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.
Pleasure
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My being surrenders to you
'cause you know what to do
So make me make me tremble
That will be a symbol of
The l-o-v-e's there when
We make love
We make love
Ya bring me pleasure
When I'm feelin' pain
I go to meet ya
In the fallin' rain
It's such a pleasure
When ya call my name
Stay tonight and
Play the pleasure game
So baby be gentle
And cuddle a little with me
Then tell me tenderly
You want me want me forever
And say there's no better love
Than what you get
When we make love
We make love
Ya bring me pleasure
When I'm feelin' pain
I go to meet ya
In the fallin' rain
It's such a pleasure
When ya call my name
Stay tonight and
Play the pleasure game
Your love is such a pleasure
And I'm so glad you found me
I'm yours measure for measure
Just wrap your arms around me
Ya bring me pleasure
When I'm feelin' pain
I go to meet ya
In the fallin' rain
It's such a pleasure
When ya call my name
Stay tonight and
Play the pleasure game
The l-o-v-e's there
When we make love
We make love
Ya bring me pleasure
When I'm feelin' pain
I go to meet ya
In the fallin' rain
It's such a pleasure
When ya call my name
Stay tonight and
Play the pleasure game
The lyrics describe a passionate relationship in which the singer surrenders themselves completely to the other person. The repetition of "love me love me tender" emphasizes the desire for gentle affection and tenderness in the relationship. The singer wants to be made to tremble, a physical manifestation of their emotional connection. The lyrics suggest that their love is most intense and fulfilling during sex, with the line "the l-o-v-e's there when we make love" emphasizing the importance of physical intimacy in their relationship.
The second verse suggests that the other person is a source of comfort and pleasure for the singer, even in times of pain. The singer describes going to meet the other person in the falling rain, perhaps implying that they are willing to endure hardship to be with their lover. The chorus emphasizes that the other person brings pleasure simply by being present and calling the singer's name. The bridge expresses the singer's gratitude and commitment to the other person, describing their love as a "pleasure" that is measured out in equal parts.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me love me tender
Be affectionate and gentle with me
My being surrenders to you
I am submitting myself to you entirely
'cause you know what to do
Because you understand my needs and desires
So make me make me tremble
Evoke strong emotions within me
That will be a symbol of
It will represent
The l-o-v-e's there when
There is affection and love when
We make love
We are intimate
Ya bring me pleasure
You give me enjoyment and happiness
When I'm feelin' pain
When I am experiencing distress or discomfort
I go to meet ya
I seek out your company
In the fallin' rain
During rainy weather
It's such a pleasure
It brings me great delight
When ya call my name
When you address me
Stay tonight and
Remain with me tonight and
Play the pleasure game
Engage in sensual activities with me
So baby be gentle
Be tender and compassionate
And cuddle a little with me
Embrace me affectionately
Then tell me tenderly
Express your feelings in a gentle manner
You want me want me forever
You desire me permanently
And say there's no better love
And state that there is no superior affection
Than what you get
Than what you receive
When we make love
When we are intimate
Your love is such a pleasure
Your affection brings me great delight
And I'm so glad you found me
And I am grateful that you discovered me
I'm yours measure for measure
I belong to you exclusively
Just wrap your arms around me
Embrace me tightly
The l-o-v-e's there
There is affection and love
When we make love
When we are intimate
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT BROOKINS, ROBERT F. BROOKINS, TONY HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind