Larry Graham, Jr. (born August 14, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas) is an American … Read Full Bio ↴Larry Graham, Jr. (born August 14, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas) is an American baritone singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as both the bass guitar player in the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone, and as the founder and frontman of Graham Central Station. He is credited with the invention of the slapping technique, which radically expanded the tonal palette of the bass guitar, although he himself refers to the technique as "Thumpin' and Pluckin'."

Today
Larry Graham Lyrics

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Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out

I wanted more

Than life could ever grant me
Bored by the chore
Of saving face

Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out

Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings

Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day

I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you

Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day

Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Larry Graham's song "Today" carry a profound and insightful message that deals with the human struggles of facing the present moment. The first few lines of the song "Today is the greatest day I've ever known, can't live for tomorrow, tomorrow's much too long" reveal that the singer is acknowledging the value and importance of the present day. The singer doesn't want to waste any more time waiting for the future or regretting the past. He reflects on how life can be disappointing, and at times one may feel that one has not been granted all they desired. Dealing with regrets, the singer tries to move beyond that and embrace life to the fullest.

The idea of "burning my eyes out before I get out" represents the singer's desire not to oversleep, to see life as it is and to appreciate every moment. The line "I'll tear my heart out before I get out" may point towards the pain of leaving life unnoticed or the fear of being ignored by the ones he loves.

Throughout the song, the singer tries to explain that he wants to turn his partner's life on, not just physically but mentally too. The song reminds us of the importance of not living with regret, embracing the present, and making the most of every day.

Line by Line Meaning

Today is the greatest
This very day is the best I’ve ever encountered

Day I've ever known
This is the most remarkable day of my existence

Can't live for tomorrow,
It's impossible for me to focus on the future

Tomorrow's much too long
The idea of waiting for tomorrow is unbearable

I'll burn my eyes out
I’d rather go blind than face tomorrow

Before I get out
I’d rather be blind than face the uncertain tomorrow

I wanted more
My needs were greater than what life could provide

Than life could ever grant me
What I wanted could never be provided by life

Bored by the chore
The task of keeping up appearances was tiring

Of saving face
Trying to avoid loss of respect was tedious

Can't wait for tomorrow
Happening now is far better than what tomorrow promises