Machine ~ There But For The Grace Of God Go I 1979 Disco Purrfection Version
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ย. 2024
- LYRICS:
Carlos and Carmen Vidal just had a child
A lovely girl with a crooked smile
Now they gotta split 'cause the Bronx ain't fit
For a kid to grow up in
Let's find a place they say, somewhere far away
With no blacks, no Jews and no gays
There but for the grace of God go I
Poppy and the family left the dirty streets
To find a quiet place overseas
And year after year the kid has to hear
The do's, the don'ts and the dears
And when she's ten years old she digs that Rock 'n' Roll
But Poppy bans it from home
There but for the grace of God go I
Baby, she turns out to be a natural freak
Gaining weight and losing sleep
And when she's sweet sixteen, she packs her things and leaves
With a man she met on the street
Carmen starts to bawl, bangs her head to the wall
Too much love is worse than none at all
There but for the grace of God go I
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The hard hitting lyrics of "There But For The Grace Of God Go I" blast the message which is as relevant today as it was then. This is the second best apocalyptic disco song of all time on my list as the #1 is Cerrone's "Supernature" from 1977. Where Cerrone told a dismal sci-fi tale of a laboratory created mutant race whose "super" nature allowed them to dominate mankind and wipe them out, Machine attacked something more insidious and monstrous; prejudice. That is a social disease when one makes an arbitrary decision to judge and/or ostracize someone because of race, gender or belief. In Dion's "Abraham, Martin & John" single from 1968, the narrator asks children a question, "What is prejudice?" and one child answers "I think it's when somebody's sick."
The lyrics here tell the story of a married Bronx couple who have a child and because of their prejudices want to move some where far away "with no blacks, no Jews and no gays." Yes, they gave her a nice place blah blah...but you but it sounds like they killed her soul by isolating and demeaning her. In the end mom chose to ignore her part in all this and says "too much love is worse than none at all", but the true reality is the exact opposite of that statement, no love at all is worse than too much love. The "She turns out to be a natural freak" lyric is not used in a comical or sexy way and it gives the song street cred.
The song paraphrases a Bible quote, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10, "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am...". It is a statement of humility, a recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing of the Divine, or for one's luck. Our fate is not entirely in our own hands. But when the protagonist adds "Go I" she is actually elevating herself in the eyes of God.
A bit of history about the birth of this song, it was written by August Darnell and Kevin Nance. August Darnell was born August 12, 1950 in the Bronx. Darnell was in Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band whose "Cherchez La Femme" was a big hit. His incisive lyrics were softened by the beauty of the music. He formed Machine with a keyboard player named Kevin Nance who was fresh off writing songs and doing keyboards for Golden Earring's 1978 LP, "Grab It For A Second". That rock and roll sound experience was brought to "There But For" in a way no one could have imagined.
When you added the fiery vocal talents of Claire Bathé, who can wail with alienation and anger. Its a real diva moment, her fighting to get out in front of the dystopian sounding futuristic disco, but she grounds the music with her soulful and expressive singing. I can't say enough good things about her, a second song called "Mr Destiny" on the same album is a 50's type shuffle (Think Mariah Carey's "Vision Of Love") with a harder edge. Claire sings it like she is in a reverie and it still intoxicates me. Its the perfect compliment to "There But For" to listen to after to come down from the frenzied apocalyptic energy. Here is the link to Mr Destiny • Machine - Mr. Destiny Claire did have a hand in arranging the vocals for the #1 disco song "You're Too Late by Fantasy in early 1981.
After Machine, the only other apocalyptic tune I remember was Yazoo (Yaz) "Situation" from 1982 which shares the same aggressive synths.
![PURPEECH - นี่ฉันเองคนที่... (It's me) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NuhHd0hOOg8/mqdefault.jpg)
Manhattan was dark and foreboding but we felt free, running wild in the streets.
Xddx azxxfcxßxdxxxzzzzxzz
And nothing touched us either 🤣😂🤣
Now it’s a commercialized shithole
Indeed I felt that way walking streets of Philly as a teen when I loved this track. I'm 57 now and still it sounds fantastic 💖
Lol 😆 🤣 😂 😹
“ too much love is worse than none at all “,,, classic lyrics
So true too.
One of my fave disco tunes. Love how bleak and unrelenting the message is despite having such a tight groove. Machine really deserved to be more popular
This is the only song that when played at the clubs you actually feel the dance floor move.
Facts!!!
On a history quiz in high school, 1980s: Who first said “There But for the grace of God Go I,” and I wrote Machine! Can’t beat my NYC education
This song was it for me. I was 18 years old. Gay black and proud. Graduated from high school. Put that all behind me quick. I had to get to were I am now 59 years young. Wow. All my friends died. I have never truly fell in love yet. Accomplished lots of goals and dreams and realities. I’m still that beautiful nice 18 years old self. Looking forward to creating future dreams come true. Hope to finally meet my soul mate.
You are a true survivor my friend! a toast to you!
Hya buddy, there's someone in the world for all of us. It took me many many years to find my life partner. We've been together 23 years this year and I'm 65 in May 2023, so don't despaired, your life partner is out there waiting for you.
I hope that one day you'll meet up and have many years together too.
Loadsa Love & Big Hugs, Clive, Sherwood Forest UK. XX
😢
I’m there with you!❤
This song will live for ever, I have this on spotify and prime music someone say amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen!
One of the best sounding dance songs of the disco era!!!! And what a message. This song may not have made it high on the charts but was sure played at every underground party, family party and clubs back in 1979, Thanks for posting. One more thing, for those of you who do not enjoy dance music or know how to dance, disco sucked, disco was dead and anything else you could possibly say to put down disco music, but still loving this music and sharing it with everybody!!!!
So well said..Teach on Ole Skooler....😊
Always loved this song, the lyrics though wait til Libby USA finds it. Adios amazing dance traxx
Loved this when I was 11, still makes me dance in my 50s!
Quite an earworm with the beat, and the lyrics that still hold true today, it makes an impact, where this disco classic is played, and heard to this very day.
Where there's No Blacks No Jews & No Gays.. Wow👏👏🎶🎵
This is my jam ♥️ I could keep this on repeat for forever!
WOW! Machine! damn! I remember this one, The message is deep
To THIS DAY this song is my favorite of the era- it’s my ringtone🤌🏼🤣
Epic treatment for an epic song. How true these lyrics ring.
One of the first memorable disco tracks I picked up
Loved it💕
Wow…..1979. The year I graduated from high school. Just turned 63 years young last month. Whoa. Life is wonderfully amazing!! I would like to live to be 130 years old.
I loved this song growing up, and it still gets me excited.. It was played at some of the coolest parties and clubs. Hot cars, money, some of the best coke and sophisticated ladies and gents bringing it on.
Some of the best coke...😂
Well I never did imbibe thankfully and was just a lil too young to drive but we were all dancing to this nonetheless and CRAZZZZY over it !!! My twin sis and I would sing it walkin home From local NY system hotdogs n french fries joint after she played it on their great little jukeboxes ( the cute lil ones on each table,you could play yr own* private* music 😁😁)
This was her favorite ( in fact I JUST NOW SENT IT TO HER👍😃📀🎵📻🎶via text.My fave was
And still is. STARLOVE BY CHERYL LYNN. ✨🌛🌟😃OHHHH whatta jam✨
We both had tons if records and albums including the great K-TeL and RoncO ones w all the mixed bands on em🎵 But had to play em in our lil place there I mentioned above after we left our first jobs for the day Ez fun city jobs 🥰🥰We felt pretty rich,w that and our allowance , treating our littler sibs and getting a load of coldcuts and Italian bread soda + pettl treats 4 our beloved pets on the way home‼️ Yah this song obviously olds a LOT of great memories 😁🌜🎶📻🎵💕✨📻🌟🌛i
Yah . . . One love!
Great, great, and I mean GREAT choice! Love this song!
One of Discos finest moments! Nice version!
