Bibb was born on 16th August 1951 in New York into a musical family. His father, Leon Bibb, is a trained singer who sang in musical theatre and made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the world-famous jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Family friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, Bibb'sgodfather.
Bibb was given his first steel-string guitar when he was seven years old. Growing up surrounded by talent, he recalls a childhood conversation with Bob Dylan, who, on the subject of guitar playing advised the eleven-year-old Bibb to "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff".
At sixteen years old, Bibb's father invited him to play guitar in the house band for his television talent show Someone New. Bibb's early musical heroes were from his father's band, and included Bill Lee (father of director Spike), who appeared on Bibb's album Me To You, years later.
In 1969, Bibb played guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company at St Mark's place in New York, and went on to study Psychology and Russian at Colombia University, but at the age of nineteen he left for Paris, where a meeting with guitarist Mickey Baker focused his interest in blues guitar. When he later moved to Sweden, Bibb found a creative environment which took him back to Greenwich Village during the heyday of the folk revival. Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues and continued to write and perform.
The album Good Stuff was released in 1997, and led to Bibb signing to the British based Code Blue label. Eric's only release on Code Blue was Me to You, featuring appearances from some of Bibb's personal heroes in Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal (who also worked with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's record, Shakin' a Tailfeather). The album furthered Bibb's international reputation and was followed by tours of the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.
In the late 1990s Bibb joined forces with his then manager, Alan Robinson, to form Manhaton Records, in Britain. The albums Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001) followed, as did another Opus 3 release, Just Like Love.
Just Look Up
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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Yes it will
Where there's sunlight there are shadows and sometimes rain
When you're down and can't get up
Lay both hands on a lovin' cup
Make each teardrop like a diamond
Just look up
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
For each promise of forever
There'll be times, yes there will
When you crawl 'til you swear you've had your fill
Keep your heart right on your sleeve
Stand your ground when you want to leave
There's a love that'll last forever
Just look up
Just look up when storm clouds block the sun
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Got nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
(Just look up)
When you've lost that light that guides you from despair
(From despair)
And the memories of dear ones fade with earthly cares
Know the spirits burnin' bright
Throughout all you're darkest nights
Make your life a testimony
Just look up
Just look up when storm clouds block the sun
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
(Just look up)
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's song "Just Look Up" convey a message of hope in times of trouble, encouraging listeners to seek the light amidst the darkness. The song's opening lines acknowledge the inevitability of pain and sorrow in life, but urge listeners to find strength and purpose even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The chorus repeats the simple phrase "just look up" as a reminder to stay focused on the positive and to keep one's eyes on the horizon.
Throughout the song, Bibb draws on images from nature to illustrate his point. He speaks of storm clouds blocking the sun, trees bending in the wind, and mighty rivers flowing. These images serve as metaphors for the challenges we face in life, and they suggest that even in difficult times, there is still beauty and wonder to be found. The song suggests that by keeping our hearts open and our heads up, we can find the courage and resilience to face whatever comes our way.
Ultimately, "Just Look Up" is a song of inspiration and empowerment. It acknowledges the struggles and hardships that we all face, but it urges us to keep moving forward, to keep seeking out the light, and to keep our eyes fixed on the horizon. The song's message of hope is a powerful reminder of the inherent resilience and strength of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Every life must have its sorrows and its pain
Each person will experience hardship and suffering at some point in their life
Where there's sunlight there are shadows and sometimes rain
Along with the good things in life come the bad, just like the shadows and rain come with the sun
When you're down and can't get up
When you are feeling low and helpless
Lay both hands on a lovin' cup
Find something or someone that brings you joy and comfort to lift your spirits
Make each teardrop like a diamond
Find value and worth in the difficulties and tears you face
Just look up
Look towards hope and positivity, rather than focusing on sadness and gloom
Remember how the trees must bend
Think about how nature adapts and overcomes obstacles, just as you can too
And the mighty rivers went
Even the most powerful forces in nature can shift and change over time
There's a rainbow waiting for you
There is hope and positivity at the end of the struggle
For each promise of forever, There'll be times, yes there will
Even though some things seem constant and never-ending, tough times will still come
When you crawl 'til you swear you've had your fill
When you are exhausted and don't think you can go on any longer
Keep your heart right on your sleeve
Stay true to yourself and be open about your emotions even in tough times
Stand your ground when you want to leave
Remember to keep persevering and not give up even when the going gets tough
There's a love that'll last forever
There is love and hope that will never fade
When you've lost that light that guides you from despair
When it feels like there is no positivity or hope left
And the memories of dear ones fade with earthly cares
When you are struggling to hold onto the memories of loved ones who have passed
Know the spirits burnin' bright, Throughout all you're darkest nights
Understand that there is a light that still burns inside of you and gives you strength even during tough times
Make your life a testimony
Live your life in a way that serves as a witness to the strength and resilience you have shown
Writer(s): M Browne, B Markus
Contributed by Oliver E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.