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.
I'm Home
Al Jarreau Lyrics
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I'm a long, long way from really feeling free
Still a far cry
It's a far, far cry from where I used to be
I've wandered far and wandered wide
From love and arms that I have known
I know, I'm home
I'm home
I'll ride the wind and catch the tide
And weary though my arms may grow
I have set my sail for one more go ride
And find I'm home
I'm home
I'm home
The lyrics to the song "I'm Home" by Al Jarreau explore the theme of finding love and contentment after going through difficult experiences in life. The singer expresses how he feels like he has been around before, but this time it feels so good, indicating that he has been through heartbreak and disappointment in the past. He believes that wasting time on things that do not matter, like a boat going nowhere, is the greatest crime a person can commit. But, since he met his love interest, he feels safe enough to trust and dream again. He has found what is at the end of the rainbow, which is his happiness with his partner.
The singer is grateful that he did not miss his chance by walking past his love interest. He believes not taking opportunities when they present themselves is the greatest sin. He is in awe of the look in their eyes, which says everything and makes him feel understood. He believes that he is finally home and that he does not feel misunderstood. The chorus repeats that the singer has been around before, but this time he knows that he has found something special, and it feels so good.
Overall, the lyrics to "I'm Home" are heartwarming as they express the joy of finding love and the feeling of being at home with someone special. The song conveys the message that one should not waste time on things that do not matter, but instead should take chances and pursue happiness whenever it presents itself.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no greater crime than wastin' your life on a boat goin' nowhere
It is bad to waste your life without direction.
When you came along you made it safe for love to survive
The singer has found someone who has made love feel secure.
I trusted and dreamed and you came like I knew you would
The singer had faith that they would find someone like the person they are singing about.
I've been 'round before but this feels so good
The singer has had relationships before, but this one is special.
I could not walk by
The singer could not let the opportunity of being with this person pass.
I knew that I'd found
The singer knew that they had discovered something valuable.
What's at the end of the rainbow
The singer is talking about finding something special, like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
There's no place on earth I'd rather be than stayin' right here with you
The singer wants to be with the person they are singing about more than any other place.
It's not about luck
The singer doesn’t attribute finding this person to luck.
I don't need to knock on wood no, no
The singer is confident in their relationship.
Been 'round before but this feels so good
The singer has had relationships before, but this one is special.
Night after night it's so hard to believe
The singer is constantly amazed that they get to be with the person they are singing about every day.
That I wake up each day next to you
The singer is grateful to wake up next to their partner every morning.
Time after time in the cold mornin' light, it's good to know
The singer is comforted by the fact that their partner is there for them in the morning.
It's good to know that it's true
The singer is secure in the knowledge that their partner's love is real.
There's no greater sin than missin' your chance
It is a big regret to miss an opportunity.
When it's starin' right at 'ya
The singer knows that this person is the right one for them.
That look in your eye says everything and tells me I'm home
The singer feels at home with the person they are singing about.
For once in my life I don't feel misunderstood
The singer feels that they are understood by the person they are singing about.
Well I've been 'round before but this time it feels so sure
The singer is confident in this relationship, despite having had relationships before.
Been 'round before but this feels so good
The singer has had relationships before, but this one is special.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Dave Frishberg, Greg Mathieson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind