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.
Jingle Bells
Al Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are you listening
in the lane
snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
we're happy tonight
walking in a winter wonderland
gone away is the bluebird
He sings a love song
as we go along
walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man
But you can do the job
when you're in town
Later on
we'll conspire
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
the plans that we've made
walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
and pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
until the alligators knock him down
when it snows
ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
the Eskimo way
walking in a winter wonderland
walking in a winter wonderland
The lyrics to Al Green's rendition of "Jingle Bells" evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia, as the singer describes the beautiful winter scenery and the fun activities that can be enjoyed during this time of year. The opening lines describe the serene atmosphere, with sleigh bells ringing and snow glistening in the lane. The singer then expresses his happiness to be walking in a winter wonderland, surrounded by the beautiful sights of winter.
The second stanza introduces a new bird in place of the bluebird, which typically represents sadness. This new bird sings a love song, highlighting the joy and happiness that can be found in this season. The singer then describes the fun that can be had building snowmen, even pretending that the snowman is Parson Brown, a fictional character often associated with Christmas. The playful conversation that ensues between the snowman and the characters is humorous and adds to the jovial tone of the song.
The final stanza describes the fun and thrills of playing in the snow, even when it's chilly outside. The singer encourages listeners to embrace their inner Eskimo and enjoy frolicking and playing in the winter wonderland. Overall, the lyrics to Al Green's "Jingle Bells" are a reminder of the joy and happiness that can be found in this season, as well as the fun activities that can be enjoyed with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring
The bells tied to the horses' harnesses are ringing as they pull the sleigh through the snow.
are you listening
Can you hear the beautiful sound of the sleigh bells ringing?
in the lane
The sleigh is moving down a road or path.
snow is glistening
The snow is reflecting light, making it sparkle and shine.
A beautiful sight
The view of the snow-covered landscape is a stunning and wonderful experience.
we're happy tonight
The joy of being in the beautiful winter landscape is filling us with happiness.
walking in a winter wonderland
We are walking in a magical and enchanting winter setting.
gone away is the bluebird
The bluebird, a symbol of happiness, has flown away for the winter.
here to stay is a new bird
A new bird, symbolizing something new and different, has arrived for the winter season.
He sings a love song
The new bird is singing a song of love and happiness.
as we go along
As we continue our walk through the winter wonderland, the bird's song accompanies us.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
There is a peaceful meadow where we can build a snowman out of the snow on the ground.
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
We can pretend that the snowman is a Minister named Parson Brown.
He'll say: Are you married?
We imagine that the snowman asks us if we are married.
we'll say: No man
We pretend to answer the snowman that we are not married.
But you can do the job
We tell the snowman that he can perform the marriage ceremony.
when you're in town
We tell the snowman that he can perform the ceremony when he comes to town.
Later on
At a different time from building the snowman, later in the evening, we will do something else.
we'll conspire
We will quietly plan or scheme together.
as we dream by the fire
Sitting by the fire, we will dream and make plans.
To face unafraid
We will approach things with bravery and fearlessness.
the plans that we've made
We will tackle the plans that we have made with confidence and courage.
walking in a winter wonderland
Similar to before, we will walk in the beautiful winter surroundings.
and pretend that he's a circus clown
We will imagine that the snowman is now a circus clown.
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
We will play games and do activities with the snowman that we have built.
until the alligators knock him down
Eventually, the weather will warm up and the snowman will melt, or it will be destroyed by other forces, like alligators.
when it snows
When it snows again in the future.
ain't it thrilling
Isn't it exciting and exhilarating?
Though your nose gets a chilling
Despite the cold, our enthusiasm for playing in the snow does not decrease.
We'll frolic and play
We will run around and have fun.
the Eskimo way
We will play like Eskimos, a people known for surviving in very cold environments.
walking in a winter wonderland
Once again, we will stroll through the magnificent winter landscape.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCESCO MOCCHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Speed Road Bike
Pra mim o melhor de todos os cantores,e interprete,love love
Jane Coles
Wow I love this what an amazing voice Al has ⭐️❤️🙏
L H
This songs so fun!! Always loved it
Beverly Johnson
Hi Rev Al green have a blessed night you can sing a beautiful voice God 🙏 you
Micaï. Claude.
I Have & i like this album C.D.