He is… Read Full Bio ↴Gerald Eaton is a Canadian R&B singer originally from Jamaica.
He is the lead singer for the R&B-pop group The Philosopher Kings, which reached its peak popularity in the 1990s. During the group's 10-year hiatus, Eaton began a solo career, releasing the album Shake it Off in 2002 under the stage name Jarvis Church, derived from two parallel streets in Toronto, Ontario. The Philosopher Kings subsequently reunited and released a new album in February 2006.
Eaton is also a producer: he co-produced Nelly Furtado's debut album Whoa, Nelly! with his Philosopher Kings bandmate Brian West. Their production team is known as Track and Field, and they also appear on the production credits of Esthero's album Wikked Lil' Grrrls. Track and Field also produced Canadian rapper K'naan's albums The Dusty Foot Philosopher and Troubadour, and the title track from Stacie Orrico's 2006 album Beautiful Awakening. He appeared on the song "Saturdays" by Nelly Furtado on the album Folklore.
He appeared on the television series Da Kink in My Hair in 2007.
Shake it off
Jarvis Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It will always be right there
A weight on your back a thorn in your side
Boy you can't run but you know you can't hide
'Cause the demons are right at your heels
Breakin' you down making you feel
Like you want to give up, like you just gotta give in
Like you're fighting a fight that you know you can't win
Stand up, shake it off, look 'em in the eye
You may never get another chance to
Make things right don't pass it by
Have you ever felt like you never said
All the things you wanted to say
This is your chance so stand up for yourself
Today's your day
There's no easy way to go about it
Baby you can't doubt it
When they can't hear you you've got to shout it
Cause some of us can't live without it
If it's the love that you need
You've got to ask politely
But never settle for less than the sky
And if you walk out don't ever let them see you cry
No, no, no
[Chorus]
Come on stand
Come on stand
I know you're tired and you've had enough
You're bruised and torn and you want to give up
Well there's an answer, listen up
Sometimes, sometimes you've got to stand up
Yeah
[Chorus x2]
The lyrics of this song Shake It Off by Jarvis Church deal with overcoming fears, standing up for oneself, and not settling for less than what you deserve. The first verse talks about how fear can weigh down and cause distress in one’s life. It can be like carrying a weight on your back or a thorn in your side. The metaphor is coupled with the message that demons are always lurking in the shadows, trying to bring us down. The second half of the verse highlights that giving in or giving up is not an option in the face of fear. Rather than running away, one must face their demons and look them in the eye.
The chorus hooks the listener with a catchy tune, urging them to stand up and fight regardless of how tired, worn out, or defeated they might feel. The lyrics suggest that this could be the only chance to make things right, to say all the things you’ve always wanted to say. It’s a call to action to take control of one’s life and not let fear or anyone else dictate the outcome. The second verse transitions to how one can ask for love and what they deserve. The message is to never settle for less than what one truly deserves. And if we don’t get what we want, we shouldn’t let others see us cry, but rather walk out with our head held high.
Overall, Shake It Off is an encouraging and uplifting song. It speaks to those who might be going through difficult times in their lives and provides inspirational guidance for them to take charge and not be defeated by fear, insisting that sometimes you’ve got to stand up.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's the thing that you fear
That fear will always haunt you and never leave you alone.
It will always be right there
Your fear will always be present in your life.
A weight on your back a thorn in your side
It will burden you and make you feel uncomfortable.
Boy you can't run but you know you can't hide
Avoiding fear won't make it go away.
'Cause the demons are right at your heels
Your fears are chasing you and not giving you any peace of mind.
Breakin' you down making you feel
Your fear is weakening and debilitating.
Like you want to give up, like you just gotta give in
You might decide to quit and surrender to your fear.
Like you're fighting a fight that you know you can't win
You might feel like it's useless to fight and you'll inevitably lose.
Don't you know you've got to
Realize that you have to take action.
Stand up, shake it off, look 'em in the eye
Face your fear head-on and confront it without hesitation.
You may never get another chance to
Opportunities might not come around again, so take advantage of them now.
Make things right don't pass it by
Take control of the situation and make it right.
Have you ever felt like you never said
Maybe you regret not speaking up.
All the things you wanted to say
You had things to say, but for some reason, you couldn't.
This is your chance so stand up for yourself
Now is your opportunity to speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in.
Today's your day
Take action today and make things happen.
There's no easy way to go about it
Confronting your fears is a difficult task.
Baby you can't doubt it
Believe in yourself and your abilities.
When they can't hear you you've got to shout it
Speak louder and with more conviction until you're heard.
Cause some of us can't live without it
For some of us, it's essential to our well-being to confront our fears.
If it's the love that you need
If you're searching for love,
You've got to ask politely
You need to put yourself out there and ask for what you want.
But never settle for less than the sky
Don't make compromises that don't meet your expectations or potential.
And if you walk out don't ever let them see you cry
If you leave a situation, don't show any weakness or vulnerability.
I know you're tired and you've had enough
You might be feeling drained and exhausted.
You're bruised and torn and you want to give up
You might be suffering and considering giving up.
Well there's an answer, listen up
There's a solution to your problem, pay attention.
Sometimes, sometimes you've got to stand up
Occasionally, you need to take a stand and fight for yourself.
Come on stand
Encouragement to take action and stand up.
Chorus x2
Repeat the Chorus twice.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Johnta Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikerochon2508
Very Underrated Canadian vocalist - I saw him play in Ottawa with the Philosopher kings and not much people showed up - They were amazing - I was peed off that place should have been full - but yet singers with no talent get amazing reviews - He doesn't use autotuned and li-p sync live - Just amazing
@theokingshango
I think hes Jamaican tho.
@karinjeffrey7981
He's great because he consistently gives 150 per cent to the performance.
@jeffreybarkin3177
He's "Great" because he's a Gifted #Songwriter, Collaborator and Vocalist...
Just #Look at WHO he's worked with and directly assisted over the years!
SIR EATON is #SPECIAL!!!
@kzgc8y3n
This is a masterful song that has lasting excellence even 15 years later.
@pvtrichter88
no doubt my favourite soul singer since GERALD EATON!!
@theokingshango
And it sounds like 70s classic
@doublec3
Good old 2002 album I won in a CD artist contest! I’ll never forget that moment I won it, I played this right away at home.
@aldpeterow6206
Great Tune, Great Performance, Great Background !!!
@ccarta192
Love that gospel sound