Awesome! Original is done by Syl Johnson. More of a bluesy soul tune. Ken Boothe also does a great cover of the song as well. Dosen't stay to far from Nicky's cover.
I saw him live, went to a show in Crystal Palace UK with my parents, I was very young yet that man made a huge impact on me, I had never seen anyone so different in his way of performing, the honesty in his voice and lyrics gave good food for reflection.
Have discovered him today, August 13th Friday, 2021 while listening to some African-Fusion Artists. #BlackFriday just formed new meaning to Me henceforth
You could also say that reggae music is joyful, rhythmic, philosophical and creates a atmosphere for couples to dance expressively like no other music before or since.
You would no doubt also enjoy it played on 100watts bass speakers boxes with tweeter, 2am at a Sat night reggae party!! Now that was the "Boom!!" 😊👥💕👫🏿💕🎶😍
What a moving track, really feelin this as was the man himself was expressing so much here. Love to all you people as a white man here, leaving you a great quote from our brother Justin Hinds “no matter what colour creed or race, one love, one heart, one destiny” who also is sadly no longer with us. Rest in peace.🙏🏼
Sheer pain and raw emotion of the performer shook me to my core. This was back in 1973. I can't believe we still see this going on. Ken Boothe also performed this with much emotion spilling out of him.
I bought this track on 7'' in a charity shop in Leicester in 1993. Great to hear this version - that band is tighter than a camel's arse in a sandstorm.
I have never seen this artist before but have heard this song from different reggae artists over the years. After seeing and hearing this, I’m loving it. Really miss how artists used to show their passion while singing their hearts out. Eracism.
One of my favourite reggae performers! Tell it like it is, Love of the common people, and God bless the children. Just a couple of his great songs! I would love to hear him sing Derrick Harriet's Message from a Blackman.
well done UTubue! I feel guilty sometimes that I dont have to pay for this service that brings me culture and stuff that I didnt know existed. This is new to me, never heard of the guy, but utube made it free and available!! and I really like it!!
Only 233 views. It's a crime. I saw this performance on BBC4 the other night and was mesmerised. It fills me with joy/melancholy/fascination simultaneously. The lyrics, the emotion, his voice, the suit, the shoes: everything is perfect. The more I find out about him, the more I want to know but there's so little online. It took me back to the reggae club above the Playhouse in Edinburgh a long time ago which I used to sneak into from the Nite Club downstairs. Old school reggae is just the best.
What a performance this is such a powerful song, I’m really feeling the anguish. So sorry you didn’t fulfil your needs in this life. You really moved me. RIP
To all my African diaspora brothers & sisters, may the love of God almighty always be with you. He has kept us alive all these centuries despite the hatred they have for us.
understand this my beautiful black brothers and sisters.. in order to hold you back one have to be behind you and in order to pull you down one have to be beneath you....simple.. stay proud and keep rising. one black love......
Nicky Thomas was a legend, I just wish I could have seen him live!! ''is it because I am black'' my favourite track, no one tops it better than Nicky. I would also like to pay my respects to Judge Dread who I knew when I was a youngster, was a really nice guy!
Such a powerful song and performance because he is really asking for honesty. He's asking them to stop making excuses and tell me so I can know what to do next!!
We were lucky enough to see Nicky Thomas perform in May 1973, he was AMAZING!! So much so, that in the August we named our first child Nicky after him. Love Of The Common People ranks as one of my all time fav albums.
I and my father are totally amazed after seeing this masterpiece. Such a Great singer of common people .Very sad and surprising the way he commited suicide should not have done that such a cheerful and funny person he was. LOVE FOR HIM EVER.
É Porque Eu Sou Preto? Os tons de marrom escuro da minha pele só adicionam cor às minhas lágrimas Esse respingo contra meus ossos ocos, que balança a minha alma Olhando para trás sobre meus sonhos passados que eu já conheci Perguntando por que meus sonhos nunca se tornaram realidade Alguém, diga-me, o que posso fazer? Algo está me segurando de volta É porque eu sou preto? Neste mundo de nenhuma piedade eu fui levantado no gueto da cidade Mamãe ela trabalhou tanto para ganhar cada centavo Algo está me reprimindo É porque eu sou preto? É porque eu sou preto? Algo está me reprimindo É porque eu sou preto? Diga-me, é por causa da minha cor? Algo está me segurando de volta Como uma criança acariciando seu primeiro pedaço de doce Isso custa Mesmo em meu canto em algum lugar eu me perdi Algo está me segurando É porque eu sou preto? (Eu quero saber, eu quero saber) Algo está me segurando É porque eu sou preto? (Diga-me, você não consegue ver?) Alguém, por favor, diga-me É porque eu sou preto? (É por causa da minha cor?)
Scotland 1973 had a lot of Reggae lovers judging by this clip, a very underground music movement at the time & not the world wide culture it is today. I guess the Scottish people had felt the downpressing system in their own life and could relate regardless of colour & nationality. I don't know,I'm a 47 year old man born in North-Norway . Cool video Stay safe and keep faith 🕯 Best wishes Arvid Nilsen Bodø-Norway
Nicky respect to you and this song ,The awnser is mos def yes and will always be yes,because the chains that held us back years ago will never break,,we will always be chained to slave city me friend , you can only be free in your mind,,,great song,,,,, great artist,one love
Unlikely. Marley, Public Enemy, NWA, the Clash and many others Made records just as forthright and rebellious as this and we are never short of publicity. Sadly, Nicky has been deceased since 1990, having taken his own life.
Interesting reggae take on this classic civil rights soul anthem by Syl Johnson. But you cannot beat the backing band - the Pieces Of Peace. "Is It Because I'm Black" was reportedly the first instrumental Syl Johnson put the band to work on when they left Brunswick records and came to Twinight
