Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
John Legend
John Legend
Vocals
The Roots
The Roots
Performer
C.L. Smooth
C.L. Smooth
Vocals
Jessyca Wilson
Jessyca Wilson
Background Vocals
Ashley Simpson
Ashley Simpson
Background Vocals
Lacey Jones
Lacey Jones
Background Vocals
Matt Cappy
Matt Cappy
Trumpet
Chris Farr
Chris Farr
Saxophone
Randy Bowland
Randy Bowland
Guitar
Ahmir Thompson
Ahmir Thompson
Drums
Owen Biddle
Owen Biddle
Bass
Jeff Bradshaw
Jeff Bradshaw
Trombone
Norelle
Norelle
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
C.L. Smooth
C.L. Smooth
Writer
Leon Moore
Leon Moore
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
John Legend
John Legend
Producer
C.L. Smooth
C.L. Smooth
Additional Producer
Questlove
Questlove
Producer
James Poyser
James Poyser
Producer
Alex Venguer
Alex Venguer
Recording Engineer
Nick Banns
Nick Banns
Recording Engineer
Jon Smeltz
Jon Smeltz
Engineer
Chris Soper
Chris Soper
Recording Engineer
Derik Lee
Derik Lee
Assistant Engineer
Jimmy Douglass
Jimmy Douglass
Mixing Engineer
Maki Suzuki
Maki Suzuki
Assistant Engineer
Darren Moore
Darren Moore
Assistant Engineer
Dave Kutch
Dave Kutch
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hope of the world is in our generation
(Let's straighten it out)
It's all left up to us to change this present situation
(Let's straighten it out)
Take caution from our elders, don't make the same mistake
(Let's straighten it out)
Let's fill the world with love and get rid of all the hate
[Verse 2]
Our elders taught us one thing, but practice another
Just look at what happened to the Indian and the brother
[Verse 3]
(Straighten it out)
(Straighten it out)
(Straighten it out)
[Verse 4]
Hope of the world is in our generation
(Let's straighten it out)
It's all left up to us to change this present situation
(Let's straighten it out)
Our leaders make us fight, we don't know what for
(Let's straighten it out)
If they want people killed, let them fight the war
[Verse 5]
It's gotta end somewhere, this killing's got to cease
If no one were to fight, we'd all live in peace
[Verse 6]
Our generation
(Straighten it out)
It's all left up to us
(Straighten it out)
Our generation
(Straighten it out)
Let's do just what we must
Straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
Gotta straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
Straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
We can straighten it out yeah
[Verse 7]
As long as there's a you, there's a better me
It's why we're together and stronger
Than they ever thought it could be
A world motherless, can health care cover this?
A love for all people no matter what the culture is
Our generation is makin' huge strides
A self-powering movement that's on the rise
(Let's straighten it out)
The more the door is open, the more the youth can see
A fair chance means a greater opportunity
(Let's straighten it out)
To have a brighter future, deeper insight
Work hard to be anything you want in life
(Let's straighten it out)
It's what it's all about, the longevity
Educated enough to know what's ahead of me
Need to straighten it out, seek and you'll find
They can cage your body, but not your mind
We lay it all on the line in the struggle
We grew, but together here's what we gotta do
[Verse 8]
Our generation
(Straighten it out)
It's all left up to us
(Straighten it out)
Our generation
(Straighten it out)
Let's do just what we must
Straighten it out
(Our generation)
Straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
Straighten it out
(Our generation)
We can straighten it out yeah
[Verse 9]
Come on yeah
(Our generation)
Hey hey (Let's straighten it out)
Let's straighten it out
(Our generation)
Let's straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
New York City
(Our generation)
Let's straighten it out
(Let's straighten it out)
Atlanta
(Our generation)
Let's straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
Los Angeles
(Our generation)
Let's straighten it out
(Let's straighten it out)
We can straighten it out
(Our generation)
We can straighten it out
(Straighten it out)
Come on let it go
(Our generation)
Let's straighten it out
(Let's straighten it out)
Generation
(Our generation)
Written by: C.L. Smooth, Leon Moore
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