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.
Let It Rain
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can hear my mama talking to me
She said, 'Girl, you need to change your attitude'
I come home tired and I'm rude to you
And I've got a little problem with 'I'm sorry'
I say go to hell and in a hurry
And if that hurts, I get a little mad at you
Well, if tears like rain have magic powers
Here they come again, them midnight showers
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again baby baby oh I wanna start again
And take it way back when
Do you remember those sweet talks early morning?
Looking and I turn into the dawning
If this works I'll thank the Lord with gratitude
I tell you I'd do all I got to do
But if tears like rain have magic powers
Here they come again, them midnight showers
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
Gonna pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again, baby baby ooh I wanna start again
Take it way back when, well, well, yeah, yeah, come on
Let it rain, water wait I'm walkin'
Wash me up and wash me down
Gonna be good for me, oh let it rain
No more turning, no more tossing
Just like Christmas in the morning for you and me
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again
Take it way back when
Let it rain, tell water to wait I'm walkin'
Wash me up and wash me down, be good for me
Let it rain, no more turning and tossing
Just like Christmas in the morning for you and me
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight
Al Jarreau's song Let It Rain is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness and a desire for a renewed relationship. The lyrics describe the singer's admittance of their selfish, moody behavior and how it affects their loved one. The singer's mother advises them to change their attitude, and the singer admits to having problems apologizing and can sometimes be rude. The truth is that they are a little jealous too. However, if tears were like rain, they'd have magic powers, and the singer imagines them as midnight showers.
The song is a combination of R&B, jazz, and pop, with Al Jarreau's trademark vocal improvisation. The lyrics and music are emotive, and the listener can feel the sincerity in the singer's voice. The plea for renewal in a relationship is something that most people can relate to, and the song is touching in its honesty about personal flaws and desire for change.
Line by Line Meaning
I can be so selfish, sad and moody
I have flaws as a person - I tend to prioritize my own needs and feel down or unstable at times
I can hear my mama talking to me
I recall my mother's advice and teachings on how to improve my behavior
She said, 'Girl, you need to change your attitude'
My mother pointed out that my negative behavior needs to change for the better
I come home tired and I'm rude to you
After a long day, I can be impolite towards the person I care about
And I've got a little problem with 'I'm sorry'
It's hard for me to apologize or admit fault when I'm wrong
I say go to hell and in a hurry
I tend to say mean things impulsively when I'm upset
And if that hurts, I get a little mad at you
If my words upset you, I might feel angry and defensive towards you
The truth we know I'm a little jealous too
I also struggle with feelings of envy or insecurity around you
Well, if tears like rain have magic powers
There are moments when crying can feel invigorating and healing
Here they come again, them midnight showers
I find myself crying again, usually when I'm alone and it's late at night
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
I hope that crying will cleanse me from my negative emotions, like holy water
When I pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Praying for guidance and strength, and expressing my love and desire for you
Start it again baby baby oh I wanna start again
I wish to reset and improve our relationship, starting from the beginning
And take it way back when
To the early days of our relationship when things were sweeter and simpler
Do you remember those sweet talks early morning?
Do you recall the special moments we had together, like talking in the morning?
Looking and I turn into the dawning
Watching the sun rise with you was a special moment that fills me with nostalgia
If this works I'll thank the Lord with gratitude
If my efforts to better our relationship are successful, I will be grateful and attribute it to a higher power
I tell you I'd do all I got to do
I promise to do everything I can to improve our relationship and make you happy
Let it rain, water wait I'm walkin'
I'm ready to embrace the tears and let them help me grow, even if it's uncomfortable
Wash me up and wash me down
I hope that crying will cleanse me of my negative emotions and thought patterns
Gonna be good for me, oh let it rain
Crying will ultimately be beneficial for me and allow me to move forward in a healthy way
No more turning, no more tossing
I aim to improve my attitudes and behavior towards you, and stop being erratic or indecisive
Just like Christmas in the morning for you and me
Our relationship has the potential to be joyful and fulfilling, like the excitement of Christmas morning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL JARREAU, BARRY JAMES EASTMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tialyons4622
I can be so selfish, sad and moody
I can hear my mama talking to me
She said, 'Girl, you need to change your attitude'
I come home tired and I'm rude to you
And I've got a little problem with 'I'm sorry'
I say go to hell and in a hurry
And if that hurts, I get a little mad at you
The truth we know I'm a little jealous too
Well, if tears like rain have magic powers
Here they come again, them midnight showers
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again baby baby oh I wanna start again
And take it way back when
Do you remember those sweet talks early morning?
Looking and I turn into the dawning
If this works I'll thank the Lord with gratitude
I tell you I'd do all I got to do
But if tears like rain have magic powers
Here they come again, them midnight showers
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
Gonna pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again, baby baby ooh I wanna start again
Take it way back when, well, well, yeah, yeah, come on
Let it rain, water wait I'm walkin'
Wash me up and wash me down
Gonna be good for me, oh let it rain
No more turning, no more tossing
Just like Christmas in the morning for you and me
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight, gonna say how much I want her
Start it again
Take it way back when
Let it rain, tell water to wait I'm walkin'
Wash me up and wash me down, be good for me
Let it rain, no more turning and tossing
Just like Christmas in the morning for you and me
Let it rain tonight, purify like holy water
When I pray tonight
@jonesing88
This song is so comforting-simply beautiful. George and Al have always been appreciated,but I have a new appreciation for Patti Austin. After hearing this and "Let it ride" I am blown away. Give this woman a Grammy already. If I had a record label she would be on it.
@lawrencegray5242
It's a shame the young people of today don't appreciate GREAT MUSIC like this...............................SAD
@user-gv2cj1in8s
ne partage pas ta vie privee mon ami
@mainanjeru9645
This is one of my all time favourite jazz songs. Can never get tired of listening to it.
Great talent.
@soap1919jt
Three legends at work! Patti, George and Al ... O-M-G!!!
@olivernqubelani6659
A classic of no description- al jarreau George and patti. Thank you guys!!!
@davidalexander9789
This is what happens when good artist come together on a project.
@Madea8917
I love this song. I like all three of them Al Jarreau, George Benson and Patti Austin.
@jamesdavis7857
Absolutely love this one. What a great collection of talent.
@quewyw9001
This arrangement is just sooooo out of this world! The best persons to sing were chosen for this one. This collaboration was just amazing...One of my favourite Smooth Jazz vocals.