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.
The Best Is Yet To Come
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll give you the moonlight
Love will set us free
If we just believe the best is yet to come
[Chorus]
Show me your smile
I'll fill it with laughter
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Can you see what I see
On the road ahead
Do you know
there's a new life there
Waiting there
Give me your world
And I'll give you heaven
Love will set us free
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
[Chorus]
Give me the sun
And I'll give you moonlight
Yes I will?
Can you see what I see
On the road ahead
Do you know
there's a new life there
Waiting there
Give me the world
And I'll give you heaven
Love will set us free
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Baby don't you know that
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Oh?
Play it now?
Break
I will give you love and understanding
If you show me your love
Hey, hey
Give me the sun
Show me your smile
Give me your world
Baby ah, ah?
I'll be what you want me to be
(Yeah)
I'll give you moon light
I'll fill you with laughter
I'll give you a
Hey, hey, hey, hey?
The best is yet
To come
The lyrics of "The Best Is Yet To Come" by Grover Washington Jr. is about hope and belief in a better future, even in times of uncertainty. The song talks about being given the sun and moonlight, a representation of being given everything they could want, as long as they believe in themselves and the potential of the future. If love and hope are embraced, the road ahead will be a new life, waiting for them. The chorus is uplifting and repeats the idea that as long as they believe in the best, it's yet to come.
The lyrics express a positive feeling, assuring the listener that everything will be all right if they trust in the road ahead. The combination of music and voice makes it a powerful reminder that life will always bring happiness and a chance to start anew. The song's message is still relevant today, and the lyrics continue to inspire and provide comfort to people during challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me the sun
Offer me something small, and I will return something greater to you.
I'll give you the moonlight
I will provide a brighter and more wondrous thing than what you offer.
Love will set us free
Love alleviates our problems and frees us from our troubles.
If we just believe the best is yet to come
Maintain hope and optimism for the future, and good things will happen.
Show me your smile
Share your happiness with me, and I will add to your joy.
I'll fill it with laughter
I will add humor to your current happy situation and make it even better.
That will light your mind
The joy and laughter will enlighten and uplift you.
Can you see what I see
On the road ahead
Do you have a clear understanding of the path we are traveling?
Do you know
there's a new life there
Are you aware that our journey will bring fresh opportunities and new experiences?
Waiting there
These new opportunities are waiting for us.
Give me your world
Share your life with me, and I will make it better and more fulfilling.
And I'll give you heaven
I will transform your life into something heavenly and wonderful.
Baby don't you know that
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Realize that by maintaining hope and faith in the future, we will continue to experience better and greater things.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHANNON GREENE, TODD N. TERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zzzd4765
Give me the sun
I'll give you the moonlight
Love will set us free
If we just believe the best is yet to come
Show me your smile
I'll fill it with laughter
That will light your mind
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Can you see what I see
On the road ahead
Do you know
There's a new life there
Waiting there
Give me your world
And I'll give you heaven
Love will set us free
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
Show me your smile
I'll fill it with laughter
That will light your mind
As long as we believe
The best is yet to come
@marciat7465
This songs means the world to me. I remember leaving hospice after my mother had died and this song was playing in my car. I knew I was going to be okay. Love Grover Washington.
@CrystalLWaddy
Yes, sis! Blessings to you!
@koevan1323
ππΎβ€οΈππΎ
@geraldjackson2000
Wishing you smiles and laughter always π may mom continue to Rest in Power
@marciat7465
@@geraldjackson2000 thank you
@17Chrisy
My grandfather listened to this everyday while he was in hospice at home. Listening this song after he is gone reminds me of my childhood and gives me the warm fuzzy feeling.
@traceymann572
2 Philadelpia Legends at Their Very Best....Her Voice...His Saxophone....ππβ€β€
@hectormendez3572
Patti Labelle is one the few greatest singers we have left.What a talent! Man can she sing.
@darrylbrown9179
99 o
@isaacortiz4617
Jennifer Holiday too.