Domestic Violence; The Story Behind "You're Not A Fool"

"No song I write is important, unless if affects a positive change in someone's life. I write to make a difference. It's not about me as a writer or singer, it's about who hears it." - Jared Jones, yes...me.

In the days shortly after the Rihanna/Chris Brown public domestic violence, I began reading and hearing comments from teens and others like "maybe she did something to deserve it", and "he wouldn't have hit her without a reason". Those comments disturbed me, and I was upset by them, as I've heard from too many of my friends, that they know someone who is being abused, but they are scared, and don't want to seek help. That stayed with me until a melody and lyric came to my mind.."You're Not A Fool".

And after reading the statistics, it is one of my missions to make sure as many people as possible hear "You're Not A Fool", and download the MP3 for free. It is available at www.reverbnation.com/jaredjones. I am also working to make it available from various Domestic Violence support groups. The song was written for women especially, and I hope the song can encourage and inspire those who hear it to seek help, and get out of abusive situations.

My soul cries when reading the stats. I have a two-year old daughter, and it hurts to think that all of these women are someone's child, someone's mother, someone's friend, someone's sister.
Please join the cause to stop domestic violence, and help victims realize they are not alone, and they can get out of the situation, and live a better life.

Again, share the song with as many people as possible, it's a free download. When you read the stats below, you will see why. We can all help in affecting a positive change in someone's life. Do your part...the song is a start.

Here are a few statistics on domestic violence...

One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Institute of Justice, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, July 2000. The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, 1999)

Estimates range from 960,000 incidents of violence against a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend to 3 million women who are physically abused by their husband or boyfriend per year. (U.S. Department of Justice, Violence by Intimates: Analysis of Data on Crimes by Current or Former Spouses, Boyfriends, and Girlfriends, March 1998. The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, 1999)

Women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence, men for approximately 15%.(Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, February 2003)

Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.(Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S. 1993-2004, 2006.)

Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.(Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence, 2006. Lieberman Research Inc., Tracking Survey conducted for The Advertising Council and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, July – October 1996)

On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day. (Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, February 2003. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S. 1993-2004, 2006.)

(For more statistics, you can visit http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/)

Please contact me at jjones@speakezmusic.com if you have any questions, or would like to receive the song directly from me, or if you would like help in finding a domestic violence support group.

Song Info and Lyrics Below...

You’re Not A Fool
Written By: Jared Jones (ASCAP), Ezemdi Chikwendu (BMI)Produced By: Ezemdi Chikwendu for Speak-EZ Music and White Chocolate Productions
www.speakezmusic.com
www.myspace.com/jaredjonesmusic

Verse 1
Wanna keep it on the hush, hush
Like it don’t mean nothin
Maybe runnin’ outta time
So you betta say somethin’
You wanna get away
But you don’t know where to turn
You gotta go soon
So you can live what you learn

Pre-Chorus
There’s no love in pain(Don’t play yourself)
He can’t treat you that way(You’ve been warned)
Please don’t fall in love with your tears
Till’ the situation’s come to an end

Chorus
Baby you’re not a fool
You’re not a fool
Baby you’re not a fool
You’re not a fool
Baby you’re not a fool
You’re not a fool
Baby you’re not a fool
You know what to do
Baby you’re not a fool

Verse 2
You workin’ too hard
To let someone mistreat ya’
But you stick around
Cause he says that he needs ya’
You put your legs in chains
Now that’s no way to live your life
Time to make a change
And the reason’s in your eyes

Pre-Chorus
Emotions torn apart(Broken-down)
Heartaches cold and dark(Won’t come out)
Throwin’ you like a ship in a storm
This has gone on for too long

Chorus

Bridge
You can press play all you want
But there’s no pause or rewinding remote
Control what you can
Please understand
Just move while you can
It’s in your hands

Chorus

Fade out

End

Music by: Ezemdi Chikwendu

©2009 Speak-EZ Music

Some Sites To Visit...
http://www.allstate.com/foundation/econ-empowerment.aspx
http://www.healingclub.com/

Welcome To Jared Jones Music

I was inspired to develop this new blog after viewing Juliana Joya's blog. She just signed with Emblem/Warner Bros, and I came across her site while pitching music for artist's projects. It's tough to pitch when many more artists are writing their own songs, but I'm still networking like crazy, and will continue getting in contact and working hard to co-write with artists.

Today, I'll be mixing Ashley Tucker's record, "How Will I", and then sending out to my manager, and a few music colleagues that are waiting to hear the finished material. I'll also be continuing to find the shows and films that need the Pop and R&B music we do, to continue getting more placements, on top of the ones we've had thuse far (CBS, NBC, and FOX).

That's all for today. I'll be in studio tomorrow with Sam Vegas, new R&B artist here in Boston. Doin big things soon! Holla back!