The Temptations (1971) Ball of Confusion - LOST 70s GEMS

In memory of Dennis Edwards, I wanted to make a post of my favourite later day Temptations song; along the lines of their funkier, edgier songs best defined by epic single, Papa was a Rolling Stone. Starting with a delayed count off, tension is created form the start as a heavily distorted synthesizer menacingly enters in and out like a octopus wriggling around in deep waters. A sturdy funk guitar strums in and the vocals take no prisoners slamming phoney politicians, drug pushers, overpopulation and other issues big in the early 70s and still oh so relevant today; in fact the only dated aspects are the name checks of 'Hippies living in the hills' and the 'Beatles' last record'. The trading vocals accentuate the rage of what is essentially a protest song, but the timeless lyrics represent a more universal statement on Big Society and Inner City frustrations.

Though the socially conscious lyrics are what powers this heavy rock soul arrangement which erupts with the chorus of "Ball of Confusion, That's what the world is today", it's all reminiscent of songs such as Edwin Starr's War (a song frequently mistaken for a late 60s/early 70s Temptations cut) and Chi Lites' Give More Power to the People; all grooving soul songs packed with tag team vocals, roaring horns and hard rock rhythms. The palpable emotion behind songs stir some strong feelings immediately in the listener; songs like these are far superior to any heavy rock or metal song with it's modern day proclamation.

To illustrate my point I'll leave the lyrics underneath here in full to truly enjoy the wonder of this masterpiece;

People movin' out, people movin' in.

Why, because of the color of their skin.

Run, run, run, but you sho' can't hide

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Vote for me and I'll set you free

Rap on, brother, rap on.

Well, the only person talkin' 'bout love thy brother is the preacher

And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher

Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, aggravation,

humiliation, obligation to our nation

Ball Of Confusion that's what the world is today (yeah, yeah)

The sale of pills is at an all time high

young folks walkin' 'round with their heads in the sky

Cities aflame in the summer time, and oh the beat goes on

Eve of destruction, tax deduction,

City inspectors, bill collectors,

Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul,

Shootin' rockets to the moon, kids growin' up too soon

Politicians say more taxes will solve ev'rything, and the band played on.

Round and round and around we go, where the world's headed nobody knows.

Great googa mooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you, just a

Ball of Confusion that's what the world is today. (yeah, yeah)

Fear in the air, tension ev'rywhere

Unemployment rising fast, the Beatle's new record's a gas,

and the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation,

and the band played on

Eve of destruction, tax deduction,

City inspectors, bill collectors, mod clothes in demand,

population out of hand, suicide too many bills, hippies movin' to the hills

People all over the world are shouting end the war and the band played on.

Round and round and around we go, where the world's headed nobody knows.

Great googa mooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you, just a

Ball of Confusion that's what the world is today

Let me hear you, let me hear you, let me hear you

Ball Of Confusion that's what the world is today


Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong