Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine by The Temptations 1969 in the album "The Definitive Collection." Most of us have at least heard of the Temptations. They were one of the best groups in the late sixties and early seventies. Most of us know some of their songs:
 
"The Way You Do The Things You Do"

"Papa Was A Rolling Stone"

"My Girl"

"Get Ready"

"Ain't To Proud To Beg"

"Just My Imagination"

"I'm Losing You"

"I wish It Would Rain"

In 1969 the Temptations won a Grammy for their work.  If your too young to have heard their songs, I strongly suggest you go out and buy their albums because each and every song they wrote and sang has an important meaning.

As stated in my previous blog, words are important. The Temps (as they are sometimes called) used their words to communicate a message. What's really interesting is that this song was written and produced in 1969 and the problem still exists today. We, the people, have yet to find a solution.

Many people have never one of their song - Cloud Nine. This song is very personal. This song describes what life can be for kids and adults trapped in the slums and projects. What's sad is that famous people and their children are getting caught up in the same problem and I don't know why.

After listening to the song and paying attention to the words, I've become sympathetic and empathetic to the adults and children who have few chances for happiness and turn to Cloud Nine. I wish I could feel the same regarding the famous people and their children, but since I don't understand why they are so unhappy that they have turned to Cloud Nine, I'm confused..

Please take the time to read all the words.

The childhood part of my life
Wasn't very pretty, see...

I was born and raised
In the slums of the city,

It was a one-room shack
That slept ten other children beside me,
We hardly had enough food
Or room to sleep

It was hard times...
I needed somethin' to ease my troubled mind

Oooh listen...
My father didn't know the meaning of work

He disrespected mama,
And treated us like dirt

I left home seeking a job
That I never did find

Depressed and down-hearted
 I took to cloud nine
I'm doing fine
Up here, on cloud nine
Listen, one more time
I'm doing fine
Up here, on cloud nineFolks down there tell me...
They say give yourself a chance, son,
don't let life pass you by,
But the world, around you's, is a rat race
Where only the strongest survive,
It's a dog-eat-dog world
And that ain't no lie,
Ain't no lie
Listen it ain't even safe no more
To walk the streets at night

I'm doing fine
On cloud nine

Let me tell you 'bout cloud nine...

Cloud nine
You can be what you want to be
Cloud Nine
You ain't got no responsibility
Cloud Nine
And every man, every man is free
Cloud nine
You're a million miles from reality
Reality

 I wanna' stay up
  Higher
 Up up, Up and away

Cloud nine

I wanna' say I love the life I live,
And I'm going to
 live, the life I love
Or be on cloud nine...

 I'm ridin' high
On cloud nine

You're as free as a bird in flight
 Cloud nine
There's no difference between day and night
Cloud nine
It's a world of love and harmony
Cloud nine
You're a million miles from reality
Reality

I wanna' stay up
Higher
Up up, up and away

Cloud Nine
You can be what you want to be, ah
Cloud nine
You ain't got no responsibility
Cloud nine
Every man in his mind is free
Cloud nine
You're a million miles from reality
Cloud nine
You can be what you want to be

I'm sure almost all of my blog readers have not grown up in the conditions stated in this song. I myself grew up very poor, but we had great support from family and friends. Some of the people in the neighbor became crooks and drank too much, but never turned to Cloud Nine.

I hope you can find it in your heart to look for the causes that get people to turn to Cloud Nine, instead of just writing them off as losers.