And I know when it came to this third album in particular, this was a tough road, right? PFEIFFER: Well, I am so grateful that you fought through the inequities that you saw very clearly early on, that you were able to feel empowered to speak out because, I mean, here we are with your third album. At the end of the day, b****es got to get paid. THE SUFFERS: (Singing) Every day we struggle for the dollar, dollar, dollar, working harder, harder, harder. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "B****ES GOTTA GET PAID")
And I'd start asking questions, you know, because that's what you're supposed to do when you get into a position of power, right?įRANKLIN: Especially as a minority - at least that's what I was taught - is that you get into your place, and you do what you can to make it easier for who comes after you. THE SUFFERS: (Singing) Most of these folks out here just playing pretend, talk behind your back and then call you a friend.įRANKLIN: What happened, though, is that I started speaking up when I realized that, oftentimes, we would be the only act of color in a lot of these spaces or on certain days at festival. Once more, change or not come over there.įRANKLIN: It just started to really reek of racism after a while in that, being told that there were already enough, they were saying that there was already one big band with a Black female lead singer, and that was enough. THE SUFFERS: (Singing) Back in the days, they had rules about being a star. THE SUFFERS: (Singing) You are all up in my life.įRANKLIN: I got told that it wouldn't be successful because there were already so many bands that sounded exactly like us. PFEIFFER: And being from Houston, it's a source of strength for Franklin, which she has needed because the industry did not always embrace her.
I don't have a problem speaking up or asking questions because that's what I was taught to do.
KAM FRANKLIN: I often say I come from the land of Barbara Jordan and Beyonce. Their sound is eclectic, just like the town that she's from, Houston. And with Kam Franklin as their lead singer, they've got a big voice upfront. (SOUNDBITE OF THE SUFFERS SONG, "CALL SOMEONE ELSE") They're out with their third album called "It Starts With Love." Writer(s): SHANNON BROWN, RANDY SCRUGGSLyrics powered by Franklin heads up the big band The Suffers. I hear your heart beating everywhere When we're apart I can hear you there I hear your heart beating everywhere Everywhere I go People say that I must be in love The way I forget what we're speaking of The way I stand there smiling straight ahead And walk away without hearing a word they said I hear your heart beating everywhere When we're apart I can close my eyes and hear you there I hear your heart beating everywhere Everywhere I go In the middle of the football game At the beach in the pouring rain Standing on a hillside staring at the sun People hurry by the unfortunate one With the faraway eyes and the mystery smile Moving my body in a ragamuffin style I can't sit down when I hear it start I hear you heart everywhere I go People say that I must be a fool Cause when I'm near you I cannot be cool I don't quite make sense when I talk to you And when you smile I forget everything I knew I hear your heart beating everywhere When we're apart I can close my eyes and hear you there I hear your heart beating everywhere Everywhere I go Standing in the market where I buy my bread With a hunger in my belly and a rhythm in my head Looking all around for something good to eat Between the butter and the beans and the mops and the meat Coffee from the mountain, honey from the bee Nothing tastes as good as you taste to me Rocking in the aisle to my inside song People staring at me think I got a walkman on I hear your heart beating everywhere I hear your heart I hear your heart beating everywhere I hear you heart Beating everywhere I go