Curtis Harding (born June 11, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter. In pe… Read Full Bio ↴Curtis Harding (born June 11, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter. In performances, his vocals lead soul music fused with such influences as gospel music, blues, and rock, and psychedelia.

The offspring of a mother who sang gospel, and a retired veteran, he traveled all over the country as a child, singing alongside his parents, learning that music was in fact the great communicator, and that the key was not just in how pretty the notes were, but how if you were honest in what you were singing, you could stir a person on the inside.

This is what Otis Redding knew. What Sam Cooke, and Bo Diddley, and B. B. King knew. That somehow there was a way to take your experiences, your pain and joy, and give them melody, cause them to live and breathe and massage the hearts and minds of all those who hear. That is what Curtis Harding does on his new album. He figures out how to tap into the old soul man of the past without mimicking or bastardizing it, but instead evoking the spirit of the true Soul music of yesterday, meshed with the realities of now.
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Soul isn’t a feeling, a sound or a movement. It’s a connection, a current in the air—the spark of recognition, emotions leaping across live wires. It’s the way a sinewy bassline steers your hips and eyes to the stranger across the club. It’s how a handful of humble words can give millions the inspiration to overcome. It’s the genius of a simple chorus that can explain the hard truths you couldn’t last time you saw her.

Curtis Harding says that soul music, and his music, speak for themselves. It’s self-evident on the Atlanta artist’s debut, Soul Power. The driving sound of his electrified Stratocaster, the foot-stomping backbeat and the lyrics swimming in reverb—with something this flourishing, it’s almost reductive to just dig around the roots.

Harding’s style was born in Michigan and bred on the road, a restless childhood spent singing gospel alongside an evangelizing mother, then cultivated in Atlanta, where he sang backup for CeeLo Green and befriended the Black Lips (he plays with Cole Alexander in Night Sun).

But, as befits a restless traveler, his music calls one place home, but fits in anywhere. The heartbreaking optimism of “Next Time,” a wry breakup tale mapping out a road the protagonists may never meet upon, the bottom-scraping blues of “Castaway,” or the wistful affection of “Keep on Shining” could easily be Harding’s story, or yours. They’re scenes you didn’t perform in, but know all the lines.

There’s a foundation to the stirring soul Harding has created. “Gospel is inspiring,” says Harding. “From hardship and trials, you make something beautiful. It’s the history of black people in America, what happened to us during slavery, it’s the foundation of blues, R&B, soul, country, rock.” But he’s not just preaching to the choir—Harding’s out there on the road, singing alongside everyone else looking for something real.

Beautiful People
Curtis Harding Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey there beautiful people
Set all your weary wrong
Now, draw the line
Seize the time
Feel the whole, well well

Let's send the beautiful people
Hope and powerful sea

Now, said this man
Within your head
Live free, well well

So lying
So great
So lying

Let's send the beautiful people
You got to stand up one time
How better way for afraid
Stay alive, well well well

You don't have real big children
So what are these friends, well
You gotta guide

So don't you lie
Such a game, girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Curtis Harding's song "Beautiful People" present an uplifting message of hope and freedom. The song encourages people to let go of their weariness and take charge of their lives. It asks the listener to draw a line, seize the time, and feel the whole. The beautiful people referred to in the song are meant to represent all people who are worthy of love and respect.

Harding urges listeners to send hope and powerful energy to these beautiful people. He challenges them to live free and stay alive despite their fears. The lyrics emphasize the importance of standing up and being brave when faced with challenges. The repetition of the phrase "well well" at the end of each stanza serves to reinforce the positive and hopeful message of the song.

Overall, "Beautiful People" is a song that encourages listeners to embrace their inner strength and to live their lives with courage and purpose. It recognizes the difficulties that people face, but ultimately emphasizes the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find joy.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey there beautiful people
Addressing those who are attractive inside and out

Set all your weary wrong
Put aside all your problems and mistakes

Now, draw the line
Make a decision and stick to it

Seize the time
Take advantage of the moment

Feel the whole, well well
Experience life to the fullest with enthusiasm

Let's send the beautiful people
Encouraging the attractive people to take action

Hope and powerful sea
Sending positive energy and strength

Now, said this man
The artist is calling for attention

Within your head
The solution lies in your mind

Live free, well well
Life is about freedom and happiness

So lying
Deception will not help

So great
Being truthful is better

So lying
Deception will not help

Let's send the beautiful people
Encouraging the attractive people to take action

You got to stand up one time
Show some courage and make a difference

How better way for afraid
There is no better way to overcome fear

Stay alive, well well well
Keep living with passion

You don't have real big children
You don't have serious responsibilities

So what are these friends, well
So what are you waiting for, my friend

You gotta guide
You have to take charge and lead

So don't you lie
Be honest and true to yourself and others

Such a game, girl
It's not a trivial matter, take it seriously

Writer(s): Curtis Harding

Contributed by Olivia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS

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01Next Time4:29

02Castaway3:40

03Keep On Shining3:23

04Freedom2:43

05Surf3:04

06I Don't Wanna Go Home2:16

07Beautiful People3:22

PT3M22S

Curtis Harding

08The Drive

09Heaven's On The Other Side3:59

10Drive My Car2:58

11I Need a Friend3:12

12Cruel World3:51

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@unusual327

45w

Hey there beautiful people
Set all your weary roam
Now, draw the line, seize the time
Build a home, well well

Let's send the beautiful people
Fulfill privacy
Now, sense this man within your head
Live free, well well

So right
So great
So right

Let's send the beautiful people
You got to stand up or die
Now, a better way for our pray
Stay alive, well well well

You don't have real big shoulder
So what are all of this prayin', now
You're that guy, so don't you hide
Sustain, yeah