Maze : We Are One

SONG We Are One

WRITTEN BY Frankie Beverly

PERFORMED BY Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The Hot 8 Brass Band

APPEARS ON We Are One(1983), Rock With The Hot 8(2005)

New Orleans is known for its history of jazz and the brass band sound that was born in the black community. The music has been passed down from generation to generation and is a main staple of our culture. Millions of people travel here for the authentic New Orleans music experience. There is nothing like the sound of a New Orleans brass band. Over the years they have progressed from the traditional songs into more modern and contemporary songs as well. I thought I would tie that in with another local musical favorite of the community.

Maze was discovered by Marvin Gaye under the name Raw Soul and released their first album Maze featuring Frankie Beverly in 1976. The group is not originally from New Orleans but you couldn’t tell me that when I was growing up. They have always been considered our adopted band. Their popularity here was so great they recorded their album Live in New Orleans in 1980. They are the only modern group I ever heard my grandfather asked to be played. Although they never had a major crossover hit, Maze has always been a favorite in the R&B world. They could perform in New Orleans five times a year and sell out each time. Those crowds would consist of people from thirty years old to seventy. Every year they close out the last night of the Essence Music Festival and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of their best songs is a cool groove about unity titled We Are One. It is the title track of their album released in 1983. It features the smooth vocals of the great Frankie Beverly and the soulful melody with the classic Maze sound. Pay special attention to the organ in the background. We Are One explains the idea that despite the cruel and hurtful things we do and say to one another, we are all connected and can get through anything with the love we have for one another. In the song Frankie Beverly lets us know that if we are one no matter what we do and we just need to put it all together things would be better. The words fit a lot of issues going on around the world and especially here in New Orleans. It’s a perfect song for bringing family and friends together. It’s perfect for a community that has been shaken by disaster and fighting through rough times. It also could be a great song for a country that could use more of a united feeling. It’s a great song of a great R&B album.

The reason I selected this song out of all the Maze songs is because it’s also my favorite recorded brass band song. The Hot 8 Brass Band recorded the second line version of this song in 2005. It’s an example of the versatility of the modern brass band. It also shows that true musicians can take a song like this and create an entirely different sound while keeping the emotion of the original intact. You have the Hot 8 Brass Band, Frankie Beverly singing and blowing about unity. That’s a real New Orleans experience. I have a little advice for anyone thinking about coming to visit my city. If you want to come to the Maze concert with my people make sure you learn how to do the Bus Stop. There’s nothing worse than someone messing up the line in the middle of the song.

Lyrics:
Can't understand
why we treat each other in this way
Taking up time
With the silly silly games we play
We've got our love
And no matter how it's said or done
We are one no matter what we do
We are one love will see us through
We are one and that's the way it is
Sometimes I feel
That we try and make each other sad
The things we do
How we make each other feel so bad
We've got so much
We could all be having so much fun
We are one from the very start
We are one deep down in your heart
We are one
And that's the way it is
I Can't understand
why we treat each other in this way
Taking up time
With the silly silly games we play
We've got our love
And no matter how it's said or done
We are one no matter what we do
We are one love will see us through
We are one and that's the way it is

We Are One - Hot 8 Brass Band