Groban originally studied acting, but moved to singing as his voice developed. Groban attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, a free public school on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles, where students receive a conservatory-style education. David Foster called Groban to stand in for an ailing Andrea Bocelli to rehearse a duet, "The Prayer", with Celine Dion at the rehearsal for the 1998 Grammy Awards. Rosie O'Donnell immediately invited him to appear on her talk show. Foster asked him to sing at the California Governor's Gray Davis' 1999 inauguration. He was cast on Ally McBeal by the show's creator, David E. Kelley, performing "You're Still You" for the 2001 season four finale.
In 2016, he made his Broadway debut as Pierre Bezukhov in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, to critical acclaim and nomination for a 2017 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. His performance at the 72nd Tony Awards earned him two Primetime Emmy nominations, one for Outstanding Live Variety Special and one for Original Music and Lyrics for the song "This One's for You". Groban co-starred as Tony Caruso Jr. in the Netflix original series, The Good Cop. Groban was also the host of Rising Star, he also appeared in the films, Coffee Town, Muppets Most Wanted, The Hollars and Crazy, Stupid, Love. He also appeared on TV such as Danny Chase in The Crazy Ones, as well as Walter Bernard Jr in The Office.
Career
1997–2001: Debut
In late 1997, the 16-year-old Groban was introduced by his vocal coach, Seth Riggs, to Grammy-winning producer and arranger David Foster and future manager Brian Avnet.[18][failed verification] At the time, Groban had no recording experience and was preparing for his studies at Carnegie Mellon.[18] Groban worked for David Foster as a rehearsal singer on a series of high-profile events, including the January 1999 California gubernatorial inauguration of Gray Davis and the 1999 Grammy Awards where—as a stand-in for Andrea Bocelli—he rehearsed Foster's "The Prayer" with Céline Dion. According to Avnet, Groban was very nervous about standing in for Bocelli and had to be talked into it; his performance prompted the show hostess, Rosie O'Donnell, to ask him to appear on her show the following week, which in turn led to an appearance on Ally McBeal.[18] Creator David E. Kelley wrote the character Malcolm Wyatt for Groban in the season finale, aired in May 2001. Groban as Malcolm Wyatt was so popular that the show received upwards of 8,000 emails from viewers;[19] thereafter, Groban was asked to return the next season to reprise his role as Wyatt and to perform "To Where You Are". Avnet claims this sequence of events effectively got Groban's career off the ground.[18]
Groban was offered a recording contract at Warner Bros. Records through Foster's 143 Records imprint. Avnet told HitQuarters that Warner Bros. initially proved resistant to the deal because "They were afraid they wouldn't be able to get a voice like that on radio."[18] Explaining his reasons for signing the artist, Foster said: "I love his natural ability in the pop and rock arena, but I love his sense of classics even more. He's a true musical force to be reckoned with."[19] Under Foster's influence, Groban's first album focused more on classics such as "Gira Con Me Questa Notte" and "Alla Luce Del Sole".
Groban performed "There For Me" with Sarah Brightman on her 2000–01 La Luna World Tour, and was featured on her "La Luna" concert DVD. He recorded "For Always" with Lara Fabian for the movie soundtrack of A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001). Groban performed in many benefit shows, including "The Andre Agassi Grand Slam Event For Children," alongside Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Don Henley, and Robin Williams; "Muhammad Ali's Fight Night Foundation" which honored Michael J. Fox and others; "The Family Celebration" (2001), which was co-hosted by President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and David E. Kelley and Michelle Pfeiffer; and Michael Milken's CapCure event, which raised funds for cancer research.
His self-titled debut album Josh Groban was released on November 20, 2001. Over the next year it went from gold to double-platinum.[20]
2002–2005: Closer
Groban in concert at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2007
On February 24, 2002, Groban performed "The Prayer" with Charlotte Church at the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and by November, he had his own PBS special titled "Josh Groban In Concert" (2002). In December 2002, he performed "To Where You Are" and sang "The Prayer" in a duet with Sissel Kyrkjebø at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway. He joined The Corrs, Ronan Keating, Sting, Lionel Richie, and others for a Christmas performance at the Vatican. In 2003, Groban performed at the David Foster concert for World Children's Day, singing "The Prayer" with Celine Dion and the finale song, "Aren't They All Our Children?" with artists including Yolanda Adams, Nick Carter, Enrique Iglesias, and Celine Dion.
Groban's second album Closer, produced and written by Foster, was released on November 11, 2003. Groban said he believed that his second album was a better reflection of him, and that his audience would be able to get a better idea of his personality from listening to it.
What most people know about me, they know through my music. This time, I've tried to open that door as wide as possible. These songs are a giant step closer to who I really am and what my music is all about. Hence the title.[19]
Two months after Closer was released, it rose on the Billboard charts from number 11 to number one.[21] Groban's cover of "You Raise Me Up" became his third most popular song on the adult contemporary charts as of March 2004. Later that year, he also performed the song "Remember" (with Tanja Tzarovska) on the Troy soundtrack, "Believe" on the soundtrack to the 2004 animated film The Polar Express and a cover of Linkin Park's "My December".
In the summer of 2004, Groban returned to Interlochen, performing and discussing his earlier experiences with local residents and campers. On November 30, 2004, his second live DVD, Live At The Greek, was released; it was also shown as a Great Performances special on PBS. That same year, Groban performed "Remember When It Rained", backed by a full orchestra, at the American Music Awards, where he was nominated for Favorite Male Artist in the pop category; he was also nominated for a People's Choice Award. His recording of "Believe" secured an Academy Award nomination in 2005 for the songwriters Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri,[22] and earned them a Grammy in the category Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the ceremony held in February 2006.[23]
2005–2010: Awake
Groban earned his first Grammy nomination in 2005 for his single "You Raise Me Up" in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category. During the first week of September 2006, Groban's single entitled "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" was released exclusively on AOL's First Listen. His third studio album Awake was officially released on November 7, 2006. Groban performed "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" as well as two other tracks from Awake at his recording session for Live from Abbey Road at Abbey Road Studios on 26 October 2006. On that album, Groban also collaborated on the single "Now or Never" with British musician and songwriter Imogen Heap. He performed two tracks with the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Lullaby" and "Weeping". Groban's "Awake" world tour visited 71 cities between February and August 2007, and toured Australia and the Philippines with Lani Misalucha as his special guest in October 2007. He performed a duet with Barbra Streisand ("All I Know of Love") and with Mireille Mathieu ("Over the Rainbow"). As to his future, Groban was open to a plethora of possibilities. He said, "I am fortunate enough to have had many really big moments in my career. I think the mistake a lot of people in my position make is to always search for the next big thing. I am looking forward to playing some small theaters. I'm looking forward to writing more. I want to delve further into my acting career and explore some of the film and TV opportunities that I haven't had time for. My outlook is to expect the unexpected. And when the next step comes, I'm prepared to take it."[9]
2010–2015: Illuminations; All That Echoes
Groban finished his fifth studio album, entitled Illuminations, and the album was released on November 15, 2010.[24] Most of the songs on the album are about "specific situations that I've had where love has existed and ultimately failed," Groban told The New York Times, adding: "And other songs are about the quest, and it just not working out." Groban wrote 11 of the 13 songs on the album.[25] The first single from the album, "Hidden Away", was made available for free download via Facebook on September 8.[26] "For me to sit in a room with a piano in one take with some of Johnny Cash's musicians—that was totally new for me." Josh added. "and I think that excitement is on the record."[25] On October 12, a second single from the upcoming album, "Você Existe Em Mim", was made available on iTunes.[27] This song is sung in Portuguese and was written by Brazilian artist Carlinhos Brown. The Washington Post said: "Illuminations" is not a revelation, but it offers a perfectly fine, and often quite lovely, glimpse at a pop-classical crossover artist in the middle of crossing over."[28] Groban plans on making one more record with Rick Rubin.[29] Beginning May 12, 2011 and continuing through December of that year, Groban undertook the 81-city Straight to You Tour to promote Illuminations, encompassing appearances in North America, Europe, and South Africa.[30]
Groban's sixth studio album, All That Echoes, was released on February 5, 2013, debuting at number one by selling 141,000 copies.[31][32] Groban promoted the album with the All That Echoes World Tour in 2013. A year later, he embarked on his Summer Symphony Tour.[33]
2015–2017: Stages and Broadway debut
In early March 2015, Josh Groban's Facebook page announced the release of the album Stages, consisting of covers of songs from Broadway musicals. The album was released on April 28, 2015.[34]
Starting October 18, 2016, Groban performed on Broadway as Pierre Bezukhov in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, an electropop opera by composer Dave Malloy based on War and Peace.[35] For his performance as Pierre, Groban was nominated for the 2017 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. His final performance as Pierre was on July 2, 2017.[36] Groban also performed the song "Evermore" during the end credits of the 2017 Disney film Beauty and the Beast.[37]
2018: Bridges
On March 12, 2018, tour dates were announced for Groban's Bridges Tour with special guest Idina Menzel. The US leg of the tour began on October 18, 2018, in Duluth, Georgia and concluded at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 18. The European leg of the tour began on December 12 at the O2 Arena in London and concluded on December 18 in Poland.[38]
On June 26, 2018, Groban announced via social media that his album Bridges would be released on September 21 and would contain a cover of Céline Dion's song "S'il suffisait d'aimer" along with new tracks.[39] The album debuted at number two in the US[40] and in the top 10 in the UK[41] and Scotland.[42]
2020: Harmony
On August 17, 2020, Groban's album Harmony was announced to release in November 2020. Groban will also offer a virtual livestreamed concert series in the fall and winter of 2020.[43] On October 2, the album was announced to be released on November 20, 2020. The album is now available in all the platforms from the regular to deluxe edition.
Voice
Various music critics have described Groban's voice in different ways, with some referring to him as a tenor[62] and others as a baritone.[63][64] In performance, Groban's music goes as low as G2 (as in the songs "To Where You Are", "Higher Window", and "The World We Knew (Over and Over)") and extends up to at least B4 (as heard in "The Duel" from Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812[65]). This places his voice lower than the usual tenor range on the low end (although still within the vocal fry register of a tenor), and just short of tenor C, and therefore above the baritone range, on the high end.[66][67]
Satellite
Josh Groban Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping Tom for the mother station.
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, satellite
Satellite headlines read
Someone's secrets you've seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Who's the king of your satellite castle?
Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, satellite
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
Television we bounce 'round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about this weatherman's satellite eyes.
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping Tom for the mother station
Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, satellite
The lyrics to Josh Groban's song "Satellite" contain vivid imagery and metaphors that explore the themes of curiosity, technology, and the impermanence of life. The song begins with the singer describing a satellite in their eyes, comparing it to a dazzling diamond in the sky. This imagery highlights the beauty and fascination that satellites can evoke.
In the next line, Groban sings, "Satellite strung from the moon, and the world your balloon." This metaphor suggests that the satellite is a vessel or a vehicle connected to the moon, representing the advancement of technology and its ability to explore and observe the world. The mention of the satellite being a "balloon" emphasizes the notion of it floating freely and observing from a distance.
The phrase "Peeping Tom for the mother station" in the following line refers to the satellite serving as a voyeuristic device, constantly observing and transmitting information back to the central station. This line highlights the idea that satellites have become an integral part of our surveillance society, constantly monitoring our actions and secrets.
The chorus of the song draws attention to the transitory nature of life. Groban sings about winter erasing the calm and storms replacing everything good. This metaphorical weather shift represents the cyclical nature of life, emphasizing that nothing lasts forever and that change is inevitable. The repeated mantra to "look up, look down all around" encourages the listener to be aware and observant, embracing the vastness of the world through the lens of a satellite.
In the latter part of the song, Groban sings about the restrictions and limitations lifted when one is above the clouds, free from constraints. The mention of television bouncing around the world indicates the widespread impact of satellite communication, connecting people globally. The lyrics also imply the irony of the singer spending hours watching the satellite, while reflecting on the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Satellite" present a contemplation of the awe-inspiring nature of satellites, their surveillance capabilities, and their impact on our lives. The song invites us to ponder on the impermanence of life, the advancements in technology that connect us, and the ever-changing nature of our surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
Satellite in my eyes
I feel a presence, like a satellite, constantly observing and affecting my perception
Like a diamond in the sky
This satellite shines brightly, captivating my attention
How I wonder.
I am curious and fascinated by its existence
Satellite strung from the moon
This satellite is connected to the moon, symbolizing a celestial bond
And the world your balloon
It carries and navigates through the vast world like a balloon floating in the sky
Peeping Tom for the mother station
This satellite serves as a curious observer for the central communication hub
Winter's cold spring erases
The passage of time transforms and removes the memories of winter
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Tranquility is disrupted and pursued by the approaching storm
Everything good needs replacing
Even the positive things in life eventually need to be replaced or refreshed
Look up, look down all around, satellite
Observing from different perspectives, this satellite is ever-present in our surroundings
Satellite headlines read
The news and information transmitted by this satellite capture attention
Someone's secrets you've seen
This satellite has witnessed and knows the hidden truths of someone's life
Eyes and ears have been
It has acted as both a visual and auditory witness, collecting information
Satellite dish in my yard
I have a satellite dish installed in my yard, receiving its signals
Tell me more, tell me more
I desire to know additional information and details
Who's the king of your satellite castle?
Who holds the ultimate power and control over this vast network of communication?
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
This satellite resides far above the clouds, free from limitations
Television we bounce 'round the world
Through television signals, we transmit information and entertainment across the globe
And while I spend these hours
During the time I dedicate to this activity
Five senses reeling
All my senses are overwhelmed and engaged
I laugh about this weatherman's satellite eyes.
I find amusement in the metaphorical eyes of the weatherman, shaped by satellite technology
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
This satellite resides far above the clouds, free from limitations
Television we bounce 'round the world
Through television signals, we transmit information and entertainment across the globe
And while I spend these hours
During the time I dedicate to this activity
Five senses reeling
All my senses are overwhelmed and engaged
I laugh about this weatherman's satellite eyes.
I find amusement in the metaphorical eyes of the weatherman, shaped by satellite technology
Satellite in my eyes
I feel a presence, like a satellite, constantly observing and affecting my perception
Like a diamond in the sky
This satellite shines brightly, captivating my attention
How I wonder.
I am curious and fascinated by its existence
Satellite strung from the moon
This satellite is connected to the moon, symbolizing a celestial bond
And the world your balloon
It carries and navigates through the vast world like a balloon floating in the sky
Peeping Tom for the mother station
This satellite serves as a curious observer for the central communication hub
Winter's cold spring erases
The passage of time transforms and removes the memories of winter
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Tranquility is disrupted and pursued by the approaching storm
Everything good needs replacing
Even the positive things in life eventually need to be replaced or refreshed
Look up, look down all around, satellite
Observing from different perspectives, this satellite is ever-present in our surroundings
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT COOK, JOSH FAULKNER, JEFF MATIKA, RYAN SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind