Neville charted again, in 1989, when he collaborated with Linda Ronstadt on three consecutive duets: Don't Know Much, All My Life, and When Something Is Wrong with My Baby, the first two reached Number One on the Adult Contemporary charts. Neville has released more than 20 singles, including three Number Ones on the Adult Contemporary format, and a fourth on the R&B format.
His other hits have included Everybody Plays the Fool, his successful 1991 cover of the 1972 Main Ingredient song, that reached #8 on the Hot 100; Don't Take Away My Heaven, Hercules and Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You (The Rain Song). Neville's biggest solo successes have been on the Adult Contemporary chart, where "Don't Know Much," "All My Life," and "Everybody Plays the Fool" all reached Number One.
Aaron signed to SonyBMG's new Burgundy Records label in late 2005 and recorded an album of songs by Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke and others for Bring It On Home...The Soul Classics, released on September 19, 2006. The album, produced by Stewart Levine, features collaborations between Neville and Chaka Khan, Mavis Staples, Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Art Neville, and others. The album's first single was a remake of The Impressions' 1963 classic It's All Right.
On October 27, 2006, Neville made a guest appearance on an episode of the soap opera The Young and the Restless. He sang Stand By Me" and Ain't No Sunshine, from his album, Bring It on Home … The Soul Classics. In 2008 he released Gold, which includes a double album of his hits.
http://www.aaronneville.com
I Bid You Goodnight
Aaron Neville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to lay your head upon your Savior's breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Lay down my dear Brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your Savior's breast
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
One of these mornings bright and early and soon, goodnight
Now they're pickin' up the spirit to the shore beyond, goodnight
Go walking in the valley of the shadow of death, goodnight
His rod and his staff, gonna comfort me, goodnight
Join the wise, there's a soul to find, goodnight
Lord send a fire, not a flood next time, goodnight
To leave for the ark, that wonderful boat, goodnight
She really loaded down, getting water to float, goodnight
Now pray for the beast at the ending of the world, goodnight
He'll eat all the children that would not be good, goodnight
I remember right well, I remember right well, goodnight
I went walking to Jerusalem just like John
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your Saviors breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
In "I Bid You Goodnight" by Aaron Neville, the singer addresses his dear brother and asks him to rest in peace. He expresses his love for his brother, but acknowledges that Jesus loves him best. The repetition of "goodnight" throughout the song is significant as it highlights the theme of death and parting ways. The singer wishes his brother a peaceful journey towards the afterlife, and hopes to lay his head upon the Savior's breast.
The second stanza provides a more detailed description of what happens after death. The singer suggests that the spirit is being picked up by a force and taken to the shore beyond. He also states that one must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but is comforted by the rod and staff of Jesus. The lyrics then shift away from the afterlife and towards biblical references, such as the story of Noah's Ark and praying for the beast at the end of the world. The singer recounts his own journey to Jerusalem and compares it to that of John. Ultimately, the song is a prayer and tribute to the singer's loved one who has passed away.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay down my dear Brother, lay down and take your rest
It's time for you to rest and sleep, my dear sibling.
I want to lay your head upon your Savior's breast
I want to cradle your head and lay you upon the comfort of Jesus Christ's chest.
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
Although I love you, it is Jesus Christ who loves you the most.
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I lovingly say goodbye to you as you go to rest for the night.
One of these mornings bright and early and soon, goodnight
Soon you will awaken to a bright and early morning, but for now, goodnight.
Now they're pickin' up the spirit to the shore beyond, goodnight
The spirits are being lifted up to the beyond, signaling that it is time to say goodnight.
Go walking in the valley of the shadow of death, goodnight
As you travel through the valley of the shadow of death, rest well for the night.
His rod and his staff, gonna comfort me, goodnight
God's guiding hand will comfort me in my time of need, goodnight.
Join the wise, there's a soul to find, goodnight
Seek wisdom and join others who are finding their soul's purpose, and with that, goodnight.
Lord send a fire, not a flood next time, goodnight
Let us hope that in the future any destructive force will be one of purification by fire, and with that, goodnight.
To leave for the ark, that wonderful boat, goodnight
Let us imagine ourselves boarding Noah's Ark, and let that thought guide us to restful sleep. Goodnight.
She really loaded down, getting water to float, goodnight
Thinking of the ark loaded with water and essential supplies, let's rest easy and say goodnight.
Now pray for the beast at the ending of the world, goodnight
Let's pray for the redemption of any beast at the world's end, and with that, goodnight.
He'll eat all the children that would not be good, goodnight
There is a literary reference to 'The Jabberwocky' horror story where evil beasts eat children. Let us pray that this never happens and with that, say goodnight.
I remember right well, I remember right well, goodnight
As we look back on our memories, let us say goodnight to the past, and get ready for a restful night.
I went walking to Jerusalem just like John
Once Again, a literary reference to John walking to the Holy Land. Let us go to sleep, having had a restful night and sweet dreams about our journey through faith.
Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
It's time for us to rest our bodies, mind, and soul.
I want to lay your head upon your Savior's breast
Like a loving parent, let me tuck you in and cradle you on the comforting chest of Jesus Christ.
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
Although I deeply love you, it is Jesus Christ who loves you most of all.
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I lovingly bid you farewell for the night and wish you a peaceful sleep.
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Once again, I bid you farewell for the evening and hope for a restful night.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW M. GOLD, NICOLETTE LARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind