CHARLES BRADLEY – Why Is it So Hard (live on KEXP)

Charles Bradley, backed by The Menahan Street Band, performs “Why Is It So Hard” live from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop in Austin, TX, during KEXP’s broadcast at SXSW. Recorded 3/17/2011.

Charles Edward Bradley (1948 – 2017) was an American singer. After years of obscurity and a part-time music career, Bradley came to prominence in his early 50s. His performances and recording style were consistent with the revivalist approach of his main label Daptone Records, celebrating the feel of funk and soul music from the 1960s and 1970s. One review said he “echoes the evocative delivery of Otis Redding”.

Why is it so hard To make it in America I try so hard To make it in America

A land of milk and honey A land supposed to be built with love It take love and understanding To live and let live

I was born in Gainesville Florida I traveled far and wide Then I moved to Brooklyn, New York Had hard times, for sometime I hold on

Why is it so hard To make it in America I try so hard To make it in America

Seemed like nothing was goin’ right So I said to myself You got to move away from here I went to upstate New York A little town they call Poughkeepsie Got me a job To get away from all this stress But I couldn’t get away No matter how far I went Seems like nothing gonna change Everything still remained the same

Why is it so hard To make it in America I try so hard To make it in America

Why, tell me, tell me We gotta make a change, in America Help me somebody