Though best known for their instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength lies in their consistently accomplished songwriting, stretching across several gold-selling albums and multi-Grammy nominations for Atlantic Records. Despite their Scottish roots, the six-piece band developed their own "authentic" sound influenced by R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway, which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere.
Many of the band's cuts, such as "Cut The Cake" and "Let's Go 'Round Again," attracted chart action as hit singles, while album tracks like "Schoolboy Crush" and "Person to Person" became much-sampled "rare" grooves. Other tunes like "Cloudy," "A Love Of Your Own," and "Nothing You Can Do" stand alongside some of the finest soul album tracks ever recorded.
The current lineup of the band, with noted US musicians alongside founding members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to delight audiences and critics alike in its wide-ranging touring. The musical energy and trademark sound are remarkably true to the original, and with constant revisitation and re-workings of AWB's, and others' classics in the mix, it is no surprise that the Average White Band is now a multi-generational attraction and a perennial fixture with many of the top music venues.
Someday We'll All Be Free
Average White Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just don't let the spin get you down
Think of moving fast
Hold on tight and you will last
Give your self respect, your manly pride
Get yourself in gear
Keep your stride
Never mind your fears
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free, yeah
Keep on walking tall
Hold your head up high
Lay your dreams right up to the sky
Sing your greatest song
And you'll keep going, going on
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
Hey, just wait and see, some day we'll all be free, yeah
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
It won't be long, take it from me, someday we'll all be free
Take it from me, take it from me, take it from me
The lyrics of Average White Band and Ben E. King's song "Someday We'll All Be Free" are about perseverance and hope. The first verse talks about the unpredictable nature of the world and how it can easily bring someone down. The key is to hold on to it and not let it defeat you. The singer encourages the listener to move fast and hold on tight to overcome any obstacles that may come their way. He also advises to maintain one’s self-respect and pride since that is what will keep you motivated.
The second verse urges the listener to keep holding their head high and keep walking towards their dreams with determination. The singer encourages the listener to never stop striving for what they want and to keep singing their greatest song. The song ends with the assertion that someday everyone will be free and to wait and see because it won't be long.
The lyrics of "Someday We'll All Be Free" can be interpreted in different ways. While some may find it politically or socially liberating, it can also have a more personal meaning. It is an uplifting song that conveys a message of hope, perseverance and triumph over adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang on to the world as it spins around
Hold on to the ever-changing world and don't let it overwhelm you.
Just don't let the spin get you down
Stay positive and don't let the unpredictability of life bring you down.
Think of moving fast
Keep your thoughts and actions focused on progressing quickly.
Hold on tight and you will last
If you hold on tight to your optimism and perseverance, you will endure.
Give your self respect, your manly pride
Respect yourself and maintain your dignity and self-worth.
Get yourself in gear
Prepare yourself mentally and physically for any obstacles that come your way.
Keep your stride
Maintain your momentum towards your goals and don't let anything slow you down.
Never mind your fears
Don't let your fears control you or limit your potential.
Brighter days will soon be here
The future holds hope and better opportunities.
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free, yeah
Believe me, a day will come when we will all overcome our struggles and experience true freedom.
Keep on walking tall
Maintain your self-confidence and continue to hold your head up high.
Hold your head up high
Be proud of who you are and the path you're on.
Lay your dreams right up to the sky
Dream big and don't let anyone limit your aspirations.
Sing your greatest song
Share your talents and abilities with the world and let them shine.
And you'll keep going, going on
If you persevere and stay true to yourself, you will continue to succeed.
Hey, just wait and see, some day we'll all be free, yeah
Just wait and see, one day we will all truly experience liberty and independence.
It won't be long
The wait for freedom and success won't be too long.
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
Believe me, we will all eventually experience freedom.
Take it from me, take it from me, take it from me
Trust me, trust me, trust me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONNY HATHAWAY, EDDY HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Monte Montgomery
Nothing can quite match Donny Hathaway's killer 1973 original, but this is a great cover. Both on Atlantic, the label that will never die!
Sylvia Franklin
This is one of my favorite tunes on this album! So nice and smooth! So soothing! Molly's playing great on the sax!Love you guys!R.I.P Ben E King! Sylvia Franklin.
Ralph Miklic
❤❤❤❤❤❤😎
Eddie Gloria
Amen
Shawn Allen
Not a bad version. I'm more privy to Aretha Franklin's version. She took it to church. But I can see the influence she took out of the male vocals on this for hers....
sylvia franklin
Happy birthday 🎉 AWB's Alan Gorrie! July 19,2021,