The band's first taste of success came with the release of their fourth album Wild and Peaceful (1973), which contained the US top-ten singles "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging". Kool & the Gang subsequently entered a period of decline before they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986 following their partnership with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James "J.T." Taylor to the line-up. Their most successful albums of this period include Ladies' Night (1979), Celebrate! (1980), and Emergency (1984), their highest selling album with two million copies sold in the US. Their hit singles during this period included "Ladies' Night", the US No. 1 "Celebration", "Get Down on It", "Joanna", "Misled", and "Cherish". The band continues to perform worldwide, including as support for Van Halen in 2012 and their fiftieth-anniversary tour in 2014.
Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for artistic achievement. As well the band has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and been bestowed with a Mobo Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Soul Train Legend Award, the Marian Anderson Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. During 2018, the Bells, Brown, and Taylor were also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Their discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles. They have sold 7.5 million and 4.5 million RIAA-certified albums and singles, respectively, in the US. Worldwide, they have sold 70 million albums.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool_%26_the_Gang
Studio albums
Kool and the Gang (1969)
Music Is the Message (1972)
Good Times (1972)
Wild and Peaceful (1973)
Light of Worlds (1974)
Spirit of the Boogie (1975)
Love & Understanding (1976)
Open Sesame (1976)
The Force (1977)
Everybody's Dancin' (1978)
Ladies' Night (1979)
Celebrate! (1980)
Something Special (1981)
As One (1982)
In the Heart (1983)
Emergency (1984)
Forever (1986)
Sweat (1989)
Unite (1992)
State of Affairs (1996)
Gangland (2001)
The Hits: Reloaded (2004)
Still Kool (2007)
Kool for the Holidays (2013)
Perfect Union (2021)
Better Late Than Never
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lonely hunger starts to gnaw as you wish away the pain
Of another desperate dead end day forever filled with sadness
To forget about the pain you take your bottle and drink your grain
Singing hail, hail, the gang's all here
Leave your worries at the door boy
For they're not going anywhere
Hail, hail the gang's all here
I know my friends will still be there
Well you're walking down the road and the wind is in your face
You're down and out and the unemployment line's a mile long
The money in your pocket may not get you through the day
But cheer up son I know a place where mugs like us belong
Singing hail, hail the gang's all here
Leave your worries at the door boy
For they're not going anywhere
Hail, hail the gang's all here
When the going gets tough
I know my friends will still be there
Pick your heart up off the ground though I'm sure it weights a ton
You're no better or no worse than any mother's son
Though you're up against all odds and you're backed against the wall
You recall the cheer "The gang's all here" and shout
Hail, hail, the gang's all here
Leave your worries at the door boy
For they're not going anywhere
Hail, hail the gang's all here
When the going gets tough
I know my friends will still be there
Hail, hail
Hail, hail
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The gang's all here
Hail, hail
The lyrics of Kool & The Gang's song "Better Late Than Never" portray a sense of camaraderie and friendship that help people deal with the hardships of life. The song depicts a scenario where an individual is struggling with various issues, such as financial troubles and loneliness. The devil is depicted as nipping at the heels of the individual, making it seem as though they are fighting a losing battle. However, the person's friends offer them comfort and companionship, creating a sense of hopefulness.
The song's lyrics suggest that even in the most desperate of times, friends will always be around to offer support and help one forget about their problems. The phrase "Hail, hail, the gang's all here" is used repeatedly throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of having friendship and camaraderie to help get through tough times. The lyrics suggest that even if things seem unbearable, having friends around will always make a difference. The song's message is one of hope, strength, and the importance of friendship.
Overall, "Better Late Than Never" by Kool & The Gang is a song that highlights the importance of friendship in the face of adversity. It showcases how people can come together and support one another through tough times, creating a sense of resilience and hopefulness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the devil's nipping at your heels and this time it's for real
You're facing a genuine struggle that could be your undoing.
A lonely hunger starts to gnaw as you wish away the pain
You're feeling isolated and pained, hoping things will get better.
Of another desperate dead end day forever filled with sadness
Every day seems bleak and hopeless, with no end in sight.
To forget about the pain you take your bottle and drink your grain
You turn to alcohol to numb the pain and escape reality.
Singing hail, hail, the gang's all here
The chorus reminds you that you have friends to rely on.
Leave your worries at the door boy
Don't let your problems consume you; focus on having a good time.
For they're not going anywhere
Your problems will still be there later, so set them aside for now.
When the going gets tough
During difficult times, remember that you have support.
I know my friends will still be there
You have confidence that your friends won't abandon you in hard times.
Well you're walking down the road and the wind is in your face
You're in a challenging situation with no easy solutions.
You're down and out and the unemployment line's a mile long
You're struggling with unemployment and financial insecurity.
The money in your pocket may not get you through the day
You're barely making ends meet, and it's a constant struggle.
But cheer up son I know a place where mugs like us belong
There's a community of people who understand the challenges you're facing.
Pick your heart up off the ground though I'm sure it weights a ton
You need to lift yourself up even if it feels impossible.
You're no better or no worse than any mother's son
You're not alone in your struggles; everyone faces hardships.
Though you're up against all odds and you're backed against the wall
You're facing significant obstacles and have limited options.
You recall the cheer "The gang's all here" and shout
You remember that you have friends who will support you through tough times.
Hail, hail, the gang's all here
Reminding yourself that you have friends to rely on.
Contributed by Tyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.