His first musical success was as a 14-year-old guitarist in the Royal Teens, best known for their novelty blues riff, "Short Shorts". In 1960, he joined the song-writing team of Bob Brass and Irwin Levine, who wrote the hit, "This Diamond Ring", for Gary Lewis and the Playboys. When he was 21, he moved to Greenwich Village.
He performed with Bob Dylan in concert in 1965 and in the studio in 1965 and 1966, including playing Hammond organ with Dylan at the (in)famous Newport Folk Festival of 1965. He worked extensively with Mike Bloomfield for a number of years after the two met as studio musicians on Dylan's legendary Highway 61 Revisited album.
In 1965, he co-formed The Blues Project and played their most famous gig at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. He formed Blood, Sweat & Tears in the same year, leaving after the group's first album, Child is Father to the Man, in 1968.
Kooper played on hundreds of records, including The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, The Who and Cream. On occasion, he has even overdubbed on his own efforts, as on The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper album, as Roosevelt Gook. He discovered the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and produced their first three albums, including the single Sweet Home Alabama. Kooper also wrote the score for the TV series, Crime Story, and has also written music for several made-for-television movies. Kooper also produced a now rare album by a group called Appaloosa.
Al Kooper has published a memoir, Backstage Passes: Rock 'n' Roll Life In The Sixties (1977), now available in revised form as Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards: Memoirs of a Rock 'N' Roll Survivor 2007
Kooper currently teaches songwriting and production at Berklee College of Music in Boston and plays weekend concerts with his band Jimmy Vivino and The ReKooperators.
Be Real
Al Kooper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do we try to be what we wanna be
If we can never be what we are?
And if we could find the way to enjoy everyday
We would have nothing to look forward to at all
There’s nothing wrong with bein’ just somebody
Cause everybody’s got some beauty deep within
When he lets the evil out and keeps the good stuff in
Be yourself, be real
Be real
Don't be nobody else
Be real, be real
Be real
If the woman is loving you
For the soulful little things you do
You oughta see her through
Cause she’s few & far between
And today there is many a man
Who will walk up & down this land
And never really understand what somethin’ like that means
Now I don't believe there’s a man for every woman
So if you get lucky don't be playin’ any game
And you must never hide
The little things you really feel inside
Or someday someone’s bound to go insane
Be yourself, be real
Be real
Don't be nobody else
Be real, be real
Be real
The song "Be Real" by Al Kooper is an ode to authenticity and the importance of being true to oneself. The opening lines of the song ask a poignant question that sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics: "Why do we try to be what we wanna be / If we can never be what we are?" Kooper muses on the idea that we often strive to be someone or something we're not, rather than embracing our true selves. He suggests that if we could learn to enjoy and accept who we are, and not try to pretend to be something else, we would have no need to constantly strive for more.
Kooper goes on to suggest that there is value in being "just somebody" and that everybody has something beautiful within them. He urges his listeners not to judge others based on their appearances, and to take the time to seek out the goodness in others rather than focusing on the negative. The chorus of the song serves as a kind of mantra, with Kooper urging us to "be yourself, be real" and not to try to be anyone else.
The second half of the song focuses on relationships and the importance of being honest and authentic in our interactions with others. Kooper suggests that if we find someone who loves us for who we are, we should hold onto them and not play games. He warns against hiding our true feelings or pretending to be someone we're not, because it can lead to disaster in our relationships. Once again, the chorus serves as a kind of rallying cry for authenticity and honesty: "Be real, don't be nobody else, be real."
In summary, "Be Real" is a song that encourages listeners to be true to themselves and others, to seek out the beauty and goodness in others, and to embrace their authentic selves rather than pretending to be someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do we try to be what we wanna be
Questioning the idea of why people pretend to be something they are not
If we can never be what we are?
Highlighting that being true to oneself is important
And if we could find the way to enjoy everyday
Suggesting that finding pleasure in everyday life is important
We would have nothing to look forward to at all
Warning about the danger of losing motivation if we're always content with the present
There’s nothing wrong with bein’ just somebody
Encouraging people to embrace their individuality
Cause everybody’s got some beauty deep within
Recognizing that everyone has something to offer
And it’s not so hard to doubt what the next guy’s all about
Noting that it's easy to judge others
When he lets the evil out and keeps the good stuff in
Suggesting that people are often misunderstood, and there may be more to someone than what meets the eye
If the woman is loving you
Referencing relationships, specifically love between a man and woman
For the soulful little things you do
Acknowledging that romance is not just grand gestures, but also the small things that matter
You oughta see her through
Urge to support and respect one's partner
Cause she’s few & far between
Highlighting that finding a good partner is rare
And today there is many a man
Acknowledging that there are many people in the world
Who will walk up & down this land
Emphasizing the vastness of the world
And never really understand what somethin’ like that means
Noting that not everyone is capable of recognizing the importance of a good partner
Now I don't believe there’s a man for every woman
Disputing the idea that there is a perfect partner for everyone
So if you get lucky don't be playin’ any game
If someone does find a good partner, they shouldn't take it for granted by playing games or being insincere
And you must never hide
Emphasizing the importance of open and honest communication
The little things you really feel inside
Encouraging people to express their emotions
Or someday someone’s bound to go insane
Not being open with someone can lead to misunderstandings and negative consequences
Be yourself, be real
Stressing the importance of being true to oneself
Be real
Repeating the importance of authenticity
Don't be nobody else
Advising against trying to be like others, and instead embracing one's individuality
Be real, be real
Reemphasizing the importance of being genuine and authentic
Be real
Repeat of the importance of authenticity
Writer(s): Al Kooper
Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Candy Raider
Love this. Thank you !
Dorinda H
So cool!