Mommy, What's a Depression?

by Alison Crockett

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6

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Echoes of an Era Redux: My Fathers Record Collection Vol. 1, Bare, The Return Of Diva Blue (On Becoming a Woman Redux), Mommy, What's a Depression?, Obrigada, and O Cantador. , and , .

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1.	Depression feat. Ursula Rucker 04:30	lyrics	buy track
Hard to be thankful when you’re all alone Hard to be grateful when there’s no one’s on the phone My life is hard and there’s no help in sight Makes me wanna cry Sleepin comes easy no need to see the light Movin’ ‘round takes all the energy I’ve got This life is hard, I’m just tryin’ to get by It’s easier to fly Everybody’s gone that I used to know No use in drinkin’ cause I can’t get to the store Money’s tight I’m feelin’ like I can’t get where I wanna go So excuse me, my soul is hurtin’ so I think I’ll cry some more You think you know, you think that you can see But you have no idea what it’s like to be me Everything is hard I don’t even know why the reason I’m alive Don’t even wanna try I think I’ll get high Maybe I’ll die Tryin’ to keep my head up but it’s not workin’ out But what can I do? My life is hard This life is hard Everything’s to hard
2.	Talkin Like You Know 03:47	lyrics	buy track
Shut up! You talkin' like you know, but you don't know fo sho Shut up! You talkin' like you know, You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho Shut up! You talkin' like you know, but you don't know fo sho Shut up! You talkin' like you know, You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho My baby said, "Mommy, what's a depression?" They say it's just a recession She said, "How do you know?" Well the TV told me so on my cable news station Job numbers was up "But mommy, you lost your's." Troops are coming home but they started another war Who's right, who's wrong can't figure out just what's going on You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho You say you wanna give me some information cause you know and understand But you're ratings are too important Objective my ass you don't give a damn You say you have the right perspective And history's on your side Mutha Fucka I ain't no God Damn idea I'm a person! Are you blind?! You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho It's all about confusion when we need solutions News ain't nothing you can use It's just their own damn views It's all about confusion when we need solutions News ain't nothing you can use It's just their own damn views You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho You talking like you know but you don't know for sure Sounds like you're stroking your own ego You talking like you know but you don't know for sure You don't know fo sho, you don't know fo sho Wind me up Chuck!!
3.	Gentrification 06:13	lyrics	buy track
I remember when I moved in Crack was still there then Police set up their sting at the corner I remember weed heads sittin on chairs Thuglets everywhere Gamblin Friday nights As the hot chicks and young bra’s strolled But they decided it’s a new day in the city Make it all better Step right up don’t need invitations Welcome to out land Gentrification Step right in no need to mention you’ve got the upper hand Step right up but I need to mention, I’m gonna take a stand Gentrification Streets still ain’t clean but there’s a new scene Caviar and sushi bars are the missile that’s declaring war I ain’t tryin to say that I don’t like to be safe But after all these years, where the hell were they But they decided it’s a new day in the city Make it all better Step right up don’t need invitations Welcome to out land Gentrification Step right in no need to mention you’ve got the upper hand Step right up but I need to mention, I’m gonna take a stand Gentrification Every war ain’t always got fightin Just cause you ain’t cut don’t mean there’s no blood I know you don’t want me here but I ain’t leavin Been livin here to long to give in You can arrest our sons and our daughters Just for hangin round the corner But just be careful what you do Because the chickens always come home to roost Step right up don’t need invitations Welcome to out land Gentrification Step right in no need to mention you’ve got the upper hand Step right up but I need to mention, I’m gonna take a stand Gentrification
4.	My Man's Gone Now 04:15	lyrics	buy track
My man's gone know Ain't no use a listenin for his quiet footsteps climbing up the stairs Old man sorrow come to keep me company Whispering beside me Cause my man was shot dead Out there in the desert There on the street he bled to death Does anyone even care Old man sorrow sittin by the fireplace Livin with me all night by me in the bed Telling me the same thing Morning noon and evening That I'm all alone now Cause my man was shot dead Out there in the desert There on the street he bled to death Does anyone even care He ain't here no more cause he got killed in the war Don't know nothin more cause he got killed in the war He ain't coming home cause he got killed in the ward Raisin kids alone cause he got killed in the war
5.	Ima Hustla 03:43	lyrics	buy track
Times is rough Gotta put gas in my car goto work Yea, it's tough Belt is tight Gotta put my kid through school, pay the bills No help in sight Oh no! But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold Gotta work Cause the money I bring in ain't shit so I gotta go earn even more Getting burned Cause every time I figure something out the tables turn And not my way But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold I'm a scrapper A fighter A cannot do denier I find a way no matter the day I am a do or dier I get stronger from hunger Because I won't go under I will not break Everything I'll take I won't be torn asunder Ima Hustla Wonder Woman! We're a-movin' on up I'm gonna get my piece of the pie We're a-movin' on up to the east side Ima Hustla All the world is waiting for you And the wonders that you do But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold But I got my eyes on the prize Gotta make it work cause I got one life Ima hustla Stone cold
6.	I AM A MILLION 05:10	lyrics	buy track
I pledge allegiance to the strength of my fathers The souls of my mothers the ships of my brothers The cries of the others the pride of my sisters The sins of my cousins who turned away dozens Who reached out and welcomed my black ass to the world Who nurtured me and told me I was free As freedoms were stripped from me I pledge allegiance to this country There’s something you can see moving thru this country There’s a new energy on the horizon It’s not just about the war We already know what is it good for It’s time to reach out and say there ain’t no time for no games Come on lets go a new way and bring on a new day It’s not about black or white or brown or blue It’s bout me and you We can truly go far if we want to Not just about holding hands or platitudes It’s bout me an you We gotta stand up, stand up I am a million It’s time for us to see who we are and what that means Compare the real to our dreams and take action Put a little rich in the poor For those in the cold open the door It’s time to investigate are we are who we say Come on and try to have faith Reach out and say It’s not about black or white or brown or blue It’s bout me and you We can truly go far if we want to Not just about holding hands or platitudes It’s bout me an you We gotta stand up, stand up I am a million Each person is special though we’re a community We are sisters and brothers but do we know what that means It’s not about black or white or brown or blue It’s bout me and you We can truly go far if we want to Not just about holding hands or platitudes It’s bout me an you We gotta stand up, stand up I am a million
7.	Trouble in the Lowlands (Back Water Blues) 05:13	lyrics	buy track
When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night Then trouble's takin' place In the lowlands at night I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door There's been enough trouble To make a poor girl wonder where she wants to go Then they rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond Then they rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond I packed all my clothes Throwed them in and they rowed me along When it thunders and lightnin' and when the wind begins to blow When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins to blow There's thousands of people Ain't got no place to go Then I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill Then I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill Then looked down on the house Where I used to live Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go 'Cause my house fell down And I can't live there no more I can't move no more I can't move no more There ain't no place For a poor old girl to go
8.	The Old Country 05:34	lyrics	buy track
Hey you old man sittin' By the lonesome road It's 'bout time you're quittin' Life's old tiresome load You're so sad and lonely Got no family Just an old man from Some old country You ain't sired no chillen' Ain't none by your side You left all your women Ain't you satisfied Don't just sit there clingin' To a memory Of the love left in Some old country Don't nobody need you old man 'Cause nobody calls your name Nobody's gonna whisper What a doggone shame So the cold grim reaper Has no sympathy You won't see your homeland 'Cept through me
9.	Ye Ole Country 01:39	lyrics	buy track
Hey you old man sittin' By the lonesome road It's 'bout time you're quittin' Life's old tiresome load You're so sad and lonely Got no family Just an old man from Some old country You ain't sired no chillen' Ain't none by your side You left all your women Ain't you satisfied Don't just sit there clingin' To a memory Of the love left in Some old country Don't nobody need you old man 'Cause nobody calls your name Nobody's gonna whisper What a doggone shame So the cold grim reaper Has no sympathy You won't see your homeland 'Cept through me
10.	Medley: They all Laughed, I've Got the World on a String, What at Wonderful World 07:55	lyrics	buy track
They Are Laughed They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round They all laughed when Edison recorded sound They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother when they said that man could fly They told Marconi wireless was a phony, it's the same old cry They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon But oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune They all said we never could be happy, they laughed at us and how! But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now? I've Got the World on a String I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow Got the string around my finger What a world, what a life, I'm in love! I've got a song that I sing I can make the rain go, anytime I move my finger Lucky me, can't you see, I'm in love Life is a beautiful thing, as long as I hold the string I'd be a silly so and so, if I should ever let go I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow Got the string around my finger What a world, what a life, I'm in love What a Wonderful World: I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world I see skies of blue and clouds of white The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night And I think to myself what a wonderful world The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky Also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do They're only saying I love you I see babies crying, I watch them grow They'll learn so much more than I'll ever know Then I think to myself what a wonderful world
11.	Nature Boy 04:51	lyrics	buy track
There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far, very far Over land and sea A little shy and sad of eye But very wise was he And then one day A magic day he passed my way And while we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return
12.	Come Back as a Flower 06:44	lyrics	buy track
The strangest thought came to me on this morning As I awake to greet the coming dawn The sun was hardly peaking through the garden It felt that with everything I was one Then I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower As a flower As a flower How I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower As a flower To spread the sweetness of love To spread the sweetness of love The dew had finished making love to many A rainbow smelling sweet was in the air I envied all the silence I saw growing So unmoved by things outside themselves Then how I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower As a flower As a flower How I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower As a flower To spread the sweetness of love How I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower Oh as a flower As a flower How I wished that I could Come Back As A Flower As a flower As a flower To spread the sweetness of love To spread the sweetness of love Wished that I could Come Back As A Flower Flower Flower Wished that I could Come Back As A Flower Flower Sweetness of love How I Come Back As A Flower Flower Flower How I Come Back As A Flower Flower Sweetness of love Sweetness of love
13.	Sack Full of Dreams 03:49	lyrics	buy track
I got a dream for the world Peace in the rivers and everywhere Bridges of steel and love and cities that smile Gray empty faces walk by And hands try to hide all the lonlieness Lighting a cigarette to blow time away Lost in the noise, lonely as a wind People on sidewalks with no place to go Can they learn to understand The world of love that I'm dreaming The world of love And I, I said I got a sack full of dreams Streets full of laughter and toy ballons And people with hearts that care Who listen for love wanting the same Wanting to care wanting to share All my dreams for the world Can they learn to Understand the world…
14.	H-U-M-A-N 04:35	lyrics	buy track
H-U-M-A-N who decides who is human And if you are human Who made that decision Your mother, your father, your brother, your lover Who do you love Who do you trust Is this enough to tell us if you are human H-U-M-A-N who decides who is human And if you are human What are the criterion Your mobile, employer Creator, destroyer Who you've become Who can you run Is this enough to tell us if you are human First there was God He created the world When was done He made us from the dust First there was God He created the world When was done He made us from the dust H-U-M-A-N who decides who is human And if you are human Do you know how to treat them Compassion with passion Infection protection Who can you touch Who can you love Is this enough To tell us if you are human

