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.
Loving You
Al Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A happy morning, morning, you see
Where the Lord has blessed each one
Each one, even you and me
I thank the Lord for his goodness
For he's been my friend
I thank the Lord for the children
Now we can walk on in
Well, I'm trying to get to Heaven that way
Well, I'm trying to get to Heaven that way
Well, I'm trying to get to Heaven that way
Loving you
Keep on loving you
On more thing ...
What a beautiful day
The Lord has whispered something in my ear
Well, it's nothing sad
But it's something never ever brings a tear
I thank the Lord for my time
He gave unto my friend
Now I think it's time that we get together
And walk on in
I'm trying to be good like my Jesus
See, I'm trying to be good like my Jesus
Trying to be good like my Jesus
Loving you
I can't stop loving you
Trying to get to Heaven that way
See, I'm trying to get to Heaven that way
Trying to get to Heaven that way
Loving you
I'm gonna keep on loving you
See, I cried when I wouldn't
I wouldn't take nothing for the man
There are other times when I don't
I don't really think I can
(Trying to get to Heaven that way)
But He's been so good
(Trying to get to Heaven that way)
But He's been so good
Loving you
Keep on loving
Let me keep loving
Keep on loving
Keep on giving
Keep on singing
Keep loving you
I won't stop
Even got me feeling like ...
Loving you
I can't stop loving you
Let me keep loving you
Keep on loving
Loving you
The opening lyrics of Al Green's "Loving You" paint a picture of a beautiful morning full of happiness and blessings from the Lord. He expresses gratitude for the goodness of God and the privilege of having children alongside friends. The song explores the theme of love, particularly the kind of love that can lead us to heaven. Al Green tries to “get to heaven that way”, which begs the question of what that way is. Loving someone is the key. Loving another person in the way that Jesus loved us is going to earn us a spot in heaven.
The second verse starts afresh on the same theme of love and happiness, with the Lord whispering something in Green’s ear that isn’t sad at all, something that doesn’t cause him to shed a single tear. He once again thanks God for his kindness towards him and his friend, the time he’s had, and the time they still have to spend together ahead. The affection in this song is not limited to romantic love, but also extends to loving your fellow human beings. In fact, Al Green cries from the depth of his being that he wouldn’t take anything for the experience of loving and being loved by anyone, whoever that person might be. He believes the goodness of the Lord makes him capable of loving even in the pattern that Jesus demonstrated.
Line by Line Meaning
What a beautiful morning
It's a happy morning, and great things are going to happen.
A happy morning, morning, you see
Morning happiness can be contagious and rub on to other people.
Where the Lord has blessed each one
God has blessed everyone, and it's important to appreciate and acknowledge it.
Each one, even you and me
Everyone, including you and me, has been blessed and it's important to be grateful for it.
I thank the Lord for his goodness
I'm grateful for God's kindness, and all the wonderful things he's done for me.
For he's been my friend
God has been my closest friend and confidant, always there for me no matter what.
I thank the Lord for the children
I'm grateful for the children in my life, and the joy they bring me.
Now we can walk on in
Now we can continue our walk with the Lord, knowing that he has our back.
Well, I'm trying to get to Heaven that way
I'm trying to live a good life and follow God's path to make it to Heaven after death.
Loving you
My love for you is what's keeping me on this path, motivating me to do good in the eyes of God.
Keep on loving you
No matter what, I will continue to love and cherish you, staying on this path towards Heaven.
What a beautiful day
It's a wonderful day, filled with endless possibilities and joy.
The Lord has whispered something in my ear
God has talked to me in my heart, and I know that it's good news.
Well, it's nothing sad
The message God gave me is not depressing or sorrowful.
But it's something never ever brings a tear
God's message puts a smile on my face, and is so great that it won't ever make me shed a tear.
I thank the Lord for my time
I'm thankful for the time I have on this earth, and for the opportunities God has given me.
He gave unto my friend
God has also blessed my loved ones, and it's important to remember that.
Now I think it's time that we get together
I believe it's time we celebrate God's goodness and greatness by spending time together.
And walk on in
Let's continue on this path God has presented us, together as a community of faithful believers.
Trying to be good like my Jesus
I'm striving to be more like Jesus, who is the ultimate example of kindness, compassion, and love.
I can't stop loving you
My love for you is so strong and unwavering that nothing could make me stop.
Let me keep loving you
Please let me continue to shower you with love and affection, just as Jesus does for us.
Keep on giving
I will keep giving back to God and others, as Jesus teaches us to do.
Keep on singing
I will keep singing God's praises and sharing my love with those around me, as Jesus did.
Loving you
My love for you is what motivates me to keep doing good, and following God's path to Heaven.
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kapohimura8721
Now this song will forever remind me of Riley Gale, rip brother and thank you for this song
@Moggy312
<3
@metalbendr1296
Never would've thought to explore this if it weren't for Riley mentioning it.
@tednorton5150
Be in dreams, Riley. You had top taste!
@zenbuddah420
me too
@skyecastillo5269
It brings me a fuck ton of happiness knowing the real power trip fans are here paying homage to the one & only Riley Gale
@mattpriceplucky2646
Just now getting into powertrip. I can see he had it whatever it's is. I'm a big fan of anyone that's the best at what they do. For thrash he and power trip would of been in the big 4 as a 5th member no doubt
@RR-kb2ks
Excellent ! Love it !
@stdominicspreviewca7188
One of my favorites off the incredible Belle Album.
@luxvaudeville4015
Cada vez que la escucho, pienso en Riley 🤍