Billy Preston (2 September 1946 - 6 June 2006) was an American soul and roc… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Preston (2 September 1946 - 6 June 2006) was an American soul and rock singer, famously known as a child prodigy pianist before releasing several rnb hits (including #1 smashes "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing") and working with classic artists such as Aretha Franklin and The Beatles. He notably performed with Mahalia Jackson at the age of 16 and appeared as a young W.C. Handy in a 1958 biopic. His first solo record was a gospel album called '16 Year Old Soul'.

Preston first came to widespread attention of a U.S. mainstream audience as the organist (and sometimes vocalist) in the house band on the television show 'Shindig,' popular during 1964-66. On tour backing stars Little Richard and Sam Cooke, he met the Beatles (early in their career) in Hamburg, Germany in 1962. He was later invited by George Harrison to join The Beatles in the studio for the filming/recording of 'Let It Be' (1970). Preston's most memorable performance with the Beatles is on the track "Get Back".

The apparent reason for the collaboration was that the project was being done live— without overdubs— and the Beatles wanted a second keyboardist. Preston's soulful style was to compliment the rhythm and blues approach the Beatles had for this album. His was a genre they'd grown up listening to and were reaching back to as well as paying tribute to.

Another apparent reason for Preston's involvement was to buffer the growing tensions between the members of the band (that had started around the time of filming). Everyone set aside their differences to make Preston feel welcome at the sessions. Members of the band have later commented on their joy with working with Preston, whom they respected as a talented musician.

While Preston was never considered for permanent membership in the Beatles (despite stories to the contrary), he did continue working with them through to the end of the 60s: releasing two solo albums on Apple Records (the Beatles' label), collaborating with George Harrison on 'All Things Must Pass', and joining in on the Concert for Bangladesh— one of the first significant benefit concerts of its kind (at Madison Square Garden in 1972). Preston also later made an appearance in the infamous Beatles tribute film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1978), as the title character— Sgt. Pepper. He's sometimes been referred to as a 'Fifth Beatle'.

In addition to work with said group, Preston also played and toured with The Rolling Stones, playing on significant albums such as 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile on Main St.' In the 70s, Preston also worked with Bob Dylan, playing as an accompanist on ' Blood on the Tracks', and Aretha Franklin, on her record 'Young, Gifted and Black'. As the years went on, Preston collaborated with numerous other artists including Barbra Streisand and Miles Davis, also notable touring with Sly and the Family Stone for a time. He also played organ with the Ray Charles big band on tour in the late 60s.

In terms of his solo career, Preston's hit tracks "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" both reached all the way to number one in the U.S. and still remain staples of oldies stations. He won a Grammy Award for best pop instrumental performance for "Outa Space" in 1971, and he received an invitation to the White House no less in 1974. Though perhaps overshadowed by his collaborative work, he devolved a strong and devoted fan-base as album after album made it into the Billboard top 200 album chart.

Preston was also the music director and band leader for the Garry Shandling show in the 80s, returning to the TV work that had given him his start. Yet, in the 80s and 90s, Preston sadly suffered substance abuse and financial issues. He spent three years in prison in 1997 for a drugs possession charge handed out earlier that year (cocaine possession and assault).

His last recordings were on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album 'Stadium Arcadium' and with Neil Diamond for his "12 songs" record, both produced by Rick Rubin.

A U.S. musical legend, Preston passed away at the age of 59 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, as a result of "malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications".

Without A Song
Billy Preston Lyrics

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Without a song the day would never end
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song

I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall

I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song

Overall Meaning

In Billy Preston's song "Without A Song", he speaks about the importance of music in his life. He begins by stating that without a song, the day would never end and the road would never bend. It seems that he is saying that music is what gives meaning and purpose to his life. When things go wrong, a man does not have a friend, but he can always count on music to be his constant companion. Music is what helps him to weather the storms of life.

Preston then goes on to say that without music, life would be like a deserted field of corn. It is music that brings life and vitality to his world. He acknowledges that everyone has troubles and woes, but he knows that as long as he has music in his soul, he will be able to get through anything. He finishes by admitting that there are some things he will never understand, like what makes the rain fall or the grass grow, but he does know that without music, life would be loveless and dull.

Overall, "Without A Song" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of music in our lives. It reminds us that no matter what challenges we face, music has the power to lift us up and keep us going.

Line by Line Meaning

Without a song the day would never end
A song brings joy and hope that makes the day go by quickly

Without a song the road would never bend
Music brings flexibility in life; it makes us adapt and enjoy life's journey

When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
In times of trouble, only music can heal us and cheer us up

Without a song That field of corn would never see a plow
Music inspires us to work hard, innovate, and create value in life

That field of corn would be deserted now A man is born but he's no good no how Without a song
Without music, life is barren, and our existence seems meaningless

I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
In the face of adversity, having music in our hearts gives us the strength to carry on

I'll never know what makes the rain to fall I'll never know what makes that grass so tall I only know there ain't no love at all Without a song
Music is an enigma; it fills our hearts with wonder, joy, and love. Without it, life lacks meaning

I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
Life is full of ups and downs, but music helps us navigate through the challenges and cherish the good moments

I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall I'll never know what makes the grass so tall I only know there ain't no love at all Without a song
Life's mysteries elude us, but music captures the essence of human existence by making us feel loved, happy, and fulfilled

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWARD ELISCU, BILLY ROSE, VINCENT YOUMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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