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.
Lonely Town Lonely Street
Al Jarreau Lyrics
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You can walk along a crowded street
But the city really ain't no bigger
Than the friendly people, friendly people that you meet
You might be a sweet young, sweet young pretty pretty
And at the dances you can't keep your seat
But if dances don't lead to romances
You might be a sweet-toned sure 'nuff high-class talker
You might be a stone, stone expert at kissing
But it don't do too much good to be talkin'
Brother, when there ain'n no, ain't nobody listenin'
And if you are shy, just not much of a talker
Don't impress the people that you meet
You might as well be a lonely walker
In a lonely town, on a lonely street
The lyrics of "Lonely Town Lonely Street" by Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls speak to the experience of feeling alone and disconnected even in the midst of a busy and bustling city. The opening lines suggest that one can live their life surrounded by people in a crowded urban environment, but the city itself is not truly expansive or meaningful without the presence of friendly and welcoming individuals. The emphasis here is on the importance of human connection and the impact that genuine interactions can have on our sense of belonging.
The lyrics then shift to explore the experience of someone who may be outwardly attractive and popular, seen at dances and social events, but ultimately unable to find meaningful relationships. This is symbolized by the suggestion that having two left feet (a metaphor for clumsiness in dancing) means that the individual is unable to connect with others on a deeper level. The song implies that superficial appearances and skills may not be enough to form lasting connections with others.
The next verse delves into the idea that one can possess impressive talents or skills, such as being a great talker or an expert kisser, but if no one is truly listening or reciprocating, those qualities lose their significance. This highlights the need for mutual engagement and active listening in communication and relationships. No matter how skilled or impressive one's abilities may be, they become meaningless if there is no genuine connection or understanding between individuals.
The final verse focuses on individuals who are shy or struggle with verbal communication, suggesting that their quietness may cause them to go unnoticed or unimpressive to others. In this context, being a "lonely walker" in a "lonely town" emphasizes the isolation and detachment felt by these individuals. Despite being surrounded by people, they still experience a profound sense of loneliness.
Overall, "Lonely Town Lonely Street" delivers a powerful message about the importance of genuine human connection and the impact it has on our emotional well-being. It highlights the limitations of surface-level interactions and the need for authentic engagement in order to truly feel connected and understood by others.
Interesting facts about the song:
1. "Lonely Town Lonely Street" was originally written by Bill Withers and released on his 1972 album, "Still Bill."
2. The version by Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls was featured on the 1982 album "Lou Rawls: The Best from Two Worlds."
3. Both Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls were renowned American jazz, soul, and R&B singers.
4. Al Jarreau won numerous Grammy Awards throughout his career, including for his album "Breakin' Away" which featured the hit single "We're in This Love Together."
5. Lou Rawls was known for his distinctive baritone voice and had numerous hits, including "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine."
6. The collaboration between Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls brought together two iconic voices in the soul and rhythm and blues genres.
7. The song's lyrics emphasize the theme of loneliness despite being surrounded by people, a common motif in Bill Withers' compositions.
8. "Lonely Town Lonely Street" showcases the vocal talents of both Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls, with their distinctive styles complementing each other.
9. The song's introspective lyrics and soulful delivery resonate with listeners, touching on universal emotions and experiences.
10. The poignant message of the song, emphasizing the need for genuine connections, has made it a favorite among fans of soul and R&B music.
Line by Line Meaning
You can live your life in a crowded city
Even in a bustling and busy city, you can still feel alone and isolated.
You can walk along a crowded street
Even amidst a crowd of people, you can still feel a sense of loneliness.
But the city really ain't no bigger
The city itself does not offer a solution to loneliness.
Than the friendly people, friendly people that you meet
The true measure of the city's size is the number of warm and kind individuals you come across.
You might be a sweet young, sweet young pretty pretty
You may possess youthful beauty and charm.
And at the dances you can't keep your seat
You are lively and enthusiastic at social events like dances.
But if dances don't lead to romances
However, if your social interactions and activities fail to result in meaningful relationships.
You might as well be born, be born with two left feet
It would be equivalent to having a significant disadvantage or being unlucky in your pursuits.
You might be a sweet-toned sure 'nuff high-class talker
You have the gift of eloquence and sophistication in your speech.
You might be a stone, stone expert at kissing
You may possess great proficiency and skill in the art of kissing.
But it don't do too much good to be talkin'
However, these abilities and talents do not hold much value or significance.
Brother, when there ain'n no, ain't nobody listenin'
Especially when there is no one willing to pay attention or listen to what you have to say.
And if you are shy, just not much of a talker
In the case where you are reserved, introverted, and not inclined to engage in conversation.
Don't impress the people that you meet
Your lack of verbal prowess fails to make a positive impression on those you encounter.
You might as well be a lonely walker
You might as well roam through life feeling isolated and solitary.
In a lonely town, on a lonely street
Existing in a desolate and lonely town, on a deserted and solitary street.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind