Written by Charles Glenn/Syl Johnson/Jimmy Leonard
Intro: Fm Fm Fm FmVerse 1:
Fm The dark brown shades of my skin Fm Only add colour to my tears Bbm Fm That splash against my hollow bones, that rocks my soul Fm Looking back over my false dreams, that I once knew Fm Wondering why my dreams never came true Bbm Fm Somebody tell me, what can I doBbm Something is holding me back Fm Is it because I'm black?Verse 2:
Fm In this world of no pity Fm I was raised in the ghetto of the city Bbm Momma, she works so hard Fm To earn every pennySolo: Fm Fm Fm FmBbm Something is holding me back Fm Is it because I'm black? Bbm Something is holding me back Fm I wonder, Is it because I'm black?Outro: Bbm Somebody please tell me Fm Is it because I'm black? With my black skin Bbm Somebody, someone...Verse 3:
Fm Like a child stealing candy for the first time, and got caught Fm Around life's corner somewhere I got lost Bbm Something is holding me back Fm Is it because I'm black? Bbm Something is holding me back Fm Is it because I'm black?