I remember dancing in studio 54 to this
Used to hear this at least once a week in LA radio's Power 106 back in the 90s, of all stations. Great memories.
I'm from L.A... 👍 yup 💯
Great song came out when disco was on its last legs...
Pure Disco!!!!! Sensacional!!!!!
Takes me back to the Paradise Garage when they performed & turned it out !!! Sounds as good today as it did when it first came out ….
Classic!
One of my go to songs...I have it on vinyl & still sounds Great...Loving Every Beat of it...Keep Up the Great Work...Shout Out from DJNLV...The Galaxy Crew...Coney Island...Brooklyn...
N.Y.
Peace Out...,,,!!!
This is pure GOLD. I'm so glad I found you and your compilations. You saved me during Corona Virus lockdown!!
I didn't find this song it found me again!!🥳
Aw man. Memories👍
Thanks for saving these disco classics.
This older music video’s of the 60’s and 70’s was a great time to me
Wow, wow, wow 🤯
The lyrics, the voice effects, the synth.
This sure gives a pump of energy.
I absolutely love the part where she starts screaming at 2:39 , “Gooo Goooo I! There but for the grace, there but for the grace Theeere theeere theeere” and then a gut-blower synth.
I just can’t stop playing this.
WOOOOOOOOOOO YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! I LIVE!!!!! a total summertime disco classic for sure! Bravo!!
TrySTAR 🌟 love by Cheryl Lynn now if ya wanna go cRAzy 😁🌜🎵📻🎶🌛✨🌟over another great jam 😃👍 agree 💯% w yr comment In fact I just sent this song to my twin.On summer days in 79 we walked home SINGIN this and STARLOVE etc after hearing em in jukebox in lil food place ( still there n still hugely POPULAR too) then play em again at home in our Records or KTeL or RoncO albums + *mixed *albums remember em?! They were Great ‼️As is this🎵 song✨ ✨ 👍😃🎶📻🎵✨
KILLER SONG!!!!
Thanks for posting and sharing that information ...I loved this track as soon as I heard it and I was 15 years old. Still SO relevant...like so many songs are. This is easily on my top 10 Disco tracks....and Disco still rules ♥️ my next love was Post Punk of the early 80s ♥️💯👍🏻👍🏾💖🎶
Probably one of a handful of songs of the past 50 or 60 years with the most devastating lyrics set ironically to a fantastic, driving dance beat.
Saludos de la colonia san José insurgentes Sur México,D.F.
One of the BEST disco songs ever Cat!! Words though were a bit controversial but the beat!!! I WANNA DANCE FLOOR RIGHT NOW!!!!😀😀😀😀♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Classic!!!!!!
The words were tongue in cheek and were meant ironically. The times were a changing and the song addresses the views of the parents vs. the kids. While the “no blacks, no Jews and no gays” lyric was controversial and stirred the pot, they were meant to represent the older generation’s way of seeing things. The message of the song is actually one of enlightenment. They moved away to a place far away, a place where it was safe to raise a lovely girl with a crooked smile. When she comes of age, she leaves home with a man her parents feel represents all the “evil” they tried so hard to protect her from but ironically, she leaves because she’s getting more love from him than from her parents.
That's why they are still interesting
It was a different time.
“Wow, I remember this song from the clubs, those were the days... and the Music was really good Dance Music!!! (No Twerking)👌🏼😃👍🏼❤️
What a song good memories most of my boys wore was Italian.they are cool people buetfull women wild and crazy man also but good people 1980s❤🇺🇲
August 12. 1976! My birthday. “There but for the grace of god!”
I absolutely LOVE THIS SONG AND ITS MESSAGE. I used to argue with people; some were convinced the lyrics supported racism. Not true at all! This is the anti-racism song of the 70’s and disco era!
Relevant now as it was in the '70s.
I was wandering when you were going to rivisit this
Damn, I used to listen to this song in the Bronx..😂
Love it
Disco and Donna Summer rules. I wonder 10, 15, 20, 30 or even 5 years from now were I’ll be hmmm 🤨 🧐 🤔 😏🙂
I just created an account to follow you. Thank you for your most excellent mixes. AND THANK YOU FOR THE BACK STORIES TO THESE GEMS!
