The band's origins date from when Santana guitarist Neal Schon formed the band Azteca along with Larry Graham (bass guitar) and Gregg Errico (drums), both from Sly and the Family Stone, and Peter Sears (keyboards), from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship. Santana bass guitar player Tom Rutley would move into to the bass spot with Azteca. That band, like Santana with heavy Latin influences, would eventually morph into Graham Central Station, while Schon would found Journey.
Graham Central Station's biggest hit was Your Love, which charted at number 9 in 1975. The group integrated Graham's slap bass style along with influences ranging from marching band to gospel. They played with the dichotomy between the funk rock star image and the "sanctified" gospel group image. Some of their recordings feature their then Warner Bros labelmates Tower of Power horn section. Graham went solo in the later 1970's having a chart hit with "One in a Million, You".
While no longer as popular as in the 70's, Larry Graham (born in Beaumont Texas in 1946) continues to tour & play music into the 21st century, most notably with Prince with whom he shares an interest in the Jehovah's Witness religion. In 1999, Graham recorded an album for Prince's label under the Graham Central Station moniker that featured old Sly Stone era bandmates Cynthia Robinson and sax player Jerry Martini and performed on Prince's "Rave Un2 2000" live DVD and appeared as a featured act throughout Prince's Jam of The Year tour.
My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me
Graham Central Station Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o. i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
Oh, when I wake up in the morning.
The very first thing that I do.
I turn on my Radio and I listen to
Y.O.U.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
repeat 4 times:)
My R-a-d-i-o. i-o, i-o
My R-a-d-i-o. i-o.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
Sure sounds good to me.
Oh, when I wake up in the morning.
The very first thing that I do.
I turn on my Radio and I listen to
Y.O.U.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
My R-a-d-i-o.
Sure sounds good to me.
(Repeat 5 times:)
I just L-O-V-E my R-a-d-i-o
The song "My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me" by Graham Central Station celebrates the beauty and importance of radio as a means of entertainment and communication. The repeated use of the abbreviation R-a-d-i-o underscores its significance as a central element in the lives of the song's characters, who turn to it as soon as they wake up in the morning. The chorus, "Sure sounds good to me," reinforces the idea that radio is a source of pleasure, comfort, and possibly even salvation in a world that can often be chaotic and unpredictable.
The last line of the song, "I just L-O-V-E my R-a-d-i-o," emphasizes the deep emotional connection the song's protagonists have with this medium. It suggests that radio is more than just a technological device; it represents a cultural institution that brings people together and provides a shared experience of music, news, and other forms of entertainment. Overall, "My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me" is a joyful celebration of the enduring appeal of radio as a form of mass communication that touches people's hearts and souls.
Line by Line Meaning
My R-a-d-i-o. i-o, i-o.
The singer is excitedly singing the call letters of their beloved radio station.
My R-a-d-i-o, i-o.
The singer repeats the call letters of their radio station, emphasizing their affection for it.
My R-a-d-i-o.
The singer sings the call letters of their radio station, expressing their fondness for it.
Sure sounds good to me.
The artist is expressing that they find the music on their radio to be enjoyable.
Oh, when I wake up in the morning.
The artist is describing their morning routine.
The very first thing that I do.
The singer is emphasizing the importance of their radio to their daily life.
I turn on my Radio and I listen to Y.O.U.
The singer is expressing their affection for the radio station by personifying it as the acronym 'Y.O.U.'.
I just L-O-V-E my R-a-d-i-o
The artist is proclaiming their love for their radio station using the letters of the alphabet.
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lioniel Baker
Young folks listen to the harmony, the instruments and not to mention they can SANG.
ROCKNROLLFAN
hearing Prince sing this chant in response to an interviewer on a New Power Soul era interview from 98 was PRICELESS........
Michele L. Egerton
I remember first hearing this song the Summer of 1978 when I was staying with my late sister and her then fiancé/future husband. , I was 11 1/2 years old and I remember it made me so happy! Thanks for sharing :)
A. Kahn man
that's funny. same here.
Kirk A Roach
Larry Graham is a great musician THAT is 4 sure.
Deshawn Foster
OMG! Whenever this song would come on the R.A.D.I.O. my sister and I would jump up and down and scream dance and sing. Made us feel euphoric.
Rennette Goodnight
It still sounds good to ME!!
Cozy Cool
First heard this in early early summer ( maybe June) 1978 in Baltimore , it was a hit that summer . Larry Graham was a superstar and still a Legend 💜
Know Bodies Full
Cozy Cool Hey, I'm from Baltimore! Still living here today! We could have been in each other's backyard!
Markeyia Williams
My dad would play this for me and my brother in the early 80's it's still beautiful