As the son of a vicar, he had his first singing experiences in a church choir. He attended Ripon College, where he also sang non-professionally with a group called the Indigos, and graduated in 1962. He went on to earn a master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, and worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco before joining a small jazz club trio headed by George Duke and deciding that he would make professional singing his life in 1968
He appeared in such Los Angeles hot spots as Dino's, the Troubador and Bitter End West. Television exposure came from Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin and David Frost, while he expanded his nightclub appearances to include performing at the Improv between the acts of such rising-star comics as Bette Midler, Jimmie Walker, and John Belushi, among others.
He was spotted by Warner Bros. in 1975 and soon thereafter released his critically acclaimed debut album, We Got By, which catapulted him into international fame and garnered him a German Grammy Award. A second German Grammy would follow with the release of his second album, Glow.
One of Jarreau's most commercially and artistically successful albums is Breakin' Away (1981), which includes the hit song "We're in This Love Together." He wrote and performed the Grammy-nominated theme to the 1980s American television show Moonlighting. Among other things, he is well-known for his scat singing and the ability to perfectly imitate conventional guitar, bass and percussive instrumentation. He was also a featured vocalist on USA for Africa's "We are the World" and sang the line, "...and so we all must lend a helping hand."
He has toured and performed with such greats as Joe Sample, Kathleen Battle, Miles Davis, David Sanborn and Rick Braun. He also performed the role of the Teen Angel in a 1996 Broadway production of Grease. On March 6, 2001 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.
All Or Nothing At All
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyday we go through
I do something that'll please you baby
And I know having you around
Well, just keeps me grounded
If I get jealous,If I act like a fool
It's an overreaction to loving you
That's what I need from you
And baby it's true
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all
All other men try for you
They won't give you what I do now, baby
I won't share
I want you to myself
So I'll keep trying
Gonna make my lovin' the best it can be
'Cause I need your devotion desparately
I want it all or nothing at all
That's what I need from you
And baby it's true
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all
Just tell me now that there's no other man
'Cause I don't want my heart broken up again
And when you say that you'll never let go
Only then will I know
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all
Lay your love on the line
Right now
I need you to
Lay your love on the line,baby
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all.
I want it all or nothing at all
That's what I need from you
And baby it's true
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all
I want it all or nothing at all
That's what I need from you
And baby it's true
I'll be there whenever you call
But I need all or nothing at all
The lyrics to Al Jarreau's "All or Nothing at All" is a love song that expresses the singer's devotion and commitment to his lover. He sings about how he wants to please his lover every day and how having her in his life keeps him grounded. He admits that he can be jealous and act foolishly, but it is out of his strong love for her. He wants everything in their relationship, nothing less than all her love and devotion.
Jarreau also expresses his desire to be appreciated and valued above all other men. He doesn't want to share her with anyone else, and he will do everything within his power to make sure she feels loved and cared for. He wants her to know that he needs her completely and won't settle for anything less. He asks her to lay her love on the line and assures her that he will be there whenever she calls. However, he needs her to reciprocate his level of commitment to feel secure in their love.
In summary, Al Jarreau's "All or Nothing at All" is a beautiful love song that expresses the need for complete and utter devotion in a relationship. It talks about the ups and downs in a relationship but emphasizes the importance of having each other and being there through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday we go through
Each day, we experience various things
I do something that'll please you baby
I make an effort to do things that make you happy, my love
And I know having you around
I am aware that having you as a part of my life
Well, just keeps me grounded
keeps me anchored and stable
If I get jealous,If I act like a fool
If I become envious or foolish
It's an overreaction to loving you
It is an exaggerated emotion due to my love towards you
I want it all or nothing at all
I desire to have everything from you or nothing at all
That's what I need from you
This is what I expect and require from you
And baby it's true
My dear, this is the truth
I'll be there whenever you call
I will always be there for you when you need me
But I need all or nothing at all
However, I need either everything or nothing from you
All other men try for you
Other men attempt to pursue you
They won't give you what I do now, baby
But they cannot give you what I currently provide you with, my love
I won't share
I refuse to share you with anyone else
I want you to myself
I desire to have you exclusively for myself
So I'll keep trying
Therefore, I will continuously make an effort
Gonna make my lovin' the best it can be
To make my love for you the best it can be
'Cause I need your devotion desparately
Because I desperately require your devotion
Just tell me now that there's no other man
Please assure me now that there is no other man in your life
'Cause I don't want my heart broken up again
As I do not want to experience a broken heart again
And when you say that you'll never let go
And when you vow to never let go of me
Only then will I know
That is when I will know you are truly mine
Lay your love on the line
Show me your love fully and clearly
Right now
Immediately
I need you to
I require you to
Lay your love on the line,baby
To fully express and demonstrate your love for me, my dear
That's what I need from you
This is what I expect and require from you
I want it all or nothing at all
I desire to have everything from you or nothing at all
But I need all or nothing at all
However, I need either everything or nothing from you
That's what I need from you
This is what I expect and require from you
And baby it's true
My dear, this is the truth
I'll be there whenever you call
I will always be there for you when you need me
But I need all or nothing at all
However, I need either everything or nothing from you
I want it all or nothing at all
I desire to have everything from you or nothing at all
That's what I need from you
This is what I expect and require from you
And baby it's true
My dear, this is the truth
I'll be there whenever you call
I will always be there for you when you need me
But I need all or nothing at all
However, I need either everything or nothing from you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS MATKOSKY, ROBERT E. CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gregorian Jerahmeel
Bobby Caldwell wrote this song. I really enjoyed Al Jarreau's version
NoLongerZZZ
Bobby Caldwell has some black somewhere in his family. hahaha JK . Caldwell is the dude though.
Jon VG
Back when music was played with instruments and voices…real stuff. Forever Jarreau.
wayne pierce
Oh man, how great is this! Al thanks for bringing this old standard to life in 2021! You remain the man!
Phillip House
Thank you so much for keeping his music alive Can we find someone to play him in a movie
NoLongerZZZ
I miss this brother. So talented.
Den West
Since 37 years now I still listen most of his songs. I can't be bored about him.
michael ireland
al jarreau had the ability to make any song he sang sound like an original
Ire Ire
Какой старый клип. Элл как всегда великолепен👑❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
George Gonzalez
The incomparable Al Jarreau in one awesome music video, it doesn’t get any better.