In the late 1940s a rising demand for blues was driven by an increasing white teenage audience in the South which quickly spread north and west. Blues shouters got the attention, but also greatly influential was what writer Charles Keil dubbs "the postwar Texas clean-up movement in blues" led by stylists such as T-Bone Walker, Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. Their singing was lighter, more relaxed and they worked with bands and combos that had saxophone sections and used arrangements.
As a child Brown demonstrated his love of music and took classical piano lessons. Early on, Brown moved out to Los Angeles, where the great influx of blacks created an integrated nightclub scene in which black performers tended to minimize the rougher blues elements of their style. The blues club style of a light rhythm bass and right-hand tinkling of the piano and smooth vocals became popular, epitomized by the jazz piano of Nat King Cole. When Cole left Los Angeles to perform nationally, his place was taken by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, featuring Charles Brown's gentle piano and vocals.
Brown signed with Aladdin Records and his 1945 recording on that label of the bestseller "Driftin' Blues" with a small combo was a typical club blues song. The single was on the R&B charts for six months, putting Brown at the forefront of a musical evolution that changed American musical performance. His style dominated the influential Southern California club scene on Central Avenue during that period and he influenced such performers as Floyd Dixon, Cecil Gant, Ivory Joe Hunter, Percy Mayfield, Johnny Ace and Ray Charles.
"Driftin'" was the first of several hits Brown subsequently released "Get Yourself Another Fool", "Black Night", "Hard Times" and "Trouble Blues", all major hits in the early 1950s on such labels as Modern Records as well as Alladin. He was unable to compete with the burgeoning rock and roll sound, though he maintained a small and devoted audience.
Brown's approach was too mellow to survive the transition to rock's harsher rhythms, and he faded from the national limelight. His Please Come Home for Christmas, a hit in 1960 on the King Records remained seasonally popular. During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he occasionally recorded and tried to regain some prominence. This continued until the 1980s, when Bonnie Raitt helped usher in a Charles Brown comeback tour.
He began a recording and performing career again, under the musical direction of guitarist Danny Caron, to greater success than he had achieved since the 1950s. Several records received Grammy Award nominations.
He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received both the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship and the W. C. Handy Award.
Brown died in 1999 in Oakland, California.
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I Want You I Need You
Charles Brown Lyrics
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I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
The lyrics to Charles Brown’s If I Had You express the singer’s desires and aspirations that he would achieve if he had the love and companionship of someone special. The song starts with the hope and positivity that the singer can spread through the world with his smile and positive attitude. He believes that he can change the grey skies to blue, and his presence can make everything better.
The singer then talks about leaving his old life behind and starting anew with the person he desires. He says that he would not mind leaving all his pals behind, as he has found someone who is more important to him. The song paints a romantic picture of being on a journey with the person you love, where you can climb mountains, sail the ocean, and cross the burning desert, as long as you have them by your side. He feels that he could be a king if he had someone to love him, and there's no feat that he couldn’t achieve with that love.
The song expresses the power of love, and how it can propel us to do everything we ever dreamed of, and more. The lyrics are soulful, and Charles Brown’s voice adds a layer of emotion that brings the song to life with the sincerity of his feelings. It’s a reminder that love can bring immense strength and happiness to our lives, inspire us to great heights, and change everything to bring a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
With you by my side, I could radiate happiness and teach others the value of joy.
I could be glad all of the while
Because of our love, my life would be filled with constant joy and happiness.
I could change the grey skies to blues
With your love and comfort, I can overcome any hardship and turn my sorrows into cheer.
If I had you
My life would be fulfilled and complete if I had your love and companionship.
I could leave the old days behind
My past would be of no concern if I had you to share my life with and spread happiness together.
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I would be content to leave my friends behind in pursuit of true love and happiness with you.
I could start my life all anew
Your love would be a fresh start for me, a new beginning and a path to true happiness.
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Together, we can conquer any obstacle and achieve our goals, no matter how difficult or daunting they might seem.
Sail the mighty ocean wide
With your love and companionship, we could explore the world and its wonders, side by side.
I could cross the burning desert
No matter the hardship, I can overcome any obstacle with your love by my side, including crossing scorching deserts.
If I had you by my side
With your love and support, nothing is impossible for me.
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
In your love, I am already a king, with no need for external titles or wealth.
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
With your love, my status or position in society would be irrelevant, and true joy and contentment would be mine.
There is nothing I couldn't do
With your love and companionship, I am limitless and can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind