Thomas was raised in and around Houston, Texas, graduating from Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg. Before his solo career, he sang in a church choir as a teenager, then joined the musical group The Triumphs. During his senior year he made friends with Roy Head of Roy Head and The Traits. The Traits and the Triumphs held several Battle of the Bands events in the early 1960s.
In 1966, B.J. Thomas and The Triumphs released the album I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Pacemaker Records). It featured a hit cover of the Hank Williams song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". The single sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. The follow-up single, "Mama", peaked at No. 22. In the same year, Thomas released a solo album of the same name on the Scepter Records label.
Thomas came back to achieve mainstream success again in 1968, first with "The Eyes of a New York Woman", then five months later with the much bigger "Hooked on a Feeling", which featured the sound of Reggie Young's electric sitar and was first released on the album On My Way (Scepter Records). "Hooked on a Feeling" became Thomas's second million-selling record. A year later Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid featured Thomas performing the Bacharach/David song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", which won the Academy Award for best original song that year and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970. Sales of it also exceeded one million copies, with Thomas being awarded his third gold record. The song was also released on an album of the same name. Other hits of the 1970s were "Everybody's Out of Town", "I Just Can't Help Believing" (No. 9 in 1970, covered by Elvis Presley), "No Love at All", "Mighty Clouds of Joy", and "Rock and Roll Lullaby".
Thomas's earlier hits were with Scepter Records, his label for six years. He left Scepter Records in 1972 and spent a short period, in 1973 and 1974, with Paramount Records, during which time he released two albums, Songs (1973) and Longhorns & Londonbridges (1974).
In 1975, Thomas released the album Reunion on ABC Records, which had absorbed the Paramount label; it contained "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (the longest titled No. 1 hit ever on the Hot 100). It was Thomas's first big hit since 1972 and secured him his fourth gold record. It won the 1976 Grammy Award for Best Country Song, awarded to its songwriters, Larry Butler and Chips Moman.
In 1976, Thomas released Home Where I Belong, produced by Chris Christian on Myrrh Records, the first of several gospel albums. It was the first Christian album to go platinum, and Thomas became the biggest contemporary Christian artist of the period.
On MCA Records, Thomas and Chris Christian recorded what would be his last Top 40 hit single, "Don't Worry Baby", on his last pop album, which also included the Adult Contemporary hit "Still the Lovin' Is Fun".
During the 1980s, his success on the pop charts began to wane, but many of his singles reached the upper regions on the country singles chart, including two 1983 chart toppers, "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" and "New Looks from an Old Lover" (see 1984 in music), as well as "Two Car Garage", which reached No. 3. In 1981, on his 39th birthday, Thomas became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Thomas scored another hit, recording "As Long As We Got Each Other", the theme to Growing Pains, with Jennifer Warnes. A later version, used for the show's fourth season, was recorded with British singer Dusty Springfield. Thomas first released this track on his 1985 album Throwing Rocks at the Moon (Columbia Records).
Thomas has also authored two books including the autobiography Home Where I Belong, and starred in the movies Jory and "Jake's Corner". Several commercial jingles including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Bell, have featured his singing voice and music. On December 31, 2011, Thomas was the featured halftime performer at the 2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
On April 2, 2013, Thomas released The Living Room Sessions, an album with acoustic arrangements of well known hits. It features guest appearances with established and emerging vocalists accompanying Thomas on seven of twelve tracks.
On December 3, 2013, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced that his 1969 single "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" would be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Thomas was married to singer-songwriter Gloria Richardson since December 1968. They had three daughters: Paige (born 1970), Nora (adopted from Korea in 1978), and Erin (born in 1979). Shortly after Thomas's career began, he became dependent on drugs and alcohol which led to his marriage nearly ending and himself even coming close to death. Gloria became a Christian in 1975, and less than a month later, so did B.J.; most press sources indicate that Thomas had been sober since their separation was reconciled in 1976.
He Ain't Heavy
B.J. Thomas Lyrics
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With many a winding turn
That lead us to
Who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry himHe ain't heavy
He's just my brother
So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he
To bear
Oh we're gonna get there
For I know
He won't encumber me, no
He ain't heavy
He's just my brother
Oh if I'm laden at all
If I'm laden with sadness
That everybody's heart isn't filled with gladness
With love, love for one another
Or it's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we on our way to there
Why don't we share
And the load doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy
He's my brother
He's my brother
B.J. Thomas's song "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" is an emotional and poignant song about brotherhood, compassion, and kindness. The song was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell and inspired by a motto that was printed on the Boys Town's children home in Omaha, Nebraska. The lyrics convey the message that despite the many twists and turns in life, we should always be there for one another, particularly our brothers, and help alleviate their burdens.
The opening lines of the song "The road is long, with many a winding turn that leads us to who knows where" sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. However, the singer assures us that he's strong enough to carry his brother, and his concern is his brother's welfare. The singer sees carrying his brother's burden as a privilege and an act of love that doesn't weigh him down. He believes that if we love one another and share the load, the journey towards where we're going would be much easier.
Moreover, the line "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" is a metaphor for the idea that no one is a burden if we love them. It's a call to action to be charitable to one another and treat each other kindly. The song's lyrics are a reminder that life is full of uncertainties, and we need each other to navigate this long, winding road. Ultimately, the song emphasizes the significance of brotherly love and the beauty of supporting one another.
Line by Line Meaning
The road is long
The journey of life is filled with twists and turns, making it a challenging one.
With many a winding turn
There are frequent changes of direction on the journey, which makes it difficult to predict where it will lead.
That lead us to
We are uncertain of where the road will take us.
Who knows where
The destination is unknown to us.
But I'm strong
I have the necessary strength to keep going and tackle the challenges that come my way.
Strong enough to carry him
I am capable of helping and supporting my brother.
He ain't heavy
Despite his problems, I am not burdened by his presence and am happy to assist him.
He's just my brother
I love him and care for him like any brother should.
So on we go
We will keep moving forward together.
His welfare is my concern
I prioritize his well-being and am committed to helping him succeed.
No burden is he
He is not a hindrance to my own progress or happiness.
To bear
I do not mind taking on the responsibility of supporting him.
Oh we're gonna get there
I have faith that we will overcome our obstacles and reach our destination.
For I know
I am confident in my ability to help him.
He won't encumber me, no
I am not weighed down by his challenges or problems.
Oh if I'm laden at all
If I have any burdens, they are light compared to those of my brother.
If I'm laden with sadness
If I am emotionally weighed down, it is only because I care so deeply for him and his well-being.
That everybody's heart isn't filled with gladness
It is a shame that others cannot find the same joy and fulfillment in helping their fellow humans.
With love, love for one another
Love for others is the key to making life's journey meaningful and worthwhile.
Or it's a long, long road
Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and we must be prepared for the long haul.
From which there is no return
We cannot turn back time or change past mistakes.
While we on our way to there
As we continue on our journey, pursuing our goals and dreams.
Why don't we share
We should come together and support each other, rather than facing life's challenges alone.
And the load doesn't weigh me down at all
By sharing the load with others, no one person is weighed down by the challenges of life.
He ain't heavy
My brother's burden is light and does not constrain me.
He's my brother
I value our relationship and will always be there for him, no matter what.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind