By the late 1960s Austin was a prolific session musician and commercial jingle singer. By the 1980s she was signed to Jones's Qwest Records and she began having hits. She charted twenty R&B songs between 1969 and 1991 and had success on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where she hit number one in 1981 with "Do You Love Me?" / "The Genie."
The album containing that hit, Every Home Should Have One, also produced her biggest mainstream hit. "Baby, Come To Me," a duet with James Ingram, peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982. After being featured as the love theme in a prominent storyline on the soap opera General Hospital, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in October and went to number one in early 1983.
Next Austin released her third album in three years entitled "Gettin' Away With Murder". In addition to the title track, she had two more hit singles, "Honey For The Bees" (#24 R&B and #6 Dance) and "The Heat of Heat". Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, noted for their later work with Janet Jackson, the latter track returned Austin to the top 15 of the R&B charts for what would be the last time to date. It would also be her last Hot 100 charting to date, peaking at number 55, although she would score a top-5 dance hit with the single Reach that appeared originally on her 1994 CD That Secret Place (GRP Records). "Gettin' Away With Murder" used producers Russ Titelman, Tommy LiPuma, Monte Moir (of "The Time"), and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Billy Joel (Austin sang background on his "Just The Way You Are"), Dan Hartman, friends Luther Vandross and Jocelyn Brown, along with Chaka Khan were among the background vocalists on the project, with successful songwriters, Randy Goodrum, Michael Bolton, Jam & Lewis plus several other big name writers offering up their best compositions on what was likely a big budget affair. She next appeared with Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen in Francis Ford Coppola's critically acclaimed period piece Tucker: The Man and his Dream (1988). That year, Austin released The Real Me, a collection of standards which garnered her the first of several Top 10 showings on the Jazz Albums chart. "The Real Me" was chiefly produced by David Pack who had been a part of the Pop group Ambrosia. Austin served as a co-producer and as Executive Producer on the project. Austin sang "It's the Falling in Love" with Michael Jackson on his album Off The Wall. Other duet partners include George Benson ("Moody's Mood for Love" and "Keep Your Dreams Alive"), and Luther Vandross ("I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning"). Earlier she'd recorded featured duets with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on "Our Day Will Come" and "Swearin' To God" with little billing. Austin also sang lead and background vocals on many contemporary Jazz instrumentalists' records in the 1970s. In 1985 she sang lead vocals on a collaboration with her producer, Narada Michael Walden, and the single, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme", went top 40 on the R&B charts. In 1991, she recorded the duet "You Who Brought Me Love" with music legend Johnny Mathis, which was received with critical acclaim. That same year she was invited to be a guest on a Johnny Mathis television special that was broadcast across North America.
Austin led a new group of Raelettes for the 2006 album Ray Charles + Count Basie Orchestra = Genius². That group also featured veteran session singer Valerie Pinkston and members of the group Perry.
During a 2007 interview promoting her latest recording, Austin reflected how as a teenager she reluctantly attended one of Judy Garland's last concerts and the experience helped focus her career, stating "She (Judy Garland) ripped my heart out. I wanted to interpret a lyric like that, to present who I was at the moment through the lyric."
In 2007 Patti Austin participated in the Avo Session Basel with a program dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald.
In 2008, fifty-three years after getting her first record contract, Patti Austin was awarded her first Grammy Award, winning Best Jazz Vocal Album for "Avant Gershwin" at the 50th annual Grammy Awards. The award came for her ninth nomination in that category.
Austin is co-producer and one of over 70 artists singing on "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
In 2011 Austin released a mostly covers album project titled "Sound Advice" which contained re-works of Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody", Brenda Russell's "A Little Bit Of Love", a lesser known Jacksons tune, "Give It Up," her tribute to late friend/collaborator, Michael Jackson, a cover of Bill Withers, "Lean On Me" which she first sang at a milestone birthday for her Godfather Quincy Jones. Also on "Sound Advice" standout performances of Don McLean's "Vincent" (aka Starry Starry Night) and a deeply female take on "My Way." Austin wrote the anthemic "The Grace Of God" after watching an episode of the old "Oprah Winfrey Show" which featured a facially scarred woman ... Keeping relevant, Austin offered the bouncy slice of Pop/Rock/RandB "Round And Round" including the latest trendy vocal effects, though Austin remains one singer who clearly needs no such production techniques to cover a crystal clear, flexible, and knowing voice imitated by many, duplicated by none. Austin co-wrote and sings in the star-studded L.O.V.E. - Let One Voice Emerge, encouraging especially younger Americans to get out there and exercise their right to vote.[citation needed]
Austin appears in the Academy Award-winning documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on 21 June 2013. She is working on an upcoming, as yet untitled duets album project with James Ingram.
Overture/Gershwin Medley
Patti Austin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gather around
Gather around you children
And we will lose that evil spirit called the hoodoo
Nothing but trouble, if he has found
If he has found you children
But you can chase the hoodoo
With the dance that you do
Let me lead the way, Jubilee today
He'll never hound you
Step on the ground you children
I got rhythm, I got music
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
Fascinatin' rhythm, you got me on the go
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
I've got daisies, in green pastures
I've got my man, who could ask for anything more?
Fascinatin' rhythm, you got me on the go
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
Old man trouble, I don't mind him
You won't find him
Hanging around, hanging around my back door
I've got starlight, sweet dreams
I've got my man, who could ask for anything more?
Who could ask for anything
You got me on the go
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
Fascinatin' rhythm, you got me on the go
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
Fascinatin' rhythm, you got me on the go
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
What a mess you're making
The neighbors want to know
Why I'm always shaking
Like a flivver
Each morning I get up with the sun
To find at night no work has been done
I know that once it didn't matter
But now you're doing wrong
When you start to patter
I'm so unhappy
Won't you take the day off?
Decide to run along
Somewhere far away off
And make it snappy
Oh, how I long to be
The girl I used to be
Fascinatin' rhythm, won't you stop picking on me
Each morning I wake up with the sun
Just to see there's no work that's been done
I know that
Oh how I long to be the girl I used to be
Fascinatin' rhythm, won't you stop picking on me
Zoom, zoom, zoom zoom
The world is in a mess
With politics and taxes,
And people grinding axes
There's no happiness
Zoom, zoom, zoom zoom
Rhythm lead your ace
The future doesn't fret me,
As long as I can get me
Someone to slap that bass
Happiness is not a riddle
When I'm listening to that big bass fiddle
Slap that bass, slap it til it's dizzy
Slap that bass, keep the rhythm busy
Zoom zoom zoom
Misery you've got to go
Woah
Slap that bass, use it like a tonic
Slap that bass, you gotta keep your Philharmonic
Zoom zoom zoom
And the milk and honey will flow
Dictators would be better off
If they zoom zoom now and then
Today, you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm
In which case, if you want to bauble
Slap that bass, slap away your troubles
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass
Oh, dictators would be better off
If they zoom zoom now and then
Today, you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm
Ah, in which case, if you want to bauble
Slap that bass, slap away your troubles
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass
Clap your hands
Slap your thigh
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Everybody come along and join the Jubilee
Clap your hands
Slap your thigh
Don't you lose time, don't you lose time
Come along, it's shake your shoes time
Now for you and me
On the sands of time, you are only a pebble
Remember, trouble must be treated
just like a rebel
Stand up to the Devil
Clap your hands, slap your thigh
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Talk about a
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Everybody come along and join the Jubilee
Let the drums roll out,
Let the trumpets call
While the people shout
Strike up the band
Hear the cymbals ring
Callin' one and all
To the martial swing
Strike up the band
There is work to be done, to be done
There's a war to be won, to be won
Come you son of a, son of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come along, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up the band
There is work to be done, to be done
There's a war to be won, to be won
Come you son of a, son of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come along, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up the band
I got music, I got rhythm
The lyrics of Patti Austin's song "Overture/Gershwin Medley" are a mash-up of different Gershwin songs, combined under the theme of music, rhythm, and the power it has to bring joy, chase away troubles, and create a sense of unity and celebration. The song begins with a call for children to gather around and join in a dance to chase away the "evil spirit called the hoodoo." The lyrics suggest that this spirit represents trouble and negativity, but it can be overcome by the power of music and dance. The singer expresses her own confidence in having rhythm and music in her life, as well as a loving partner, making her feel fulfilled. She also remarks on the presence of "Old man trouble" but states that she doesn't mind him because she has her starlight and sweet dreams.
The song then transitions into another section, where she addresses the challenges and hardships of life. However, she expresses a desire to return to a simpler time when her life wasn't filled with stress and worries. The lyrics mention the need to take a day off and escape from the turmoil, allowing for a return to a happier, carefree version of herself.
The song further delves into the power of music through the use of scat-like phrases and rhythmic exclamations ("Zoom, zoom, zoom zoom"). The lyrics convey the idea that in a troubled world, happiness can be found by experiencing the rhythm and energy of music. The line "Slap that bass, use it like a tonic" suggests that the bass in music can serve as a remedy or an uplifting force against misery. The lyrics also playfully suggest that dictators and troubled individuals could benefit from experiencing the joy of rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, you children
Join in, all of you young ones
Gather around
Come close together
Gather around you children
All of you young ones, gather here
And we will lose that evil spirit called the hoodoo
We will rid ourselves of that negative force known as the hoodoo
Nothing but trouble, if he has found
Only brings difficulty if he finds us
If he has found you children
If he has found all of you young ones
But you can chase the hoodoo
But you have the power to drive away the hoodoo
With the dance that you do
Through the movements of your dance
Let me lead the way, Jubilee today
Allow me to guide you, today is a time of celebration
He'll never hound you
He will never pursue or torment you
Step on the ground you children
Move your feet on the ground, all of you young ones
I got rhythm, I got music
I possess a sense of rhythm, I have music
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
I have my partner, what more could I desire?
Fascinatin' rhythm, you got me on the go
Captivating rhythm, it keeps me active and energized
Fascinatin' rhythm, I'm all a-quiver
Enthralling rhythm, it leaves me filled with excitement
I've got daisies, in green pastures
I possess flowers in lush fields
Old man trouble, I don't mind him
I am not bothered by old man trouble
You won't find him
He will not be present
Hanging around, hanging around my back door
Lingering near my home
I've got starlight, sweet dreams
I have the light of stars and pleasant dreams
Who could ask for anything more?
What more could one desire?
Zoom, zoom, zoom zoom
Rapid movement, rapid movement
The world is in a mess
The world is in disorder
With politics and taxes,
With the presence of politics and taxes
And people grinding axes
And individuals with hidden agendas
There's no happiness
There is a lack of joy
Rhythm lead your ace
Let rhythm guide you to success
The future doesn't fret me
I am not worried about the future
As long as I can get me someone to slap that bass
As long as I can find someone to play the bass
Happiness is not a riddle
Happiness is not a puzzle
When I'm listening to that big bass fiddle
When I hear the sound of the large bass instrument
Slap that bass, slap it til it's dizzy
Play the bass, play it energetically
Slap that bass, keep the rhythm busy
Play the bass, maintain a lively rhythm
Misery you've got to go
Misery, you must leave
Slap that bass, use it like a tonic
Play the bass, use it as a source of vitality
Slap that bass, you gotta keep your Philharmonic
Play the bass, you must maintain your harmonious ensemble
And the milk and honey will flow
And abundance will follow
Dictators would be better off
Dictators would benefit
If they zoom zoom now and then
If they move quickly and actively from time to time
Today, you can see that the happiest men
Today, you can observe that the most joyful individuals
All got rhythm
All possess a sense of rhythm
In which case, if you want to bauble
In that scenario, if you wish to have fun
Slap that bass, slap away your troubles
Play the bass, play to alleviate your worries
Zoom zoom zoom
Rapid movement, rapid movement
And the milk and honey will flow
And abundance will follow
Clap your hands
Applaud with your hands
Slap your thigh
Pat your thigh
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise
Everybody come along and join the Jubilee
Everyone, please come and participate in the celebration
Don't you lose time, don't you lose time
Do not waste any time
Come along, it's shake your shoes time
Come, it's time to dance energetically
On the sands of time, you are only a pebble
In the grand scheme of time, you are insignificant
Remember, trouble must be treated just like a rebel
Always remember, trouble must be addressed firmly
Stand up to the Devil
Confront evil
Talk about a
Discussing a
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise
Talk about a
Discussing a
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise
Everybody come along and join the Jubilee
Everyone, please come and participate in the celebration
Let the drums roll out
Allow the drums to be heard
Let the trumpets call
Allow the trumpets to sound
While the people shout
As the people cheer
Strike up the band
Begin playing the band's instruments
Hear the cymbals ring
Listen to the ringing of the cymbals
Callin' one and all
Summoning everyone
To the martial swing
To the rhythmic movement associated with military appeals
There is work to be done, to be done
There are tasks that need to be accomplished
There's a war to be won, to be won
There is a battle that needs to be won
Come you son of a, son of a gun
Come, you daring and brave individual
Take your stand
Establish your position
Fall in line, yea a bow
Join the organized formation
Come along, let's go
Join us, let's move forward
Hey, Leader, strike up the band
Hey, Leader, begin playing the band's instruments
I got music, I got rhythm
I possess music and rhythm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind