Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video song and dance performance of Sounds Of Blackness' songs "Chains" and "Be Optimistic.
Information about Sounds of Blackness is included in this post along with these songs' lyrics and selected comments from this video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of these songs and thanks to Sounds Of Blackness for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this song file on YouTube.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/sounds-of-blackness-chains-hold-on.html for a 2013 pancocojams post that showcases Sounds Of Blackness' song "Chains" and "Hold On Change Is Coming".
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INFORMATION ABOUT SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_of_Blackness
Sounds of Blackness is a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz.[2] The group scored several hits on the Billboard R&B chart and Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the 1990s. Cynthia Johnson of Lipps Inc. fame and Grammy winner Ann Nesby are the group's most prominent alumni.
[...]
Origins
The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.
The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally."...
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS SONG "OPTIMISTIC"
https://genius.com/Sounds-of-blackness-optimistic-lyrics
posted by Souldier77, 2016
"“Optimistic” was the debut single of inspirational choir Sounds Of Blackness and the first release from Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' Perspective label imprint through A&M Records.
The uptempo song features lead vocals traded-off between five members of the choir, most notably Ann Nesby who would take the lead on most of the groups singles for the next 5 years before leaving to embark on a solo career.
“Optimistic” reached #3 on the R&B charts in 1991 and has kept a quiet and infrequent relevance since. In early 2017, favorite son Chance the Rapper brought the song back to the forefront with his social media-driven #Optimistic Challenge in the wake of widely-felt post-election blues. Chance spurred people to encourage themselves by doing choreographed dances to this 25+ year old Sounds of Blackness hit."
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Sounds Of Blackness - Chains*
SoundsBlacknessVEVO, Published on Oct 4, 2009
Music video by Sounds Of Blackness performing Chains. (C) 1991 A&M Records
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"Chains" is either a separate song or the introduction to "Optimistic". song.
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LYRICS: OPTIMISTIC
(Sounds Of Blackness)
Chains, chains, chains
Why were my people brought in chains.
Chains, chains, chains
Why were my people sold as
slaves, slaves, slaves.
God won't you free from these
Chains, chains, chains.
Keep, keep On.... Never Say Die....
When in the midst of sorrow
You can't see up when looking down
A brighter day tomorrow will bring
You hear the voice of reason
Telling you this cannot weigh me down *
No matter how hard reality seems
Just hold on to your dreams
Don't give up and don't give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
Be optimistic
If things around you crumble
No, you don't have to stumble and fall
Keep pushing on and don't you look back
I know the storms and strife
Cloud up your outlook on life
Just think ahead and you'll be inspired
To reach higher and higher
You'll always do your best
If you learn to never say never
You maybe down, but you're not out
Don't give up and don't give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky (you can win child!)
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
Be optimistic
Don't you let no body stop you.....
Be optimistic
You can win, Yes
Never say die....
Online Source: https://genius.com/Sounds-of-blackness-optimistic-lyrics
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The words to "Chains" aren't included on that page.
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are given in chronological order by year with the oldest dated videos given first, except for replies. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. Yn 157
"This song isn't called "Chains" It's called Optimistic. XD"
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REPLY
2. alfreida80, 2011
"Vevo, how can you label this groups most popular song incorrectly? This video should have over 1 million views, but because you labeled it wrong, people can't find it."
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REPLY
3. India Holloway, 2011
"Actually, the beginning is called chains and then the rest of the song is Optimistic. On the CD, Chains is the intro and then it goes right into Optimistic like it does in the video...lol ^_^"
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4. Lettie Bettie
"This song is helping me right now. The struggle only makes me stronger. There is higher power controlling the universe. NOT MAN!! Praise GOD!!!"
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REPLY
5. skankman2006
"i luv dis straight from NW London"
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6. oleold
"This Song is one of those songs that can get you through a tough day and very spiritual with God everything is possible."
