At some… Read Full Bio ↴You may not know the name, but you certainly know the voice.
At some point in your life you have heard Arnold McCuller's rich and distinctive vocals that have captured the hearts and ears of many well-respected musicians and fans alike. Long time featured vocalist with some of the best recording artists around, including Phil Collins and James Taylor.
Arnold has also set out to further solidify his solo identity with his first recording in 1984, “A Part of Me That’s You”, co produced with jazz piano player, David Benoit. Then “Exception to the Rule” in 1990, with his long time friend Dana Walden. Since he has continued to bring his listeners new material with “You Can’t Go Back” co produced with Bill Cantos, and guitarist Greg Poree. His favorite is his “Live at the Baked Potato”, recorded at one of Hollywood’s most famous jazz clubs.
The next project was a tribute to artist he’d been singing back up for by recording “Back to Front”, featuring songs originally recorded as a backing vocalist. His renditions still hold their own long after they were recorded. Next came “Circa 1990”, a collection of tunes originally recorded for a project that had been shelved by a major label. Popular live performances at La Ve Lee jazz club, Ghengis Cohen, Molly Malone’s, The Plush Room in San Francisco, and numerous visits to his friends in Naples Florida to support the Autism Foundation in that region.
Arnold McCuller is acknowledged as one of the most expressive vocalist in the business. Whether performing solo or singing back up, his show stopping live performances regularly bring audiences to their feet. Arnold has been one of the music industry's most popular session singers. McCuller's voice has graced recordings by a virtual who's who of the music industry, including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler, and Brenda Russell. Lionel Ritchie, Dave Koz, Billy Idol, Lyle Lovett and Beck to name only a few. You’ll need to Google the rest.
Concert tours include Lyle Lovett, where he was both the opening act and featured vocalist, and Phil Collins, Melissa Manchester, Bonnie Raitt and recently duets with Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. DVD features include “Serious Hits Live”, “First Final Farwell Tour”, and many more with Phil Collins. A&E's “Live By Request”, “Pull Over”, “Squibnocket”, Musicares “ Man of the Year”, and “Live at the Beacon Theater”, featuring James Taylor.
An appearance on Saturday Night Live led to a phone call from singer-songwriter James Taylor. Little did they realize that 30 years later they would still be performing and recording together. In between world tours, Arnold appeared in such films as "Beaches", "Without You I’m Nothing", "Crossroads", "Hollywood Knights", "American Hot Wax", “What’s Love Got to do With It”, "Funny People", and The National Anthem in Clancey’s “The Sum of all Fears”.
Born and raised in Ohio, Arnold's early musical experiences centered in the church, where both of his parents were prominent vocalists. He began his professional musical career when he was invited to join the national touring company of HAIR. Two years later he found himself in Manhattan where he studied acting, dance and voice._ In New York, Arnold joined forces with Revelation, a four member vocal group who recorded for RSO (Atlantic Records). "Get Ready for This", "You To Me Are Everything", and the critically acclaimed self titled album "Revelation". The group toured nationally with the Bee Gees, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes and Millie Jackson and many others. _ All of his solo efforts have been released on his indie label, What’s Good Records, which features Arnold at his strongest and surely captures the attention of his international fan base.
In 2008 Arnold released Sabor, a Latin Jazz project which is Arnold’s first all original effort, but clearly not his last. That year he was also involved in recording sessions with Donovan Frankenreiter on “Pass It Around”. Since then Arnold has stayed busy touring with James Taylor and recently got involved with a new album currently in production for Ry Cooder along with a very special upcoming Eric Clapton Blues record.
Arnold’s new 2011 project, a Blues album called Soon As I Get Paid is set for an April 19 release along with live performances of the effort being planned nationwide. Soon As I Get Paid was made possible by the selfless financial help of his fans and friends through a special campaign through the social media website Pledge Music. Fellow musicians such as Lyle Lovett even contributed generous financial donations to the production, making this a collaborative effort that has resulted in what is sure to be one of the most important Blues albums of the decade.
“Arnold McCuller is what’s going on, that’s always been the case and it always will be” – James Taylor
"Arnold's value as a group singer has always obscured his power as a lead vocalist, even as he has stepped out and soloed with James Taylor's and Lyle Lovett's bands. This new CD - Soon As I Get Paid - shows the world what those of us lucky enough to catch his live solo shows have known for years... Arnold McCuller is a force of nature, and a singer of near extraterrestrial abilities." – Jackson Browne
“His voice is like a songbird” – Linda Ronstadt
“I’m used to hearing some great music, particularly country. This guy (Arnold) is the best I’ve ever heard!” – Vince Bruce
Nowhere To Run
Arnold McCuller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
It's not love
I'm running from
It's the heartaches
'Cause I know
You're no good for me
But you`ve become
A part of me
Everywhere I go
Your face I see
Every step I take
You take with me, yeah
Nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
I know you're
No good for me
But free of you
I'll never be, no
Each night as I sleep
Into my heart you creep
I wake up feeling sorry I met you
Hoping soon that I'll forget you
When I look in the mirror
And comb my hair
I see your face
Just a-smiling there
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
I know you're
No good for me
But you've become
A part of me
How can I fight a lover
That's sugar sweet
When it's so deep, so deep
Deep inside of me
My love reaches so high
I can't get over it
It's so wide
I can't get around it, no
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
From you, baby
Just can't get away
No matter how I try
I know you're no good for me
But free of you I'll never be
Nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run
Got nowhere to run
The lyrics of Arnold McCuller's song "Nowhere to Run" speak about a woman who knows that her lover is no good for her, but she cannot seem to distance herself from him. She refers to not having the ability to escape or hide from him, either physically or emotionally. The song mentions the lover as someone who brings heartaches, but despite this, the woman cannot help but feel connected and intertwined with him.
The singer goes on to explain that everywhere she goes, she seems to encounter the man in some way, a reminder of the inability to get away. The lyrics speak to the overwhelming attachment and fixation the woman has for the male character, admitting that he has become a part of her even if she knows that he is not good for her. Despite her efforts to forget him even in her sleep, thoughts of him creep into her heart and mind.
Finally, the chorus repeats the sentiment of having nowhere to escape and how this relationship has become a trap that she cannot break free from, even though she knows that the man is no good for her. The song captures the feeling of being trapped in a toxic relationship, knowing that it is not good for you, but unable to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowhere to run to, baby
There is no escape, my dear
Nowhere to hide
I cannot conceal my feelings
Got nowhere to run to, baby
I am trapped and cannot flee, my dear
Nowhere to hide
I cannot conceal my feelings
It's not love
I am not in love
I'm running from
I am escaping from
It's the heartaches
I fear the pain
That I know will come
That I believe will soon follow
'Cause I know
Because I am aware
You're no good for me
I understand that you are not right for me
But you`ve become
But somehow you have become
A part of me
Inextricably linked to me
Everywhere I go
No matter where I travel
Your face I see
I cannot escape the image of you
Every step I take
With each and every footfall
You take with me, yeah
Your ghostly presence follows me
I know you're
I understand that you are
No good for me
Not the right match for me
But free of you
Without you
I'll never be, no
I will never feel complete
Each night as I sleep
Every time I close my eyes
Into my heart you creep
You insinuate yourself into my soul
I wake up feeling sorry I met you
I regret ever having met you
Hoping soon that I'll forget you
Desiring to someday be free of you
When I look in the mirror
Whenever I glance at my reflection
And comb my hair
And tidy up my locks
I see your face
I behold your visage
Just a-smiling there
Grinning widely
How can I fight a lover
How can I resist an affectionate partner
That's sugar sweet
Who is unfailingly sweet
When it's so deep, so deep
Considering my feelings run so very deep
Deep inside of me
Inside my very heart and soul
My love reaches so high
My deep emotions surmount every obstacle
I can't get over it
I can never fully get past it
It's so wide
It encompasses my entire existence
I can't get around it, no
There is no avoiding it
From you, baby
In regards to you
Just can't get away
I cannot escape from you
No matter how I try
Regardless of my efforts
Got nowhere to run
I cannot flee
But you've become
However, you are now
A part of me
A fundamental aspect of my very being
Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.