Hathaway, the son of Drusella Huntley, was born in Chicago, but spent most of his youth in St. Louis. He lived with his grandmother, Martha Pitts, also known as Martha Crumwell, in the Carr Square housing project. Hathaway began singing in a church choir with his grandmother, a professional gospel singer, at the age of 3. He also played the ukulele and, fascinated by Liberace, began studying piano as a child. Hathaway began singing professionally as "Donny Pitts, The Nation's Youngest Gospel Singer". By the time he was a student at Vashon High School, he was known as a piano prodigy, which earned him a fine-arts scholarship to Howard University in 1964 where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He attended Howard for three years and performed with The Ric Powell Trio, a jazz trio. Hathaway received so many job offers that he left Howard without a degree in 1967.
At first, Hathaway worked as songwriter, session musician and producer. Working first at Chicago's Twinight Records, he later did the arrangements for The Unifics ("Court of Love" and "The Beginning Of My End") and participated in projects by The Staple Singers, Jerry Butler and Aretha Franklin, as well as with Curtis Mayfield. After becoming a "house producer" at Mayfield's label, Curtom Records, he recorded his first single in 1969, a duet with singer June Conquest called "I Thank You Baby".
Hathaway then signed to Atco Records, which released his first single of note, "The Ghetto". His debut LP was Everything Is Everything (1970), which was critically acclaimed. His second album, Donny Hathaway, was a major hit. He also recorded an album of duets with former Howard University classmate and label mate Roberta Flack. The album was both a critical and commercial success, including the Ralph MacDonald-penned track "Where Is The Love", which proved to be not only an R&B hit, but also went Top Five on the pop charts. The album also included a number of other covers, including versions of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" and "Baby I Love You", originally a hit for Aretha Franklin.
Hathaway followed this flurry of work with some contributions to soundtracks, along with his recording of the theme song to the TV series Maude. He also composed and conducted music for the 1972 soundtrack of the movie Come Back Charleston Blue.
In the mid-1970s he also produced albums for other artists including Cold Blood, where he expanded the musical range of lead singer Lydia Pense.
At the height of his career, Hathaway began to suffer from severe bouts of depression. It was found that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was known to have taken up to 14 pills two to three times a day to control this disease. This condition wreaked havoc on his life and led to several hospitalizations.
The effects of Hathaway's deep depression also drove a wedge into Flack and Hathaway's friendship; they did not reconcile for several years, and did not release additional music until the 1978 release of "The Closer I Get To You". The single became a pop and R&B hit, and Flack and Hathaway returned to the studios to record a second album of duets thereafter.
On January 13, 1979, Hathaway was found dead on the sidewalk in front of the Essex House in New York City, where he had been living. His body showed no signs of struggle, and the glass from the window in Hathaway's room had been removed; investigators determined Hathaway had committed suicide. Friends, fans, and the media were mystified at his death, since his career and his partnership with Flack were on an upswing. Flack was devastated by his death, and included the few duet tracks they had finished on her next album. The Reverend Jesse Jackson conducted Hathaway's funeral, which was attended by many notable people including Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder. He was buried in Lake Charles Cemetery in Bel-Nor, Missouri.
Hathaway met his wife, Eulaulah, at Howard University. They had two daughters, Eulaulah Donyll (Lalah Hathaway) and Kenya Canelibra. Lalah has enjoyed a successful solo career, while Kenya is one of the three backing vocalists on the hit TV program American Idol.
While separated from Eulaulah, Hathaway had another daughter named Donnita Hathaway.
Legacy
Donny Hathaway Live, which featured noted R&B musicians Willie Weeks (bass guitar) and Cornell Dupree (guitar), has been cited as an influence by numerous artists including George Benson, India.Arie and Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Anthony Hamilton, and Frank McComb are among the contemporary artists whose work echoes Hathaway's. His use of the Rhodes Piano on his early Atco R&B recordings has also influenced many Neo Soul artists & producers.
