From the recording Private Revolution - Shonali's new single out March 25, 2025
Shonali releases a cover of the song Private Revolution, reminiscent of the Prince inspired electronic World Party original released in 1986. As a huge fan of singer-songwriter Karl Wallinger (leader of World Party/former Waterboys member), Shonali knew upon Wallinger’s passing in 2024 she had to record one of his songs. “I was always drawn to his songwriting, his one of a kind soulful voice and his commitment to environmental activism early on when no-one was talking about saving the planet.” I love so many of Wallinger’s songs, but this song especially captures the moment we are in now, a time in which we are the ones who must make the change that we want to see in the world.” [ You catch the “We all want to change the world” in a round at the end of the song - shout out to Revolution by the Beatles?]
Shonali recorded this single in Atlanta, GA with producer Dan Dixon and recruited her friends James Hall and K. Michelle DuBois on backing vocals.
Lyrics
PRIVATE REVOLUTION by Karl Wallinger as sung by Shonali
If you want a revolution, baby,
There is nothing like your own.
You don't have to do all those burning books -
Revolutionize at home.
Someone's been hiding the pieces.
Someone been burning down the trees.
So we need your revolution, baby.
There's a planet to set free.
We are the revolution, baby,
Come to take you home.
If you say you want a revolution, baby,
There is nothing like your own.
We are the revolution, baby,
Come to set you free.
After you revolution, baby,
There is nothing you can't be.
Man's been killing the tigers (and monkeys)
Turn the green fields into sand.
And their saying how much they respect our work
Oh god and his final hand.
But the world spins on regardless,
Which is lucky for you and me,
Cause of all the places in the years right from here. This is the only place to be
We are the revolution,
Come to take you home.
If you say you want a revolution, baby,
There is nothing like your own.
We are the revolution, baby,
Come to set you free.
After you revolution, baby,
There is nothing you can't be.
Don't need a red light.
Don't need a blue light.
Don't need a yellow light
Take off from the green light now.
Take off from the green light now.
Take off from the green light now.
We are the revolution, baby,
Come to take you home.
If you say you want a revolution
There is nothing like your own
We are the revolution, baby.
We've come to set you free.
After you revolution, baby,
There is nothing you can't be.
There is nothing you can't be.
There is nothing you can't be.
We all want to change the world. (There is nothing you can't be.)
We all want to change the world
We all want to change the world
We all want to change the world.