The most defining version of the song was recorded on June 21, 1969, at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, featuring: Piano and Vocals. Eddie Harris: Tenor Saxophone. Benny Bailey: Trumpet. Leroy Vinnegar: Bass. Donald Dean: Drums.
The lyrics are notoriously angry, pointed, and accuse the "powers that be" of mismanagement. Compared to What
Critiques the Vietnam War with lines like "The president, he's got his war / Folks don't know just what it's for". The most defining version of the song was
Highlights unethical behavior by those in power, including themes of "unwed mothers need abortion" and "Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs". Leroy Vinnegar: Bass
The song has been covered by more than 270 artists by 2011, including famous versions by Ray Charles and Roberta Flack.
Les McCann for his 1966 album Les McCann Plays the Hits .
Addresses the gap between the myth of equality and the reality of poverty.