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
To Make Me Who I Am
Aaron Neville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My life has been up and down, been close to an end
But I've been through the mill
And I've paid my dues
Walked so many miles in different peoples shoes
But I've been through the fire
And I've walked in the rain
Once I was a schemer
But I always was a dreamer
But it took me who I was and where I've been
To make me who I am
I've met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell
Traveled some crooked roads, got some stories yet to tell
I've shot up with the junkie, in piss stench halls
Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to god
Some days I was blessed, some nights I was damned
But I always tried to lend a helping hand
Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where I've been
To make me who I am
Oh, I've seen the little children, all strung out on dope
No one to care about them, living without hope
But I've been lucky that I always had a song
I'll sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrong.
Once my life was wretched
But why should I regret it
'cause, it took me who I was, and where I've been
To make me who I am
Speech:
This is dedicated to my friends in jail
For my brother jake who had to ride the rail
For my friend roonie and melvin, who were so dear
They were so misunderstood
But I wish they were still here
To hear this song I sing from my heart
They're forever in my soul, even though we had to part
Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where I've been
To make me who I am
God said I forgive you
Wipe away the scars
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you who you are
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you what you are
The song "To Make Me Who I Am" by Aaron Neville is a deeply personal and emotional reflection on the ups and downs of his life. The lyrics describe how he has experienced difficult times and situations, but has come through them to emerge as the person he is today. Neville sings about walking through the world without a friend, experiencing both joy and pain, and meeting lost souls in the depths of Hell. However, he also sings about how he has had a song in his heart throughout his life, and how he tries to use that song to make a positive difference in the world.
The lyrics suggest that Neville has lived a life that has been both challenging and rewarding, and that it is his experiences that have made him who he is today. He has been through the fire and the rain, and has paid his dues. But through it all, he has remained a dreamer at heart, never losing sight of his aspirations and his love for music. He also acknowledges that his past includes times when he was a deceiver, but he has since become a believer, and his past has helped shape who he is today.
The core message of the song is that the experiences we go through in life, both good and bad, help to shape who we are as people. By acknowledging and accepting these experiences, we can grow and develop into the best versions of ourselves. Neville's lyrics are a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked through this world sometimes without a friend
Sometimes I have gone through life without anyone to turn to
My life has been up and down, been close to an end
I have experienced both good and bad times, sometimes very close to death
But I've been through the mill
I have experienced a lot
And I've paid my dues
I have worked hard and made sacrifices
Walked so many miles in different peoples shoes
I have experienced life from many perspectives
But I've been through the fire
I have been through difficult times
And I've walked in the rain
I have experienced sorrow and tears
I've felt the joy and endured the pain
I have experienced both happiness and suffering
Once I was a schemer
I used to be a trickster
But I always was a dreamer
But I always had hope for something better
But it took me who I was and where I've been
It was my past experiences and mistakes that shaped me into the person I am today
To make me who I am
Who I am today is a result of my past
I've met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell
I have encountered many troubled people in difficult situations
Traveled some crooked roads, got some stories yet to tell
I have been on some questionable paths, and have some stories to share
I've shot up with the junkie, in piss stench halls
I have used drugs with addicts in dirty places
Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to god
I have had dealings with evil, but have also turned to my faith for help
Some days I was blessed, some nights I was damned
I have had moments of good fortune and moments of despair
But I always tried to lend a helping hand
I have always done my best to help others
Oh, I've seen the little children, all strung out on dope
I have witnessed innocent children who have been victimized by drugs
No one to care about them, living without hope
These children have no one to care for them and have lost hope
But I've been lucky that I always had a song
I am fortunate that I have something to share and offer hope
I'll sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrong.
I will share my message with empathy and try to make things better
Once my life was wretched
My life was once in a terrible state
But why should I regret it
But I have no reason to regret it, as it made me who I am
'cause, it took me who I was, and where I've been
My past experiences made me into the person I am
To make me who I am
That is why I am who I am today
This is dedicated to my friends in jail
I dedicate this to my friends who are incarcerated
For my brother jake who had to ride the rail
For my brother Jake who had a difficult journey
For my friend roonie and melvin, who were so dear
For my friends Ronnie and Melvin, who were important to me
They were so misunderstood
But they were not fully understood by others
But I wish they were still here
I wish they were still alive
To hear this song I sing from my heart
To hear this heartfelt song I sing
They're forever in my soul, even though we had to part
They will always be with me in spirit, even though we are apart
God said I forgive you
God has forgiven me
Wipe away the scars
Letting go of the scars from my past
Cause I know it took who you were
Because I know that my past experiences shaped me
And where you came from
And where I have been in life
To make you who you are
To make me the person I am today
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBBIE NEVIL, BRADLEY DAVID SPALTER, GORDON CHAMBERS, AARON NEVILLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind