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.
The Light Was Worth the Candle
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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The finest are the ones money can't buy
Not long ago, my father gave such a gift to me
When he shared these words that made me cry
Son, the light was worth the candle
The warmth was worth the cold
The conversation worth the wine
If I leave this world tomorrow
Happily I can say
The light was worth the candle
At the end of the day
Give it all you've got
Whatever you do, trust your heart
The journey's worth more
Much more than the gold
Remember when you're reaching
Reaching so high for the prize
Keep your feet on the ground
And hold on to your soul
Oh, hold on to your soul
For the light was worth the candle
The warmth was worth the cold
The conversation worth the wine
And what I've learned been worth growing old
If I leave this world tomorrow
Happily I can say
The light was worth the candle
At the end of the day
Eric Bibb's song, The Light Was Worth the Candle, talks about the valuable gifts that one can receive in their lifetime, particularly the ones that cannot be bought with money. The song begins with the artist reflecting on the gifts he has received and goes on to talk about a special gift that he received from his father. This special gift came in the form of words that made him cry, where his father spoke about the various experiences in life that are worth it, including the light being worth the candle, the warmth being worth the cold, the conversation being worth the wine, and growing old being worth what he had learned.
The song captures the essence of what is truly important in life, which lies beyond materialistic desires. It is a gentle reminder that the experiences we have and the lessons we learn are what truly matter at the end of the day. The lyrics, "Give it all you've got, Whatever you do, trust your heart, The journey's worth more, Much more than the gold," encourage listeners to focus on the experiences and lessons they gain from the journey of life, rather than the destination.
In conclusion, The Light Was Worth the Candle by Eric Bibb is a beautiful ballad that reminds us to value the important things in life beyond material possessions. It is a song that instills a sense of gratitude for the lessons we learn and experiences we have in life, and reminds us to cherish the warmth of human relationships and the lessons that come with growing old.
Line by Line Meaning
Of the many gifts I've received in my life
I've been fortunate to receive many gifts in my life.
The finest are the ones money can't buy
The best gifts cannot be purchased with money.
Not long ago, my father gave such a gift to me
Recently, my father gave me a gift.
When he shared these words that made me cry
When he shared these words with me, they moved me to tears.
Son, the light was worth the candle
Son, the reward was worth the effort.
The warmth was worth the cold
The warmth I received was worth enduring the cold.
The conversation worth the wine
The conversation was worth sharing a bottle of wine.
And what I've learned has been worth growing old
What I've learned throughout my life has made growing old worth it.
If I leave this world tomorrow
If I were to pass away tomorrow.
Happily I can say
I would be content knowing.
Give it all you've got
Give it your all.
Whatever you do, trust your heart
Trust your heart no matter what you do.
The journey's worth more
The journey is worth more than the destination.
Much more than the gold
More valuable than any riches.
Remember when you're reaching
Remember as you strive.
Reaching so high for the prize
Reaching for the ultimate goal.
Keep your feet on the ground
Stay grounded.
And hold on to your soul
And stay true to yourself.
Oh, hold on to your soul
Remain true to yourself.
For the light was worth the candle
The reward was worth the effort.
The warmth was worth the cold
The warmth I received was worth enduring the cold.
The conversation worth the wine
The conversation was worth sharing a bottle of wine.
And what I've learned has been worth growing old
What I've learned throughout my life has made growing old worth it.
If I leave this world tomorrow
If I were to pass away tomorrow.
Happily I can say
I would be content knowing.
The light was worth the candle
The reward was worth the effort.
At the end of the day
When all is said and done.
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.