Revolution 1993

"Revolution 1993"
Song by Jamiroquai from the album Emergency on Planet Earth
Released	June 14th, 1993
Recorded	1992-1993
Played Live	136 times
Genre	Acid jazz
Length	10:17
Label	Sony Soho Square
Writer	Jay Kay & Toby Smith
Producer	Jay Kay, Toby Smith, Stuart Zender, & Mike Nielsen

"Revolution 1993" is the ninth track off of the album Emergency on Planet Earth. Described as an "angry track" by Kay, it is the longest on the album (and of the band's discography). The track is comprised of paramilitary-esque drums, James Brown-like brass punches, African percussion, grinding bass, flute solos, and several drum breaks, which give the song a "hardcore, cool" feeling as Kay writes. The song itself focuses on a call to action against societal decay against environmental decay, poverty, and violence. Kay would write that the lyrics are full of things he had been wanting to say on the album. In 2013, a demo of the track would be released.

Lyrics

Yes you've got to stand up, stay strong, start moving in the right direction

Don't wait too long, for people promising divine intervention

Nineteen nine three, now I'm taking matters into my own hands

So fast, I can't see a revolution is the only way we can change, change, change

I want to fight the power

Well it's hard times, white lines, kids of nine getting down with gun crime

War zones, no homes, ain't it the time we gave the dog a bone

Say brothers, sisters, get up and put yourself in the picture

This time you know a revolution is the only way we can change, change, change

I want to fight the power

Question, answer, shake your hand and smile for the camera

But it's no good you should spend time in your neighborhood

Where black kids, white kids

Now you're working overtime to be a crack kid

No job, no cash a revolution is the only way we can change, change, change

I want to fight the power

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution

Everybody wants a revolution

Now who is this man, I'm having trouble knowing where I'm coming from

Preconceptions, it's eternal human infection

One chance, learn how you're gonna change the habit of a lifetime my soul

Concerned that a revolution is the only way that we can change, change, change

I want to fight the power

Higher, higher, now we're gonna learn how to fight the power

Sunshine, new day, I only know how to go to the right way

Faster, stronger I help my brother and my soul lives longer

Blinded I can't see a revolution is the only way that we can change, change, change

I want to fight the power

No doubt in time, everything is sweet sunshine but in the

Meantime, mankind is having trouble where to draw the line

We still don't, respect, and yet I thought we had intellect

Sometimes I think the music is the only hope we have for revolution

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution

Everybody needs a revolution

Trivia

• "Revolution 1993" is the longest and fastest song on Emergency on Planet Earth.
  • It is also the longest track of the band's discography.
• "Revolution 1993" is the most played track live from Emergency on Planet Earth, with 136 recorded instances.