Brown was a star football quarterback at Mount Vernon High School in New York, but rejected an athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa to pursue a music career. In 1987, Quincy Jones selected Brown as the first winner of the Sony Innovators Talent Search. Subsequently, Brown went on to work with Jones on several projects, most notably the platinum single "Secret Garden" from Jones' double platinum album Back on the Block. On this recording, Brown was one of a quartet with Barry White, El DeBarge, and James Ingram.
His debut album from 1988, In Effect Mode, sold more than two million copies, topping the Billboard R&B chart for seven straight weeks. The album included his memorable single "Nite and Day", which topped the R&B singles chart and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. He received numerous Grammy and American Music Award (AMA) nominations, and won an AMA for Best New R&B Artist. He also received several Soul Train Award nominations, and won the award for Best New Artist. He also won several New York Music Awards. In addition, Al's 900 phone line was third in generating revenue, following those for New Kids on the Block and Run-DMC.
As a writer and producer, Brown introduced the multi-platinum group Jodeci and teen R&B performer Tevin Campbell (also one of Quincy Jones's former protégés), as well as Faith Evans, Dave Hollister, Case, and Usher to the music scene.
On June 23, 2009, Al released his fourth studio album, Honey I'm Home. It features the hit song, "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye Aye)." The single peaked at #77 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and at #22 Adult R&B.
Fragile
Al B. Sure! Lyrics
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Drying in the color of evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the rains away
But something in our mind will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are
On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star, like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are, how fragile we are
The lyrics to Al B. Sure!'s song Fragile are deeply reflective of the human condition and the delicate nature of life. The first two lines of the song create vivid imagery of blood flowing when flesh and steel are one, which is a metaphor for violence and the devastating consequences of it. The color of the blood drying in the evening sun is symbolic of the end of a life and the finality of death. The following lines suggest that while the rain will wash away the physical remains of what has occurred, the emotional scars will always remain.
The next verse reflects on the idea that perhaps the final act of violence was meant to clinch a lifetime's argument. It suggests that people often engage in conflict for their entire lives, but ultimately it is pointless as nothing comes from violence. The following lines address the importance of acknowledging the fragility of the human condition. All those born beneath an angry star represents individuals who may have been dealt a difficult hand in life, but it is a reminder that no one is invincible. The repetition of on and on the rain will fall and say how fragile we are reinforces the vulnerability of the human condition and the importance of recognizing it.
Overall, the lyrics to Fragile are a solemn reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of acknowledging the fragility of the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
If blood will flow, when flesh and steel are one
When violence occurs, bloodshed is inevitable
Drying in the color of evening sun
The blood will dry and change color as the sun sets
Tomorrow's rain will wash the rains away
Tomorrow's rain will wash away the evidence of violence
But something in our mind will always stay
The memories of violence will remain in our minds forever
Perhaps this final act was meant
Maybe the violence was inevitable
To clinch a lifetime's argument
To settle a long-standing disagreement
That nothing comes from violence
Violence leads to nothing but more violence
And nothing never could
Violence can never solve anything
For all those born beneath an angry star
For all those who face challenges and hardships in life
Lest we forget how fragile we are
We need to remember how vulnerable we are
On and on the rain will fall
The rain will continue to fall endlessly
Like tears from a star, like tears from a star
The rain is like tears falling from the sky
On and on the rain will say
The rain serves as a reminder
How fragile we are, how fragile we are
Of how easily we can be hurt and broken
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.