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.
Burst In With The Dawn
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THERE IS SUCH A LONLEY, SEARCHIN THAT'S BEEN GOING ON
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING , BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
I DELIGHT IN SINGING, HUNTER'S ARROW KNOWS THA FAWN
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING , BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
OH, IF I COULD, I'D REALLY ENJOY IT, OH IF I COULD I'D GLADLY CHANGE IT
I WANT TO KEEP IT STRONG , HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
THERE HAS BEEN A LONELY LONE INCEPTION
GOING ON OH LORD
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING , BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
THEN I'D FIND THAT BOOK, YA KNOW THA ONE I DEARLY TREASURE
OPEN TO THA PAGE, SAYS I'LL REAP THA FULLEST MEASURE
READ OUTLOUD THA PART THAT TRUTH WILL LIGHT THA RIGHT DIRECTION
DEEP WITHIN MY HEART GONNA FIND THAT IT MUST BE IT'S CONNECTION
THEN WE'LL SEE THE MYSTERYS ALL UNRAVEL ONE BY ONE
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING , BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
The lyrics of Al Jarreau's song "Burst in With the Dawn" depict a search for meaning and fulfillment in life, which has been ongoing but unfulfilled. The singer desires to change things and bring about love and affection to all, keeping their life on the right track. There is a sense of searching and a feeling of loneliness that the singer is trying to shake off, and the hope of a sweet tomorrow morning is what they cling on to. They want to find the best in life, but it seems to elude them, and they are searching for answers.
The singer references a book that they dearly treasure, which they hope will shed some light on their pursuit for a fulfilling life. They speak of finding the right direction and how the truth will illuminate it for them. They conclude that once they uncover the mysteries of life, they will fall in place, and a sweet tomorrow morning would be bursting with the dawn. In essence, the song's message is that life is a never-ending search for purpose and fulfillment, and it is up to us to find it
Line by Line Meaning
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING, TOMMORROW MORNING, BURSTIN, BURSTIN, WITH THE DAWN
Excitement and expectation for a new day to come with the rising sun
THERE IS SUCH A LONELY, SEARCHIN THAT'S BEEN GOING ON
Feeling lost and in search of something meaningful
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING , BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
Hoping for a new beginning and fresh start with the arrival of the next day
I DELIGHT IN SINGING, HUNTER'S ARROW KNOWS THA FAWN
Finding joy in music and acknowledging the role of nature in finding one's place in the world
OH, IF I COULD, I'D REALLY ENJOY IT, OH IF I COULD I'D GLADLY CHANGE IT
Expressing a desire to make a positive impact on the world and improve the lives of others
I WOULD GIVE TO ALL SOME SWEET LOVE AND AFFECTION
Wishing to spread kindness and compassion to those around him
I WANT TO KEEP IT STRONG , HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Determined to maintain a positive attitude and strive for personal growth
THERE HAS BEEN A LONELY LONE INCEPTION GOING ON OH LORD
Acknowledging a sense of isolation and turning to a higher power for guidance and comfort
THEN I'D FIND THAT BOOK, YA KNOW THA ONE I DEARLY TREASURE
Referring to a cherished source of inspiration or guidance
OPEN TO THA PAGE, SAYS I'LL REAP THA FULLEST MEASURE
Believing that following the teachings of this source will lead to the best outcome
READ OUTLOUD THA PART THAT TRUTH WILL LIGHT THA RIGHT DIRECTION
Emphasizing the importance of truth and using it to find one's way in life
DEEP WITHIN MY HEART GONNA FIND THAT IT MUST BE ITS CONNECTION
Realizing that this source is deeply meaningful and an essential part of his life
THEN WE'LL SEE THE MYSTERYS ALL UNRAVEL ONE BY ONE
Believing that following this source will lead to understanding and clarity over time
SWEET TOMMORROW MORNING, BURST IN WITH THE DAWN
Reiterating a hopeful and optimistic outlook for the future
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.