Alwin Lopez Jarreau (12 March 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 12 february 20… Read Full Bio ↴Alwin Lopez Jarreau (12 March 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 12 february 2017, Los Angeles, California), known popularly as Al Jarreau, was an American, Grammy Award–winning jazz singer. Versatile in his singing style, Jarreau is a twelve-time Grammy-nominated vocalist and the only vocalist in history to win a Grammy Award in three separate categories: jazz, pop, and R&B.

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.

Puddit
Al Jarreau Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Puddit it in your pocket
Puddit it in your shoe
Puddit it in your locket
In your kidney stew

Corner of your office
Floor boards of your car
BB King sure keeps 'em

In that blues guitar

No matter where you go
Whatever game you playin'
Never leave home without some
Put some in everyday

To keep it in your laughter
Twinkle in your eye
Up in all your rafters
Underneath your tie

Puddit in your chapel
Underneath the pew
All your kids in chapter
Skipin' back to school

No matter where you go
Whatever game you playin'
Don't you leave home without some
Puddit in everyday

When the people start to roar
We, come back for more

Puddit it in your pocket
Puddit it in your shoe
Puddit it in your locket
In your kidney stew

One more last suggestion
Teach 'em every move

When they pop the question
Tell 'em it's the groove

Overall Meaning

The song "Puddit" by Al Jarreau is a playful and upbeat tune with lyrics that suggest the importance of keeping something close to you. The repeated chorus "Puddit in your pocket, Puddit in your shoe, Puddit in your locket, In your kidney stew" emphasizes the need to always have something special with you, whether it's a physical object or a feeling. Jarreau suggests putting this special something everywhere you go and in everything you do, reminding listeners that having something special can bring joy and happiness to any situation.

Throughout the song, Jarreau lists different places to put this special something, including in your office, car, guitar, chapel, and even in your stew. He suggests that putting this special something in your laughter, twinkle in your eye, and underneath your tie can help enhance daily life experiences. At the end of the song, Jarreau suggests passing along this special something to others by teaching them the groove and encouraging them to keep it close as well.

Overall, the song is a fun and catchy reminder to keep something special close to you no matter where you go or what you do. It's a message about finding joy in the little things and sharing that joy with others.

Line by Line Meaning

Puddit it in your pocket
Always keep it close to you

Puddit it in your shoe
Carry it with you everywhere you go

Puddit it in your locket
Treasure it like a precious memory

In your kidney stew
Mix it in with your personal style

Corner of your office
Even in the workplace, keep it nearby

Floor boards of your car
Bring it along for the ride, wherever you may go

BB King sure keeps 'em
Even legends keep it close to them

In that blues guitar
It's a part of the music they create

No matter where you go
It's essential for any journey or experience

Whatever game you playin'
Regardless of your situation

Never leave home without some
Always have some with you