A Song for Our Times: “Whatcha Gonna Do (When the World’s on Fire)?”

Rochester, NY – Regional favorite band Prime Time Funk has just released a socially-distanced music video with a message that speaks loudly to current events. The song, “Whatcha Gonna Do (When the World’s on Fire)?,” was originally released on the band’s 2012 Hear and Now CD, but its writing journey began years before that. Composed and arranged by PTF trumpet player Derrick Lipp, James Richmond – the band’s co-founder/leader and sax player/vocalist – began writing the lyrics right after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“’Whatcha Gonna Do’ is kind of timeless because, unfortunately, there’s always something devastating going on that can bring out the worst or the best in people,” says Richmond. “We had originally chosen the song because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the murder of George Floyd and the resulting protests make it even more appropriate.”

Whatcha Gonna Do (When the World’s on Fire)?

(Derrick Lipp & James Richmond)

“The state of the world in which we live is enough to drive you mad.

Vigilantes pose as leaders, and try and rule the whole land.

Whatcha gonna do when the world’s on fire?

Where you gonna run when there’s no hiding place?

Whatcha gonna do when your will gets tired?

Somebody tell me: whatcha gonna do?

Faceless enemies that use us as their pawns — their shadows are hard to recognize.

It’s tough, but we can make it — help to save each other’s lives.

Whatcha gonna do…

Somebody help me to understand — shed some light so I can see.

Stop blinding me with hatred, brutality, and greed.

Whatcha gonna do…”

Like so many other quarantined musicians, the 10-piece horn band has not been able to play together for several months, and decided to take on the challenge of playing together separately. Each bandmember recorded his own part, and PTF keyboardist and recording engineer Andy Calabrese mixed and compiled the effort– not an easy task with a band this large.

“We really miss playing live with an audience, but making this video was a great experience and we’re already working on another,” adds Richmond.

More about Prime Time Funk: Formed in 1996, PTF is a 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians from Western NY who write, arrange and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz, and R&B that’s hard to categorize but easy to feel. Along with co-founder/sax-player James Richmond, the band includes vocalist Ronnie Leigh, drummer David Cohen, saxophonist Vince Ercolamento, guitarist Joe Chiappone, Andy Calabrese on keyboards, bass player Ron France, Mike Edwards on baritone sax, and trumpeters Ron D’Angelo and Derrick Lipp. In its 23 years, PTF has performed with some of the world’s most respected acts at regional, national and international venues. PTF’s debut CD, Ready and Willing, was co-produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer and RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. Its self-produced follow-up CD, Hear and Now, is a tribute to the band’s late co-founder and original bass player, Ralph Ortiz. PTF is the official house band of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame annual awards ceremonies at Eastman Theatre. Find out more at www.primetimefunk.com.

Media please note:  High-resolution photos of the band are available at primetimefunk.com/press, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged.

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