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.
More Love
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should have been your shelter in the rain
I should have touched you more and held you closer
'Til I felt it melt your quiet pain
Should I have had more time to spare for you
Should have been there for you, to care for you
With more love, more love
I could have given you the gifts I threw to total strangers
Passing through my nights
I could have cuddled near your gentle flame
Been warmer there than in these glaring lights
Should have had more time to spare for you
Should have been there for you, to care for you
With more love, more love, more love
What would it have taken if only could have taken
My eyes off me for a while
I'd have seen the hurtin' hidin' just behind the curtain of your smile
Oh, I swear I didn't know, which goes to show
How long it takes a man to be a man
But if I say enough
And try enough
And pray enough
And cry enough
I can still can
Have more time to spare for you
Always be there for you, to care for you
With more love, more love, more love
The first verse of Al Jarreau's More Love speaks to the regret of not being fully present for a loved one during their moments of vulnerability, not giving enough time, and not showing enough affection to soothe their troubled soul. The singer shares his realization that he should have done more to support his significant other during difficult times, should have been a shelter, both physically and emotionally. The second verse, he further emphasizes the missed opportunities to give her the gifts of attention, affection, and care that he had so casually bestowed on strangers passing through his life. Jarreau paints a picture of a distracted, self-centered person who missed so much because he did not pay enough attention. In the chorus, the artist resolves that although he had not done so in the past, if he truly tries hard enough, he can still find the time, care enough, love enough, and be the source of comfort that his lover needs.
Overall, the song More Love can be interpreted as a message about the importance of being present, listening, and being attentive to loved ones in our lives. Sometimes we get so caught up in our ambitions, careers, or personal struggles that we forget to love those closest to us fully. The song serves as a reminder to cherish those around us and not miss out on essential moments.
Line by Line Meaning
I should have listened more and listened well
I wish I had paid more attention and truly heard what you were saying
I should have been your shelter in the rain
I should have been someone you could rely on and seek refuge in when times were tough
I should have touched you more and held you closer
I regret not being more physically affectionate with you and holding you tightly to ease your pain
'Til I felt it melt your quiet pain
I wish I had been there to soothe your inner turmoil until I could sense you feeling better
Should I have had more time to spare for you
I ponder whether I should have prioritized making more time for you in my life
Should have been there for you, to care for you
I should have put your well-being before my own and been a constant source of support for you
With more love, more love
If only I had given you more love, it could have made all the difference
I could have given you the gifts I threw to total strangers
It pains me that I engaged total strangers and gave away kindness and care that should have been meant for you
Passing through my nights
Those strangers were only fleeting moments, while you were and are a constant presence in my life
I could have cuddled near your gentle flame
I should have snuggled up next to you and basked in the warmth of your love
Been warmer there than in these glaring lights
I realize now that I was distracted by superficial things while your love could have brought me much greater comfort and happiness
What would it have taken if only could have taken
I wonder what it would have cost me to pay you more attention and show you more love
My eyes off me for a while
Perhaps if I had been less self-absorbed, I could have noticed your pain and done something about it
I'd have seen the hurtin' hidin' just behind the curtain of your smile
If I had only looked closer, I would have seen the sadness that you tried to conceal with a smile
Oh, I swear I didn't know, which goes to show
I had no idea at the time, but now I realize just how much you were struggling
How long it takes a man to be a man
It takes time and effort to learn how to be truly present and supportive for someone you care about
But if I say enough
I know that just saying my apologies isn't enough
And try enough
I need to actively work to make up for lost time and show you how much I truly care
And pray enough
I need to seek guidance and strength from a higher power to help me be a better partner to you
And cry enough
I feel remorse and sadness for not having been there for you, and my tears are a sign of my sincerity in making things right
I can still can
I know that it's not too late to make things right and show you just how much I care
Have more time to spare for you
I need to commit to making time for you and being a consistent source of love and support
Always be there for you, to care for you
I want to be someone you can always rely on no matter what
With more love, more love, more love
More than anything, I want to shower you with love and affection, now and in the future
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK SEGAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind