Songs That Changed the World--The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: "Think" by Aretha Franklin

Many people think this is just a relationship song but you have to understand it came out in the heat of the struggle for civil rights for African-Americans and that is the context in which the lyrics must be taken.  The message is that every human being deserves the freedom to live their life out in the way that they see fit, as long as it isn't to the detriment of others.  And we should never keep someone down but rather lift them up.


"You better think...think about what you're tryin' to do to me."

"Think"

by Aretha Franklin

Songwriters:  Lyrics:  Ronald Isley, Curtis Mayfield, Music by Curtis Mayfield



Think (think) think (think) think (think)
think (think) think (think) think (think)


You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free


Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on back when
I didn't even know you, you came to me and too much you wouldn't take
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degree
It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me


You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free


Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom


There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, to keep doing things I don't


You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free


People walking around everyday, playing games that they can score
And I ain't gonna be the loser my way, ah, be careful you don't lose yours


You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free


You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without eachother there ain't nothing people can do


Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom


There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you're doing things I don't


You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free


You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without eachother there ain't nothing people can do


(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)


(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)


(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)


(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)


You had better stop and think before you think, think!!