In the late '60s he was a member of the rock band People!. People! released its first album I Love You in 1968 and had a Top 20 hit with the song, "I Love You" (written by Chris White of The Zombies).
Norman left People! and released his first solo album, Upon This Rock, in 1969. This could be considered the first Christian rock album, and included one of Norman's most memorable songs I Wish We'd All Been Ready. He followed up with the 1972 LP Only Visiting This Planet, which included an anthem for the burgeoning Christian rock movement, Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music. What made the album particularly significant was the combination of credible rock and roll music with songwriting that critiqued both American society and the contemporary church. Norman's songwriting stunned many in the Christian music scene by its bold references to subjects ranging from the Vietnam War to venereal disease and even the U.S. space program. The album was named the most significant album in Christian music history by a mid-1980s critic's poll in CCM Magazine, though it had slipped lower (though still in the top ten) in a similar CCM Magazine poll in the mid-1990s.
Norman's albums were a mixture of rock styles, with lyrics that were usually very serious, but occasionally very silly, (especially when performing with his best friend Randy Stonehill, whose first albums in the 1970s were produced by Norman).
In the late 1970s, Norman formed Solid Rock Records, which went on to release Stonehill's Welcome to Paradise and The Sky is Falling. He also produced Tom Howard's A View From The Bridge, and Mark Heard's Appalachian Melody among titles from other artists and himself.
But perhaps the most controversial involvement in Norman's career occurred over Daniel Amos' Horrendous Disc LP. The album had been dropped by Maranatha! Records after the label decided to quit releasing rock and roll albums and focus on children's releases and gospel music. So the band, now without a record contract, began to shop the project around to various labels. After considering a number of offers including the Warner Brothers' label Curb Records, Daniel Amos settled on Norman's Solid Rock Records. Norman had the album mixed and took photos of the band for the album's cover, though most of the tracks were recorded back in 1978 with Mike "Clay" Stone (Queen, Frank Zappa) as producer. For reasons that remain a mystery, the album was shelved until its release in April 1981, weeks before the band's follow up on Newpax Records, ¡Alarma!, hit record stores. The incident continues to generate controversy among the fans of D.A. and Norman.
The late 70's marked a difficult time for Norman. He was severely injured aboard an airplane in 1978 when an overhead compartment door fell on his head. Norman claimed that this accident gave him a "bipolar trauma" which made it impossible for him to work to completion on albums; he did not record a studio album for the next twelve years. A dispute with Word Records resulted in the dismantling of the Solid Rock label in 1980. Norman moved to Europe and formed the Phydeaux label.
In 1992, he suffered a severe heart attack and was expected to live less than one week. He survived high-risk surgery and was left with very limited cardiopulmonary ability. Even though easily winded, he continued to perform, although very infrequently. He performed what was billed as his "final" concert in October of 2003. Then, in 2005 he announced two more "final" concerts: one in his adopted home of Salem, Oregon and the other at a seaside festival in Norway. Additional dates in the United Kingdom were also planned. A further concert by Norman (with two members of the band People!) took place in August 2006.
Norman was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Larry passed away on Feb. 24th 2008 after a long battle with heart related problems.
www.larrynorman.com/
I Will Survive
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I will still be here tomorrow
I will survive, I will survive.
And nothing's gonna stop me knowing
That love is real, it keeps me going.
When the children are hungry I weep for them, I wanna hold them tight.
When the shadows grow longer and the cold moves in
I turn up my collar and walk into the night.
Come to me my little boy,
You have given me life's greatest joy.
I will survive, I will survive.
This road before us winds beyond the glade
Some fall dancing the the slow parade
I will survive, I will survive.
As the season go by in my father's world
My eyes grow dim
I will trust not in the things I see
But bow my heart and lift my hands to him.
Temptation beckons or befalls me,
Fear and indecision stalls me.
I will survive, I will survive.
Illusion shines like diamonds glistening,
My father's watching, he is listening
I will survive, I will survive.
If you see me walking slowly like a man who's blind
If you speak and I do not look up
Then you must forgive me but I've got heaven on my mind.
Though my days ahead are numbered,
My life is rich, I have not slumbered
I will survive, I will survive.
Some hearts are pierced by love long lost
Let my heart be pierced by the cross
I will survive, I will survive.
Friends may come and friends may go
But enemies stay for the late show.
I will survive, I will survive.
Friendships fail and love's elusive
Life goes quickly, time's abusive.
I will survive, I will survive.
The lyrics to "I Will Survive" by Larry Norman speak of a life full of pain and sorrow, but also a determination to keep going. The repeated refrain of "I will survive" emphasizes this determination and strength. The songwriter speaks of seeing love as a source of motivation and hope, despite the hardships of life. The lyrics switch between personal struggles and a larger concern for the suffering of others, particularly children going hungry. The songwriter turns to faith as a way of coping, acknowledging that life is not always easy but affirming a belief in something more.
The song seems to be about the ups and downs of life, the difficulties and the moments of joy. The songwriter recognizes that life is not always kind and that there will be struggles, but refuses to give in to despair. Instead, they choose to focus on the things that make life worth living - love, faith, and the possibility of making a difference for others. The lyrics suggest a sense of resilience and a determination to keep going despite the hardships that life can bring.
Overall, "I Will Survive" is a powerful song about perseverance and overcoming adversity. Despite the struggles that the songwriter has faced, they remain hopeful and determined. The lyrics suggest a deep belief in love and faith as sources of strength and motivation. The song is a reminder that life can be tough, but with resilience and a strong sense of purpose, it is possible to survive and even thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had a life of pain and sorrow,
But I will still be here tomorrow
I've experienced a lot of difficulties and hardship in my life, but I won't give up and will still be here tomorrow.
And nothing's gonna stop me knowing
That love is real, it keeps me going.
Despite any obstacles, I know that love is a powerful force that gives me the strength to keep going.
When the children are hungry I weep for them,
I wanna hold them tight.
When the shadows grow longer and the cold moves in
I turn up my collar and walk into the night.
I am deeply moved by the suffering of children and wish I could do more to help them. When things are tough, I don't give up - I keep moving forward.
Come to me my little boy,
You have given me life's greatest joy.
Addressing someone dear to him - perhaps his son - he expresses the joy this person gives him.
This road before us winds beyond the glade
Some fall dancing the the slow parade
Life is full of twists and turns that we can't always foresee. Some people get lost in the journey, while others embrace it and enjoy the ride.
As the season go by in my father's world
My eyes grow dim
I will trust not in the things I see
But bow my heart and lift my hands to him.
As he grows older and the seasons change, he trusts in God to help him navigate the rest of his life.
Temptation beckons or befalls me,
Fear and indecision stalls me.
I will survive, I will survive.
He admits to being tempted and sometimes paralyzed with fear, but he knows he will overcome these challenges and keep going.
Illusion shines like diamonds glistening,
My father's watching, he is listening
I will survive, I will survive.
Although illusions - false beliefs or perceptions - may seem attractive, he knows that God is watching and listening, giving him strength to persevere.
If you see me walking slowly like a man who's blind
If you speak and I do not look up
Then you must forgive me but I've got heaven on my mind.
He may seem distracted or distant, but it's because he's thinking about his faith and what it means to him.
Though my days ahead are numbered,
My life is rich, I have not slumbered
I will survive, I will survive.
He is aware that he doesn't have forever, but he feels blessed to have had a full and fulfilling life.
Some hearts are pierced by love long lost
Let my heart be pierced by the cross
I will survive, I will survive.
Even though love can be painful and difficult, he would rather have his heart pierced by the cross - a symbol of his faith - and keep on surviving.
Friends may come and friends may go
But enemies stay for the late show.
I will survive, I will survive.
While friends may come and go, enemies seem to stick around longer. But no matter what, he won't let them get the best of him - he will keep on surviving.
Friendships fail and love's elusive
Life goes quickly, time's abusive.
I will survive, I will survive.
Friendships and love can be hard to come by, and life can feel like it's slipping away. Nevertheless, he won't give up - he has the grit and resilience to keep on surviving.
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marie Elizabeth
I am always amazed at Larry Norman as a song writer, lyricist and artist -- this song is another example. Thanks for putting this together.
l free
Me too. He was an astonishingly talented artist and musician with incredible depth of spirit.
l free
One of the greatest lessons he teaches me is how it is possible to stay true to what you believe and that to which you're called despite obstacles and criticism. I admire him very much for that.
Lawerence Matthews
Beautiful song
l free
I'm not sure there's anything he could sing that I wouldn't love.