Grant was born in Idabel, Oklahoma. Though he would be known later for his keyboards and vocals, Grant also played trumpet and drums. Grant attended four music schools, eventually becoming a music teacher. He augmented his income by performing in clubs during his army service, throughout which he was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas. Grant signed with Decca Records in 1957 and his first single "The End" reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ebb Tide, released in 1961, was his first album, which also rose to number 7 on the Billboard 200. The single "Ebb Tide" sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status. He recorded five more singles that made the charts, including "Swingin' Gently" (from Beyond the Reef), and six additional albums (mostly on the Decca label) through 1968. He also recorded the album Yes Sirree and the instrumental album Trade Winds, single-tracked on the Hammond organ and piano, featuring the love theme from the film El Cid and Chaplin's "Eternally". This album featured some realistic sounding 'tropical bird calls' produced by his electric organ. "The House of Bamboo" was another big-selling single. In all, Grant recorded 30 albums for Decca.
Several of his albums featured tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson.
Grant also made a few appearances in film and television, including Tender Is the Night (1962), Juke Box Rhythm (1959), and The Ed Sullivan Show (1961).
He died instantly in a car accident in Lordsburg, New Mexico, at the age of 39 when the car he was driving ran off Interstate 10. He was driving from Los Angeles to an intended destination in Juarez, Mexico. His 17-year-old cousin was also killed in the accident.
Ebb Tide
Earl Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
First the tide rushes in, plants a kiss on the shore
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
The song "Ebb Tide" by Earl Grant is a romantic ballad that compares the ebb and flow of the tide to the feelings of love. The lyrics portray a story of a lover who rushes to their partner’s side like the tide rushes to the shore. His thoughts are burning with the hope that his partner’s arms will open wide as an embrace. The lyrics speak to the depths of love and passion between two people. The singer feels that their love is real and is at peace in the web of their partner's arms.
The lyrics illustrate the ebb and flow nature of love, just like the tides that constantly move in and out. Life is constantly changing and evolving, but love is the one constant that remains. The comparison of the sea and the flow of love helps to highlight the fact that love has a rhythm just like the waves of the ocean. The singer finds comfort and peace in the arms of his lover, just as the tide finds rest in its ebb. The song is full of passion and longing, and the words paint a picture of a deep and meaningful connection between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
First the tide rushes in, plants a kiss on the shore
At the beginning, the tide reaches the shore and gently touches it like a kiss.
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
After reaching the shore, the tide recedes back into the sea, leaving behind a calm and quiet shore.
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
Just like the tide rushes towards the shore, I hurry to be near you.
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
I am eager to embrace you and wonder if you would be willing to hold me close.
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
Finally, we are in each other’s arms and sharing a deep and intimate moment.
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
I can sense the genuine love you have for me, and it reassures me that our bond is true and authentic.
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
You belong to me no matter the circumstances, whether we are together in the rain, in the dark, or in the bright sunshine.
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
Similar to how the tide is calm during its ebb, I find serenity and tranquility in the safe haven of your embrace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robert Maxwell, Carl Sigman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1961 {May 7th} Earl Grant performed "Ebb Tide" on the CBS-TV variety program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'*...
A number of versions of the record had charted:
Vic Damone {#10 in 1953}
Bobby Freeman (#93 in 1959)
Roy Hamilton (#5 in 1959 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart})
The Platters (#56 in 1960)
Lenny Welch (#25 in 1964)
The Righteous Brothers (#5 in 1966)
And across the pond in the United Kingdom, Frank Chacksfield took it to #9 in 1954...
Mr. Grant passed away at the young age of 39 on June 10th, 1970 {auto accident}...
May he R.I.P.
* Also on this episode of the 'Sullivan' show, Mr. Sullivan interviewed my all-time favorite baseball player, Willie Mays, and a week earlier the 'Say-Hey KId' became the 9th Major League player to hit four home runs in one game...
Zholla Mychalis
From one of my favorite albums. The rendition of Exodus on this album...is just beyond. My Foolish Heart, Evening Rain, Misty, Canadian Sunset and others round out this classic album....and all are exquisite. The beginning and end of this song with the birds singing as the tide ebbs...no words...
Oh Carol
People don't realize how fantastically stimulating it is to listen to Earl Grant play this instrumental! If Chopin's Ravel's Bolero is a 10, Grant's Ebb Tide is 100! Listen to it some night with your love... You'll then understand what everything is all about
Michelle Seidl
my dad raised me up on this kind of music and I love it and still do
Ilda Bergamo
Música linda, me reporta à adolescência.
kegginstructure
Earl Grant's style was a significant influence in my early organ work before I started to develop a style of my own. He had style and an indefinable grace on the keyboards. RIP, Earl.
Ratin
Lindíssima! Muita sensibilidade do grande Earl Grant, muita...
Ian Alexander
This man was my favorite person outside the family. He was a friend of my paternal grandmother and he taught me to play the piano and organ. When he was in Vancouver, BC, he would play at Isy's supper club and attend Gran's garden parties. Love by all in the family.
Kim Kochel
My parents had alot of Earl Grants music. My favorite is " The End". It puts everything into respect during this COVID-19 time. Thank you Mr. Grant. From a proud Canadian. 🦋🌈🇨🇦🤟🙏
Henbane
I just discovered Earl Grant The End through Lovecraft Country. It's beautiful
Steve Newport
Even as a kid, I remember LOVING this version of Ebb Tide, and of course, Earl Grant. I can still see my parents dancing to this, so sexy, much before what I knew sexy was. They were great swing dancers, so to see him lead her all over the floor in this song, fast and slow, was breathtaking...