"Beautiful New Born Child" is a song by Eric Burdon & War from their 1970 album "Eric Burdon Declares War." The track explores themes of identity, embracing one's heritage, and breaking free from societal norms. The lyrics describe the protagonist as a child of the funky time, suggesting a connection to the energy and spirit of the era. The song acknowledges the dark times and wrongdoings committed by the protagonist's people. However, the protagonist also acknowledges their own contribution to this painful legacy by creating some "ugly children" for others to adopt. The song suggests that society embraces the "ugly, dyin', and freak" parts of themselves because they are a part of their identity, yet they are afraid to acknowledge and speak about them. The protagonist also believes that deep down, within everyone, there is a part ready to take over and destroy the last semblance of sanity in their mind. The call to let this inner darkness out and to forget about music and its traditional expectations is a plea for liberation and self-expression. It encourages the listener to give in to the funky, the gypsy, and to embrace the deeper parts of their soul. The song also mentions a "curse of the newborn child" and the "incredible madness" of just being oneself. It hints at the struggle and complexities of navigating one's identity and the uncertainty of what the future may hold. Ultimately, "Beautiful New Born Child" is a song that urges listeners to find beauty and freedom in embracing their roots, their true self, and to fly free by embracing the uniqueness that lies within them.
