement is equally groundbreaking. The horn section, led by the dynamic Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini, provides a propulsive energy that drives the track forward. Meanwhile, the rhythm section, anchored by Larry Graham’s innovative basslines, creates a groove that is both infectious and hypnotic. The result is a sonic experience that is as exhilarating as it is thought-provoking.
Everyday People has endured as a cultural touchstone for generations. It is a song that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Its message of unity and equality is as relevant today as it was when it was first released. In a world often divided by differences, Everyday People stands as a timeless reminder of our shared humanity.
Video
Lyrics
“Everyday People”
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
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
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 being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
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
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
Oh sha sha
I am everyday people