Song: "Dancing in the Street" Written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivey Jo Hunter Performed by Martha and the Vandellas Copyright 1964
Hear that dial tone on the phone?
Let it play - jus' leave it alone
Turn up the volume for all to hear
Its music meant to funk up your ear
That dial tone's got the sound of Soul
Callin' everybody to Rock and Roll
If you're ready
to rock it steady
Wave your phone in the air and say, "I AM!
'Cause Jelly don't roll lessin' Jimmy can Jam
Stop lookin' for a pay phone on the street
Jus' Are & Be Ready for a Brand New Beat!
- Nikki Williams
What'chu say Brother James?
'Say, we need Soul Power? And ain't it a shame!
'Cause right now, I'm believing we need what
Smokey Robinson said, "More Love"
And I'ma pushin' and a pullin' hard as I can - I might need to
give "More Love" a shave
Seem to me that Love is sometimes a stubborn thing
But if I can git "More Love" offa this here wall, we'll all have reason to sing!
William "Smokey" Robinson, I know where you was coming from when you wrote
"More Love," 'cause hate will pull you down like a sinking boat
And James Brown wasn't just riffin' when he sang 'bout the Power of Soul
Love and Soul don't always make the world go 'round but it can sho'nuff make the world roll!
I'ma keep tryin' to coax "More Love" into this ole world, or as the Temptation's would
say, Confusion's Ball
Anyway, I sho' appreciate how your songs tried to make the world a better place - much
love and respect to both of ya'll
- Nikki Williams
Uh huh, you heard what I said
I'm busy movin' this here jelly bread
What about that sign?
Well, that sign is mine!
I ain't got no need to explain
Don't care if you complain
Not that its your business but
I write when I find my Self in a rut
Sometimes you jus' feel like expressin'
And writin' on the wall is your window dressin'
Puttin' your thoughts on display
is a place to show in a way,
what's on your mind and you have to say
So if "Jelly Jam & Jive
Keeps My Soul Alive," is in quotation,
If you don't need it
Don't read it
I ain't puttin' no time into nobody's hateration
Oh, you say you like my sign? You wasn't heavin' and grievin'?
In that case pardon me
and my Writer's sensitivity
Uh huh, Thank You, same to you, Have a Good Evenin'!
- Nikki Williams
All Right and Ah Sookie Now!
I finally got "More Love" in a drum - don't ask me how!
But at least I got it "Off the Wall"
Must be the Spirit of Michael Jackson y'all!
Couldn't fit it in no piano - them keys is put together too tight
Flute was too small and narrow - them holes practic'ly outta sight!
'Wasn't hardly puttin' "More Love" in nobody's guitar
Figured that was takin' thangs a bit too far!
Somebody tole me to put it in a big ole heavy bass
I said, Man, you besta git outta my face!
And yeah, I did think 'bout puttin' it in a sax
Jus' lettin' y'all know before you ask
'Seem to me it made better sense to put "More Love" in a sturdy drum
'Cause folk be fit to beat the band, and let ev'rybody know when
they gittin' some!
- Nikki Williams
"Ooh, Life is sho' nuff Jam -n- Jelly Sweet
Make my funky feet wanna dance to the beat!
Ev'ry thang is gonna be alright and alreet!
'Got Sweet Jelly in my Belly - don't need no meat!"
Hey Girl, What'chu so dang on happy about?
Whatsomever it is, you ain't got to sing and shout
Sistah Girl, it sho' is a great day to be alive!
What you say? You talkin' some Jive
Got up this here morning feeling light and free
Whatchu' goin' on about - what's that got to do with me?
Sistah Girl Chile, if you stop and think 'bout it, life is a Blessing; the Good Lord
didn't have to keep us here
One day you standing in the front, the next day you find your Self in the rear!
One day the sun be shinin', the next day it be rainin'!
Girrrl! You right 'bout that! I'ma shut my mouth, dance right on wit' ya, and stop my complainin'!
- Nikki Williams
Oh shoot y'all, that's my Jam!
Hot dog! And Hot damm!
Dee Jay, you besta play that record all the way through
I'm gonna dance like Ev'ry and they Body is watchin' too!
Life ain't 'bout sampling - like Nick and Val sang, "Ain't nothin' like the Real Thing"
When it comes to the Sound Track of my Soul, the Music gots'ta swing!
Spread
My Bread
Thick
Don't Jive wit' my Joy! - I don't confuse a Treat with a Trick
So, get out the way! My Black Woman hips needs room to move with my Jam
See ya later,
AlliHators
I'm dancin' on a Dream
On the Edge of a Seam
Lovin' my Self just the way
I AM!
- Nikki Williams
"Soul Jam Spreadin' Sweet - Are & Be Ready for a Brand New Beat" Historic Photo Shoot Held At Denny Farrell Riverbank Park in Harlem, New York, September 8, 2024. The event was in celebration of Soul Music played on 45 records during the 1960's and 1970's. Participating in the Photo Shoot were the Brilliant, Bodacious, Beautiful, Fierce, Fine, and Fabulous, Professional Artists of Color specializing in the fields of Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, and Literature.
Conceived, Produced and Photographed By Nikki Williams For Spirit in Sunset Productions
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved