Posted on 04/27/2015 12:30:23 PM PDT by bd476
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
Till there are no rich no more
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
The 1971 hit "I Want to Change the World" was written and sung by Alvin Lee of the British blues rock group Ten Years After.
The group had already received worldwide notice in 1969 at Woodstock, in part due to Alvin Lee's amazing guitar performance which quickly earned him acclaim as the world's fastest guitarist.
* Listen: August 17, 1969 Alvin Lee & Ten Years After at Woodstock performing "I'm Going Home"
In 1971, Ten Years After switched record labels and their first album for Columbia Records "A Space in Time" as well as the single "I Want to Change the World" both became chart-topping hits.
The album hit #17 on Billboard's Top 200 in 1971. The single hit #40 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #28 on Top 100 Singles of U.S. Cash Box.
The link to the video above has the lyrics playing with no photos. The video I've linked below includes video of Alvin Lee and Ten Years After playing live in concert. The promotional video was released around the same time Columbia Records had released the album.
*Look and listen: I'd Love to Change the World
One would almost have to have been there and not suffered much hearing loss since then, in order to appreciate the following. It is strictly for Fans of Alvin Lee and Audiophiles Only. Time to slide up the potentiometer. Sweet!
*For Fans of Alvin Lee and Audiophiles Only: Quadrophonic Mix: Ten Years After "I'd Love To Change The World"
Alvin Lee, born Graham Anthony Barnes was born December 19, 1944 in Nottingham, England. He was 68 when he died after routine surgery on March 6, 2013 in Marbella, Spain:
On March 6, 2013, Alvin Lee passed away from unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure for atrial arrhythmia. He is survived by his wife Evi, daughter Jasmin, former partner Suzanne (Jasmin's mother), sisters Irma and Janice and scores of fans around the world. Although he has left us, his music will live on. Official site: Alvin Lee
Rest in peace Alvin.
Just heard this song today. Wondered why no one had posted before.
Alvin Lee is gone? Damnit!
One of my favorite AL songs...
Play It Like It Used To Be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72KOETP0ao
I’m going home.
It’s bluesy rock and roll at its finest.
I Hear You Knockin’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaPx2TYhjt0
Great guitarist, great song, great band. Saw them in person early ‘70’s, ten feet from the stage. I didn’t know he passed away.
Always did dig this song, but it is a socialist anthem. Helped lay the groundwork in lots of LSD addled brains for the liberal mayhem we are enduring today.
Just heard this song today. Wondered why no one had posted before
You may need to get out more.
Here’s another that you may have not heard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD14kdgQEe8
Ray Davies 20th Century Man
For a 24 year old from Nottingham, England, it had to be pretty heady stuff performing at Woodstock, effortlessly playing his lightning fast guitar runs, which guitarists many years later still attempt, referring to it as shredding. Alvin Lee continued playing until the end, continuing to achieve success as a solo artist and then again with Ten Years After.
Here are a few of the tributes I found:
BBC March 6, 2013: Alvin Lee, rock guitarist in the band Ten Years After, dies at 68
New York Times, by William Yardley, March 6, 2013: Alvin Lee, British Blues-Rock Guitarist, Dies at 68
Billboard Magazine, by Marc Schneider March 6, 2013: Alvin Lee of Ten Years After Dead at 68
CBS March 6, 2013: Guitarist Alvin Lee of Ten Years After dies at 68
Stereoboard March 6, 2013 by Jon Stickler: Ten Years After Singer And Guitarist Alvin Lee Dies Aged 68
Associated Press March 6, 2013: Alvin Lee Dead: Guitarist For Ten Years After, Dies At Age 68
Dangerousminds March 6, 2013: Alvin Lee of Ten Years After, R.I.P.
Thanks for the link, ETL!
That was one of my favorite TYA songs. I didn’t know that Alvin Lee had died. RIP to a great musician!
Lucky you to have seen them live. Fellow musicians,
his friends and his family all spoke highly of him,
saying he was a good guy to everyone and fun to be
around.
There were a boat load of singer, song writers from the 1960’s and 70’s that had a very sound Christian upbringing.
They seemed to understand the cultural challenges facing our country and wrote lyrics that could be interpreted either way.
Another one to have seen him in person, lucky you! His kind of talent was
the stuff of legends. He had only been playing guitar two years when he
started his first band so it’s likely he was born with the gift.
Alvin Lee made the guitar his own.
Agree. It's a beautiful song. Minor key, haunting melodies were popular during that time, yet that song has held its own in the decades since its first release, both in the original form and in covers from other artists.
In the early 70’s I shared a ‘sacrament’ with Alvin Lee during a “10 years after” concert at a SUNY basketball arena. It was between sets as he was in the mens room with like 7-8 groupies (the thought of his female entourage still brings tears to my eyes) . The guy was cool to all the strangers waiting to use the can and he was quite fried. But his guitar work was impeccable that night. GOIN HOME. SEE MY BABY.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.