about

"It does a disservice to Alison Crockett’s talents and art, to reduce Mommy, What’s a Depression? to a protest album; it is so much more."

"Alison Crockett will never claim to sing “for the people,” yet with her new recording, Mommy, What’s a Depression?, in the spirit of the Occupy Movement, literally occupies Black music on behalf of the myriad issues that affect the everyday lives of folk who can never, legitimately, hope to benefit from the lives of the so-called 1%. With it’s double-worded title—a nod to economic realities that have looked like a depression for many even before the 2008 economic crash and the mental health issues that afflict far too many brilliant and productive citizens—Mommy, What’s a Depression? recalls a time when Black music captured the full range of human emotions, instead of simply our desires to be desired and to consume and be consumed."
Mark Anthony Neal, New Black Man (in Exile) blog
www.newblackmaninexile.net/2012/07/not-just-another-protest-album-alison.html

"Mommy, What’s a Depression? addresses gentrification, immigration, war, the environment and the ever-present economic situation. Viewed in another way, Mommy, What’s a Depression? is a relationship album as well. Politics involve the relationship between the governed and the government. Crockett uses Mommy, What’s a Depression? to remind us that that relationship is pretty dysfunctional."
Howard Dukes, Soultracks.com
www.soultracks.com/review-allison-crockett-depression

credits

released June 19, 2020

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about

Alison Crockett Washington, D.C.

Alison Crockett has paid her musical "dues" in full. On seminal recordings by King Britt, Blue Six, Us3, and a host of others, Alison's voice has provided a velvety, sensual finishing touch for cutting edge beats.