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.
My Favorite Things
Al Jarreau Lyrics
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Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudel
Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
Theses are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And them I don't feel so bad
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright cooper kettles and warm woole mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string
Theses are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
The lyrics of Al Jarreau's "My Favorite Things" express the idea that when life gets tough, one can find solace by focusing on the things that bring joy and happiness. The song opens with a reference to the simple beauty of nature, specifically raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. These small things represent the fleeting moments of simple pleasure that can brighten one's day. The second stanza continues with a list of comforting sensory experiences, such as warm woolen mittens, apple strudel, and the sound of sleigh bells. The mention of wild geese flying with the moon on their wings is a metaphor that suggests something beautiful and mysterious.
The final stanza mentions the sight of girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay on one's nose and eyelashes, and silver white winters that turn into spring. These examples evoke a sense of nostalgia and remind the listener of times when they felt truly content. The song concludes with a simple message: when life gets tough, we should remember our favorite things because they can help us feel better. This refrain repeats the opening lines of the song and reinforces the idea that focusing on the positive can help us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops on roses whiskers on kittens
I find comfort in the simple things in life, like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Things that are warm and cozy, like bright copper kettles and woolen mittens, make me happy.
Brown paper packages tied up with string
Even small things, like brown paper packages tied up with string, can bring me joy.
These are a few of my favorite things
These simple pleasures are a few of the things that bring me happiness.
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudel
I enjoy things that are classic and timeless, like cream colored ponies and apple streudel.
Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles
The sounds and smells of the holiday season, like doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles, bring me joy.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
The beauty of nature, like wild geese flying with the moon on their wings, inspires and uplifts me.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
I appreciate the beauty of women, especially those wearing lovely dresses with satin sashes.
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
I find joy in the wonder and beauty of snowflakes that delicately land on my nose and eyelashes.
Silver white winters that melt into spring
I cherish the purity and transitory nature of winter turning into spring.
When the dog bites
Life can be full of painful experiences, like when a dog bites.
When the bee stings
Life can also sting, like when a bee stings.
When I'm feeling sad
Sometimes I feel down and upset.
I simply remember my favorite things
But when that happens, I think of all the things that bring me joy.
And then I don't feel so bad
And by remembering the things that make me happy, I start to feel better.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind