Joan Osborne (born Joan Elizabeth Osborne in Anchorage, Kentucky, on 8 July… Read Full Bio ↴Joan Osborne (born Joan Elizabeth Osborne in Anchorage, Kentucky, on 8 July 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and interpreter of music, having recorded and performed in various popular American musical genres including rock, pop, soul, R&B, blues, and country. She is best known for her recording of the Eric Bazilian-penned song "One of Us", from her debut album Relish (1995) - with the single and the album garnering a combined seven Grammy award nominations. Osborne was a member of Trigger Hippy from 2012 to 2018.

It was after relocating to New York City in the early '90s (to study at N.Y.U.'s film school) that Osborne began to take a singing career seriously after singing Billie Holiday's classic "God Bless the Child" at a local bar's "open mic night." In addition to Holiday, Osborne looked to such legendary vocalists as Etta James and Ray Charles as role models, as the up-and-coming singer decided not to cater to major record companies and formed her own label, Womanly Hips, which resulted in such releases as 1992's in-concert Soul Show, among others. But eventually, Osborne decided to sign on with a major label, Mercury, which in turn issued the singer's next release, 'Relish,' in March 1995. The album eventually racked up sales of three million copies and proved to have a long life, as almost a year after its initial release the track "One of Us" became a massive MTV and radio smash, camping out at the number-one spot on the U.S. singles chart for 2 weeks. Other tracks ("Right Hand Man" and "St. Teresa") failed to match the success of Osborne's first hit, but the singer still managed to connect with a large and appreciative audience, especially while touring as part of the 1997 edition of Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour. Osborne received numerous Grammy nominations in both 1996 and 1997.

Producing a worthy followup to Relish proved to be a time-consuming challenge for Osborne. Mercury tried to buy her some time by issuing a compilation release, 'Early Recordings' (which collected the early releases 'Live at Delta '88' and 'Blue Million Miles'). In the meantime, Osborne focused on supporting a few groups/causes she felt strongly about, such as Rock the Vote and Planned Parenthood (eventually being named an honorary member of Planned Parenthood's Board of Advocates), besides covering "I'm Just a Bill" as a duet with Isaac Hayes on the 1998 'Schoolhouse Rocks the Vote' benefit album. Osborne also studied briefly with the late Qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and performed alongside such notables as Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, Taj Mahal, Luciano Pavarotti, Spearhead, Bob Dylan, and the Chieftains.

September 2000 finally saw the release of Osborne's second all-new studio album, titled 'Righteous Love'; but it failed to match its predecessor's commercial success and sank from sight shortly after its release. In 2002, Osborne bounced back with 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of covers that leaned heavily on classic soul and R&B tunes from the 1960s and '70s. A career retrospective, 'One of Us,' came out in 2005.

Osborne played a prominent role in the 2002 film "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," performing with the legendary Motown house band the Funk Brothers in a concert performance segment, and appearing with several members of the group in an interview segment. She and her band accompanied the Dixie Chicks for a national tour in the summer of 2003, during which time she also joined veteran San Francisco jam-rockers the Dead as a vocalist, and released her fourth album, titled 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of classic rock and soul covers.

During 2005 and 2006, she performed on numerous occasions with Phil Lesh and Friends. In February 2007, she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry.

In November 2006, Osborne released 'Pretty Little Stranger,' her self-described "Nashville album."

In May 2007, Osborne issued 'Breakfast in Bed,' a return to the soul music that she had covered on 'How Sweet It Is'. 'Breakfast in Bed' also featured the two songs ("Heatwave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted") that she had covered for the film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

She sings lead vocals on the cover of "Spoonful" on Vivian Campbell's solo album 'Two Sides Of If'.' Osborne also provided some vocals for "Wayfaring Stranger" on Spearhead's 1997 album 'Chocolate Supa Highway.' Joan is featured on The Holmes Brothers 2007 collection 'State of Grace' performing "Those Memories of You," an old Allan O'Bryant and Bill Monroe bluegrass tune.

Her album Bring It On Home was released on March 27, 2012. It is a collection of vintage blues and soul covers, and it received a 2013 Grammy Awards nomination for Best Blues Album.

Osborne was a member of Trigger Hippy from 2012 to 2018.

Osborne released the original album Love and Hate in 2014, and in 2017 the album Songs of Bob Dylan. A new album of original songs, Trouble and Strife, is due in September 2020.

Love's in Need of Love Today
Joan Osborne Lyrics

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Good morn or evening friends
Here's your friendly announcer
I have serious news to pass on to everybody
What I'm about to say
Could mean the world's disaster
Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain

It's that

Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Hate's goin' round
Breaking many hearts
Stop it please
Before it's gone too far

The force of evil plans
To make you it's possession
And it will if we let it
Destroy everybody
We all must take
Precautionary measures
If love and please you treasure
Then you'll hear me when I say

Oh that
Love's in need of love today
Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Right away
Hate's goin' round
Hate's goin' round
Breaking many hearts
Breaking hearts
Stop it please
Stop it please
Before it's gone too far
Gone too far

People you know that
Love's in need of love today
Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Right away
You know that hate's
Hate's
Hate's goin' round
Goin' round
Breaking many hearts
Breaking hearts
Stop stop it please
Before it's gone too far
Gone too far

It's up to you cause
Love's in need of love today
Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Right away
You know that hate's
Hate's
Hate's goin' round
Goin' round
Hate's tried to break my heart many times
Breaking hearts
Don't you've got to stop it please
Stop it please
Before before before
Gone too far

Love's in need of love today
Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Right away
You know that hate's goin' around
Hate's goin'
Hate's going around hate's going around
Round break
And it tried to break up many hearts
Breaking hearts stop
You've got to I've got to they've got to
It please
We've got to they've got to we've got to
Gone
Stop it before it's gone too far
Too far
Love's love's in need of love
Love's in need of love
Did you ever think that love would be in need of love today
Today don't
Don't delay
Delay
Send yours in right away
Right away

Hate's hate's
Hate's goin' round
Bring it down a little love is very peaceful
So bring it down a little
Stop it please
Gone too far
Love's in need
Of love today
Don't delay
Right away
Love's in need
Of love today
Don't delay
Right away
Hate's goin round
Breaking hearts
Well, please stop it
Love's in need
Of love today
Don't delay

Right away
Just give the world love.

Overall Meaning

The song "Love's in Need of Love Today" by Joan Osborne is a call to action for people to show more love and less hate in the world. The song opens with a serious message, suggesting that the information being provided could mean "the world's disaster." The message is clear that love is in desperate need of our attention and care. The lyrics state that hate is prevalent and has the potential to destroy everyone if we allow it to do so. The chorus repeatedly urges listeners to not delay in sending love out to the world to counteract hate. The song draws attention to the seriousness of the issue of hate being spread, urging people to take precautionary measures to prevent it from going too far.

The lyrics suggest that it is up to individuals to take action in spreading love and stopping hate. Love is necessary to heal a broken world, and its absence has the potential to cause significant pain and suffering. The song also highlights the power of love and its ability to bring peace, stating that "love is very peaceful." It is clear that the singer sees love as the key to bringing people together and healing the world's wounds.

Overall, the song's message is one that is both necessary and relevant today. Love is vital, especially in times of turmoil and difficulty, and the song serves as a reminder that everyone has the power to make a difference.

Line by Line Meaning

Good morn or evening friends
Greetings, my friends

Here's your friendly announcer
I'm here to share an important message

I have serious news to pass on to everybody
The news I have to share is critical for all to hear

What I'm about to say
The following message I have to share

Could mean the world's disaster
This message could be disastrous if ignored

Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain
Ignoring this message could turn happiness into sorrow

Love's in need of love today
Love is lacking love and care

Don't delay
Act immediately

Send yours in right away
Show love and care as soon as possible

Hate's goin' round
Hate is spreading

Breaking many hearts
Hate is hurting many people emotionally