He’s composed and written songs recorded by artists ranging from Nancy Wilson , Mary J. Blige, Notorius Big and T.I.
As a producer, he introduced the world to the Hawaii-based Christian jazz septet Seawind, which inadvertently brought one of the most in-demand horn arrangers (Jerry Hey) and horn sections (the Seawind horns) to Los Angeles and promptly introduced them to Quincy Jones as the tightest and most creative horn section he’d ever heard. (Quincy obviously agreed) He also produced the debut album by Midnight Star (The Beginning), inaugurating what would become one of the ‘80s most influential techno-funk groups, Lee Ritenour’s largest selling hit, “Is it You” and Dionne Warwick (Fragile).
Harvey is a founding member of the contemporary jazz “super group”ƒOURPLAY , where he flexes his writing, playing, arranging and production skills with partners Bob James, Nathan East and Chuck Loeb (the latter of whom replaced Larry Carlton who had replaced original member Lee Ritenour). ƒOURPLAY’s debut album sat atop Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart for thirty-four weeks, leading to a platinum album, three subsequent gold discs, a Soul Train Music Award and 10 Grammy nominations, to date.
The roots of Harvey Mason’s rhythm are as ingrained as DNA. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 22, 1947, he reveled in the rhythms of life as they manifested themselves all around him. He began taking formal drum lessons at age 7, playing in school bands and finally buying his first drum set at the age of 16. Harvey continued his musical education first at the Berklee School of Music, then on full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, studying performance, composing, arranging, percussion and mallets. He received immeasurable preparation for orchestral work from the legendary Vic Firth, tympanist with the Boston Symphony. During his time in Boston, he also put in overtime at Triple A Studios recording everything from jingles to religious albums, unpredictable and diversified situations that custom molded him for the career of a top-flight session musician. Before he knew it, Harvey Mason was working as many as three studio sessions a day.
Harvey swiftly became a force to be reckoned with in the world of percussion and drums. From simple figures on a marimba that contributed infinitely to the appeal of The Sylvers’ “Fools Paradise” and “Misdemeanor,” Earth Wind and Fire’s “That’s The Way of The World” and some of the most incredibly sensitive playing ever heard on radio backing the late Minnie Riperton on “Memory Lane” and “Here We Go,” to an intricate snare drum-only part on Chick Corea’s “Tweedle Dee” (from his acclaimed concept album, The Mad Hatter), Harvey honed a knack for doing more than just nailing a written part. He added that “Mase Magic” that lifted a piece of music from ordinary to extraordinary.
Harvey Mason's son Harvey Mason Jr. formed the Underdogs production team with Damon Thomas and has produced tracks for artists including Fantasia Barrino, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross.
Funk In A Mason Jar
Harvey Mason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm just being honest
Well yeah I've had a couple shots
But what's the problem?
Let's put a stop to all the gossip
You're the one
And if I ever find myself on top
I want you on the bottom x2
Now girl you don't look like a model
Because you're shaped more like a Coca-Cola can!
I'm joking
Wait, I meant the bottle!
I know the ways to make you laugh
You know the ways to make things add up
That's a [?], damn right
She said she loves me with my long hair
But, yo, I love it when there's nothing there
It's bare skin
My skin's bare
But you show me those tats on your hip and
I knew that
From there on, I was in there
Let's be clear
This isn't just the liquor talking
But it makes an easier release for all these thoughts are stored in
You think that I'll regret this in the morning?
Never!
Because I plan to make you cook me breakfast in the morning
I've been restless
With a chance to lift your skirt
Take off your necklace
Tell your friends I'm putting work
And if I don't?
No need to spread it
But now I'm confident I'll make your head spin
Because when it comes to you
I put my best in
Don't tell me I'm drunk
When I'm just being honest
Well yeah I've had a couple shots
But what's the problem?
Let's put a stop to all the gossip
You're the one
And if I ever find myself on top
I want you on the bottom x2
She likes to read
Books about art
Wears a - scarf on her head
And she don't - understand the concept of sharing half the bed
I give her - an arm and a leg
For being a - one you want to impress
I'll be the - one you want to depend on when troubles flooding your head
Because I'll be the - cushion the huddle you from the frets
Be muscled and I can double in strength
Got an S on my chest
The [?] from your dress
And this is super
If you see the future, tell me what's next
Blessed
That's all I gotta say
My mummy was an English teacher
Daddy took her back a yard for holidays
Little island
Get off the [?]
But she don't do the (dirty work?)
She just gets it by herself
And that's the quality
You couldn't (by yourself?)
And getting [?]
But I am doing twice as well
So you could say that I don't mean it
But how come only you can understand the words I'm speaking
When my speech is slurred
So tell me do you like how that sounds
And the night [?] I can (lie her down?)
Tell me how we got it
Tell me how you want it
Tell me how you want it
Just don't tell me I'm drunk
The lyrics of Harvey Mason's song Funk In A Mason Jar primarily center around a drunken confession of love, lust, and desire. The singer pleads with their love interest not to dismiss their feelings as a mere product of their inebriation. Despite indulging in several shots, the singer asserts their honesty and the sincerity of their statements. The verses alternately switch between playful banter, teasing, and more serious confessions. The singer admires the beauty of their lover despite not conventionally fitting society's beauty standards. They joke about their love interest's reading preferences and their reluctance to share the bed. The singer also hints at their ambition and their future plans, which likely involve their lover. The song ends on an optimistic note, with the singer hoping to wake up to a cooked breakfast from their beloved.
The lyrics of Funk In A Mason Jar showcase the depth of conflicting emotions that can emerge when one is inebriated, especially towards someone they hold dear. At its core, the song explores the nature of honesty and how it can be interconnected with substances like alcohol. With clever wordplay, Mason addresses themes of romance, self-worth, and ambition. In a sense, the track is a metaphor for Mason's approach to making music - raw, unfiltered, and full of passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't tell me I'm drunk
Don't discredit what I'm saying because I've been drinking
When I'm just being honest
I'm speaking the truth from my heart
Well yeah I've had a couple shots
I acknowledge I've been drinking, but it's not impairing my judgment
But what's the problem?
Why can't we speak honestly even when we've had a drink?
Let's put a stop to all the gossip
Let's focus on our connection and not listen to outside rumors
You're the one
I am confident that you are the person meant for me
And if I ever find myself on top
If I achieve success in life
I want you on the bottom
I want you to be my partner and support system, even if my success means you have to take a backseat
Now girl you don't look like a model
I appreciate your unique and beautiful physical appearance
Because you're shaped more like a Coca-Cola can!
Your curves are attractive to me and I'm sharing this compliment in a lighthearted way
I'm joking
I'm teasing you in a playful manner
Wait, I meant the bottle!
I was referring to the Coca-Cola bottle, not your body
I know the ways to make you laugh
I know what makes you happy and I enjoy bringing joy to your life
You know the ways to make things add up
You have knowledge and intelligence that I admire and respect
That's a [?], damn right
I'm acknowledging an accomplishment or quality in you that deserves praise
She said she loves me with my long hair
You appreciate me for who I am, including my appearance
But, yo, I love it when there's nothing there
I am expressing my own personal preference for a different hairstyle
It's bare skin
Being physically intimate without clothing
My skin's bare
I am willing to be vulnerable and open with you
But you show me those tats on your hip and
I am admiring a physical feature on your body
I knew that
I am aware of your attractiveness and it draws me closer to you
From there on, I was in there
I was hooked and committed to pursuing a relationship with you
Let's be clear
I am speaking directly and honestly with you
This isn't just the liquor talking
I want you to believe that my feelings are genuine
But it makes an easier release for all these thoughts are stored in
Drinking makes it easier for me to express these pent up feelings
You think that I'll regret this in the morning?
I am confident that I will not regret sharing my feelings with you
Never!
I am committed to pursuing a relationship with you and standing by my feelings
Because I plan to make you cook me breakfast in the morning
I am making a lighthearted joke about wanting to spend more time together
I've been restless
I have been feeling a strong urge to be with you
With a chance to lift your skirt
I am expressing my sexual desire for you
Take off your necklace
I want to be intimate and physically close to you
Tell your friends I'm putting work
I want your friends to know that I am serious about pursuing a relationship with you
And if I don't?
If I fail to impress you, I won't boast or put on a show for others
No need to spread it
I won't advertise my failed attempts at pursuing you to others
But now I'm confident I'll make your head spin
I have confidence in myself and our connection, and I believe I can make you fall in love with me
Because when it comes to you
I am really into you and our relationship
I put my best in
I am giving my all in this relationship
She likes to read
I am sharing information about your interests and hobbies
Books about art
Specifically, you like to read about art
Wears a - scarf on her head
You have a unique and interesting sense of style
And she don't - understand the concept of sharing half the bed
You prefer to have your own personal space when sleeping
I give her - an arm and a leg
I am willing to go above and beyond for you
For being a - one you want to impress
I am impressed by you and want to make you happy
I'll be the - one you want to depend on when troubles flooding your head
I will be your support and source of strength when life gets hard
Because I'll be the - cushion the huddle you from the frets
I will be someone you can lean on and feel protected by
Be muscled and I can double in strength
Together we are stronger and better equipped to handle anything life throws our way
Got an S on my chest
I feel confident and capable
The [?] from your dress
I am admiring a physical feature on your body
And this is super
I am happy and excited about our relationship
If you see the future, tell me what's next
I am curious and excited to see where our relationship will go
Blessed
I feel grateful and fortunate to be with you
That's all I gotta say
I have shared my true feelings with you
My mummy was an English teacher
I am sharing information about my family background
Daddy took her back a yard for holidays
My parents went on vacation together
Little island
This location was a small, tight-knit community
Get off the [?]
I'm not quite certain what this line means
But she don't do the (dirty work?)
My mother did not enjoy doing manual labor
She just gets it by herself
My mother was an independent woman
And that's the quality
I value and appreciate this quality in my mother and in you
You couldn't (by yourself?)
Perhaps you struggle with being independent, but I will support you
And getting [?]
This line is unclear and difficult to interpret
But I am doing twice as well
I am proud of my accomplishments and want to share them with you
So you could say that I don't mean it
Some may doubt the sincerity of my words or feelings, but I am genuine
But how come only you can understand the words I'm speaking
I feel a connection and understanding with you that I don't have with others
When my speech is slurred
Even when I am impaired, you still understand me and we can communicate effectively
So tell me do you like how that sounds
I am checking in with you to see if you are enjoying our conversation
And the night [?] I can (lie her down?)
This line is unclear and difficult to interpret
Tell me how we got it
I am curious about our relationship and how it started
Tell me how you want it
I want to make sure that our relationship is meeting your needs and desires
Just don't tell me I'm drunk
Let's communicate honestly and openly, even if we've been drinking
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.