Album: Takin' It To the Streets (1976)

Charted: 13

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• You don't know me but I'm your brother
  I was raised here in this living hell
  You don't know my kind in your world
  Fairly soon, the time will tell
  
  You, telling me the things
  You're gonna do for me
  I ain't blind and I don't like
  What I think I see
  
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for running
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Oh, na, na
  
  Take this message to my brother
  You will find him everywhere
  Wherever people live together
  Tied in poverty's despair
  
  Oh, you, telling me the things
  You're gonna do for me
  I ain't blind and I don't like
  What I think I see
  
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for running
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Oh yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it, takin' it
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for hiding
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Oh yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the)
  
  Oh, you, telling me the things
  You're gonna do for me, yeah, yeah
  I ain't blind and I don't like
  What I think I see
  
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for running
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Oh yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  We'll discuss it further
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Oh, na
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it, takin' it
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Yeah, yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it to the streets
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for running
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No more need for hiding
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Hey, yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  No, na
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Yeah, yeah
  (Takin' it to the streets)
  Takin' it, takin' it
  (Takin' it to the streets) Writer/s: Michael H McDonald
  Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

• Pdog from Long IslandI find it interesting that artists who write great songs are always so supportive of anti-establishment ideals, yet at the height of their fame and wealth, had no problem spending it on expensive drug habits, and lavish living. Then they preach to us regular people. I'm sure they do charitable work and benefit concerts, but you don't see many of these people giving up their own wealth. Even John Lennon was living in the Dakota when he was killed.
  
  Aside from my rant, I love the Doobies and so much music from this time period. But let's be honest, everyone wants security, which is wealth. And there's no rock stars or Hollywood actors who are giving that up. That goes for political figures as well.
• Joseph from Perth Western AustraliaMy fav band, played “Listen to the Music” and “Eyes of Silver” on guitar. Saw them in concert WACA Perth-Australia 21 January 1976. What a blast and loved it.
• Pamela from CtI think the lyrics mean he is taking the message to the street and not keeping it within the walls of his home. He going to say what is going on so who ever he reaches will know that he been there before and he wants to encourage other that they can go to the One, so stop running and hiding because He will meet you where you are.
• Kenny G from Down SouthErrbody needs to read Pat Davis' comment. You wanna find your common cause? Find Jesus coz Jesus has takin it to the streets.
• Becky62 from Ontario CanadaLove this song for what it stands for, all of us could reflect on these lyrics
• Dpg from PhillyFortunate people like you don't know unfortunate people like me or the challenges we face living in America's ghettos. But remember, all of us are really only one step away from misfortune. The past attempts you've made to remedy the problems have been either inadequate or unsuitable. (For example, bulldozing our neighborhoods to make way for expressways didn't help.) It's past time that all of us woke up to the fact that things won't change until we find common cause across our divisions and demand change so forcefully that the powers that be can no longer ignore us.
• Rccoop from Ashland, Oregon My 13 year old son is in charge of taking out the trash. Friday we take the trash cans and roll them to the curb for pick up. This song came to mind and I played it for him. Huge tears welled up in my eyes as I listened. My son like …”don’t cry”. I explained the meaning behind the lyrics. What a beautiful opportunity to remind my son and myself of the true meaning of life. Everyone deserves happiness, security, love. Let’s not just talk about it. Let’s do it, not tomorrow but today, right now.
• Karen Nyere from Carmel Valley, CaMike is a Ferguson, MO boy who cares deeply about racial injustice. It shows in this Civil Rights anthem.
• Pat Davis from Bailey CoThis song means so much to me. I see it differently because I choose to. In this world of disappointment with the empty promises of religion, for many reasons, I imagine Jesus as a liberator and the author of these lyrics. He takes the Words of God out of the church and He indeed, takes it to the street. No, We do not know His kind in this world. He was raised here in this living hell. This message must be taken to His brothers, and they are indeed, "everywhere."
  
  I hear the love of God speaking to a world that thirsts for the things of His world. God takes it to the streets in the Grace and voice of Jesus. I don't mean to sound sentimental but this is what I hear in this inspired lyric.
  Pat
• Phil from New JerseyWhat an utterly beautiful double entendres to start the first single off the first new album with a new singer. I agree with a lot of people that this has political overtones but that first line, while fitting with the theme, breaks the forth wall. ‘Hey man, I know we don’t know each other, but...but we do. My name’s Michael...now check out these smooth as ice pipes of mine.’
• Mike Asbury from Las VegasThis is a protest song about political unrest. Don’t like what you’re government is doing? “Takin it to the street”
• Gil from Dublin, GeorgiaI totally agree with Bruce-San Jose. I heard it today and was moved by the seemingly Spiritual emotion of the song. Micheal McDonald is a rare incredible talent.
• Bruce from San Jose, Calif.Just my own interpretation here, so please indulge me ...
  
  Ever since I first heard the song as a kid ( I was in jr high at the time the song was released), to me the lyrics seemed like the Lord (or one of His Angels visiting incognito to survey things here) coming back to earth and seeing the wretched mess that we humans have made of things here in mortality...
  
  "You don't know my kind in your world..." ( this world certainly isnt heaven)
  
  "I ain't blind and I don't like what I see..." (we humans try to justify our sins, but the Lord sees through our excuses)
  
  Sounds like the Lord/Angel has performed his inspection of the current sorry state of the world, seeing how the people have taken their sinning all full-blown and "takin' it to the streets" — and so NOW, the Lord is going to take his Gospel message out to the streets to remedy that, to save the wretched world...
  
  (Since this song came out after "Jesus is Just All Right with Me", it seemed that "Takin' it to the Streets" was an appropriate followup song to that...)
• William from Birmingham, AlSounds almost political to me, but I suppose anything could....very vague and up from the bottom everywhere kind of thing, and now we have to take it to the streets
• Jorge from Bronx, NyThis band rocks Live,sounding great,and Black Water was my only favorite,when they were together
• Robin from Rockville, MdThe original lead singer of the Doobies who fell ill was Tom JOHNSTON, not "Johnson."
• Jim from Long Beach, CaThis marked a shift in the doobie Bros music at the time a more R n B, soul feel, which was a great change..
• Charles from Charlotte, NcThe LP Taking it to the Streets is excellent. It marked a new sound for the Doobies with McDonald's R&B keyboard style and vocal stylings. Johnson and bass player Tyran Porter also contributed memorable cuts.

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