John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
One In A Million
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's sad that we're apart
I just want you to know
That you're always in my heart
My sweet mother,you gave me life and gave me light
You are one in a million
With power to make whole world bright
And stand up for myself
The value of compassion
And the love of someone else
My good mother, raised me up to be a man
You're just one in a million
Tell you every way I can
I know it wasn't always easy
Never enough to go around
Did the best that you were able
And best is what you found
Hey now, mother, don't make you swell with pride
You're sure one in a million
Make me feel so good inside
Six thousand miles between us
Don't think about that now
Telephones and photographs have got to do somehow
My dear mother, you gave me love and made me whole
No matter where I wander
You're in my lovin' heart and soul
The lyrics of John Mayall's "One In A Million" is a homage to the singer's mother who is currently far away from him. He states that he doesn't see her often which he finds sad but he wants her to know that she's always in his heart. Mayall acknowledges the importance of his mother in his life, the one who gave him life and light. He considers her as one in a million, someone who has the power to make the whole world bright. The lyrics don't just speak of love and affection, but Mayall delves a little deeper, thanking his mother for instilling values in him that have made him the man he is today. She taught him pride in what he did, encouraged him to stand up for himself, to be compassionate and love others. Mayall acknowledges that his mother raised him well and did the best she could with what she had. The lyrics are a beautiful tribute to motherhood, unconditional love, and how that love stays with us through the miles.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't see you very often
I seldom get to spend time with you
And it's sad that we're apart
It makes me unhappy that we are separated
I just want you to know
I desire to express to you
That you're always in my heart
How much I love and keep you in my thoughts
My sweet mother,you gave me life and gave me light
You brought me into this world and illuminated my path
You are one in a million
You are incredibly special and unique
With power to make whole world bright
You possess the ability to bring light to everyone's life
You taught me pride in my achievements
You instilled in me the value of being proud of what I accomplish
And stand up for myself
And to assert myself in a situation
The value of compassion
The significance of being caring towards others
And the love of someone else
And the importance of loving another person
My good mother, raised me up to be a man
You brought me up to become a mature person
You're just one in a million
You are very unique and extraordinary
Tell you every way I can
I want to communicate this to you in any possible manner
I know it wasn't always easy
I am aware it was not simple for you
Never enough to go around
You never had as much as you needed
Did the best that you were able
However, you always did your best
And best is what you found
The best possible outcome is what you achieved
Hey now, mother, don't make you swell with pride
Don't let this make you too proud, mother
You're sure one in a million
You are truly exceptional and unique
Make me feel so good inside
It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside
Six thousand miles between us
There is an enormous physical distance between us
Don't think about that now
But we don't need to focus on that at the moment
Telephones and photographs have got to do somehow
We can communicate through phones and photos somehow
My dear mother, you gave me love and made me whole
You gave me love and fulfilled me as a person
No matter where I wander
Even if I travel far away
You're in my lovin' heart and soul
You are deeply rooted in my heart and soul with love
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN MAYALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind