Chain Gang
Sam Cooke
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(Hooh aah) (hooh aah) I hear somethin' sayin' (Hooh aah) (hooh aah) (Hooh aah) (hooh aah) (Well, don't you know) That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang All day long they're singin' (Hooh aah) (hooh aah) (Hooh aah) (hooh aah) (Well, don't you know) That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang All day long they work so hard Till the sun is goin' down Working on the highways and byways And wearing, wearing a frown You hear them moanin' their lives away Then you hear somebody sa-ay That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang Can't ya hear them singin' Mm, I'm goin' home one of these days I'm goin' home see my woman Whom I love so dear But meanwhile I got to work right he-ere (Well, don't you know) That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang All day long they're singin', mm My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard Give me water, I'm thirsty My, my work is so hard Oh my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard
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11 facts about this song
Artist's Fame"Chain Gang" is a song by Sam Cooke, a highly influential figure in the history of soul music. He is often regarded as the "King of Soul" for his distinctive vocals and pioneering contributions to the genre.
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Song’s Release"Chain Gang" was released by Cooke in 1960 under RCA Victor label, making it one of the earlier songs in Cooke's prolific career.
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Chart PerformanceThe song achieved significant commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. It also cracked the Top 10 in the United Kingdom's Singles Chart.
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InspirationThe inspiration for "Chain Gang" came from a real-life incident. Sam Cooke once saw an actual chain gang while on tour, and their struggles made a deep impression on him, prompting him to pen the lyrics of the song.
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Genre and StyleThe song is stylistically rooted in R&B with elements of Soul and Pop, showcasing Cooke's signature smooth and emotive vocal style.
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Legacy"Chain Gang" has remained popular decades after its release, being covered by numerous artists and included in various movie soundtracks.
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SamplingA sample of Cooke's "Chain Gang" served as the base for the 1993 hit song "Freedom" performed by American hip hop duo Salt-N-Pepa, thus showing its influence on various music genres.
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Song MessageThe song, while catchy and upbeat in rhythm, carries a somber message about the hardships faced by prisoners forced to work in chain gangs.
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Backup VocalistsIn an interesting fact about the recording process, the background vocals and sound effects that mimic the sounds of a chain gang were provided by Cooke himself and his brother Charles Cooke.
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AchievementDespite having been penned by Cooke in over half an hour only, "Chain Gang" went on to become one of the singer's most successful singles and remains a recognizable and influential track in soul music.
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Song Persistence"Chain Gang" continues to be a staple on oldies radio and in streaming, illustrating the song's enduring popularity and influence.
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Citation
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"Chain Gang Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28654173/Sam+Cooke/Chain+Gang>.
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