In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us" (a song still in regular rotation on radio today) and Phyllis Hyman on "Sacred Kind of Love". He is also remembered for his take on a Dave Brubeck classic, called "Take Another Five", as well as for his hit "Soulful Strut". His work continues to inspire jazz artists even today.
Washington was born in Buffalo, New York, 12 December 1943. Regarded as one of the revolutionaries in jazz music and is considered one of the greatest saxophone players in modern jazz history. He led many others to follow in his footsteps.
Washington's history was music-filled. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old jazz 78s and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazz men and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them. At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and sneaked into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians.
He left Buffalo and played with a mid-west group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the US Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967.
Grover's big break came at the expense of another artist. Alto sax man Hank Crawford was unable to make a recording date with Prestige Records, and Washington took his place, even though he was a backup. This led to his first album, Inner City Blues. He was talented, and displayed heart and soul with soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Refreshing for his time, he made headway into the jazz mainstream. His fifth album, 1974's Mister Magic was a commercial success, and introduced guitarist Eric Gale in as a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.
A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, which culminated in the signature piece for everything Washington would do from then on. 1980's Winelight was the album that defined everything Washington was about. The album was smooth, fused with R and B and easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, led him to dedicate his first track, Let It Flow to Julius Erving (Dr. J). The highlight of the album, and a main staple of radio airplay everywhere, was his great collaboration with soul artist Bill Withers, Just The Two of Us. It was also the final step away from Motown, landing him on Elektra Records and into a new era of jazz excellence. The album went platinum in 1981, and also won Grammy Awards in 1982 for Best R and B Song ("Just The Two of Us"), and Best Jazz Fusion Performance ("Winelight"). "Winelight" was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
From that point, Washington is credited (or scorned, as some may say) for giving rise to a new batch of talent that would make its mark in the late 80s and early 90s. He is blamed for bringing Kenny G to the forefront, but also credited with bringing such smooth jazz artists as Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, George Howard, and The Philadelphia Experiment into popular attention.
The tragedy and irony of Washington's life was that while he was able to get his big break from another artist's absence, Washington lived long enough to bring smooth jazz to the last points of the old millennium, but didn't outlive Hank Crawford, whose absence gave him his big break (and is still alive, as of 2005). On December 17th, 1999, while waiting in the green room after taping four songs for the The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, Washington collapsed. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.
Grover Washington Jr.'s legacy lives on in the futures of up-and-coming jazz artists, and his life is celebrated from college campuses all around the nation to the hallowed streets of his own Philadelphia, his adopted hometown.
Mister Magic
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The time is right
For you and me
To get together
Be mine tonight
Our future's bright
And this could be
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
Don't you know I love you
Be mine tonight
And with all my might
I'll try to show
That love can be tender
Be mine tonight
Give up, don't fight
And you will know
The thrill of surrender
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
Don't you know I love you
Be mine tonight
We'll dim the light
But you and me
Will glow like an ember
Be mine tonight
We'll hold on tight
And this could be
A night to remember
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
The lyrics to Grover Washington Jr.'s song "Mister Magic" express the desire for a romantic relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "Be mine tonight" in a plea for the object of affection to give in and just be with the singer. The lyrics mention that the time is right and that their future is bright, suggesting that the two of them can build something beautiful together. The line "And, oh, be mine tonight" is a repeated refrain that emphasizes the singer's desire for this person. The bridge brings up the idea of surrendering to love and allowing oneself to feel the thrill of it. Overall, the song speaks to the excitement of new love and the hope that it brings.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it is a seduction song, with the singer trying to convince someone to sleep with him. However, another interpretation is that the song is more innocent and is simply about the desire to start a romantic relationship. The lyrics are not explicit enough to definitively say either way, leaving it up to the listener's interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Be mine tonight
Let's spend the night together
The time is right
This is the perfect moment
For you and me
We are meant to be together
To get together
Let's be together tonight
Our future's bright
Our future together looks promising
And this could be
There's a chance that
The start of forever
The beginning of a long-lasting love
Don't you know I love you
I have deep feelings of love for you
No more stormy weather
No more difficulties, hurdles or obstacles
You don't need to be uptight
You don't have to be anxious or worried
And with all my might
I will do everything in my power
I'll try to show
I want to demonstrate
That love can be tender
Love can be gentle and affectionate
Give up, don't fight
Surrender and let yourself be loved
And you will know
Then you will realize
The thrill of surrender
The joy and excitement of giving in to love
We'll dim the light
We'll make the atmosphere romantic
But you and me
Just the two of us
Will glow like an ember
We will radiate warmth, love and passion
We'll hold on tight
We'll embrace each other intimately
And this could be
This might turn into
A night to remember
An unforgettable night
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIAM SALTER, RALPH MACDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hardenernest5
When I first got clean 13 years ago my counselor asked me how was I going to stay clean and I told him that there's a song by Grover Washington Jr called mr. Magic and here I am 13 years later still groovin
@NapTownEddie
Iโm 22 days clean and this song was playing in my head
@haydeeperry855
Wat to go guys
@TapeLV
How strange is that i'm in that position too? Does this song have magical properties?
@Benfo-im3iy
Yes indeed my Brotha
@bennyfrank5262
Help
@ShadowG72
This was one of my Mom's favorite songs. When I hear it feel closer to her. She passed away from cancer in 2003 when I was 16, and that scar never fades.. but this jam puts me at ease, if only for a short while, and I am thankful
@Rick7239
Meus sentimentos pela perda de sua mรฃe ๐ข
@iluvangels9
๐๐ง๐๐โจ๐loves eternal ๐๏ธ๐ท
@jeaninehoward3572
I know what it's like to lose a mother. I lost mine when I was 19. She passed away in 1980 from Breast Cancer. I lost my father in 2000, and I just lost my sister 2 weeks ago on July 22, 2023. The scars never fully heal. But listening to music and reflecting on good memories brings me peace and comfort. May God Continue To Bless You and bring you Peace.๐โค๐