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
Tryin' Times
Donny Hathaway Lyrics
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Tryin' times, what the world is talkin' about
You got confusion all over the land, yeah
You got mother against daughter, you got father against son
You know the whole thing is getting out of hand
Then maybe folks wouldn't have to suffer
But these are tryin' times, yeah, yeah
You got the riots in the ghetto, it's all around
A whole lot of things that's wrong is going down, yes, it is
I can't understand it from my point of view
'Cause I think you should do unto others
As you'd have them do unto you
Then maybe folks wouldn't have to suffer
If there was more love for your brother
But these are tryin' times, yes, it is
I said man is always talking 'bout it's inhumanity to man
But what is he tryin' to do to make it a better man?
Oh, just read the paper, turn on your TV
You see folks demonstrating about equality
But maybe folks wouldn't have to suffer
If there was more love for your brother
But these are tryin' times
Tryin' times, yeah, that's what the world is talkin' about
You got confusion all over the land
In "Tryin' Times," Donny Hathaway paints a grim picture of the state of the world in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The lyrics speak of unrest, inequality, and violence, and offer a plea for love and unity as a means of overcoming these challenges. Hathaway's delivery is emotive and soulful, emphasizing the urgency of the message.
The song opens with Hathaway acknowledging that the world is going through tough times, with confusion prevailing everywhere. Hathaway highlights the divisiveness between family members, saying that it is getting out of hand. The chorus emphasizes his point that love for fellow brothers could alleviate much of the suffering that is prevalent in society. The second verse speaks about the riots in the ghettos and how many wrong things are occurring, but it emphasizes that embodying the golden rule could help change things.
The third verse speaks of mankind's inhumanity towards each other and how everyone talks about wanting world peace but does little about it. Hathaway highlights this through the use of visuals like reading the newspaper or watching TV and seeing people demonstrate for equal rights. Yet, ultimately Hathaway reiterates that all these challenges can be solved if people embraced love, especially love for their fellow human beings.
Line by Line Meaning
Tryin' times, what the world is talkin' about
The current situation in the world is becoming increasingly difficult and challenging.
You got confusion all over the land, yeah
There is widespread confusion, chaos, and disorder everywhere.
You got mother against daughter, you got father against son
Families are divided and pitted against each other.
You know the whole thing is getting out of hand
The situation is getting worse and unmanageable.
Then maybe folks wouldn't have to suffer
If people showed more love and compassion to one another, they wouldn't have to endure so much pain and hardship.
If there was more love for your brother
If people cared more about the well-being of others and treated them with kindness and empathy.
But these are tryin' times, yeah, yeah
Unfortunately, the current situation is making it difficult to cultivate a sense of love and compassion towards others.
You got the riots in the ghetto, it's all around
There are violent protests and demonstrations happening in various parts of the city.
A whole lot of things that's wrong is going down, yes, it is
Numerous injustices and wrongdoings are happening around us.
I can't understand it from my point of view
It's difficult to comprehend and reconcile with this situation based on my own outlook and beliefs.
'Cause I think you should do unto others
As the golden rule suggests, we should treat others the way we would like to be treated ourselves.
As you'd have them do unto you
If you would like to be treated with love, respect, and understanding, then that's how you should treat others as well.
I said man is always talking 'bout it's inhumanity to man
People are often vocal about the inhumane treatment and conditions of other people.
But what is he tryin' to do to make it a better man?
But what is he actually doing to address these issues and make the world a better place?
Oh, just read the paper, turn on your TV
Simply reading the news or watching television will highlight the myriad of issues and problems faced by our society.
You see folks demonstrating about equality
People are protesting for equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or social status.
Tryin' times, yeah, that's what the world is talkin' about
The world is experiencing challenging and difficult times, and people are having a hard time facing these issues.
You got confusion all over the land
Chaos and confusion are rampant throughout society.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONNY HATHAWAY, LEROY HUTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind