Jeff Beck - Situation Lyrics






People fight for the basic right to choose
To live a life we don't intend to lose,
The time has come when we must all decide
To end our evil ways or let the whole world slide

Who would of thought
That wars were fought to free our nation
We must make the changes
From the basic situation
Oooo yeah yeah

Listen people
It's all right
When you've fought on foreign soil.
Not your very own
'Cause you don't want it destroyed
We are keepin' our own identity
We must look around
For ideas to be real
So many of the people have been justified.
We must face the truth
'Cause there ain't no real place to hide.

Listen people
If it's true that no one really cares
We've got to sacrifice through the changing years
Do the things we feel no matter most of all
So let the people yeah
Sweet music is our home
Please realize happiness is your conviction
You'll find in people all kinds of good reaction
Whoa whoa whoa whoa





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Jeff Beck Situation Comments
  1. g.... H....

    What a fuckin' band they were !

  2. k.... O....

    I have this on vinyl, 8 track, cassette & cd. The album is still in great shape. This music never gets old.

  3. M.... R....

    In my opinion, this is one of the best of rock's golden era...just sayin'.

  4. J.... P....

    What a smokin' band.............wow!

  5. W.... S....

    Love it..!!!

  6. m.... ....

    Great!!!

  7. G.... O....

    That is how you do it kids ! Killer tune and I was there to see this band live. Damn that means I am old ! Good times 👍

  8. R.... J....

    I am also loving the keys Brian Auger so sweet!!

  9. R.... J....

    Good Gawd. Wicked JEFF BADASSERY!

  10. j.... l....

    Jeff Beck kicks ass on this song. He is so damn talented.😎🎸Max Middleton on piano also stands out.🎹🎸👍

  11. T.... P....

    Listen people!

  12. M.... ....

    Sick. I'm begging my band to play this.

  13. n.... ....

    Max's piano,what a highlight.

  14. s.... l....

    great singer!

  15. M.... D....

    This is the Best song in the First four Beck LPs. I always thought this song was The Crusaders.

  16. S.... H....

    One of his best solos for sure. Jeff's best group lineup.

  17. A.... F....

    What a groove this song !
    I would like to try to play it with my Rock n Roll band!

  18. 1.... ....

    Saw Jeff & Group touring on this period. He hid n the shadows until it was time. We r so blessed to live in this period.

  19. z.... ....

    One of the best albums I ever bought. Every song a classic. Still have the vinyl. Thanks for posting

    z.... ....

    zdrumdude me too....love this album.

  20. N.... L....

    Thank you, Ramūnas Olberkis. 1965 to 1975 was the decade of the century. Glad I was there. Glad I remember it.

  21. b.... w....

    I heard it 1972. At 14, I could NOT believe it wasn't EVERYBODY's favorite, more on radio, close to Detroit, 4 Rock stations. My opinion? Non-payola guys got no air, he was a recluse genius then, no Interviews and Rare Shows, made him the highest quality playing Talent, best known but unknown lead guitarist in the world. Same Manager as Led Zep, who were way Too Big and getting Bigger (Beck was pissed, a FEW reasons). This album intro song one of the best and most interesting,..Ever.

  22. B.... T....

    I/drums and a few other significant guitar players/Chris & Bobby Manriquez, think Beck is the best ever. This particular JB Group only produced 2 albums, yet in my humble opinion it is Jeff's best work...He reached down deeper than any other and translated it into tones w/technical mastery. It was a pleasure to play the drum parts to this, however, Cozy Powell is tough to match.

  23. c.... y....

    used.to.close.out.the.third.set.with.this.one...what.a.great.song.to.play.live

  24. D.... R....

    Another Steve Cropper production..and Memphis......I lived there during this time period......Memphis was just unreal the amount of killer musicians that were there.....from Jerry Lee Lewis to ZZ Top to Jeff Beck.....Old Trans Maximus Studios.....Ardent Studios......What a great time in a once great city.....

  25. j.... ....

    2:01 Gizmo... Gizmo... Gizmo! Gizmo! Gizmo! Gizmo! ;P

  26. j.... z....

    People fight for the basic right to choose
    To live a life we don't intend to lose,
    The time has come when we must all decide
    To end our evil ways or let the whole world slide

    Who would of thought
    That wars were fought to free our nation
    We must make the changes
    From the basic situation
    Oooo yeah yeah

    Listen people
    It's all right
    When you've fought on foreign soil.
    Not your very own
    'Cause you don't want it destroyed
    We are keepin' our own identity
    We must look around
    For ideas to be real
    So many of the people have been justified.
    We must face the truth
    'Cause there ain't no real place to hide.

    Listen people
    If it's true that no one really cares
    We've got to sacrifice through the changing years
    Do the things we feel no matter most of all
    So let the people yeah
    Sweet music is our home
    Please realize happiness is your conviction
    You'll find in people all kinds of good reaction
    Whoa whoa whoa whoa

  27. n.... ....

    One of Beck's best solos.Sick.

  28. A.... W....

    https://youtu.be/031Quer1N2A

  29. m.... p....

    One of my all time albums! And one my favorite all time drummers! R.I.P.Cozy!

    m.... p....

    mitchell parent likewise!

  30. S.... D....

    I can never understand how in the world this track is not right up there with the greatest Rock songs of all time...Beyond me..Confounding.

  31. m.... p....

    The first time that I heard this song was on WABX Detroit. and I was hooked. I was lucky to find other musician friends who loved this version of Jeff beck as much as me. So we played, and played!

    m.... p....

    yes!!! wabx fm WITH RUSS GIBB!!!

  32. V.... R....

    Nice Old rock and roll!

  33. L.... T....

    A big favourite of mine..these boys was feeling it and never missed a beat..😉

  34. M.... K....

    Great song...great guitar.....great rock and roll!

  35. T.... O....

    Bought my 1st turn table at tech Hi-fi in Boston cranked this song to test the altec-lansing speakers 45 yrs ago

  36. L.... S....

    Listen people, if its true, these boys were fuckin high, its their basic right to choose, tight even when they were off, its alright . Whoppa

    L.... S....

    Jammin's great when high.

  37. T.... M....

    The perfect song for making copies of Gizmo

  38. 1.... ....

    One hellofa song from one hellofa band imo now that Jimi's gone (48) fckn years Jeff stands alone!

  39. C.... C....

    The 1970's in Detroit brought me here.................................

  40. T.... V....

    ESTE TEMA SIEMPRE ME LLAMÓ LA ATENCIÓN,SOBRE TODO ESE CANTANTE MORENO QUE LE DA AL TEMA UN FEELING MUY PARTICULAR Y COMO NO EL BAJISTA QUE EN LOS 70,SS NO HABIA UNO QUE NO DIBUJARA DURANTE EL TEMA,,ERAN TIEMPOS DE CREACIÓN.!!

  41. r.... ....

    Gimme my tambourine!

  42. L.... O....

    Still have much time for this album AFTER 45YEARS Wow . For me , it`s timeless

  43. H.... L....

    One of the best guitar solos ever.

  44. 9.... k....

    this album makes your good situation

  45. B.... R....

    emerson lake and powell what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  46. D.... B....

    Straight up one of the best LP's EVER ...

  47. J.... C....

    Tremendous album !

  48. T.... N....

    So very good.

  49. M.... T....

    My Buddy's Back When, Had A Shallow Grasp Of Inspirational Music. I Was Happy To Contemplate This By My Self And Mother Mary. "Now", Just Blessed To Have Ears To Here With. Super Great.

  50. J.... ....

    People fight for the basic right to choose
    To live a life we don't intend to lose, The time has come when we must all decide
    To end our evil ways or let the whole world slide

    Who would of thought
    That wars were fought to free our nation
    We must make the changes
    From the basic situation
    Oooo yeah yeah

    Listen people
    It's all right
    When you've fought on foreign soil.
    Not your very own
    'Cause you don't want it destroyed
    We are keepin' our own identity
    We must look around
    For ideas to be real
    So many of the people have been justified.
    We must face the truth
    'Cause there ain't no real place to hide.

    Listen people
    If it's true that no one really cares
    We've got to sacrifice through the changing years
    Do the things we feel no matter most of all
    So let the people yeah
    Sweet music is our home
    Please realize happiness is your conviction
    You'll find in people all kinds of good reaction
    Whoa whoa whoa whoa

  51. K.... M....

    Where has this music gone? We miss ya Cozy

  52. B.... 5....

    Song written by Jeff Beck - Off Album - Rough And Ready - 1971 - Epic Records - Recorded at CBS Recording Studios - New York - Jack Ashkinazy - Engineer - Jeff Beck - Guitars - Max Middleton - Piano - Clive Chaman - Bass - Cozy Powell - Drums - Bob Tench - Lead Vocals - Tambourine - Produced by Jeff Beck

  53. B.... R....

    This is, without a doubt, one of the finest pieces of kick ass rock fusion from when fusion was barely a concept let alone a whole genre of music which continues to transcend time in space.

    B.... R....

    I agree whole-heartedly! I've never stopped listening to this masterpiece since 1971.

    B.... R....

    Love to find a like mind!

    B.... R....

    Likewise... still listening and first heard this life changing album in early 1972.

  54. J.... P....

    Incredible transitions!

  55. j.... ....

    The original vocalist for this album was Alex Ligertwood but CBS weren't happy with the tracks and asked Jeff to re-record it with a replacement. Alex was a co-writer of Situation and recorded his own version as 'Truth' with Brian Auger's Oblivion Express on their album Second Wind, which came out around the same time as Rough & Ready. At that time many noticed the similarity between the two songs but didn't know the backstory until decades later. Love to hear the original R&R tracks with Alex.

    j.... ....

    Alex is a great talent. I remember him with Santana...Incredible voice.

    j.... ....

    Bobby Tench has a far better voice than Alex does. CBS made the correct choice IMO. Tench is awesome!

  56. M.... H....

    Go Jeff Go! Loved this album.

  57. j.... w....

    pure lightning ina bottle how his bandmates were picked was a fine tribute to whoever done that!

  58. 3.... ....

    Cozy Powell RIP

    3.... ....

    He was a power house man he could rock the place ...

    3.... ....

    he ROCKED with Rainbow

  59. D.... S....

    brian auger has a song that sounds just like this lol

    D.... S....

    "Truth"

    D.... S....

    not without beck & c powell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  60. J.... G....

    Is it a guitar .... is it a screaming banshee? Max kicks ass too.

    J.... G....

    And Cozy wasn't too shabby himself !!

  61. J.... G....

    Auditorium Theater Chicago 1970 best concert ever.

  62. p.... k....

    I always liked the drums in this

    p.... k....

    philosopher king Cozy Powell, one of the best drummers ever.

  63. w.... c....

    Saw them 11/6/71---Academy of music NY--also 5/5/72 carnegie hall--loved Beck before this--after this show-I was never the same and while I love a couple of hundred guitar players quite a bit--Jeff has always been my favorite since this incredible night

  64. 1.... ....

    Great song!

  65. P.... G....

    growing up in the '70's in Detroit would never have been the same if not for regularly hearing this tune on the Detroit radio ...Jeff Beck's 'Situation' is 'what rock is all about'...masterful electric guitar playing.........

    P.... G....

    Yes..Peter G. "the MOTOR-City" during the 70's was the greatest!!!

    P.... G....

    Detroit rock City

    P.... G....

    Detroit Strong I'm which you Brother

    P.... G....

    @Longshotsblues I was at the Residential college at U of M at the time (Quaddies rool) and WABX was a staple of mine. Heard this album on ABX and ran out and bought it. Still have the vinyl.

    P.... G....

    CKLW and The WRIF. Grew up 40 miles north of Detroit

  66. T.... ....

    My all time favourite Beck track! Met him in Vienna at a jazz event a few years ago - my ultimate dream come true! I'd been hoping since I was 13 years old to one day meet him but thought it was a just a pipe dream. Never say never!

  67. s.... e....

    Doesn't get much better than this.
    A classic from Beck for sure. Never get tired of this song.
    Superlative guitar playing by one of the early rock masters.
    And yes, the rest of the band is also great.

    s.... e....

    yes sirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

    s.... e....

    YES!!!!!

  68. p.... d....

    Hey Doug, Thanks for the response brother. Yes, the dust up over Todd was a sight to behold, Jeff attempting at first to insist we listen, then, after a few minutes, having him get off the stage. I remember it a bit differently: the audience started booing when TR was into his second number. Beck came out, told us to lay low. Then, after a couple more numbers, more boos, they came out and physically removed them. TR did some interesting record producing, but his show at that time was super goonie and simply on the wrong stage with JB following.

    p.... d....

    @peter dan - yea; it was a LONG time ago my friend. Do you remember that Todd's band was "The Hello People"? Very strange show - love Todd - but you are correct in that it was a total mismatch.

    p.... d....

    Hey peter dan and Doug, My memory is Todd played his set, but overstayed his time limit on stage. He started playing yet another song, and cut it short and anounced "I'll tell you what's happening here is Becks people are unplugging us!" He was yelling at a roadie and another one physically picked Todd up and carried him off stage right - arms and legs flailing away! 😂😂😂

    p.... d....

    Funny thing now is Rundgren says Beck is his favorite guitar player.

  69. a.... ....

    If you want to hear a monster from Lost in Space, go to 2:10. Imagine Dr. Smith cowering in the corner with the ungodly growl.

    a.... ....

    LOL! One of my favorite shows from back in the day. I still watch the reruns.

  70. p.... d....

    A great album by a too soon over group which I'm certain way too few people know. I saw the live, in Boston, one of the very best concerts I've had the good fortune to see. And, for what it's worth, an interracial band, then, friends.

    p.... d....

    @peter dan - hey I was there too! Orpheum Theator! I was at the 7PM show where Beck's roadies got into a physical altercation with Todd Rundgren. They came out and unplugged Todd because he was played too long and was cutting into Beck's time. Wild scene.

    p.... d....

    peter dan

    p.... d....

    I was there, also. It was an outstanding show. I saw Bob Tench a few years later @Orpheum Theater playing guitar with Van Morrison. The guy can sing like a Motherforya.

    p.... d....

    That's been Jeff's MO his whole career.Makes maybe two albums with a group of musicians and then moves on.

  71. R.... H....

    Ramunas, Thank´s a Lot, this is my favorite song forever and ever, Beck is the Best

  72. 1.... ....

    Been on the JB wagon from the beginning , saw him touring with this group in 73 & was amazed how he would stand quietly in the back ground and occasionally set forward and literally blow you out of your seat with his genius guitar work. Then quietly step back into the shadows. Mr Beck's guitar genius knows no bounds, thx for posting!

  73. M.... T....

    しびれる!

  74. R.... ....

    "Rough and Ready" is truly a fine, but underrated Jeff Beck album. He had bravely taken The Jeff Beck Group in a completely different musical direction, than the first iteration of the group with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Mickey Waller and Nicky Hopkins. I, too, saw this group live, in San Diego; a truly GREAT concert!

    R.... ....

    Ramunas - Also, thank you so much for the post...great memories!

    R.... ....

    @Revolution1117 Rough and Ready is perhaps one the most brilliant albums ever recorded. And, yes, deeply underrated. IMO.

    R.... ....

    I could not agree more, ultimate musician smart enough to surround himself with only the best. Jeff doesn't change in appearance thru the years but continues to grow Musicially . love him. thanks Lord for  such  a GEM!!!!!!!!

    R.... ....

    I love the "BRITISH-FLAG"!!!!!

    R.... ....

    My favorite of JB....long lasting beloved sounds.

  75. D.... G....

    Thanks for posting.  This is just sooo bad ass.  This was the first of Beck's tunes I ever heard (does anybody remember the compilation album Columbia put out called "The Music People"?) and haven't stopped following him!   Seeing him in a couple weeks (OPENING for ZZ TOP?  wtf...? oh well lol).  Might have to start playing this one again in the band.

    D.... G....

    I had "The Music People" compilation, too, and it's how I first heard Jeff Beck .. the Brecker Brothers (Dreams) ... Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc.

    D.... G....

    Yep.... and Johnny Winter...REO (pre-Cronin), Ten Years After, ummmm....  a bunch i'd never heard of, anyway.

  76. A.... B....

    ...siempre uno de los mejores guitarras...

  77. M.... F....

    Thanks Ramunas Olberkis for posting this amazing Jeff Beck Group. Not only is Jeff's playing great, but so is the his crack rhythm section and electric piano that has that perfect hard, metallic timbre for this type of hard hitting rock soul funk fusion.

  78. �.... ....

    コージー・パウエルとベックが似ていると思うのは私だけでしょうか?

    �.... ....

    私もそう思います。

    �.... ....

    I agree..whatever u said...

    �.... ....

    40年くらい前から未だに、思っています!

  79. C.... S....

    OMG.....so many, many memories associated with this......now I feel old!

    C.... S....

    Yeah, you may be old but the music today sucks and you were there for the great ones....

    C.... S....

    don't feel old, feel blessed for the ride it was.

    C.... S....

    You are old,like me but we had the best music in history..

  80. R.... ....

    Una de mis canciones favoritas a principios de los 70. han pasado los años pero alli estamos cuando la escucho. a hug from Perú, South America and thanks for share this.

  81. U.... R....

    Through a friend happily. Thanks Ramunas. Vet.