1: This g… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least six bands/artists with the name Change:
1: This great band is one of the best, but also one of the most underrated ensembles in the soul, disco and R&B genres during the first half of the 80s. They created a catchy, smooth and polished disco, and later R&B and pop funk sound, with a touch of heaven. Here is the story about the group that might let them shine a little bit longer and perhaps do so for new music lovers as well, they certainly deserve it!
It all started in 1979 with a nameless musical project. The name was finally agreed as "Change", a perfect name considering the coming changes of the number of projects in GMP Petrus decided to keep. The main forces behind Change was the Italian Davide Romani, that had joined GMP in 1977 as a self-taught bass guitar player, and fellow countryman Paolo Gianolio on guitar, with a solid classic guitar education behind him. Romani himself also wants to give a great deal of credit to another Italian musician, Rudy Trevisi, that played a more important role for Change than most people know. Romani didn't write anything in the first few years with GMP but got the greatest chance of his life on this new project after Petrus had persuaded him to compose some tracks despite the fact that Romani hadn't composed anything before. It turned out to be a very lucky strike for both Petrus and Romani. Together with Malavsi, Gianolio and Garfield they wrote all the tracks on the debut.
The only things left to do for Petrus was to find the singers and writers of the lyrics as the Italians hardly spoke any English. For that Petrus looked overseas, towards the USA. Soon he found guys like Wayne Garfield, that also (co-)wrote some tracks, and Tanyanette Willoughby for the lyrics and the two main vocalists in Luther Vandross and Jocelyn Brown.
It was Vandross that caught Petrus' attention after Petrus had heard Vandross's singing in a Coca-Cola ad spot.
Vandross, it was said, had a highly sensitive, emotional and expressive voice. Petrus began an almost immediate search to hire Vandross, who had earlier been a well-appreciated background singer for artists like Roberta Flack, David Bowie and Chic, and who had worked with highly successful and famous commercial advertisement firms for radio and television and had also been singing in the adult choir in the film "The Wiz" in 1978.
Vandross, it is widely known, had even released two rarely heard albums on the Cotillion record label imprint under the group name "Luther" in 1976 and 1977, but both of the albums, despite hitting the charts with one single from the debut becoming a very minor hit, didn't reach any great public or critical interest, and both records soon vanished into the flood of music industry legend.
This work on the first album of Change became Luther Vandross' big breakthrough, and opened up the road of incredible fame and commercial success as a "(second try)" solo artist with the strong debut, "Never Too Much" in 1981 on Epic Records label.
With that release and many others to come, Vandross became one of the biggest soul stars during the 80s and 90s.
Vandross realized his value when negotiating with Petrus and expressed two demands to him before joining in. He wanted the have full control of the recording process of his voice and be able to stop whenever he wanted if he wasn't satisfied with the recordings, and secondly to be credited as the main vocalist, something Petrus originally hadn't planned to do. Both demands were accepted. This was a bigger catch than anyone could ever imagine.
Jocelyn Brown, on her side, had made even deeper footprints in the sand of music than Vandross. She had earlier been a member of the obscure disco group "Musique" and became one of the original members of the later well-known "Inner life" band in 1979, and scored with them incredible hits like the remake of the classic hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in 1981, and the catchy "I Like It Like That" in 1982.
Brown certainly did possess valuable experiences from the similar kind of music that Petrus/Malavasi produced and was, like Vandross, a perfect pick. She was later married Shaw and was for a short time credited as a background singer with that name on albums by Change in 80 and 81.
But in 82 she was divorced from Shaw, and used her old name once again and became, under that name a successful solo star during the 80s. Her solo career included the tasteful debut in 1984 including the funky dance hit "Somebody Else's Guy".
Important to remember though, is that Change were, despite great singers and a huge "band potential", a studio concept. The fact corresponded well with the stylish cubist album cover made by Frank Porto without any pictures or credits of Change being a band on the cover....
