Junior Walker was born Autry DeWalt Jr. in Blytheville, Arkansas in 1942. Some accounts list his birth name as Oscar G. Mixon, and say his name was changed at some point during his early childhood. He grew up in South Bend, Indiana where he became a proficient saxophone player, studying the methods of some of the prominent sax players of the time. During his teens, DeWalt joined a group called the Jumping Jacks and began to perform in local clubs, calling himself Junior Walker.
He next joined a trio led by drummer Billy "Stix" Nicks, which also featured organist Fred Patton. They soon added backing vocalist and guitarist Willie Woods, and played around northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Walker took over the group after Nicks joined the Army and in the late '50s, relocated to Battle Creek, MI, and formed a band billed as Junior Walker & the All-Stars. Initially, they featured Patton, Woods, and drummer Tony Washington. Patton was later replaced by Victor Thomas, and Washington by Jack Douglas and, finally, James Graves. The All-Stars continued to play around the area, and took up a residency in Battle Creek's El Grotto club.
It was at the El Grotto that they were noticed by Johnny Bristol, who recommended them to Harvey Fuqua, who had sang with Harvey and the Moonglows. By this time, Fuqua was running his own fledgling record label called simply "Harvey". Fuqua liked what he heard and signed Junior Walker and the All Stars in 1962.
The Harvey label was soon bought out by Motown, and the group found itself recording with Soul Records. Soul was a subsidiary of Motown and all of the group's subsequent hits in the US were released on the Soul label, although they had some Tamla/Motown hits on the charts in the UK.
In early 1965, the band scored their first big hit with a dance tune that Walker had written called "Shotgun", which marked Junior's vocal debut. In fact, the only reason he sang the song was that the vocalist he'd hired didn't show up for the session, and he was somewhat flabbergasted by the label's decision to leave his vocal intact. Berry Gordy's instincts proved right, however, when "Shotgun" topped the R&B charts and hit number four on the Pop chart.
In 1966, Graves left and was replaced by old friend Billy "Stix" Nicks. Walker's hits continued with tunes like "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 Pop) and "Pucker Up Buttercup". (#3 Pop) Toward the end of the '60s, seeking to diversify their approach, the All-Stars began recording more ballad material, complete with string arrangements and Walker vocals. That approach resulted in the group's second Top Five pop hit, the R&B number one "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" which helped refuel Walker's career. He landed several more R&B Top Ten hits over the next few years, including a cover of The Guess Who's "These Eyes", which went to number 16 on the Pop chart. Musical tastes changed in the 70's and the final top forty hit for Junior Walker and the All Stars was "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" in 1970.
Walker resurfaced as a solo artist during the disco era, working with producer Brian Holland beginning in 1976 with the single "Hot Shot". A pair of albums followed. In 1979, Walker joined up with another former Motown mainstay, signing with producer Norman Whitfield's Whitfield label, though without much success.
Walker returned to the spotlight in 1981 with a guest solo on Foreigner's Top Five hit "Urgent". Two years later, he re-signed with Motown and recorded "Blow the House Down". His melodic style was now being absorbed into a new generation of R&B-flavoured jazz instrumentalists.
Junior continued to perform in the 80's and 90's, often with his son Autry DeWalt III on drums. Sadly, Junior Walker developed cancer in 1993 and as his health deteriorated, he had difficulty walking. He died on November 23, 1995 in Battle Creek, Michigan at age 53.
In the wake of his death, Billy "Stix" Nicks continued to tour with a version of the All-Stars.
http://www.classicbands.com/jrwalker.html
Revolution
Junior Walker & The All Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When your world it falls apart
We believe that we've been
walking in the light
When we're crawling in the dark
And we've been going round in
all the wrong directions
by phasers set to stun
It's time for all the world to
wake up one by one
It's only just begun
(Chorus)
Oh...It's a revolution
Open up your eyes, try to realise
Oh...In a fit of confusion
Open up your eyes, try to realise
It's time to make a change
Have we all been crying out
without making connection
Can you understand just where
i'm coming from
It's time for us to wake up
one by one
It's only just begun
It's only just begun
(Chorus)
The lyrics of "Revolution" by Junior Walker & The All Stars delve into themes of realization, awakening, and the urgent need for change in the face of desperation and confusion. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of a world in crisis where everything seems to be falling apart. The singer reflects on the disillusionment of believing one is walking in the light when, in reality, they are lost in darkness. This juxtaposition of light and darkness symbolizes the contrast between perception and reality, highlighting the need for clarity and truth.
The imagery of "going round in all the wrong directions" speaks to the endless cycle of misguided actions and choices that have led to a state of collective disorientation. The mention of being "shot by phasers set to stun" suggests a sudden and shocking impact that has jolted individuals out of their complacency. This could be a metaphor for waking up to the harsh realities of the world and realizing the need for radical change.
The call for the world to "wake up one by one" underscores the individual responsibility for initiating change. The repetition of the line "It's only just begun" emphasizes the idea that this awakening is just the starting point for a larger transformation. The chorus echoes this sentiment, urging listeners to open their eyes and realize the need for a revolution, both internally and externally.
The lyrics probe deeper into the idea of making connections and understanding each other's perspectives. The question of whether people have been "crying out without making connection" suggests a sense of isolation and disillusionment with the current state of affairs. The plea to "make a change" serves as a rallying cry for unity and action, emphasizing the power of collective consciousness to bring about meaningful transformation. Overall, "Revolution" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of awareness, empathy, and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a desperate situation
Facing a dire circumstance that feels hopeless
When your world it falls apart
Experiencing the collapse of everything around you
We believe that we've been walking in the light
Thinking we've been living in truth and clarity
When we're crawling in the dark
Actually moving forward blindly and uncertainly
And we've been going round in all the wrong directions
Continuously making misguided choices
And have we all been shot by phasers set to stun
Feeling as though our progress has been halted by unknown forces
It's time for all the world to wake up one by one
It's necessary for people to become aware of the truth individually
It's only just begun
We are just starting to realize the need for change
Oh...It's a revolution
This is a time of significant societal change
Open up your eyes, try to realise
Take a closer look at what is happening and understand it
Oh...In a fit of confusion
During a period of chaos and uncertainty
It's time to make a change
We must take action to bring about positive transformation
Have we all been crying out without making connection
Expressing our distress without truly connecting with others
Can you understand just where i'm coming from
Can you empathize with my perspective and experiences
It's time for us to wake up one by one
Each individual needs to awaken to the need for change
It's only just begun
We are at the beginning stages of a new era
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mungojerry311
The saxophone wail in the intro was later sampled in House Of Pain's "Jump Around"
Daniel Burns
this song went to #33 on the R&B charts in 1967!!!
Eric Huffstutler
Am I imagining things but do I remember this Motown franchise label using a thicker and heavier vinyl with deeper grooves than the other labels (Gordy, Tamla, Motown)?
jean auber
💚
Nukelol
pack it up pack it in
_h_e_a_t_h_e_r_
let me begin
Leonard Garcia
That rhythm guitar beat is dope!!
fargeeks
i didnt know the disgusting sounding term "shoot your shot" has been said back in the 60s
Kevin Goins
Oh please you're projecting. It had a completely different meaning then.
Emmanuel Aquin
@Kevin Goins "Projecting" 👍