courtesy of The Buddah Group
Listen to the PowerhouseRadio.com production of The Curtis Mayfield Story featuring Curtis
10 minutes, 13 seconds
Between the two influences, this had a lot to do with how I write and why I do write."
"I used to write church songs, too. I used to write gospel and sing in a gospel group and actually the only difference later was that instead of putting the word 'God' in it, I would just leave that open for the individual to take in and just lay the message itself or the inspiration of what gospel tunes usually represent.
As a matter of fact, "Keep On Pushin'" was a gospel song and I changed some of the lyrics. Instead of saying, "God gave me my strength... I'd say, I've got my strength and it don't make no sense not to keep on pushin."
Mayfield's "songs of inspiration" have had a significant place in the development of black thinking and awareness in America and Curtis is pleased with the acceptance his message songs have found.
"Of course it moves me very deeply," he says, "And it makes me feel very good that people can take my songs and be able to get such meaning out of them that they can use at least pieces of the songs in their daily lives. It makes me feel that there is truly something to contribute, other than just being a singer.
Continued
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