Graham played bass in the highly successful and influential funk band Sly & the Family Stone from 1967 to 1972. He pioneered the art of slap-pop playing on the electric bass, in part to provide percussive and rhythmic elements in addition to the notes of the bassline when the band lacked a drummer. This style has become archetypical of modern funk. Slap-pop playing couples a percussive thumb-slapping technique of the lower strings with an aggressive finger-snap of the higher strings, often in rhythmic alternation. The slap and pop technique incorporates a large ratio of muted (or 'ghost' tones) to normal notes, which adds to the rhythmic effect.
This "machine-gun" bass style was later used by such artists as Les Claypool, Bootsy Collins, Louis Johnson, Mark King, Flea, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, John Norwood Fisher, P-Nut, Danny McCormack, Matt Noveskey and Dirk Lance.
Upon the Family Stone's disintegration due to lead singer Sly Stone's drug addiction, Graham formed his own band, Graham Central Station. The name is a pun on Grand Central Station, the train station located in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Graham Central Station had several hits in the 1970s, including "Hair."
In the mid 1970s, Larry Graham worked with Betty Davis, the former second wife of jazz legend Miles Davis. Betty Davis' band included members of the Tower of Power horns and the Pointer Sisters, and she recorded three albums to critical acclaim but limited commercial success.
In 1975, Graham became a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. In the early 1980s, Graham recorded five solo albums and had several solo hits. His biggest hit was "One in a Million, You", which reached number 9 on the Billboard chart in 1980.
He recorded another album in the late 1990s, with a new band using the Graham Central Station name. Two of the new members were former Family Stone bandmates Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini. He also toured with Prince as opening act in 1997 and 1998.
In 2007 he was invited to play in Minneapolis with the reformed Sly & the Family Stone, but declined because he was out of town. He did, however, appear onstage in Minneapolis on July 8th, 2007 with Prince at First Avenue.
WHEN WE GET MARRIED
GRAHAM LARRY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we get married
We'll have a big celebration
And send invitations
To all our friends and relations
And we'll have a ball
When we get married
When the bells ring
To tell the world I'm taking your hand
Folks from all over
Will come to see the wedding we planned
We'll have a ball
Dancin' and all
When we get married
And whoa, (We'll have a ball), we'll have a ball (Dancing and all)
And darling, it will be so woo-wee, so grand
(We'll have a ball), we'll have a ball (Dancing and all)
And sweetheart, we'll be as one (When we get married)
Let's wait and see
Our wedding day is not very far
And ooh, folks will whisper
And they'll say how lovely we both are
And we'll have a ball
Dancin' and all
When we get married
You and me
When we get married
Me and you, you and me
We'll be married
Whoa...oh...oh...
When we get married
And ooh...we'll be married
You and me, me and you
The lyrics to GRAHAM LARRY's song "When We Get Married" depict a joyful anticipation of the singer's future wedding. The song expresses the excitement, celebration, and unity that will come with their marriage. From the beginning, the singer envisions a big celebration with invitations sent to all their friends and family. They anticipate a grand affair, where people from all over will come to witness their wedding.
The lyrics emphasize the joy and happiness that will come when the bells ring, symbolizing the union of the couple. The singer believes that their wedding will be a momentous occasion, with dancing and merriment for all. They express confidence that their love and marriage will be a remarkable event that people will talk about. The repeated lines "we'll have a ball, dancing and all, when we get married" convey the anticipation of a joyous celebration, filled with dancing and happiness.
Overall, the lyrics of "When We Get Married" portray a sense of excitement, unity, and celebration that surrounds the idea of marriage. The singer's anticipation for the wedding day is evident in their imagining of a grand event where they and their loved ones will come together to celebrate their love and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
When we get married
In the future, when we officially become spouses
We'll have a big celebration
We will host a grand and joyous event
And send invitations
We will invite our friends and family
To all our friends and relations
Including everyone we know and are related to
And we'll have a ball
We will enjoy ourselves immensely
Dancin' and all
Engaging in dancing and merriment
When we get married
During the time of our marriage ceremony
When the bells ring
When the wedding bells chime
To tell the world I'm taking your hand
Symbolizing the public declaration of commitment
Folks from all over
People from various places
Will come to see the wedding we planned
They will attend and witness our meticulously organized wedding
And whoa, (We'll have a ball), we'll have a ball (Dancing and all)
Oh, we will surely have a great time, full of joy and dancing
And darling, it will be so woo-wee, so grand
Sweetheart, the wedding will be absolutely spectacular and magnificent
(We'll have a ball), we'll have a ball (Dancing and all)
We will definitely have a delightful time, filled with dancing
And sweetheart, we'll be as one (When we get married)
Darling, we will become a united and harmonious couple when we tie the knot
Let's wait and see
We will have to be patient and observe
Our wedding day is not very far
The day when we exchange vows is approaching soon
And ooh, folks will whisper
People will gossip and speak softly
And they'll say how lovely we both are
They will express admiration for our beauty and charm
You and me
The two of us
Me and you, you and me
You and I, the two of us together
We'll be married
We will enter into the bond of marriage
Whoa...oh...oh...
Expressing excitement and anticipation
When we get married
At the time of our wedding
And ooh...we'll be married
And oh, we will officially be married
You and me, me and you
You and I, the two of us together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES JOSEPH WOODS, RITCHIE CORDELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
No_one nos
My oldest brother had this album when I was a little girl and I have always loved this song. I used to sneak into his room and play it all the time.
Ronnie Smith
I still have this album
Ronnie Smith
I still have this album
gmrprospect
I just got back in touch with my school yard sweet heart and we lost touch for 35 years. But now I am playing this song and proposing to her. We are both in our mid fifties
Charles Washington
I was just dancing with my wife who used to be my childhood sweetheart before I went in the marines. We never lost the love we had for each other.
james seaberry
Congratulations
Bella1111
🤎🤎🤎
Renay Brown
This was my parents wedding song. They will be married for 32 years on Dec 27th :) I hope to have a marriage like them one day.
William Jackson
Don't give up he's out there
Sherita Hall
Beautiful rendition by Mr. Graham. Love it!