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Curtis Mayfield on Superfly Film & Songwriting
Curtis Mayfield
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Superfly, not only through the script and its character
But being the first movie score introduced to me
Really had me in a mode for wanting to be involved
I'd worn a lot of hats
But this was the first time to be taken in
As someone that might write a movie score
For film, I usually would follow a script
And the script and this contents
And all the characters
And what the story was about
Would basically furnish me with ideas and depth
To get actually into the happenings
Of that particular movie, for scoring
However, when you're writing just in general
You use the society and the happenings about yourself
Your observances, that becomes your script
And the feelings of yourself
As well as other people
Everything I write about doesn't necessarily happen to me
But, in observing and being sensitive
You can take on the contents and characters
Of just people in general
You always have to walk that line of creativities
And what the fad is
And what the timely music is
I've never questioned myself as to how I related
For I knew I was a good person at heart
And even when I had to hit you with a hard lyric
I knew how to be soft and hard
And gentle, easy, and harsh when it was necessary
Such as the ways of life itself
Most of my writings have to do with my observances
Uhm, my feelings from the heart
And when you keep your eyes upon the prize like that
Is better for your writing
Simply because, what you say being a human being yourself
Will relate to most human beings
It doesn't matter what color or what have you
And it worked for me
Many of these songs come from the heart
And they were about the different movements
About the challenge of, black people
And other minorities trying to be equal in the society
And it was more important for me to say that
Than to, ride the line of just what the fads were
And what was supposed to be
Most arrangers that I have used in the past
Would come in with their own contributions
But I was always careful to make change
And be assured that the music was still mine
And there was no conflict
In the music that was arranged against the basic rhythm pattern
In the song itself
There's this Curtis Mayfield song that really has no singing nor lyrics
Which is called "Think"
From the Superfly album that I especially appreciate
When I listen to it
The "Makings of You" is a very pretty song
And it still holds very close to my heart
We're a winner
Doodoo Whopper Strong in here
Taken from a movie score known as Short Eyes
My art and my uhm creativities were totally something
That was of my own heart and mind
And I could never let anybody dictate to me what I should write
And how I would write it
Hearing someone else record one of your songs
Something that you had prepared, produced, and worked out
For another artist
To find that it was a hit
To know that you could not only just do for yourself
But you could do for others
I'm somewhat moody in, in respect of music
And I usually will put on my CD player
And play things according to how I feel
So within that, I mean, we got the jazz, we have the
Symphony, I've got my old music, uhm
I'm a Jamal, you know
I have quite a few gospel CDs
I always admired Henry Mancini
And all of his works, whether it was for movie scores
Or just his work in general
I just go wherever I feel
I got muddy waters in there
A bit of rap
Iced tea
Uhm, public enemies seem to be more on the issues
In their own ways of saying things
And it seems as though they sort of looked back
And did a little bit of, book work to come up with their ideas
To me, everything's changed
But ain't nothing changed too much
We all will carry a certain amount of prejudice
And probably a certain amount of prejudice is okay
But it's only when one becomes biased and
Have hate in their heart and
Won't allow themselves to relate or sit down at the table
And converse, does it look bad for us all
There were many songs that may have created some controversy
But I felt within my heart that it was the right things to say
And I suppose I was somewhat arrogant about many songs
But if I liked it and I felt it deep in my heart
It didn't matter whether it sold or not
I was with it
So that's the way I've always been about my music
And of course, I never tried to compete with anybody
I just basically did my own thing as my thoughts reviled
And I'm very pleased and happy that it has
Uhm, proven the times in longevity
I'll just hope they will be mentioning Curtis Mayfield
It will only mean that my music has still been instilled
Through generation after generation
Doesn't matter what they say, so long as they see it
Many of my goals have been achieved
Knowing from where I come from
I come out of high school first year
I was on the road at uhm 15, 16 years old
Played the Apollo, I've been a producer
I've been involved with movie scores
And I always appreciated even being that
Solid writer for other people
To see them happen, and to
And to find that I could write hits for them as well, so
I would say whatever your creativities
Or whatever you're doing in life, hopefully they're positive
Keep a strong mind
Always be yourself
And just continue with the struggle
Of pushing and achieving your goals
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