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.
The Truth Marches On
Al Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of all the wrong I've done
Sometimes we stop, say hello
Too much has gone on and on and on
You know, the truth, he is not a young man
But he's old, of his time
He stays on your mind
The truth marches on and on and on
The truth marches on and on and on
Let the light shine on
Through the rain and the storm
Sometimes a day is nothing but wrong
But the light shines on, on and on and on
You know the truth
Stopping to do what is right
Stay for the night
The truth marches on and on and on
The truth marches on and on and on
Gone in the day, shines at night
Another time you were right
Another smilе on your face
I live for it, sweet evеry day
The truth marches on the truth marches on
The truth marches on like a soldier
Like a soldier, yeah the truth marches on
In "The Truth Marches On" by Al Green, the lyrics convey a sense of reflection, redemption, and resilience. The opening line, "The truth marches on," suggests that despite acknowledging the wrongs committed, the truth continues to persist and prevail. This truth may refer to the consequences of one's actions or the inner voice that guides us towards righteousness.
The lyrics also describe a moment of introspection where the singer stops and says hello, possibly to oneself or to others, to acknowledge the effects of their past actions. There is a sense of weariness and longing for resolution as they acknowledge that too much has gone on and on.
The truth, personified as a person, is described as an old man, suggesting that wisdom and insight come with age and experience. This figure stays on their mind, indicating that the truth and its consequences are not easily forgotten.
The chorus emphasizes the endurance of the truth, marching on and on. It is portrayed as a guiding light that shines through the rain and storm, symbolizing hope and redemption. Despite the hardships and wrongs committed, the truth remains steadfast, urging the singer to do what is right and stay on the righteous path.
In the last verse, there is a sense of longing and gratitude. The truth shines even during dark times, confirming that the singer was right in their actions. The mention of a smile on their face suggests that the truth brings joy and fulfillment to their life, making each day worth living.
Overall, "The Truth Marches On" explores the themes of introspection, redemption, and the enduring nature of truth. It encourages listeners to confront their mistakes, seek redemption, and let the truth guide them towards righteousness.
Line by Line Meaning
The truth marches on
Despite everything, the reality of my actions remains constant and undeniable
Of all the wrong I've done
Acknowledging the mistakes and missteps I have made
Sometimes we stop, say hello
Occasionally, we pause to acknowledge and greet each other
Too much has gone on and on and on
The persistence of various situations and events becomes overwhelming
You know, the truth, he is not a young man
The truth is not a recent revelation, but rather an age-old concept
But he's old, of his time
However, the truth remains relevant and pertinent to the current era
He stays on your mind
The truth continues to occupy your thoughts and consciousness
Let the light shine on
Allow illumination to prevail
Through the rain and the storm
Even in times of difficulty and turmoil
Sometimes a day is nothing but wrong
Occasionally, an entire day seems filled with misfortune and negativity
But the light shines on, on and on and on
Nevertheless, the radiance persists eternally
Stopping to do what is right
Taking the time to engage in morally upright actions
Stay for the night
Remain steadfast even in the darkness and uncertainty
Gone in the day, shines at night
While concealed during the daytime, the truth reveals itself prominently during the night
Another time you were right
There have been other instances where you were correct
Another smile on your face
Yet another instance of joy reflected on your countenance
I live for it, sweet every day
I derive immense pleasure and satisfaction from experiencing these moments on a daily basis
The truth marches on the truth marches on
The truth persists resolutely, moving forward unyieldingly
The truth marches on like a soldier
Similar to a soldier's unwavering determination, the truth continues its advance
Like a soldier, yeah the truth marches on
Just like a soldier, the truth withstands trials and tribulations, persisting steadfastly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL L. GREEN, WILLIE MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Purple Reels
Oh wow ❤❤❤
Henrietta Abeyta
Fun rhythm in this song, like the songs of Lou Rawls
Andrew Helbig
This is great august 2021
Trevor Heta
This is great july 2021