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.
Tell Me What It Is
Graham Central Station Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes you want to live the life you live?
Take all what you know is mine to give
I'll be damned, you ask for more
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Loan me yours and I'll give you mine
Don't you loan me no more borrowed time
You don't need to be cut short
Of what ain't yours to give
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
All the love I have is for my man
But he treats me like a second hand
I stand up and he says get on down
Everything is everything, no peace I find
(And my woman said)
What it takes to be my man
Is more than playing in a jive-ass band
I need security to take good care of me
And a ring on my left hand
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Tell me what it is
Won't you tell me what it is
Won't you tell me what it is
Won't you tell me what it is
Won't you tell me what it is
In "Tell Me What It Is," Graham Central Station's lyrics explore the dynamics of relationships and the expectations that come with them. The song's repeated refrain, "Tell me what it is," is a plea for honesty and transparency. The first verse is addressed to an unnamed person, with the singer asking what motivates them to live their life as they do. The implication is that there is something missing or unsatisfying about the person's existence, and the singer offers to give them everything they know they have.
The second verse shifts focus to a relationship between a man and a woman. The woman laments that her love for her partner is not reciprocated, as he treats her like a "second hand." She asserts her own worth and demands commitment, asking for "security" and a "ring on my left hand." These two verses relate to different aspects of life, and yet they are both searching for something true and authentic beneath the surface. The repeated question of "Tell me what it is" suggests that the singer is frustrated by the lack of communication and understanding in the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby listen, tell me what it is
Please tell me what makes you so content and satisfied with life
Makes you want to live the life you live?
What motivates you to enjoy life as much as you do?
Take all what you know is mine to give
I am willing to offer everything I have to make you happy
I'll be damned, you ask for more
I can't believe you are still asking for more after I gave you everything I had
Loan me yours and I'll give you mine
Let us swap our possessions and see if we both benefit from this exchange
Don't you loan me no more borrowed time
Don't rely on borrowed time or resources, as it will not be sustainable in the long run
You don't need to be cut short
You don't deserve to be deprived of something that rightfully belongs to you
Of what ain't yours to give
Don't take or give away something that you don't have the right or authority to
All the love I have is for my man
I have devoted all my affection to my partner
But he treats me like a second hand
However, my partner treats me as if I am not as important as him
I stand up and he says get on down
Whenever I speak up for myself, my partner dismisses me and undermines my feelings
Everything is everything, no peace I find
Despite trying to make things work, I still feel unsettled and unhappy
(And my woman said)
At this point, the female partner's perspective is being shared
What it takes to be my man
To be in a relationship with me, certain qualities are necessary
Is more than playing in a jive-ass band
Being musically talented is not enough to be a suitable partner for me
I need security to take good care of me
I want to feel secure in my relationship and be taken care of
And a ring on my left hand
I desire a public, lasting commitment from my partner
Won't you tell me what it is
Please explain to me what you are thinking and feeling
Contributed by Isaac L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blake Kersey
on Today
Wrong lyrics!