The absolute Best!
this side is not racist. It just brings out the point that there are still a lot of racism in our country!
Shared it 6 times before the first minute,Amen***** .
thank you!
Love this song!!! It my time machine!! 😎
This song is the year I came out n was so judge n bothered by the kids in the Bronx area of 1270 Morris Ave well anyway I handle it but this was a great Disco song with race n nobody I know mentioned it this is powerful lyrics but hey its Disco mostly everyone was enjoying their nose candy when they wrote this
NYC Paradise Garage
the cat strikes again .. this time knocked out
Hard lyrics indeed, sadly 40 years after still an issue
Música linda demais 💃❤🕺
Thank you again for your channel DJDiscoCat!
SONG WHEN HARD BACK IN THE DAY AT THE CLUB N I HEARD IT STILL KICKING ASS ✊🏼👊🏼💥
Who has 2 thumbs and listening to this in 2021....this guy
Whoa, Forgot this Gem...Paradise Garage staple....
Best Musical era
Summer of Sam.... Yeah!
❤💃💃❤👏👏⚘
Thank you🦋❤😊🍀
So GOOD :)
YEEES!
AMEN-A MEN
Classic
Not poitically correct, but I love it. The 70s were wild.
I can't believe I've never heard this before. Thanks for posting!
Incidentally, in your narrative, you state that "In Dion's "Abraham, Martin & John" single from 1968, the narrator asks children a question, "What is prejudice?" and one child answers "I think it's when somebody's sick." This was actually from Tom Clay's version of "What the World Needs Now is Love", not the Dion song.
These lyrics would never be allowed in 2021 !!!! I am surprised that the Thought Police have not pulled this from TH-cam.
WHY....?
DAY song💣💣💣
.... The song Just Begun, had an incredible violin opening; the first time I heard it, in the Fun House...........This song has a piano opening, but I dont hear the violen opening; on the Just Begun recordings.................Anyway, this song captured all kinds of tensions, dramas, and confusion; that spilled over from WWII, into the NYC street, home, and club life of the 1970s........Yet the racism, antisemitism, and homo phobia; goes back from and in, New Testament Christianity......One just needs to think a little........................
Un vrai de vrai hit disco
Gotta tell ya I grew up 1970 and 1980's loving this song. Being Gay and Jewish and many black friends in BKLYN we overlooked the good vibe song.. That would not swing today, gays / blacks are what made this song popular. So this artists should instead badgering her fans she should be be grateful. ALLAH
DJDiscoCatV2 damn good. thx
💃💃🕺
Great piano intro, then synth frenzy and ecstasy. Danceable beat. Lyrics were a big no-no even back in 79. But a great disco memory. Sexy ultra classic. Thanks, Machine, and crew and RCA. Vive les disco freaks ...
Juicy bass line
GTA 4 haha
Love love ❤️ but I want a place w black ,jews and gays. Memories of dancing 💃🏽 @ the disco.
❤️🕺💃
ahh..1979 disco
nice
August Darnell went to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
❤️
You must stand up for your wisdom.,,.
What's going to the clubs at 15 years old
wow just wow, I honestly thought I misread the title but glad I didn’t 🤷♂️?!
✨⭐✨💞💖💞💖💞💖💞💖💞✨⭐✨
:-)
Still searching for the original, uncensored version.
Wow you. Know. My cousin who was a DJ
would you happen to have lyrics to I.R.T. - Watch The Closing Doors
💋💋💋💋💘💘💘🚦🚦🚦
my mom played this and me and my little brother were like "what in the hell did she say????" but he explained the message
tasty
It reminds me of Lime!
Unfortunately.. No Blacks No Disco.. lol.. Blacks created the genre.. Lol..
You’re 100% right. But if you read the description, it explains the context of the lyrics.
Mesmering music with strange lyrics.
Let's find a place they say, somewhere far away
With no blacks, no jews and no gays ??? Wow
Paradise Garage!!!!!!