Ball of Confusion

That's what the world STILL is today

Jun 08, 2024

Hi all,

Thank you for joining me for today’s song, “Ball of Confusion”, by The Temptations. If you’d like to hear the song before you read about it, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article.

Below, you’ll find my interpretation of the lyrics which are written in italics. Comments and questions are welcome. For Japanese students, vocabulary words in bold are provided in Japanese below. TOEFL (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.

1970, a country in turmoil

(901 words)

When this song was released in 1970, the U.S. had just ended a decade of turmoil. In the 1960s, there were deep social, political, and cultural changes.

To understand the first few lines, we need to look back in history. During the 1920s and 30s, many families moved from the southern states to the north, but they could only afford low-income rents. In the U.S., you go to school near where you live, unless you can pay for private schools. In lower-income neighborhoods, schools didn’t get good funding, so the education was of lower quality. Also, in lower-income parts of cities, there were fewer good jobs. All of these experiences led to people fighting back in the form of riots and protests.

As Black people moved into these neighborhoods, the white people started moving out. White owners of apartments didn’t keep up the quality of the buildings. A vicious cycle began.

People moving out,

People moving in.

Why, because of the color of their skin

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

During the 60s, many people didn't agree with the war that was happening in Vietnam. There were widespread demonstrations against it.

An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth This line is a quote from the Bible (for example, Matthew 5:38) and means that if someone attacks you, do not attack back because you should not make the situation worse. Here, it means that the government should not escalate the war.

Vote for me and I'll set you free, a slogan that is often used by politicians in order to get elected.

Presidential candidates Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy, 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate. U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)

rap on, brother, rap on To “rap” means to talk with someone. Here, rap on has the feeling that the listener doesn’t really believe the politician.

The only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher

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

The next couple of lines lists words that describe things that were happening in the 60s. Notice how all of the words rhyme (end with the same sound).

Segregation (separate housing and schools based on one’s race), determination (to continue your efforts even in difficult times), demonstration, integration (to include everyone and race doesn’t matter),

Aggravation (to be irritated by something), humiliation (someone causes you to feel embarrassed or ashamed), obligation to our nation (the draft - the government requires you to become a soldier)

Ball of confusion, oh yeah

That's what the world is today, hey, hey

Some people in American society, not only young people, used drugs to help them cope with stresses in society. There were pills for depression, pills to give people energy, others to help people sleep. Some people started experimenting with illegal drugs, too.

The sale of pills are at an all-time high

young folks walking round with their heads in the sky (meaning that you are physically here, but your mind is somewhere else)

The wide gaps in structural discrimination led people to fight back in the form of riots. the cities ablaze (on fire) in the summertime. In places like Detroit and Los Angeles, there were large-scale protests in which businesses and homes were burned.

The beat goes on (time keeps going forward)

evolution, revolution,

Political assassinations also shocked the American people. President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were murdered during the 60s. This led some people to question whether or not there should be some form of gun control.

The sound of soul refers to Jazz, Rhythm and Blues (R&B), Blues, all of which originated from Black musicians.

shooting rockets to the moon (July 1969)

kids growing up too soon

politicians say more taxes will solve everything (Another promise by politicians?)

And the band played on. This is a phrase that means something serious and important is happening, but the people in power won’t listen or do anything about it.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere

unemployment rising fast, the Beatles’ new record's a gas “a gas” was a slang term meaning “great”.

and the only safe place to live, is on an Indian reservation. In the 1960s, the places where Indigenous Americans lived may have been safer than many large cities, but there were serious problems there as well.

Eve of destruction was a popular song from 1965

Unlike many other countries, in the U.S., people have to send a tax form to the government every year. It is a complicated form, so most people ask a professional to do it for them. A tax deduction is something that you include on your form, for example, children, a house loan, or college fees, and these will lower the amount of tax you have to pay.

city inspectors, bill collectors

*1960s “mod” fashion - Aaron Parecki - Flickr*

mod clothes in demand

population out of hand. The world’s population in 1970 was a little over 3.5 billion people. In 2023 it was over 8 billion. When something gets out of hand, it means it is out of control.

suicide, too many bills

Some people also started a different way of living, called the hippie movement. They wanted peace, love, and freedom. hippies moving to the hills

people all over the world are shouting “End the war”

and the band played on