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
You've Got a Friend
Donny Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo
When you're down and troubled
And you need some lovin' care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Mm, close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You got a friend
Ain't it good to know that you got a friend?
People can be so cold, yeah
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running, running, running, running, running, running
To see you again
Look out
Hey
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there (I'll be there)
You got a friend
Say it again (ooh-hoo)
You got a friend (you got a friend, indeed)
You got a friend, oh, darlin'
You got a friend (do you mean it?)
You got a friend
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got a friend
The song "You've Got a Friend" by Donny Hathaway reflects the true essence of friendship. It is a soothing reassurance to someone who feels lonely and lost in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving at times. The opening lines "When you're down and troubled, and you need some lovin' care, and nothing, nothing is going right" set the theme of the song. The lyrics promise a friend's presence in times of turmoil and heartache, reminding the listener that they are not alone.
The next line, "Mm, close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest nights" reaffirms the promise and gives a sense of comfort. The repetition of "all you have to do is call, and I'll be there" emphasizes that the singer is simply a phone call away, and the listener can count on them in any season. The line "People can be so cold, yeah, they'll hurt you and desert you, and take your soul if you let them" depicts the harsh reality of life and the dangers of trusting too many people. However, the lyrics reassure the listener, saying, "Oh, but don't you let them," and promises to be a friend they can trust.
In conclusion, "You've Got a Friend" is a timeless song that reminds us of the importance of friendship in our lives. It is a song that can uplift our spirits and calm our minds. Donny Hathaway's soulful rendition of the song has made it an all-time favorite and a classic in the truest sense.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're down and troubled
When you are feeling discouraged and overwhelmed with difficulties
And you need some lovin' care
And you seek affection and caring attention
And nothing, nothing is going right
And everything seems to be going wrong or falling apart
Mm, close your eyes and think of me
Take a moment to imagine and focus on my presence
And soon I will be there
I will come to you very soon
To brighten up even your darkest night
To bring light, joy and comfort to your darkest and hardest times
You just call out my name
You only need to call or say my name
And you know wherever I am
And you are very aware that I am always there
I'll come running to see you again
I will come to you as soon as possible to be with you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
It doesn't matter what season or time of the year it is
All you have to do is call
Just say my name, and I'll be there very quickly
And I'll be there
I will be right there by your side
Ain't it good to know that you got a friend?
Isn't it pleasant to acknowledge that you have a companion who cares about you?
People can be so cold, yeah
People can be insensitive and apathetic sometimes
They'll hurt you, and desert you
They can cause you harm, disappoint you and abandon you
And take your soul if you let them
They can emotionally and spiritually damage you if you allow them to do so
Oh, but don't you let them
Oh, but you should not allow them to do so
Say it again
Repeat the phrase stated earlier
You got a friend (you got a friend, indeed)
You indeed have a reliable and supportive friend
You got a friend, oh, darlin'
You have a friend, dear
You got a friend (do you mean it?)
You truly have a friend, are you accepting this reality?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression used to emphasize and confirm the message
You got a friend
You have a friend who is always there for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulbrewer2374
I'm 67 years old. I've been listening to this one since 1972. And it's power remains undiminished. I have tears in my eyes now even as I write this words! On this performance, Donny Hathaway, playing the piano and singing, backed up by this great band (and the audience!) created a musical moment that is transcendent. Truly inimitable in the deepest sense of that word.
@WindYoshi
Do you think his spirit carries on today, in another form?
@Sonu-tz2js
It's a very powerful song! Indeed! Loved the way you have written your thoughts!
@wrathofthereaper8343
I just turned 18 I started listening to him when I was 14 he was a magnificent singer
@MrPjcj2pc
The way the audience has so much vibrancy and joins in singing the chorus gives chills. This is one of my favorite recordings of all time by any artist
@jgray7346
Thank you Carole King for writing this song, thank you James Taylor for recording a memorable version of it and thank you Donnie Hathaway for singing it better than any other human possibly can.
@george00719
Knocks me out..wow...sh*t Carole may have wrote this but she wrote this for him..damn he's the man!
@thesuncollective1475
I love when the crowd joins in, so much love, you can feel it, its the lick..listen to this alot
@paulbrewer2374
I agree. Donny's interpretation backed up by this great band (and audience!) is truly transcendent.
@sunshine74012
I think Aretha did a fantastic job with it, haha. But are you saying that he’s singing it better because he’s singing the full song versus Aretha & James Cleveland mixing it with “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”?
I’m just wondering - not attacking you at all whatsoever!