After some time, Leslie invited Lester to a performance at a local high school, and subsequently to sit in on a rehearsal. At the rehearsal, Lester joined in, and by the end of the sessions was part of the band. He immediately took over control of the band, and it went from being a soul band to being a funk band with the lineup:
Lester Abrams – drums, vocals, organ, acoustic piano, percussion
Arno Lucas – vocals, percussion
Leslie Smith – vocals
Rick Chudacoff – electric bass, backup vocals
Ron Cooley – electric and acoustic guitar
Geno DeVaughn – trumpet
Percy Marion – tenor saxophone, flute
Michael Patterson – alto saxophone
In 1969 the band cut three tracks, all written by Abrams: the soulful “Blind Man”, the Arno Lucas lead “Bad Luck”, and an instrumental funk number, “Blues for LA”.
Are You Ready
L.A. Carnival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking I be the best and the last
You got me babe it's feeling okay
Keeps me coming back for another day
I hardly knew ya
I hardly knew ya
Been socking it to ya
And now I'm learning to groove ya
It's feeling okay baby
The game of love you can not divide it
Unlike a coin that comes up two sided
Who can deny how it was when we started
Still need a little bit to keep us from starving
I hardly knew ya
I hardly knew ya
Been socking it to ya
And now I'm learning to groove ya
Learning to groove ya
It's feeling okay baby
You ready for love baby
You ready for sunshine and flowers
You ready for love baby
To lay in your bed for hours
You ready for love baby
You know it's the source of all power
You ready for love baby
You know it means more than your dollars Baby
I hardly knew ya
I hardly knew ya
Been socking it to ya
But now I'm learning to groove ya
It's feeling okay baby
You ready for love baby
You ready for sunshine and flowers
You ready for love baby
To lay in your bed for hours
You ready for love baby
You know it's the source of all power
You ready for love baby
You know it means more than your dollars Baby
You ready for love baby
You ready for sunshine and flowers
You ready for love baby
To lay in your bed for hours
Baby are you ready for Love
Hey Hey Hey
Baby are you ready for love
Hey Hey Hey
Baby are you ready for Love
Hey Hey Now
Baby are you ready for love
The source of all power
The lyrics to L.A. Carnival's song "Are You Ready" are an intriguing exploration of love, its complexities and contradictions, and the power it holds over us. The opening lines of the song, "Been walking long and talking fast, thinking I be the best and the last," suggest that the singer of the song is on a journey of self-discovery, seeking to find himself and his place in the world. As the song progresses, we see him grappling with the conflicting emotions and desires that love can bring.
"I hardly knew ya" is a refrain that appears several times throughout the song, and it seems to express a sense of unease or uncertainty about the relationship. The singer has been "socking it to ya," which suggests that he has been giving it his all, but he is now "learning to groove ya," implying that he is still figuring out how to make the relationship work.
Despite the complications and challenges, the singer insists that "it's feeling okay baby," and he extols the virtues of love, describing it as "the source of all power" and something that is more valuable than money. He asks the listener repeatedly if they are "ready for love," suggesting that while it may be difficult, it is ultimately worth the effort.
All in all, "Are You Ready" is a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the joys and difficulties of love, and it showcases L.A. Carnival's ability to write compelling and insightful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Been walking long and talking fast
I have been moving forward and talking quickly.
Thinking I be the best and the last
Believing that I am the best and will be the last one standing.
You got me babe it's feeling okay
You have my heart, and I am content with it.
Keeps me coming back for another day
I keep returning to you, because you make me happy.
I hardly knew ya
I barely knew you.
Been socking it to ya
I have been pursuing you intensely.
And now I'm learning to groove ya
Now, I understand how to love you.
It's feeling okay baby
I am content with the way things are, baby.
The game of love you can not divide it
Love cannot be separated, divided, or broken apart.
Unlike a coin that comes up two sided
It's not like a coin that may have two different sides.
Who can deny how it was when we started
No one can deny how we felt when we first began our relationship.
Still need a little bit to keep us from starving
We still need a little bit of love, to keep our relationship growing.
You ready for love baby
Are you prepared to love, my darling?
You ready for sunshine and flowers
Are you prepared for happiness and joy?
To lay in your bed for hours
To spend hours with you in bed.
You know it's the source of all power
You know that love is the most potent and valuable entity there is.
You know it means more than your dollars Baby
You understand that love is more important than money, my sweetheart.
Baby are you ready for Love
Darling, are you ready to love?
Hey Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey.
Baby are you ready for love
Sweetie, are you prepared to love?
Hey Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey.
Baby are you ready for Love
Babe, are you ready for love?
Hey Hey Now
Hey Hey Now.
Baby are you ready for love
Sweetheart, are you prepared to love?
The source of all power
Love is the most potent and valuable entity there is.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Barry Bastian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind