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War — Slippin' Into Darkness
Album: All Day Music
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1659









Released: 1971
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Slippin' into darkness
Take my mind beyond the dreams
I was slippin' into darkness
Take my mind beyond the dreams

Where I talk to my brother, oh, oh, oh
Who never said their name

Slippin' into darkness
When I heard my mother say
I was slippin' into darkness
When I heard my mother say
(Hey, what'd she say, what'd she say)

You been slippin' into darkness, oh, oh, oh
Pretty soon you're gonna pay

oh, oh, oh, oh
Comments (134)add comment
The MixMasterMike version lives in constant rotation in my driving playlist so hearing the original, at my desk, is like a slow-mo flashback of my drive in. Wild.
This is one of those cool, thoroughly excellent songs I remember hearing through a little transistor radio on the headboard of my bed when I was 8 or 9 years old...and wow, it sure would stick in my head, for days and days. I find that it STILL DOES, too... Thanks, RP!
Memory Lane of the 60s.YES!
And that harp is saying:

Get up, stand up,  stand up for your rights. 
Holy smokes!

Holy cow!

That bass is freakin....
Right, so I couldn't post a comment right away as I was driving when this came up. Just the day after parliamentary elections first round results here in France.

This was strangely to the point. And William's psychic abilities kept strong as we moved from this to Fell On Black Days and then Tie Up My Hands. It felt like a message to us all here. At least for me anyhow.

While I do try to respect everybody's opinion, I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that one third of my fellow voters seem to support a party that emphasises and ranks differences, as in "We are better than them". Them being people of a different nationality (the party does not deny that) and perhaps colour, creed, or culture (this, they do deny, sometimes). As if all that's happening around the world is not enough to realise that this is just plain wrong.

Anyway, sorry for rambling, but RP is kinda like a refuge from all this, and a proof that people from different backgrounds, places, cultures can actually communicate for the benefit and growth of all.

Please keep your fingers crossed for us next Sunday (second round)

LLRP!!
 Kelvinclifford wrote:

Featuring Lee Oskar,  the Les Paul of harps. 




EXCELLENT TUNE!  Thanx RP!   
War! What is it good for?
Absolutely funking!
Featuring Lee Oskar,  the Les Paul of harps. 
 justin4kick wrote:

Right! Stand up for your copy rights
 
Nice one!
 Kokoloco53 wrote:
Oh the days, was just a kid, 17, but I see now that hearing War way back then, helped set the stage for when I finally hear Bob Marley, it was just a short hop. But War defined a period of soul music that unfortunately just vanished off the face of the earth and worse, the attitudes of good people everywhere, of all colors that I knew back then, we were so laid back, less hassles, everything was just groovy and far out and a brother was just another cool dude. Man do I miss those days, those good vibes between Americans. Less bigotery.




Thanks for your comment.
It's a bit creepy that it was written 9 years ago. I'm wondering what you must be thinking now. Bloody hell, not everything's going the right way, is it?
Wow, I didn't know this one back in the day. Funky! Fantastic!

That little horn riff sounds like Marley's "get up stand up"... sounds like Marley might have repurposed the background melody of this thing.
Every time I hear War it takes me back. Times were not better but this music stands the test. Still amazing.
i always thought these guys were from Oakland
 hayduke2 wrote, years ago:
In May 2017, Mueller was appointed by the Justice Department as special counsel, overseeing the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and related matters.

Prosecute the lyin' treasonous ego-maniac Mr Mueller, bring forth some light
 
, .

Punctuation counts!

Not working out so well, that plan, is it?

Fiat justitia, ruat caelum.
Great Oldie from  1972
A huge CKLW hit in Detroit growing up...



More Funk and Soul!
 kingart wrote:
Get up get up stand up for your rights. 
  
 
justin4kick wrote:
Right! Stand up for your copy rights
 
Slippin' Into Darkness: 1971

Get Up, Standup: 1973

Anecdotes suggest Marley was a friend and fan of War, and that Get Up, Standup, was to a degree an homage.

Peace
Im phnkey im phonkey!!!!
The only song I knew - and loved - by this band was "You've Got The Power", until I discovered the incredible scope of their effortless talent. It's just like getting to know Herbie Hancock through "Rock It" or Joe Jackson through "Steppin' Out".

You been slippin' into darkness, oh, oh, oh
Pretty soon you're gonna pay

Nuff said.

For an album I've only really listened to on Vinyl, with a crappy turntable back in the day, I don't think I ever noticed the extensive hand-claps - hell the lossless FLAC file just gave me a reason to bump this from an 8 to 9.  LONG LIVE RP!!
loven it 
 kingart wrote:
Get up get up stand up for your rights. 

 
Right! Stand up for your copy rights
Funky soul music,, makes me want to dance...{#Dancingbanana_2}
Get up get up stand up for your rights. 


More War, please. 

You know what I mean — the musical kind. 
 unclehud wrote:
Yes, this type of funk-rock has pretty much vanished.  It was just plain fun for listening and dancing and driving.

 "You've been slipping into darkness, pretty soon you're gonna pay!" 

 
Yep. For me, a teen in the 70s, this sort of music evokes an overwhelming flood of memories - all good - about that time. I feel bad for kids whose teen years are being flooded with soulless auto-tuned Product as part of their developmental years.
In May 2017, Mueller was appointed by the Justice Department as special counsel, overseeing the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and related matters.

Prosecute the lyin' treasonous ego-maniac Mr Mueller, bring forth some light 
 dingusbother wrote:
Sounds like Steve Miller was inspired by this when he wrote 'Fly Like an Eagle'.

 
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into darkness.
Great stuff - but WHY the shortened single edit{#Ask} and not the iriginal album version which goes for 7 minutes
usually one of the strong features of RP is not to be afraid of playong long songs... 

so change to orignal Version please  
 I certainly did notice ! Glad I'm not the only one.. thewiseking wrote:

Anyone else notice how Bob Marley ripped War off on this one. Brilliantly, of course. Lucky for him, WAR never Got Up or Stood Up for their rights.



 

Oh, yes, always loved funk-rock. The R&B station I listened to back in this era played a lot of West Coast music including War, Tower of Power, etc. It fit right in with Isleys, the psychedelic-era of the Temptations, and later bands like Little Feat. Good, good grooves.
Yes, this type of funk-rock has pretty much vanished.  It was just plain fun for listening and dancing and driving.

<edit, 1 month later>  "You've been slipping into darkness, pretty soon you're gonna pay!" 
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

Oh the days, was just a kid, 17, but I see now that hearing War way back then, helped set the stage for when I finally hear Bob Marley, it was just a short hop. But War defined a period of soul music that unfortunately just vanished off the face of the earth and worse, the attitudes of good people everywhere, of all colors that I knew back then, we were so laid back, less hassles, everything was just groovy and far out and a brother was just another cool dude. Man do I miss those days, those good vibes between Americans. Less bigotery.

  
kaybee wrote:

I remember when I first left home in 1970, living in Toronto, I met a number of American draft dodgers and Vietnam vets, black and white, great guys, It was a pleasure meeting them.  Certainly there was something good in air then.  I think the times will change again though, but we'll go through rough weather first.

 
rough weather is here imo, we will need some hard working people to prosecute that ego-maniac trump before he hits some nuke buttons
 rpdevotee wrote:
I went to a War concert in San Jose about 15 years ago.  Lonnie Jordan explained how Bob Marley had spoken to him about this song and liked it and thus it became the inspiration for Get Up Stand Up.  Some variation on that anyway (it was a long time ago that I saw the show) but the takeaway was that this song inspired Marley and he had discussed it with Lonnie.
 
He was so inspired, he changed the lyrics and the title, fired up a spliff and watched the royalties roll in.
 kaybee wrote:

I remember when I first left home in 1970, living in Toronto, I met a number of American draft dodgers and Vietnam vets, black and white, great guys, It was a pleasure meeting them.  Certainly there was something good in air then.  I think the times will change again though, but we'll go through rough weather first.

 
Seeing as this was written in 2012, couldn't have been more prophetic seeing the situation we are in right now. If anything, worse than imagined. Sad state

BTW, saw War as part of one of those all day concerts in mid-70's. They were second to last band - warm-up for final act. War just blew everyone out of the water. After all these years, still in the top five of live performances.
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 mgkiwi wrote:
Excellent! What a band, especially when EB was involved. Could do with some Tobacco Road now!!! {#Cowboy}

 
Would be nice so hear some War.
Excellent! What a band, especially when EB was involved. Could do with some Tobacco Road now!!! {#Cowboy}
This band was my introduction to funk.
Moved onto Parliment Funkadelic, Isley Brothers.
A very different time and place, but good memories. 
 thewiseking wrote:

Anyone else notice how Bob Marley ripped War off on this one. Brilliantly, of course. Lucky for him, WAR never Got Up or Stood Up for their rights.



 
I went to a War concert in San Jose about 15 years ago.  Lonnie Jordan explained how Bob Marley had spoken to him about this song and liked it and thus it became the inspiration for Get Up Stand Up.  Some variation on that anyway (it was a long time ago that I saw the show) but the takeaway was that this song inspired Marley and he had discussed it with Lonnie.
 
very nice!
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

Oh the days, was just a kid, 17, but I see now that hearing War way back then, helped set the stage for when I finally hear Bob Marley, it was just a short hop. But War defined a period of soul music that unfortunately just vanished off the face of the earth and worse, the attitudes of good people everywhere, of all colors that I knew back then, we were so laid back, less hassles, everything was just groovy and far out and a brother was just another cool dude. Man do I miss those days, those good vibes between Americans. Less bigotery.



 
Super Kokoloco53! Cheers!!!
Yai!

Where's someone hot to dance with?

Anyone else notice how Bob Marley ripped War off on this one. Brilliantly, of course. Lucky for him, WAR never Got Up or Stood Up for their rights.


{#Wave}...... well, this is "most excellent"
College in Boston, cheap beer, hemp and so forth. {#Guitarist}


Outstanding tune!  Many thanks ...
 .{#Bananasplit}{#Fire}  {#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}
 ozzie1313 wrote:
Equally funky but not as creative and with less flair than Ben l'Oncle.  Liked War best with Eric Burdon.
 
"Not as creative", "equally funky", as Ben l'Oncle?  We all have different opinions but these guys were among the original innovators of funk.  They were doing creative funk long before Ben was born.
Great! Waiting for more Soul and R&B!
 dw wrote:
Brings me back.....{#Cool}
 
I know what you mean! {#High-five}
Funkee ... in a nice kind of way {#Cowboy}
Brings me back.....{#Cool}
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

Oh the days, was just a kid, 17, but I see now that hearing War way back then, helped set the stage for when I finally hear Bob Marley, it was just a short hop. But War defined a period of soul music that unfortunately just vanished off the face of the earth and worse, the attitudes of good people everywhere, of all colors that I knew back then, we were so laid back, less hassles, everything was just groovy and far out and a brother was just another cool dude. Man do I miss those days, those good vibes between Americans. Less bigotery.

 
I remember when I first left home in 1970, living in Toronto, I met a number of American draft dodgers and Vietnam vets, black and white, great guys, It was a pleasure meeting them.  Certainly there was something good in air then.  I think the times will change again though, but we'll go through rough weather first.
Sounds like Steve Miller was inspired by this when he wrote 'Fly Like an Eagle'.
I can't make my foot stop!
Equally funky but not as creative and with less flair than Ben l'Oncle.  Liked War best with Eric Burdon.
What about "Cisco Kid", Bill? He was a friend of mine...

Oh the days, was just a kid, 17, but I see now that hearing War way back then, helped set the stage for when I finally hear Bob Marley, it was just a short hop. But War defined a period of soul music that unfortunately just vanished off the face of the earth and worse, the attitudes of good people everywhere, of all colors that I knew back then, we were so laid back, less hassles, everything was just groovy and far out and a brother was just another cool dude. Man do I miss those days, those good vibes between Americans. Less bigotery.


Nice set this morning!
The Ramsey Lewis version of this is an 11
Years ago I saw the band Little Women (out of Colorado, I think) at a small bar.  They started a song with a long instrumental intro, and I thought it was pretty cool.  Then they broke into Slippin' Into Darkness, I loved it!
 wycado wrote:

This band and Rare Earth are all day music for me.


 
Oh Man! I'd love to hear some Rare Earth right now. *checking the RP library for some now*
edit: *sigh* just one song - Get Ready


Yeah love it...play Monterey too!
aw, yeah. that iconic bass line, great spare horn arrangement, i think one of the best things war ever did.
Still Love it! {#Music}
Song blows me away every time. An 11!
smoke 'em if ya got 'em
mmmm...cruisin' in a lowrider car when I was 13, the smell of PCP....aah, good times.
 toterola wrote:
Ahhh... I can almost smell the "bo (Columbian) reefer", strawberry papers, and my girlfriend's "Loves Baby Soft" cologne. {#Hearteyes} {#Cowboy} {#Cool}
This song was part of the soundtrack to my misspent youth. Good times! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 
And all this time I thought it was her "Herbal Essence" shampoo I could almost smell. . .

{#Shifty}

 ThePoose wrote:
Get up, stand up....
 
*bump*
sirrius wrote:
From here:
Did you know that Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up" was inspired by WAR's "Slippin Into Darkness"? A young and rising Marley toured as WAR's opening act in the early seventies, and often sat on the skirt of the stage groovin to WAR's jam of their hit "Slippin."

This band and Rare Earth are all day music for me.


 toterola wrote:
Ahhh... I can almost smell the "bo (Columbian) reefer", strawberry papers, and my girlfriend's "Loves Baby Soft" cologne. {#Hearteyes} {#Cowboy} {#Cool}
 
I hear ya! 8^ >
Ahhh... I can almost smell the "bo (Columbian) reefer", strawberry papers, and my girlfriend's "Loves Baby Soft" cologne. {#Hearteyes} {#Cowboy} {#Cool}
This song was part of the soundtrack to my misspent youth. Good times! {#Dancingbanana_2}

Wow, great old classic - still play this album as it's a true classic!
Why isn't the intro to this song included?  Did someone upload an edited version of this song, or did Bill edit it for time?  Please play the full version of this classic War tune! {#Ask}
Get up, stand up....
 DeeCee1109 wrote:
Sounds like my retirement plan . . .
 

{#Lol}
What a great blast from the past!
 Cruzan wrote:
A classic!
Love it!

There is a lot more to WAR than "low rider"


 
Although there certainly isn't anything wrong with L-o-w RI-der...
Sounds like my retirement plan . . .
 hippiechick wrote:
What they said!!!  {#Arrowd}

{#Guitarist}
 
{#Propeller}

{#Smile}d00kie wrote:
Here's what popped into my head.... Cheech: "Its Dave man! Will you open up, I got the stuff with me!" Chong: "Who?" Cheech: "Dave man, open up!" Chong: "Dave?" Cheech: "Yeah Dave, come on man open up I think the cops saw me!" Chong: "Dave's not here man!"



Waddya watchin?
I dunno some show about Indians.

What they said!!!  {#Arrowd}

{#Guitarist}
 Gregorama wrote:
A true early seventies landmark. Great memories of partying to that one. A classic. Love this and All Day Music—these cuts defined summer.

 

Ditto!
A super groovy classic!
{#Bananajam}
A true early seventies landmark. Great memories of partying to that one. A classic. Love this and All Day Music--these cuts defined summer.
Ericac wrote:
Fantastic transition from Pops Staples to War. This is one band I can listen to all day. Thanks!!
Oops, looks like this has been stated a few times already. A little redundent.
californiatwin wrote:
I'm in high school again!
Me to! Gosh, we're old!
joanie wrote:
Hear, hear! That's a great one, too.
I'm also surprised it isn't on the play list. That is a great War tune.
Fantastic transition from Pops Staples to War. This is one band I can listen to all day. Thanks!!
A classic! Love it! There is a lot more to WAR than "low rider"
Grammarcop wrote:
I'm disappointed that "The World is a Ghetto" isn't on the RP playlist.
Hear, hear! That's a great one, too.
I'm in high school again!
Excellent!
I'm disappointed that "The World is a Ghetto" isn't on the RP playlist.
Now that is a transition to be sure. Marley to Staples and then War
Here's what popped into my head.... Cheech: "Its Dave man! Will you open up, I got the stuff with me!" Chong: "Who?" Cheech: "Dave man, open up!" Chong: "Dave?" Cheech: "Yeah Dave, come on man open up I think the cops saw me!" Chong: "Dave's not here man!"
Love it! Reminds me of the ol' college days
I just saw War preform in Flagstaff, Az in July 2007....One of the BEST shows I have seen in a lot of years. If you have the opportunity...go out of your way for this experience.
Old School at it's best.
get up. standup. standup for your right...
This song RAWKS!!!
themotion wrote:
Get up, stand up. Stand up for your right. it's the same exact tune. only vanilla ice would attempt to argue that. love 'em both, though.
From here:
Did you know that Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up" was inspired by WAR's "Slippin Into Darkness"? A young and rising Marley toured as WAR's opening act in the early seventies, and often sat on the skirt of the stage groovin to WAR's jam of their hit "Slippin."
Good funky stuff. Would love to hear more from them.
Seductive time signature change is the hook. Always good to hear.
ruthless wrote:
Lee Oskar (sp?) is /was a phenominal harp player.
Still is. Saw him sit in with Los Lobos; and he hasn't lost a thing.
Burdon's best time? maybe.... definitely great funky stuff.
SCJoniguy wrote:
"War Live" is one of the finest live albums ever.
where can i find a copy of the war live album/disc?
Truly one of the great overlooked groups of the 70s. Saw them in an amazing concert at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt. One of them asked the audience if they could hook him up for some skag - right on stage. Rest of the band was migh-tee pissed off.Pure balls. And a great concert.
A truly underrated band. "The World is a Ghetto" was a masterpiece.
Lee Oskar (sp?) is /was a phenominal harp player.
Oh Yeah! Saw War back in the mid-70's at one of those big all day outdoor concerts in Boulder CO. They were the warm-up band for some other "Big Name" and War simply blew them off the stage. Hell, they blew everyone off the stage and are in my Top Five of all the live performances I've seen. Slick, polished and just amazing musicians
Get up, stand up. Stand up for your right. it's the same exact tune. only vanilla ice would attempt to argue that. love 'em both, though.