Hathaway was considered an eccentric by many. He cultivated many unusual interests, and was a devotee of mid-20th century French classical composers. Several anecdotes about Hathaway are contained in Jerry Wexler's book Rhythm And The Blues.
On soul group The Whispers' 1980 self-titled album, the group paid homage with "A Song for Donny," written by fellow soul singer Carrie Lucas. The song was set to the melody of Hathaway's "This Christmas."
On Jim Jones's song "Certified Gangstas", rapper The Game refers to Donny Hathaway with the lines "blowin in the crowd like Don Hathaway"
He was a major influence on the singing style of singer-guitarist George Benson.
In 2005, neo-soul singer songwriter guitarist, [artistRaul Midón (Blue Note) worked with Hathaway's longtime producer Arif Mardin (known for collaborations with The Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Norah Jones & Aretha Franklin) and created a tribute song to Hathaway called "Sittin' in the Middle."
Amy Winehouse refers to "Mr. Hathaway" in her song "Rehab" about depression and alcoholism. She also covered A Song For You, on her first posthumous album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures.
On NY artist Nas's album Hip Hop is Dead on the song "Blunt Ashes", he tells a story that includes reportedly claiming Donny Hathaway "freefell" from his balcony.
Hathaway's name is mentioned multiple times in rapper Common's lyrics. Also, Common's duet with Lauryn Hill entitled "Retrospect for Life" contains a sample from Hathaway's "Song for You".
In the 2001 hit by Jay-Z "Girls,Girls,Girls" Donny Hathaway's song "Love,Love,Love" is sampled.
Jennifer Holliday and Aaliyah, both, covered Hathaway's single, "Giving Up."
Rhymesayers artist Brother Ali mentions Donny Hathaway in his song, "Room With A View."
Soul Position mentions Hathaway in their song, "Hand-Me-Downs."
Talib Kweli mentions Hathaway in his song "The Beautiful Struggle"
2008, Ed Pavlic published "Winners Have Yet To Be Announced" (University of Georgia Press), poems reimagining the life of Donny Hathaway.
Bizzy Bone's song entitled “A Song For You,” is a poignant track that includes an interpolation of Donny Hathaways’s original recording of the same name.
The song "What a Catch, Donnie," from Fall Out Boy's fourth studio album, Folie a Deux, is named for him and mentions Roberta Flack, his writing partner.
In November 2008 the famous Dutch singer, Gordon Heuckeroth, made an album, called: A Song For You, with several songs by Hathaway.
Rapper Scarface mentions Hathaway in his song "Still Here" off of the "Emeritus" album released
Misty
Donny Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty holding your hand
Yes I do
Walk my way
It maybe the sound of your hello
Oh the music
The music I hear
Hey
You know
I get misty whenever you're near
Yeah
You can say that you're leading, leading me on
Lordy, but it's just what I want to hear
Haven't you noticed
How hopelessly in love
That's why
That's why I'm following you
Yes I am
Yes I am
Baby
On my own
Oh
Let me wonder
Let me wonder, you didn't want to let me know
Never knowing my right from my left
My half of my love
Oh
Yeah
I'm too misty and too much in love
Yes I am
Oh
Baby
I'm too misty
Yeah
Misty and too much
Too much, too much in love
Yeah
Hey
In Donny Hathaway's song "Misty," the singer portrays himself as helpless and lost in love with someone. He compares himself to a kitten stuck in a tree, helpless and uncertain about what to do next. He is filled with a cloud of emotions that he cannot comprehend, and he can’t understand why he feels so misty whenever he is holding the hand of his beloved.
The singer is so deeply in love that the sound of his lover's footsteps causes a thousand violins to play, and he cannot help but follow her with all his heart. Despite knowing that his lover might be leading him on, he chooses to go along with it because she is everything he wants to hear. He acknowledges that he is hopelessly in love, but he can’t resist. He is too misty and too much in love, that he continues to follow her.
Overall, the song "Misty" is a beautiful portrayal of being in love and willing to follow your heart, even when you know it might lead to heartbreak. Donny Hathaway's soulful voice combined with the melancholic melody creates an emotional and heartfelt song that speaks to the universal theme of love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Please pay attention to me and my feelings
I'm, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
I feel vulnerable and exposed in this situation
I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I feel like I am in a dreamlike state of happiness
I can't understand
I am confused and don't know how to feel
I get misty holding your hand
Being close to you fills me with emotion and makes me feel misty-eyed
Walk my way
Please come towards me
And a thousand, a thousand violins begin to play
Being near you creates a beautiful, emotional symphony in my heart
It maybe the sound of your hello
Even your greeting can make me feel overwhelmed with emotion
Oh the music
The music I hear is a reflection of my feelings for you
Hey
Listen to me
You know
I think you are aware that
I get misty whenever you're near
When I'm around you my emotions become too much and I feel misty-eyed
Yeah
That's right
You can say that you're leading, leading me on
You might think you are just leading me on but I can't help my feelings
Lordy, but it's just what I want to hear
Even though others might see it as leading me on, I want to hear it from you
Haven't you noticed
Have you not seen how
How hopelessly in love
I am completely and utterly in love
That's why
This is the reason why
That's why I'm following you
My love for you is so strong that I am following you wherever you go
Yes I am
I am following you, this is my reality
Baby
Swetheart
On my own
I am alone and lost without you
Oh
Expressing that I am alone and lost
Let me wonder
Allow me to ponder and think deeply about myself and my feelings
Let me wonder, you didn't want to let me know
I am left to think and wonder about my own feelings because you have not expressed yours
Never knowing my right from my left
I feel lost and confused in this situation
My half of my love
My love for you is only half, while the other half is left uncertain and unclear
Yeah
That's right
I'm too misty and too much in love
My emotions for you are too strong and overwhelming that I am unable to handle them properly
Yes I am
This is my reality and how I truly feel
Oh
Expressing my overwhelming feelings
Baby
Sweetheart
I'm too misty
My emotions cause me to feel overwhelmed
Misty and too much
My overwhelming emotions are causing me to feel misty and uncertain
Too much, too much in love
My love for you is too much for me to handle and my emotions are too strong
Yeah
That's right
Hey
Listen to me
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Erroll Garner, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@poetryselite
Donny Hathaway is unquestionably a top 10 R&B musician of all-time. So many are unaware of his great legacy, but they simply don't know what they're missin. Donny Hathaway is one of those rare artists/vocalists who make music worth listenin to. Nothin like a Donny treasure.
@marchill4668
Pure unadulterated G-E-N-I-U-S. Donny could rip the soul from one's being and give it back only if he felt like doing so. I smile and I cry simultaneously; I envy yet I respect. I honor and I salute YOU MR. HATHAWAY
@sweetuc
My favorite love song all time. Donny Hathaway is in a category of unique males singers who make you believe he's only singing to you. He's delivers the message with authenticity. God bless
@silentseeker1
Just don't get any better then this. His music reached down and touched the core of my soul. Gone, but never forgotten Donny.
@MsRockett88
He could turn any song into a connection with the Spirit!! Our Spirit!!
@Imlookinfohunny
This fellas voice is just gold!!!!!!
@madamoldschool
I love Donnie Hathaway, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding. They sang so effortlessly.
@eligah8
madamoldschool indeed
@yarwnna
Singing' from his soul to ours. Donny, we love you still.....and I get misty every time I hear your beautiful voice. Thank you for being on this earth, even tho' it was short. 🙏
@chevydude658
Oh my God! What a genius!!!! I can't believe he interpreted this song this way. It never occurred to me to do this song in a blues style. Donny Hathaway was just pure musical genius and everything I would like my music to be like. He set the bar so high.