Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" is a 1970 hit single for the Motown label performed by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield.

Related Topics:
1970 - Motown - The Temptations - Norman Whitfield

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Like "Psychedelic Shack" before it, "Ball of Confusion" delves head-on into psychedelia, this time with a strong political message. Issues such as the Vietnam War, segregation, drug abuse, crooked politicians, and more are all listed as being part of the "ball of confusion" that the world has now become. "Round and around and around we go", they sing, "where the world's headed/nobody knows." The song's most famous line, "And the band played on," is sung by the group's bass singer, Melvin Franklin.

Related Topics:
Psychedelic Shack - Psychedelia - Vietnam War - Segregation - Drug abuse - Politician - Bass - Melvin Franklin

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All of these issues are delivered over a driving instrumental track with two drum tracks (one for each stereo channel), multitracked wah-wah guitars, and an ominous bassline that opens the song after Norman Whitfield's dramatic count-in.

Related Topics:
Guitar - Bassline

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When they first saw the sheet music for the song before recording it, The Temptations didn't think they would be able to pull off the rapid-fire delivery required for the song. Lead singer Dennis Edwards had the quickest tongue in the group, and delivered the more difficult lines in the song.

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"Ball of Confusion" is among the Tempts' most covered songs, with versions of it recorded by Tina Turner, Love and Rockets, Duran Duran, and Anthrax, among others. It was used to anchor the 1970 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 LP. The song reached #3 on the US pop charts and #2 on the US R&B charts.

Related Topics:
Tina Turner - Love and Rockets - Duran Duran - Anthrax - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

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