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2011
7. ladycat629
"This song is DEEP.....love the vocal arrangements"
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2012
8. escribe96
"It is two songs in one. The first part is called, CHAINS. It's the prelude to Optimistic on the ALBUM. It only lasts less than 1 minute, so, they were combined in this video. Most uploaded videos only show Optimistic. If you want CHAINS you have to view this video. It IS called Chains, just Optimistic is right after it!"
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9. blakgod
"bring back memories when the ol' folks would tell me black is beautiful.............
it still is we just don't hear enough nowadays"
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10. visionprods1
"The group Mary Mary have been credited with coming up with the biggest " urban gospel " hit with " shackles " but this hit song came way before and to my knowledge was a favourites in many clubs playlist at the time. Good times!!"
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2013
11. Lloyd Green
"BET used to play this every day, makes you wonder what ever happened to uplifting, encouraging music?"
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REPLY
12. Feelin Nice
"EXACTLY!!! When I do turn to BET I either see some reality show, bad movies or videos that make me cringe with the language and image being promoted. I'm sure there are some good things on BET, but I don't have the time nor energy to search them out."
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13. Corey Arnold
"It doesn't get any more uplifting than this. Well put together song, gotta love music with a message."
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14. Marvin Lewis
"In spite of all the hell we as a Black people have been through in America -- we are still such a beautiful people. I wish so many more of us would realize it and stop acting out all the negativity that has been instilled in us through our experience."
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15. Anne Hamilton
"The Optimistic.......The Amazing, Ms. Ann Nesby!!!!"
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16. da-rail smith
"The lady with the pink blazer who lead second on the first verse is Ann Nesby daughter and she is Paris Bennett mother who starred on American Idol years ago...."
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2014
17. Lovinia Williams
"For some reason their sound reminds me of The New Jersey Mass Choir. Maybe it's because they were from the same era. I got saved in the early 80's. Is this group hip hop or are they gospel? Not quite sure."
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REPLY
18. VW DT
"Uptempo Gospel. Like Bebe and Cece on "Addictive Love"."
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19. youtubeabuser
"My mom would play this song and "Keep On Moving" by Soul 2 Soul all the time when I was growing up. My childhood was rife with positive black images and cultural expression. She kept me grounded to be an upstanding black man so not to fall victim to the stereotypes that the prevailing society promotes of us. This song reminds me of her lessons. I salute her in this song. She's alive and well and I pray that God keeps her healthy and elevated in her consciousness and pride."
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20. Natural Woman 73
"I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sounds of blackness. They are one of the best comtemprary gospel group ever. Very positive song."
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21. Letrice Allia
"Yes! Such an inspiring song. And they all have amazing voices. Can we please just go back to the early 90s music 😩"
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2015
22. MrBrightWave
"I needed to hear this today."
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23. Joyce McCallum
"Celebrating Black History Month-Sounds Of Blackness. (Based out of St. Paul Minnesota, this choir sings practically every genres of music. From jazz and R&B to my favorite, gospel-spirituals. They are awesome you guys.) I know you know this song. Makes me want to dance."
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2016
24. Fezile Phungwayo
"OH JEHOVA THIXO LE NGOMA , NGEKE NKOSI !!! beautiful melody."
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Google translation from Swahili to English: "God's best, Not God"
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"Not God" might mean that this commenter thinks that this isn't a Gospel song.
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2017
25. Rhonda Ryder
"i say it over and over 90s was the best music in any genre gospel, r&b, pop, metal, alternative, darkwave. Certainly didnt appreciate it like i do now"
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26. 303Miles
"This song is dope! I almost forgot about this group. #staybased"
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"Dope" = African American Vernacular English word meaning "very good".
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27. Jay Nneki
"bring back old school songs this right here is music to the soul"
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28. Keisha S.
"I still love this song and takes me back to Highschool! #Classof93"
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29. ISAAC WILLIAMS
"Another stellar Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis production."
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