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.
Life Is
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there's more to the book, somehow.
Yellin' on the corner just a waste of time,
They can never know the truth in that frame of mind.
Come spark the track with your gift.
God bless your grits bring it on now.
Cause you know there's much more to the script.
Try to lift your spirits to the very tip.
CHORUS:
Life is,
Worth much more to me
Than you could maybe never ever see.
See Life is,
Worth much more to me
Than you could ever…
The other day I was afraid of being hypnotized,
By so many people whose dreams won't begin to be realized.
But I came to know,
The lessons they were told wasn't really so.
But they kept tellin' me,
Do all the things we do and you'll be good to go.
See..
CHORUS X 1
You ain't really drivin' as long as you ridin'
with those who would steal your soul.
You've been crippled to pieces so dig what they preach
And don't come with that hit no more.
I'm down for the cause I mean takin' a pause,
Really live for the time we're given.
Baby, can't you hear the drum?
Now listen hear it comes,
It speaks of a life that's worth living.
CHORUS X 2
The lyrics in Al Jarreau's song "Life Is" speak to the idea that there is more to life than what is presented to us by society. The phrase "stick to the script" implies that we should follow the prescribed path set out for us, but the lyrics challenge that idea, suggesting that there is more to the book that we need to explore. The repetition of the phrase "life is worth much more to me" emphasizes this message, suggesting that we need to look beyond the surface and discover what is truly valuable in life.
The song also touches on the idea of being hypnotized or brainwashed by the messages we receive from others, particularly those who have not achieved their own dreams. The lyrics suggest that we need to be discerning about the lessons we are taught and not simply accept them as truth. The idea that we are not truly driving our own lives if we are allowing others to steal our soul is another powerful reminder to take ownership of our own experiences.
The overall message of the song is one of hope and inspiration, encouraging the listener to find their own path in life and to embrace the things that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
They're sayin' stick the script.
People often advise us to follow a certain path in life.
But there's more to the book, somehow.
Life is not as straightforward as it seems, because there are countless possibilities and opportunities available to us that we may not have considered.
Yellin' on the corner just a waste of time,
Arguing or fighting endlessly with others is pointless.
They can never know the truth in that frame of mind.
People who are angry or agitated cannot think rationally or objectively or understand the complexities of certain situations.
Come spark the track with your gift.
We all have unique talents or abilities that we should use and share with the world.
God bless your grits bring it on now.
Keep persevering and keep pushing forward despite any obstacles you may face.
Cause you know there's much more to the script.
There is always something more to life than what meets the eye.
Try to lift your spirits to the very tip.
Think positively and remain optimistic even during tough times.
Life is, Worth much more to me
Than you could maybe never ever see.
Life has so much value, and its beauty can only be fully realized by those who truly appreciate it.
See Life is, Worth much more to me
Than you could ever…
The artist emphasizes the importance of life above all else.
The other day I was afraid of being hypnotized,
The singer was once concerned about being brainwashed or controlled by external forces.
By so many people whose dreams won't begin to be realized.
There are many people who are unable to actualize their aspirations or live their best life.
But I came to know,
The lessons they were told wasn't really so.
The singer learned that some of the advice or lessons that they were given previously may not have been true or beneficial for them.
But they kept tellin' me,
Do all the things we do and you'll be good to go.
People often give others advice based on their own experiences, but everyone's journey is different.
You ain't really drivin' as long as you ridin'
with those who would steal your soul.
It is important to surround oneself with positive and supportive people who will not bring you down or hinder your progress.
You've been crippled to pieces so dig what they preach
And don't come with that hit no more.
The artist acknowledges that negative influences have affected them in the past, but they encourage others not to perpetuate that cycle and to move on from it.
I'm down for the cause I mean takin' a pause,
Really live for the time we're given.
The artist is committed to making the most of their time and living fully in the present moment.
Baby, can't you hear the drum?
Now listen hear it comes,
It speaks of a life that's worth living.
The singer hears the beat of life and all the possibilities that it has to offer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ALLEN WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind