Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas. He started performing at age ten in a Forrest City quartet called the Greene Brothers; he dropped the final "E" from his last name years later as a solo artist. They toured extensively in the mid-1950s in the South until the Greenes moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, when they began to tour around Michigan. His father kicked him out of the group because he caught Green listening to Jackie Wilson.
In 1967 at the age of 16, Al formed an R&B group, Al Green & the Creations, with several of his high-school friends. Two Creation members, Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, founded their own independent record company, Hot Line Music Journal, and had the group record for the label. By that time, the Creations had been re-named the Soul Mates. The group's first single, "Back Up Train," became a surprise hit, climbing to number five on the R&B charts early in 1968. The Soul Mates attempted to record another hit, but all of their subsequent singles failed to find an audience. In 1969, Al Green met bandleader and Hi Records vice president Willie Mitchell while on tour in Midland, Texas. Impressed with Green's voice, he signed the singer to Hi Records, and began collaborating with Al on his debut album
He was perhaps the ideal complement to the orchestral, syrupy, strong soul production work of Hi Records wizard Willie Mitchell, who also helmed 70s classics for Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, and himself.
On October 18, 1974, Mary Woodson, a woman who was his longtime girlfriend, threw a large pot of sticky boiling grits on him as he was preparing to shower, because he didn't want to get married. She committed suicide in minutes, which deeply affected Green to turn to God and religion. This assault from behind caused third-degree burns on his back, stomach and arm. Deeply shaken, Green continued to reaffirm and grow closer to his deeply held love for God, and became an ordained pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis in 1976.
Continuing to record R&B, Green saw his sales start to slip and drew mixed reviews from critics. 1977's The Belle Album was critically acclaimed but did not regain his former mass audience. In 1979 Green injured himself falling off the stage while performing in Cincinnati and interpreted this as a message from God. He then concentrated his energies towards pastoring his church and gospel singing, also appearing in 1982 with Patti Labelle in the Broadway musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God. According to Glide Magazine, "by the late 70s, he had begun concentrating almost exclusively on gospel music." His first gospel album was The Lord Will Make a Way. From 1981 to 1989 Green recorded a series of gospel recordings, garnering eight "soul gospel performance" Grammys in that period. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell along with Angelo Earl for He Is the Light, his first album for A&M Records. In 1984, director Robert Mugge released a documentary film, Gospel According to Al Green, including interviews about his life and footage from his church. In 1989, Green released "I Get Joy", again with producer/guitarist Angelo Earl. In 2001, he appeared in the movie and soundtrack of On the Line featuring Lance Bass.
After spending several years exclusively performing gospel, Green began to return to Rhythm & Blues. First, he released a duet with Annie Lennox, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" for Scrooged, a 1988 Bill Murray film. In 1989 Green worked with producer Arthur Baker writing and producing the international hit "The Message Is Love". In 1991 he created the introductory theme song for the short-lived television series Good Sports featuring Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett. In 1992, Green recorded again with Baker, the Fine Young Cannibals, and reunited with his former Memphis mix engineer (this time functioning as producer) Terry Manning, to release the album Don't Look Back. His 1994 duet with country music singer Lyle Lovett blended country with R&B, garnering him his ninth Grammy, this time in a pop music category. Green's first secular album in some time was Your Heart's In Good Hands (1995), released to positive reviews but disappointing sales, the same year Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2000, Green published Take Me to the River, a book discussing his career. Green received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
In 2001, Green's live cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" was released on the soundtrack to Will Smith's film Ali (the song plays when Muhammad Ali learns of the death of close friend Malcolm X).
By 2003 Green released a non-religious (secular) album entitled I Can't Stop, his first collaboration with Willie Mitchell since 1985's He is the Light. In March 2005 he issued Everything's OK as the follow-up to I Can't Stop. Green also collaborated with Mitchell on this secular CD.
The title of Al Green's latest album Lay It Down released May, 2008, truly tells it like it is. Conceived as a collaboration between the soul legend and a handful of gifted young admirers from the worlds of contemporary R&B and hip hop, the album is drawn from a series of inspired sessions that yielded the most high-spirited, funky and often lushly romantic songs of Green's latter-day career.
The project features the sophisticated R&B voices of singer-songwriters John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae, and it was co-produced with Green by two of hip-hop's most innovative players, drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from the Roots and keyboardist James Poyser , the go-to guy for high-profile artists ranging from Erykah Badu to Common. Add in Brooklyn's celebrated Dap-King Horns (Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse), guitarist Chalmers "Spanky" Alford (Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joss Stone) and bassist Adam Blackstone (Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff), among others, and you've got a modern soul-music dream team, fronted by the most expressive voice in the business.
Jesus Is Waiting
Al Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're broken down
Jesus is waiting, hey yeah
Don't let yourself down
He standing right there behind you
Helping you to make up your mind
Jesus is waiting, hey
Jesus is waiting, hey
Talking 'bout, you've got a friend
Reach down in your heart and say
A little prayer just for me
He's the one that believes in love
Can't you see
Hey
Just saying
Jesus is waiting
Love is the only salvation
Understand me
Jesus is waiting
Love is the only medication
Understand me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me
I want you to help me
And I'll help you,
Save my soul
I'll save some for you
I'll do my best
Do what I can to
Stand up and be a man
I said hey
I just want everybody to, everybody to know that
Jesus is waiting, hey
Jesus is waiting
Jesus is waiting
Jesus is waiting
I wish the band would just reggae
Reggae
I remember that I had to
Say that I had been a fool
Disregarding your love
I wanna say that it
That, I'm sorry, (sorry) sorry,(sorry)
Sorry (sorry) sorry hey
But I tell ya
You've been good to me
You've been good to me
You've been good to me
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
"Jesus is Waiting" is a soulful song by Al Green that talks about how Jesus is always there to help and provide unconditional love, especially during difficult times. The song starts with the lyrics "Jesus is waiting, If you're broken down, Jesus is waiting, hey yeah, Don't let yourself down," which emphasizes that Jesus is always there to help and support individuals who feel broken, lost, and hopeless. The repetition of "Jesus is waiting" throughout the song serves as a reminder that one can always turn to Jesus for guidance and comfort.
The lyrics further highlight how Jesus is always guiding individuals towards the right path and helping them to make the right decisions. The lyrics "He's standing right there behind you, Helping you to make up your mind" convey the message that Jesus is always present, giving individuals the strength and courage to face challenges and make decisions that align with their beliefs and values.
Overall, "Jesus is Waiting" is a powerful and emotional song that reflects on the transformative power of faith and the love and support that Jesus provides to those who believe in him.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus is waiting
Jesus is always there to help and guide you
If you're broken down
If you feel lost or hopeless
Don't let yourself down
Don't give up on yourself, have faith in Jesus
He standing right there behind you
Jesus is always with you, supporting you
Helping you to make up your mind
Jesus helps you in making a decision
Do I have to say it again (say it again)
Jesus is always waiting for you, never give up
Talking 'bout, you've got a friend
Jesus is your friend, always there to help you
Reach down in your heart and say
Pray from your heart to connect with Jesus
A little prayer just for me
A request to pray for the singer's well-being
He's the one that believes in love
Jesus is the embodiment of love
Can't you see
Realize the infinite love and grace of Jesus
Love is the only salvation
Love is the only way to redemption and salvation
Understand me
Realize the true meaning and power of love
Love is the only medication
Love is the only cure for the soul
Help me, help me
A plea for help and guidance from Jesus
I want you to help me
Asking for Jesus' help in life
Save my soul
Asking Jesus to save the soul from sin and darkness
I'll save some for you
Promise to share the good deeds and love with Jesus
I'll do my best
Commitment to try one's hardest in life
Do what I can to
Will do everything possible to live by Jesus' teachings
Stand up and be a man
To be responsible and stand strong in Jesus' love
I just want everybody to, everybody to know that
An announcement, that everyone should know Jesus is waiting
I wish the band would just reggae
A comment on the musical style, wanting a reggae beat
I remember that I had to
Reflecting on a past mistake
Say that I had been a fool
Admitting that the mistake was foolish
Disregarding your love
Not realizing or appreciating the love of Jesus
I wanna say that it
Apologizing for the past mistake
That, I'm sorry, (sorry) sorry,(sorry)
Repeated apology for mistake and asking for forgiveness
But I tell ya
A statement of honesty and sincerity
You've been good to me
Recognizing Jesus' goodness and blessings in life
Thank you, thank you
Gratitude towards Jesus
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL L. GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickblaine7463
Jesus is waiting
If you're broken down
Jesus is waiting, hey yeah
Don't let yourself down
He standing right there behind you
Helping you to make up your mind
Jesus is waiting, hey
Do I have to say it again (say it again)
Jesus is waiting, hey
Talking 'bout, you've got a friend
Reach down in your heart and say
A little prayer just for me
He's the one that believes in love
Can't you see
Hey
Just saying
Jesus is waiting
Love is the only salvation
Understand me
Jesus is waiting
Love is the only medication
Understand me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me, help me
Help me
I want you to help me
And I'll help you,
Save my soul
I'll save some for you
I'll do my best
Do what I can to
Stand up and be a man
I said hey
I just want everybody to, everybody to know that
Jesus is waiting, hey
Jesus is waiting
Jesus is waiting
Jesus is waiting
I wish the band would just reggae
Reggae
I remember that I had to
Say that I had been a fool
Disregarding your love
I wanna say that it
That, I'm sorry, (sorry) sorry, (sorry)
Sorry (sorry) sorry hey
But I tell ya
You've been good to me
You've been good to me
You've been good to me
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, thank you
@angelascandora814
Grew up on this. My dad always played this one on his 8 track!!! I remember hearing this all my life since I was 7. Still sounds good at 56!!
@tamgsmith8077
Your Dad must have had amazing taste. Seriously one of the best songs of the century
@mikelemosakaspacetrog
I just found this tonight on one of my dad’s old Al Green CDs, my dad pass this date in 2014 and Christ was more than faithful and His love more than faithful in that time and in bringing my dad to himself. 🙏🙏🙏❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
@sandramtrayes
Amen we take his (jesus) gift of love and new life we said rev Al green .
@barbarahorton9373
Nikki saw nhi im Beware beware by Al Green Al Green beware pl mop
@loria7785
Right! My dad would play this while drinking beer and frying chicken on Sunday....smh...
@AlanHodgkinson
Love this song with all my heart because Jesus is waiting!
@anitakos1375
Amen 🙏💜
@imposterred7729
Gangster!!! That's all I can say❤❤❤❤❤❤
@jslade60
I've always been a fan of Al Green but this song this song is something special. When your mind becomes clogged and confused and you're riding down that highway just put this song on it'll make everything a little bit all right!