Albums:
Change - The Glow Of Love 1980
Change - Miracles 1981
Change - Sharing Your Love 1982
Change - This Is Your Time 1983
Change - Change of Heart 1984 (which prominently featured music production and arrangements from [a pre-Janet Jackson] Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis)
Change - Turn On Your Radio 1985
(Full Bio ---> http://www.jacquespetrus.com/change.htm)
2: Change is also the name of a rapper from San Diego, CA. Change is the co-founder of Giant Squid Records.
3: Change is also the name of a Christian rapper from Detroit, MI.
4: A glam rock band from the 1970s.
5.Psychedelic rock band. Also known as Clockwork, released a 45 in 1973 and a album.Also known as Jimmy and The SoulBlazers,,The Joneses.
Mike Bugara - gtr, vcls
Mike Duruttya - horns, vcls
Jim Korleski - vcls, keybd.
Bill McCrea - vcls, perc.
Jim Miller - hrmnca
John Sineri - drms
Dave Sorge - gtr
Gary Zeigler - bs
6: A straight-edge hardcore band from Seattle, WA. They released their debut LP "Closer Still" in 2020.
Higher
Change Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smokes and pills I'll step aside
The next step up
My mind is straight
I see through clear eyes
I chose to get wise
That way of life, it's not for me
Locked in a vacancy
Free, I'm staying free
In Change's song "Higher," the lyrics touch upon the decision to distance oneself from destructive habits and embrace a more enlightened and liberated approach to life. The opening lines convey a rejection of indulging in drugs and alcohol, indicating the desire to move beyond those vices. By stepping aside from smoking and pill consumption, Change is taking the next step towards personal growth and higher consciousness.
The following lines reflect a newfound clarity of mind and vision. Change states that their mind is straight and their eyes see through clear, indicating a state of sobriety and a departure from clouded judgment. This transformation is a result of a conscious decision to become wiser and to no longer be ensnared by the allure of the addictive lifestyle. Change acknowledges that such a way of life is not suitable for them, and they refuse to be trapped within its confines.
The final lines highlight the liberation that comes from breaking free from the habit and its associated lifestyle. By staying free from such vices, Change has found a sense of freedom that allows them to fully embrace their personal growth and pursue a more fulfilling existence.
Overall, "Higher" is a song that encapsulates the journey of personal growth and liberation from destructive habits. It speaks to the power of choice and the ability to transform one's life for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Drugs and booze won't waste my time
I won't let drugs and alcohol consume my precious time
Smokes and pills I'll step aside
I will distance myself from cigarettes and drugs
The next step up
I am ready to elevate myself to a higher level
My mind is straight
I have a clear and focused mindset
I see through clear eyes
I perceive the truth without any distortions
I chose to get wise
I made a conscious decision to become knowledgeable and wise
That way of life, it's not for me
I don't want to be a part of that lifestyle
Won't get trapped by the habit
I refuse to be ensnared by the addictive cycle
Locked in a vacancy
I won't allow myself to be trapped in emptiness
Free, I'm staying free
I am liberated and will remain so
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: BOB MITCHELL, JEZ PIKE, Jimmy Kaleth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Playing For Change
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Playing For Change
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Stevie Wonder!
We had such an amazing time recording our Song Around The World version of his song "Higher Ground" which is featured on our album, PFC2.
Watch here: http://buff.ly/1K4LYFX
Download the audio here: http://buff.ly/1K4LYG0
Carlos esteban Astiz
Feliz cumple, maestro!!!
Waltayr Dantas Filho
i wish lovely HB to You
Leland Shemayme
Happy birthday stevie
Jeanne Hamersma
Playing For Change
Waltayr Dantas Filho
Ja Jeanne
Deborah Syrett
Beautiful - thank you 🙏❤❤
Annette BACHMANN
All around the world🌈🌈🌈😀 wonderful and so inspiring.Thanks ☺️
Amy Hayutin
Still listening in 2022. This is eternally uplifting. Thank you Stevie Wonder for this excellent piece.