“Tennessee” is a song by the song group Arrested development. It features some rap accompanied by the melodious vocalization by Dionne.
The lyrics purported to have had a deeper meaning, evidently showing Speech’s vulnerability. It was inspired by the loss of two loved ones, his brother from an asthma attack and his grandmother.
Fun Facts:
- “Tennessee” is a Hip Hop single produced by Speech and performed by Arrested Development on March 24, 1992.
- The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Charts and won a Grammy award in 1993.
- “Tennessee” was sampled from Prince’s “Alphabet St.” He waited for the song to perform well and then charged Arrested Development $100,000 for the sample.
- Prince is said to have demanded a single payment instead of suing for co-writer credit, meaning he would get lifetime royalties in the future.
- “Tennessee” was received well during its peak earning praise from popular names such as Larry Flick from Billboard and James Bernard from Entertainment Weekly.
- It was ranked #71 on the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll and #98 on the Top 100 Singles of the 90s.
- One of their successful projects earned the song honors on the coveted Billboards and Grammy Awards.
Lyrics
Lord, I’ve really been real stressed, down and out, losing ground
Although I am black and proud, problems got me pessimistic
Brothers and sisters keep messin’ up, why does it have to be so damn tuff?
I don’t know where I can go to let these ghosts out of my skull
My grandma past my brother’s gone, I never at once felt so alone
I know you’re supposed to be my steering wheel, not just my spare tire
(Home!) But Lord, I ask you
(Home!) to be my guiding force and truth
(Home!) For some strange reason it had to be
(Home!) he guided me to Tennessee
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Lord it’s obvious we got a relationship
Talkin’ to each other every night and day
Although you’re superior over me
We talk to each other in a friendship way
Then outta nowhere you tell me to break
Outta the country and into more country
Past Dyesburg and Ripley
Where the ghost of childhood haunts me
Walk the roads my forefathers walked
Climb the trees my forefathers hung from
Ask those trees for all their wisdom
They tell me my ears are so young (Home)
Go back, from whence you came (Home)
My family tree, my family name (Home)
For some strange reason it had to be (Home)
He guided me to Tennessee (Home)
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Now I see the importance of history
Why my people be in the mess that they be
Many journeys to freedom made in vain
By brothers on the corner playin’ ghetto games
I ask you, Lord why you enlightened me
Without the enlightenment of all my folks
He said, cuz I set myself on a quest for truth
And he was there to quench my thirst
But I am still thirsty
The Lord allowed me to drink some more
He said what I am searching for are
The answers to all which are in front of me
The ultimate truth started to get blurry
For some strange reason it had to be
It was all a dream about Tennessee
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Take me to another place, take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan
Oh, won’t you let me, won’t you help me
won’t you help me understand your plan
Take me home, take me home, home, take me to another place
Take me home, take me home, home, take me to another place
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