I think this is my favourite Nick Harper track. That is really saying something as he has written some extraordinary songs.
It is a heartfelt plea to the world leaders to do something about poverty.
The G7 nations meet but play games. They are not bothered about sorting out the world’s problems. The wars rage, inequality creates mass poverty, everything runs on profit, the rich organise the system to make them richer, babies starve, parents are desperate and the environment is destroyed.
Nick made the comparison of the G7 nations with the Magnificent 7 film. So who is going to come to the aid of the poor villagers?
The song is a beautiful lilting song with some incredible use of harmonics and string winding. It is a real contrast to the desperation it describes.
The Magnificent G7
Poor men can hope but there’s not much time You have the power to banish the poverty
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations
Break them some bread for their children Who are their dreams who are their future
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations
Mountains of money Mountains of grain Mountains between you Mountains of shame
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations