Grover Washington, Jr. (December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999) has been con… Read Full Bio ↴Grover Washington, Jr. (December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999) has been considered by many to be the founding father of smooth jazz and a master of the jazz funk genre, working as a prominent songwriter and talented saxophonist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits. These include "Mister Magic", Black Frost", and "The Best is Yet to Come" (with Patti LaBelle on guest vocals).

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.

Things Are Getting Better
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey please don't look back
Things are getting better
Yes they are my friend
I know it's hard
Just have faith my friend
Now the clouds are gone
Heaven's open wide for you
Yes they did my friend

It's not so hard
Just have faith and pray to God
And happiness ad love will shine through
All the gloom and darkness in the room
Hey hey
Please don't look abcl
Things are getting better
Yes teya re cuz things are getting better just

Say hey

Things are getting better

Just believe it
Just believe my friend

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Things Are Getting Better" by Grover Washington Jr. convey a message of hope and positivity. The singer urges the listener not to look back and instead focus on the fact that things are improving. The opening lines of the song set the tone for this message, as the singer implores the listener not to dwell on the past: "Hey please don't look back." The refrain of the song reinforces this sentiment: "Things are getting better / Yes they are my friend / Just have faith my friend."

The singer acknowledges that it can be difficult to maintain optimism during tough times, but he encourages the listener to persevere and have faith in better days ahead. The lyrics also suggest that this faith can be reinforced through prayer: "Just have faith and pray to God / And happiness and love will shine through."

The song's chorus is effective in conveying the message of hope and positivity, with the repeated refrain of "Things are getting better." This repetition emphasizes the idea that no matter how bad things may seem, there is always hope for improvement. Overall, "Things Are Getting Better" is a message of inspiration and encouragement, urging the listener not to lose hope in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey please don't look back
Please do not dwell on the past experiences, let go of it and look towards the future.

Things are getting better
Life is improving and getting better.

Yes they are my friend
This is a fact and you can trust me on this.

I know it's hard
I understand that it is a difficult situation.

Just have faith my friend
Do not give up hope and keep your faith alive.

Now the clouds are gone
The dark and unpleasant phase has ended.

Heaven's open wide for you
Luck and blessings are on your way.

Yes they did my friend
It actually happened.

It's not so hard
It may seem difficult, but it is not impossible.

Just have faith and pray to God
Believe in the almighty and ask him for guidance and support.

And happiness and love will shine through
Joy and affection will spread in your life.