Story Behind The Song
"Taxi To Tonganoxie", is the only CD of Chet Nichols' music that features full back-up bands in the studio.
The material on this CD was recorded, engineered and co-produced by Stephen Barncard in two different studios back in the early and mid 1970's.
The songs, "Paper Burns" and "You Were They And They Were You" were recorded at Wally Heider's studio in San Francisco. The other tunes were recorded at Stephen Barncard's home in the hills above Beverly Glen in Los Angeles.
The back-up band at the Beverly Glen location consisted of a fabulous group of artists: Laura Allan (Laura Allen)- vocals, Fuzzy Oxendine - drums (Sons, Grape, Jerry Miller Band, etc), Wayne Goodwyn on Fiddle, lap steel (Emmylou), Ricky Wallace, Estrella Berosini - vocals and Billy Berosini - bass (Jackson Browne, Brewer & Shipley). Chet played acoustic guitar, dulcimer,electric guitar and piano. Even Stephen got in on the act and made an appearance playing bass!
The Heider sessions consisted of Buddy Cage - pedal steel guitar (New Riders of The Purple Sage), Pete Sears - bass (New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Jefferson Starship) and Spenser Dryden - drums (The Airplane, The New Riders Of The Purple Sage).
Even though this collection of tunes is almost 35 years old, people are still discovering it, enjoying it and sharing it.
Song Description
An interesting song about human rights and the way we treat each other... Produced in 1976, it is a good example of the social protest songs being produced. I really wish I had the original session tapes so I could re-mix the track a bit.
| Song Length |
2:47 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Country - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Subject |
Justice |
Similar Artists |
The Band, Neil Young |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1970 - 1979 |
Lyrics
"If You Were They and They Were You"
Lyrics and Music by Chet Nichols
Copyright 1974/2014 by Chet Nichols (ASCAP) & Magic Garage Music (ASCAP)
http://www.chetnicholsmusic.com
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Verse 1.
The red man fought, the white man shot him down
The talk of gold was ringing thru the town
The red man fought to lose the white man's brand
Now, when times are hard, the white fails to lend a hand
Chorus
That they bear children just like us
They have pride, yes it's true
So, tell me now what would you do
If you were they and they were you?
Verse 2.
The black man worked, the white man counted money
The black had water, the white had tea and honey
Well, there's a difference between a shanty and a mansion
There's also a difference between being white and handsome
Repeat Chorus
Musical Bridge
Verse 3
Why can't we all live to make things right
Make the days as safe as the nights
Make sure that each man's to be free
So that when they he wakes in the morning
They will always see that ...