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.
Never Givin' Up
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chance of a lifetime
And by the way
I've tumbled with romance, girl,
And I don't cry
But now I'm
Searching every star
Searching near and far
(every dawn)
'Til I find our one
Spirit flying high
Flying high
I'll never give it up,
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
Never give it up
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
Never give it up,
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
I'll be content in time
I'm gonna be content in time
And so today, I think I'll take the
Chance of a lifetime
And by the way,
I'm falling for romance girl,
And I don't mind
How much I cry
I'm reaching for the sun
(angels sing)
Love has just begun
(who would think)
Two could turn to one
Spirit flying high
Flying high
Never gonna give it up
No no no-no, not I
The first verse of Al Jarreau's song Never Giving Up talks about fear and missed opportunities. He has been afraid that he has missed the chance of a lifetime. This feeling is common among people who realize that a once in a lifetime opportunity is gone. In the second part of the verse, he says that he has “tumbled with romance”. This means that he has been in relationships before, but he never cried. He has been through challenges, but he overcame them. Despite this, he declares that he is now searching every star and searching near and far until he finds his true love. The chorus then repeats the phrase “Never give it up” several times, and establishes the message of the song. Al Jarreau is persistent, and he is never going to give up on love, even after this life is over.
In the second verse, Al Jarreau starts by taking a chance of a lifetime. This is the complete opposite of his fear during the first verse. He is falling for romance, and he does not mind crying for love. The second part of the verse is more positive as he celebrates the beginning of a journey, reaching for the sun. This is a metaphor for love. The sun has been associated with life-giving energy, power, and divinity. Love can provide the same experience. The chorus repeats the message of the song, and it becomes more memorable. By doing this, Al Jarreau emphasizes the importance of never giving up in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been afraid that I had missed the
Chance of a lifetime
I have worried that I missed the best opportunity to succeed in life.
And by the way
I've tumbled with romance, girl,
And I don't cry
As a matter of fact, I have experienced love before, but I never shed tears over it.
Searching every star
(I go on)
I am determined to keep searching for my soulmate.
Searching near and far
(every dawn)
'Til I find our one
I will look everywhere, every day, until I find the right person for me.
Spirit flying high
Flying high
I am filled with joy and positive energy.
I'll never give it up,
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
Never give it up
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
Never give it up,
Never gonna give it up
Even when this life is over
I'll be content in time
I will keep searching for love, even beyond this lifetime, and I will eventually find contentment.
I'm gonna be content in time
I believe that I will find contentment and happiness eventually.
And so today, I think I'll take the
Chance of a lifetime
Now, I am willing to take a risk and pursue a new opportunity in life.
And by the way,
I'm falling for romance girl,
And I don't mind
How much I cry
I have started to fall in love again, and I am ready to embrace the emotional vulnerability that comes with it.
I'm reaching for the sun
(angles sing)
Love has just begun
(who would think)
Two could turn to one
Spirit flying high
Flying high
I am striving for the greatest experience of love and happiness, where two individuals become one united spirit.
Never gonna give it up
No no no-no, not I
I am determined to keep searching for and fighting for love, with unwavering focus.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL JARREAU, THOMAS CANNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Pierce
Never has the world needed something so uplifting as the music of Mr. Al Jarreau. Such a breath of fresh air!!
2k Purp™
💯💯
Lisa F.
Love this song!!! This man had a way to smooth out a melody with his immense talent!!! Miss him!!!
P4uLy
RIP. So underrated and under appreciated 😔😔😔😔New generation will never know the gem that he was. It’s 2019 still jamming !!! He sang one of the song , soundtrack of my life
Reese Reese
When I hear this man sing,it brings joy to my soul!)
Tyjuana Ellis
Reese Reese me To
henry clemons
still sounds great in2018,never gonna give up
M Bell
2022.
pushkinandwallace
RIP Al Jareau--such a terrific, uplifting singer and great entertainer. Have been a fan for decades and still feel so happy listening to his wonderful voice! Will really miss him!
Sputnik
An artiste that can never be replaced , I love all of Als music, made us happy through the years … RIP bro ..