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.
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why I'll always be around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
I feel like this is the beginning
Though I've loved you for a million years
And if I thought our love was ending
You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
You must have known that I was lonely
Because you came to my rescue
And I know that this must be heaven
How could so much love be inside of you?
You are the sunshine of my life, yeah
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
Love has joined us
Love has joined us
Let's think sweet love
These lyrics are an ode to a significant other who has brought light, love, and joy to the singer's life. The song starts with the declaration that the person is the "sunshine" of their life, meaning they are the source of warmth, happiness, and positivity. The singer promises to always be around and highlights that the person is the "apple" of their eye, emphasizing their importance and value. The singer feels as though their love story is just beginning, even though they have loved the person for a million years.
The second verse continues the adoration and expresses the fear of losing the person's love. The singer is so in love that the thought of their love ending will bring them to tears. The third verse is a recognition of the specialness of the relationship. The singer believes that the person came to their rescue when they were lonely and feels that being loved by them is heaven. The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the importance of this person in the singer's life. The song ends on a positive note, with the suggestion to "think sweet love," suggesting that the couple focus on the beauty and positivity of their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the sunshine of my life
You bring light, warmth, and happiness into my world; you make my life brighter and better.
That's why I'll always be around
Because you are so precious to me, I will stay by your side through thick and thin.
You are the apple of my eye
You are the most cherished person in the world to me; you have captured my affection and devotion like nothing else.
Forever you'll stay in my heart
You will always occupy the most intimate, special place in my feelings, even as time passes.
I feel like this is the beginning
In your company, each day feels fresh and new, like the start of a new adventure.
Though I've loved you for a million years
My love for you has existed for an almost unfathomable span of time, and remains as strong as ever.
And if I thought our love was ending
If I ever sensed that we were drifting apart or losing the passion we share, it would be an unbearable loss.
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears
My emotions would become overwhelming, and I would be consumed with grief and sorrow.
You must have known that I was lonely
You seemed to discern my innermost feelings of isolation and isolation without me even having to say them.
Because you came to my rescue
You came into my life at a time when I desperately needed someone; you were my hero.
And I know that this must be heaven
The love that we share feels like an almost supernatural experience; it is so perfect and complete that it must be heavenly.
How could so much love be inside of you?
I am awestruck by the depth and power of your love; it seems too incredible to comprehend.
Love has joined us
We are united by an unbreakable bond of tenderness, warmth, and compassion that can only be described as love.
Let's think sweet love
As we bask in the glow of our affection, let us savor and appreciate the joy that we have found together.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm, Iricom US Ltd, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind