Are You Ready

Album: Are You Ready (1970)
Charted: 14
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Songfacts®:

  • "Are You Ready?" is definitely the best-remembered song by the short-lived blues-rock band Pacific Gas & Electric, from their third album for which it is the title track. It was written by drummer Charlie Allen and John Hill. In fact, this was their only charting hit.

    However, another song in the PG&E cannon might yet get a second-wind: their version of "Staggolee" was also part of the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's film Deathproof.
  • Isn't this a dark little piece of gospel-funk? It sounds both inspirational and apocalyptic at the same time. The opening line, "There's rumors of war," is a shout-out to the Bible verse Matthew 24:4 (King James). The promise that "He'll carry you home" is a shout-out to the traditional African American spiritual song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The line "Brothers and sisters, I have many" might be an inversion of the classic riddle "Brothers and sisters I have none, but this man's father is his father's son."

Comments: 5

  • George Pope from Vancouver - CanadaThe '70s were the era of music & lyrics you could listen to with your mind & heart as well as your ears! This song appeals to all 3, some how. . .
  • Danny from Stockton, CaTruly one of the most iconic songs to come out of the 60's - 70's, a little known classic. One of the best guitar solos in history. Seriously!
  • Mike from Norwalk, CtLove the great DeGarmo & Key's version of this in the 80s. Excellent timeless song!
  • Marlene from Montreal, QcCharlie Allen had a gospel background and they did other gospel and gospel influenced tracks, such as "Wade in the Water".
  • Rick from Belfast, MeThis song started out in 1970....the decade of fantastic music....as this song attests to....
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