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.
Thinkin' about it too
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nobody could say what we could or could not do
Lift the curtain
Let me tell you about a new shoo-be-do-ooh-ooh
So cool
Nothing to learn in school
We had a golden rule
Sweet hot, Chevy II
Didn't you think a Saturday night could not become a Sunday
Tell your mama
That you really intend to find some work by Monday, yes
No blues
Hand me my dancing shoes
Play any song you choose
See every day was a fun day
I confess
I'm thinking about it too
Been thinkin' 'bout it too?
Is it true, that you're been thinking about it too?
Couldn't we
Could you recapture
Long lost rapture
Ooh, oh, ah-ah
Sweet song, ooh
Wind in my hair and ooh
Seeing you here while you
Tell me what's been an your mind
I think you've been thinking about it too
Is it true, that you're thinking about it too?
Confess that you've been thinking about it too
Couldn't we
Could you recapture
Long lost rapture
Thinking about it too, yeah
That you been thinking about it too
Confess that you've been thinking about it too
Couldn't we
Could you recapture
Long lost rapture
Oh, (thinking about it to)
Ah (Thinking about it to)
Ah-ah (thinking about it to)
The children shout (thinking about it to)
Oh-nah (thinking about it to)
Oh no, ah (thinking about it to)
Thinking about it (thinking about it to)
Been thinking about it, hey (thinking about it to)
I've been thinking about it (thinking about it to)
Oh no, ba da da da
(Thinking about it to) I've been back in the storm of song
(Thinking about it to) and everything is ooh
And I've been thinking about it (thinking about it to)
Couldn't we
Could you
Rapture
The lyrics of "Thinkin' about it too" by Al Jarreau tell a story of youthful rebellion and the desire to break free from societal norms. The opening lines express a sense of certainty and confidence, as the singer declares that nobody can dictate what they can or cannot do. They are ready to lift the curtain and introduce a new perspective, represented by the playful phrase "shoo-be-do-ooh-ooh."
The song emphasizes the carefree and cool nature of the singer's lifestyle. They suggest that there is nothing to be learned in school, as they already have their own golden rule. They are proud of their partner, represented as "my girl," and describe her as sweet and hot, driving a Chevy II. They challenge the notion that a fun Saturday night cannot carry over into a Sunday, defying expectations and conventional limitations.
As the song progresses, the singer addresses someone directly, possibly their partner or a close friend, urging them to inform their mother that they intend to find work by Monday. This line suggests a hint of responsibility creeping into their otherwise carefree existence. However, they quickly dismiss any notion of sadness or unhappiness, declaring that they have no blues and asking for their dancing shoes to be handed to them. Every day, to them, is a fun day.
Line by Line Meaning
We were certain
We had no doubts or uncertainties
And nobody could say what we could or could not do
No one had the authority to dictate our capabilities
Lift the curtain
Reveal a new and exciting experience
Let me tell you about a new shoo-be-do-ooh-ooh
Allow me to share a joyful and catchy rhythm
So cool
Extremely impressive and trendy
Nothing to learn in school
Education couldn't offer us anything valuable
We had a golden rule
We followed a principle of happiness and freedom
Just cast an eye on my girl
Take a look at the amazing person I'm with
Sweet hot, Chevy II
A beautiful and desirable Chevrolet model
Didn't you think a Saturday night could not become a Sunday
Did you ever imagine that an exciting Saturday night could seamlessly transition into a relaxing Sunday
Tell your mama
Inform your mother
That you really intend to find some work by Monday, yes
Let her know about your determination to secure employment before Monday
No blues
No feelings of sadness or depression
Hand me my dancing shoes
Pass me my shoes made for dancing
Play any song you choose
Select any song you prefer to listen to
See every day was a fun day
Each day was filled with enjoyment and excitement
I confess
I admit
I'm thinking about it too
I also have thoughts and considerations about the topic at hand
Been thinkin' 'bout it too?
Have you also been contemplating it?
Is it true, that you're been thinking about it too?
Can it be verified that you have also been reflecting on this matter?
Couldn't we
Is it not possible for us
Could you recapture
Can you regain
Long lost rapture
The intense joy and delight that has been absent for a while
Sweet song, ooh
Pleasant and melodic tune
Wind in my hair and ooh
The feeling of the wind gently blowing through my hair
Seeing you here while you
Observing your presence in this place
Tell me what's been an your mind
Please share with me the thoughts occupying your thoughts
I think you've been thinking about it too
I believe that you have also been considering the same thing
Confess that you've been thinking about it too
Admit that you have also been pondering this
Thinking about it too, yeah
Contemplating the matter as well
That you been thinking about it too
That you have indeed been considering it too
The children shout
The young ones exclaim with joy and excitement
Oh-nah
An expression of strong affirmations or agreement
Oh no, ah
An exclamation of surprise or realization
Ah-ah (thinking about it to)
Ah-ah (considering the same thing)
(Thinking about it to) I've been back in the storm of song
(Considering it too) I've returned to the passionate realm of music
(Thinking about it to) and everything is ooh
(Considering it too) and everything is delightful
Oh no, ba da da da
Oh no, a vocalization of surprise or realization
(Thinking about it to) I've been thinking about it (thinking about it to)
(Considering it too) I have been contemplating the matter
Couldn't we
Is it not possible for us
Could you
Are you capable
Rapture
The state of extreme happiness and joy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tom Canning, Al Jarreau
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind