The President, he’s got his war. Folks don’t know just what it’s for.
Unreal values, crass distortion — Unwed mothers need abortion.
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what?
“Compared to What” was composed and with lyrics by American singer and songwriter Gene McDaniels in 1966. “The President, he’s got his war” refers to President Johnson’s escalation of the Vietnam War (or, as it is called in Southeast Asia, “the American War”). At the start of 1966 there were 184,000 US troops in South Vietnam, and by the end of 1966 there were 385,000. By the war’s end in 1973, more than 2.6 million servicemen and women eventually served in Vietnam.
Gene McDaniels is famous also for writing Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” He had singing hits with “A Hundred Pounds of Clay” (reaching #3 on Billboard’s chart in 1961), and “Tower of Strength” (co-written by Burt Bacharach).
In 1968, after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, he left the U.S. to live in Denmark and Sweden. He returned to the U.S. in 1971.
The first recording of “Compared to What?” appears to have been by Les McCann, for his 1966 album “Les McCann Plays the Hits.”
The song became a hit after the Les McCann – Eddie Harris performance at the Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival on June 21, 1969. The song has been recorded by more than 270 artists, including Ray Charles.
I love the lie and lie the love
A-hangin’ on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin’ up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (Everybody now!)
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what? C’mon baby!
A-hangin’ on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin’ up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (Everybody now!)
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what? C’mon baby!
Slaughterhouse is killin’ hogs
Twisted children killin’ frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin’ logs
Tired old lady kissin’ dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can’t use it!)
Try to make it real, compared to what? C’mon baby now!
Twisted children killin’ frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin’ logs
Tired old lady kissin’ dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can’t use it!)
Try to make it real, compared to what? C’mon baby now!
The President, he’s got his war
Folks don’t know just what it’s for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We’re chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what? (Sock it to me)
Folks don’t know just what it’s for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We’re chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what? (Sock it to me)
Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin’ to duck the wrath of God
Preacher’s fillin’ us with fright
They all tryin’ to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can’t use it!)
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what?
Tryin’ to duck the wrath of God
Preacher’s fillin’ us with fright
They all tryin’ to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can’t use it!)
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what?
Where’s that bee and where’s that honey?
Where’s my God and where’s my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol’ young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real, compared to what?
Where’s my God and where’s my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol’ young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real, compared to what?
Tryin’ to make it real, compared to what?
Included as the first song on the album “Swiss Movement” — the single sold over one million copies. This is the live at Montreux version, with the audio mixed with a little more clarity.
Filmed live at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival. The first song of their set.
Roberta Flack version, with her on voice and piano. Recorded in February 1969 for her debut album “First Take.” At that time, her manager was piano player Les McCann.
Ray Charles and Leela James. Date unknown.
Eugene McDaniels discusses “Compared to What” and other songwriting. 6 minutes 42 seconds.