Wavy Gravy's Basic Human Needs

Premiere of Basic Human Needs Music Video

This incredible music video was a surprise gift by the amazing Denise Kaufman and her band Ace of Cups to Wavy Gravy for his 80th Birthday. They recorded him singing his song Basic Human Needs and, guided by their producer Dan Shea, created a beautiful musical track to support this song. Their backing vocals, with the addition of some wonderful gospel singers, uplift Wavy's heartfelt singing. Filmmaker Jesse Block created this video of Wavy's legacy of service to those in need around the world. Special THANK YOU to High Moon Records for underwriting this fun project.

Basic Human Needs
(A Song for One String by Wavy Gravy)

Wouldn’t it be neat
if the people that you meet
had shoes upon their feet
and something to eat?
And wouldn’t it be fine
if all humankind
had shelter?

Wouldn’t it be grand
if we all lent a hand
so each one could stand
on a free piece of land?
And wouldn’t it be thrilling
if folks stopped their killing
and started in tilling the land?

Chorus:
Basic Human Needs
Basic Human Deeds
Doin’ What Comes Naturally.
Down in the Garden
Where No One Is Apart
Deep Down in the Garden
The Garden of Your Heart.

Wouldn’t it be daring
if folks started sharing
instead of comparing
what each other was wearing?
And wouldn’t it be swell
if people didn’t sell
their mother earth?

Bridge:
Not just churches,
not just steeples,
give me people helping people.
Not just churches,
not just steeples,
give me people helping people
give me people helping people.