America is My Home

James Brown

About America is My Home

"America Is My Home" is a 1968 single by James Brown. It was intended as a patriotic song written by Brown and Hayward E. Moore, recorded in 1967 in response to increasing criticism of the Vietnam War by black leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Stokely Carmichael. Brown speaks rather than sings the words of the song over an instrumental backing. The lyrics affirm that "America is still the best country, without a doubt" and claim "black and white, they may fight, but if the enemy come we'll get together and run 'em out of sight. " Brown delayed the song's release until the summer of 1968 when he thought the timing was right. It charted #13 R&B and #52 Pop. He followed it later that year with "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". 


Year:
2004
3:21
74 
#1

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Talking 'bout me leaving America
You gotta be crazy, man, I like
All the nice thing, Jack
Colonial suits and things, look at here

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

I love it

The sun don't come out in rainy weather
But when you ball it down they are still together
Now let's not overlook the fact that we are, we are still in reach
You got to chance to make it and you got a freedom of speech

Say what you wanna, tell 'em how you feel
There may be a lot of places, a lot of places that you like to go
But believe me if you get an education you can blow
You can all it blow, dig this

Now you tell me if I'm wrong
America is still the best country
And that's without a doubt
America is still the best country
Without a doubt

And if anybody says it ain't, you can try to put him out
They ain't going nowhere, you got a good fight
When I tell you one time that I was a shoeshine boy
Every word I said, I meant

But name me any other country
You can start out as a shoeshine boy
And shake hand with the president
It ain't gonna help you gotta had that royal blood to make it
And I ain't got nothing royal but me
So I can take the chances, I'm gonna stay home

And look at here I got a brand new jet
When I need to move
I saw a brother made it
Now it ain't that a rule

So look at here
Brothers and sisters and friends, dig this
So quit your dreaming all night
Stop beatin' yourself and get up and fight

Don't give up, you might give up, but just don't give out
I know if you give out don't give up
There's no quick going, I mean like keep it moving you know
Cause if you stop like a ball quit rolling

Now we got two of the [Incomprehensible] from Florida to Rome
Which we know there's one thing we'll never forget
America's still our home, hit it bad
God bless America, I'm talking about me too
You know I'm American myself, I like that kind of thing, look at here

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James Brown

James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of funk music and is a major figure of 20th century popular music and dance. more »

2 fans

Written by: HAYWARD EPPS MOORE, JAMES BROWN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Genre
Released in 1968, "America is My Home" is a funk, soul, and R&B song. James Brown is widely known as the "Godfather of Soul."
Controversy
"America Is My Home" stirred controversy within the African-American community due to its political stance. Brown was seen as crossing the stiff divide between popular culture and politics.
Patriotic Theme
The song emphasises a strong patriotic sentiment towards America from an African-American perspective amidst turbulent times. Brown sings about the benefits and opportunities he has received from being American in an era when racial equality was an ongoing fight.
Civil Rights Context
"America Is My Home" was released at a time when United States was witnessing major civil rights movements. Many African-American artists using their work as an expression of political protest, however, Brown received criticism for a perceived lack of solidarity with this movement.
Vietnam War Perspective
The song also reveals Brown's perspective on Vietnam War. He criticizes the anti-war demonstrators, thereby expressing a contrary viewpoint to many musicians of the time.
Career Impact
Despite the backlash, the song did not affect Brown's career significantly. He continued to produce chart-topping hits and retained his popularity.
Lyrics
The lyrics show Brown's deep love for America despite its flaws, from a hardworking man’s point of view.
Collaboration
James Brown co-wrote "America Is My Home" with American record producer and songwriter Bud Hobgood.
Album
It was included as the last track on Brown's 1968 album "I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me".
Reception
While the song was not one of Brown's most popular or well-known songs, it nonetheless left a lasting impression and sparked discussion due to its political and social implications.
Live Performances
Additionally, "America is My Home" underscores Brown's capability as a performer who could evoke raw emotion and engage with socio-political themes, traits that were indeed reflected in his live performances.
Legacy
"America Is My Home" and James Brown's broader discography, played a crucial role in the development of several music genres including funk, soul and hip-hop. Despite the mixed reactions to the song at the time, it is now remembered as a part of Brown's influential musical legacy.

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