JEFF BECK

People Get Ready

written by Curtis Mayfield

produced by Jeff Beck, Tony Hymas,

Nile Rodgers and Arthur Baker

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I made this page June 24th, 2021, the 77th birthday of Geoffrey

(Jeff) Arnold Beck. Happy Birthday, JB!!

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The first song to come to mind when I thought of Jeff Beck was 1965’s “For Your Love,” by The Yardbirds, the classic rock band in which he was a member with two other equally legendary guitarists: Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. What I failed to realize, however, was that even though Jeff was part of the band at the time, I don’t believe he actually played on that song (it would be the great work of Mr. Clapton we hear on that number)... and so presuming I’m correct, it would make little sense to use that one for his birthday tribute. Fortunately, I did have another.

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Jeff’s yet another artist who’s still going strong, having continued to release albums into the 2010s and singles into the 2020s. His albums were sporadic in the ’80s and ’90s, but definitely worth waiting for for his fans. Flash was released in the summer of ’85, from whence comes this song, a cover of the hit by The Impressions in the ’60s. As a matter of fact, Jeff’s version—bonus: featuring Rod Stewart on vocals—commemorates the 20th anniversary of The Impressions’ original release of the song.

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Very beautiful, very spiritual selection.

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Have notes to add? Let me know!

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YT:

full version

music video

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Jeff’s official website

Lyrics

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People get ready, there’s a train a-coming / You don’t need no baggage, you just get onboard / All you need is faith, to hear the diesels humming / Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the lord / People get ready, for the train to Jordan / Picking up passengers, from coast to coast / Faith is the key, open the doors and board ’em / There’s room for all, among the loved the most, yeah / There ain’t no room, for the hopeless sinner / Who would hurt all mankind, just to save his own / Have pity on those, whose chances are thinner / ’Cause there’s no hiding place, from the kingdom’s throne / So people get ready, for the train a-comin’ / You don’t need no baggage, you just get onboard / All you need is faith, to hear the diesels humming / Don’t need no ticket, you just, you just thank the lord / Yeah / WHOOOOOO!! / Whoo! / I’m getting ready, I’m getting ready / This time I’m ready, this time I’m ready