Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.
Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight, Aymuk, and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work.
If My Brother
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics
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I can see beyond your smile
I think that I can show you
That what we have is still worthwhile
Don't you know that love's just like the thread
That keeps unravelling but then
It ties us back together in the end
In your eyes, found the answers to my questions
In your eyes, I can see the reasons why our love's alive
In your eyes, we're drifting safely back to shore
And I think I've finally learned to love you more
You warned me that life changes
That no one really knows
Whether time would make us strangers
Or whether time would make us grow
Even though the winds of time will change
In a world where nothing stays the same
Through it all our love will still remain
In your eyes, I can see the reasons why our love's alive
In your eyes, we're drifting safely back to shore
And I think I've finally learned to love you more
The lyrics of Jeffrey Osborne's song "If My Brother's in Trouble" talk about the strength and the enduring nature of love, even in the face of challenges and obstacles. The song reflects on how a relationship can grow and evolve over time, even with the knowledge that life can be unpredictable and bring changes that are difficult to anticipate. The writer of the song suggests that what strengthens relationships and makes them resilient is love, which is like a thread that unravels but ties people back together in the end.
In the first verse, Jeffrey Osborne sings about how he has come to know his partner beyond just their outward appearance, and how he believes that he has something valuable to offer the relationship even in times of hardship. He talks about how love is not a static thing, but rather something that evolves over time in order to remain strong. The chorus contains the refrain "In your eyes", which suggests that the singer sees the reflection of his own self in his partner's eyes. The lyrics also express gratitude for the role that his partner plays in his life, serving as a source of inspiration and guidance.
The second verse references the fact that life is unpredictable and that it can be difficult to know how things will turn out. However, the singer assures his partner that even if things change and they face difficult times, their love will remain strong and endure. This verse shows how love can serve as a bulwark against an uncertain future, providing a foundation of stability and support.
Overall, "If My Brother's in Trouble" is a song that extols the virtues of love and suggests that in a world that is constantly shifting and changing, love is the one constant that can help people weather whatever life may bring.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I finally know you
I am beginning to understand who you truly are
I can see beyond your smile
I see that you are not always happy, and that you also have struggles
I think that I can show you
I believe that I can teach you
That what we have is still worthwhile
That our relationship is still valuable, despite any challenges we may face
Don't you know that love's just like the thread
Do you not realize that love is like a piece of string?
That keeps unravelling but then
It may feel like it is coming apart, but then it comes back together
It ties us back together in the end
Our love is what brings us back together again, even when times are tough
In your eyes, I can see my dream's reflections
When I look at you, I see myself achieving my goals
In your eyes, found the answers to my questions
I find the solutions to my problems in your eyes
In your eyes, I can see the reasons why our love's alive
Your eyes remind me of the reasons why we are still in love
In your eyes, we're drifting safely back to shore
Being with you makes me feel secure and safe
And I think I've finally learned to love you more
I have grown to love you even more than before, and appreciate you for who you are
You warned me that life changes
You cautioned me that life is unpredictable
That no one really knows
No one can ever be certain what will happen in life
Whether time would make us strangers
As time goes by, we may become different people
Or whether time would make us grow
On the other hand, time may allow us to grow and change in positive ways
Even though the winds of time will change
Although time may bring many changes
In a world where nothing stays the same
In a constantly changing world
Through it all our love will still remain
Despite any challenges we may face, our love will endure
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID BARRATT, BILL CLIFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aniekanfrederick6629
Nigerians needs to listen more to this song because we are fast giving up on family values
@antoniocarter8296
my dad used to make and my little brother listen to this every time we fought lol
@willisgrays2497
My Brother was always in trouble and I was always there for him a lot of times unwillingly. I had my family to consider. He passed away Feb 2014 in a car accident and I still miss him today. He was a year older than me. He and his family was on SSI, my wife and I worked for the Department of Defense (Now Retired). I sometime think he took me for granted. I still feel bad to this day.
@samuelmaina4675
This song reminds me of when i was in high school during our entertainment,,still remains one of the best slow classic jam🎉😊
@rationalanomaly
02.07.2023
Still loving this 30 plus years later!
@hezronmogire
special dedication to my bro Pammy,every time I was I trouble u always stood by my side.
Long live bro!❤
@JoelGatundu
2020 and this song still moves me like I'm listening to it for the first time
@timisongi1431
But I am listening in January 2021.
@timothymcclain4551
Some 30 years later, this song still applies to us now!
@michaelrorie5095
I always think about this song. My brother and I fought like cats and dogs.. We always stood up for each other though. He's gone and I miss him