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1978 single by The Kinks

"Black Messiah" is the third track from the Kinks` 1978 album Misfits. It was written by Ray Davies.

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Singles chronology

Black Messiah
Black Messiah
19/5/1978

Black Messiah

The Kinks

1978 Single
  • Released: 19 May 1978 · Fecha Grabación: July 1977 -
    Label: Arista 210 · · Productor: Ray Davies
    CHARTS
    1
    Black Messiah
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:10
  • 2
    Misfits
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:44
  • Album


    Misfits

    Misfits

    Fecha Lanzamiento: 19 May 1978 · Fecha Grabación: July 1977 - January 1978
    Discográfica: Arista · Estudio de Grabación: Konk, London · Productor: Ray Davies
    CHARTS
    79
    AUS
    48
    CAN
    34
    SWE
    40
    US
    1
    Misfits
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:43
  • 2
    Hay Fever
    The Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:33
  • 3
    Black Messiah
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:10
  • 4
    A Rock ´n´ Roll Fantasy
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    5:01
  • 5
    In a Foreign Land
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:04
  • 6
    Permanent Waves
    The Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:49
  • 7
    Live Life (UK Album Version)
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:49
  • 8
    Out Of The Wardrobe
    The Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:39
  • 9
    Trust Your Heart
    The Kinks • w: Dave Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:13
  • 10
    Get Up
    The Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:23
  • 11
    Black Messiah (Bonustrack)
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:37
  • 12
    Father Christmas (Bonustrack)
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:41
  • 13
    A Rock ´n´ Roll Fantasy (UK Single Edit)
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    4:01
  • 14
    Live Life (US Single Mix)
    The KinksThe Kinks • w: Ray Davies • 1978 /05 /19
    3:47
  • "Black Messiah"
    Single by The Kinks
    from the album Misfits
    B-side"Misfits"
    Released19 May 1978
    RecordedJuly 1977 – January 1978 at Konk Studios, London
    GenreRock
    Length4:08
    LabelArista 210
    Songwriter(s)Ray Davies
    Producer(s)Ray Davies
    The Kinks singles chronology
    "Live Life"
    (1978)
    "Black Messiah"
    (1978)
    "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman"
    (1979)

    Review

    1978 single by The Kinks

    "Black Messiah" is the third track from the Kinks` 1978 album Misfits. It was written by Ray Davies.

    Leer más

    Lyrics

    The lyrics of "Black Messiah" cite racial and civil differences and unrest. The lead singer is a white man who lives in an all black neighborhood. This causes unrest, with the singer claiming that "they knock me down `cos they brown and I white". Meanwhile, a "self-made prophet" in the house next door to the singer`s claims that a "Black Messiah" "is gonna set the world on fire" and "set the whole world free". At first, the white man is skeptical, but he soon changes his opinion and believes the prophet. The song criticizes the so-called "racial equality" that blacks and whites say they strive for, saying that neither race really believes in this goal wholeheartedly.[1]

    Release and reception

    "Black Messiah" was released on the Misfits album, but was also released in single form. On the U.S. version of the "Live Life" single, "Black Messiah" replaced "In a Foreign Land" as the B-side. However, in Britain, "Black Messiah" became the third single from Misfits, backed with "Misfits". The single was unsuccessful, and did not chart. However, this slightly different single edit was released as a bonus track on the reissue of Misfits. Also, on the U.K. version of the Misfits album, "Black Messiah" was switched with "Live Life" in the running order, making it the third track on the U.K. album.

    "Black Messiah" has received mixed to negative reviews, mostly because of its lyrical content. Robert Christgau called the track "dismaying", and sarcastically remarked that "Enoch Powell would be proud."[2] Rolling Stone`s Ken Emerson said that although "`Black Messiah` rightly ridicules the naive enthusiasm of white audiences for the Rastafari references of reggae (which it travesties musically by adulterating it with Dixieland), the song raises without resolving the issue of Davies` own racism."[3]

    1978 single by The Kinks

    "Black Messiah" is the third track from the Kinks` 1978 album Misfits. It was written by Ray Davies.

    Lyrics

    The lyrics of "Black Messiah" cite racial and civil differences and unrest. The lead singer is a white man who lives in an all black neighborhood. This causes unrest, with the singer claiming that "they knock me down `cos they brown and I white". Meanwhile, a "self-made prophet" in the house next door to the singer`s claims that a "Black Messiah" "is gonna set the world on fire" and "set the whole world free". At first, the white man is skeptical, but he soon changes his opinion and believes the prophet. The song criticizes the so-called "racial equality" that blacks and whites say they strive for, saying that neither race really believes in this goal wholeheartedly.[1]

    Release and reception

    "Black Messiah" was released on the Misfits album, but was also released in single form. On the U.S. version of the "Live Life" single, "Black Messiah" replaced "In a Foreign Land" as the B-side. However, in Britain, "Black Messiah" became the third single from Misfits, backed with "Misfits". The single was unsuccessful, and did not chart. However, this slightly different single edit was released as a bonus track on the reissue of Misfits. Also, on the U.K. version of the Misfits album, "Black Messiah" was switched with "Live Life" in the running order, making it the third track on the U.K. album.

    "Black Messiah" has received mixed to negative reviews, mostly because of its lyrical content. Robert Christgau called the track "dismaying", and sarcastically remarked that "Enoch Powell would be proud."[2] Rolling Stone`s Ken Emerson said that although "`Black Messiah` rightly ridicules the naive enthusiasm of white audiences for the Rastafari references of reggae (which it travesties musically by adulterating it with Dixieland), the song raises without resolving the issue of Davies` own racism."[3]

    More Albums same artist

    The Kinks - Black Messiah (Official Audio) · Channel: The Kinks · 4m 9s
    Title: 1-Black Messiah