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 Wish We'd All Been Ready
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all of us got trampled on the floor
I wish wed all been ready
The children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish wed all been ready
[Chorus]
The son has come and you've been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head he's gone
I wish wed all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and ones left standing still
I wish wed all been ready
[Chorus]
The father spoke, the demons dined
How could you have been so blind?
[Chorus: x2
I hope well all be ready
You've been left behind [Repeat: x3]
Larry Norman's song I Wish We'd All Been Ready is a powerful Christian song that explores the idea of the rapture and the end of the world. The lyrics suggest that life is full of guns and war and that we are all trampled on the floor. The song urges listeners to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ, as the end could come at any moment. The imagery in the song is stark and haunting, as the children die, the days grow cold and a piece of bread could buy a bag of gold. The repeated line, "I wish we'd all been ready" is a plea for listeners to think about their faith and be prepared for the end.
The chorus of the song warns that there is no time to change our minds once the son has come and we've been left behind. The song tells a story of a man and wife who are asleep in bed and when she hears a noise and turns her head, he is gone. It also describes two men walking up a hill and one disappears, leaving the other standing still. These scenes illustrate the suddenness and unpredictability of the end of the world, and the need for people to be ready for it.
The final verse brings home the message of the song, with a warning that if we are not prepared, we will be left behind. The father speaks to the people, but they are blinded by their own demons. The repeated chorus urges us all to be ready for the end, stating that "I hope we'll all be ready, you've been left behind."
Overall, this song is a powerful call to people to think about their faith and be prepared for the unexpected. It uses rich imagery and poignant storytelling to bring home the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Life was filled with guns and war
The singer describes the violent times that they lived in.
And all of us got trampled on the floor
Everyone was affected by the violence and chaos around them.
I wish we'd all been ready
The singer reflects on their regrets and wishes that everyone had been prepared for what was to come.
The children died, the days grew cold
The effects of war and violence were devastating, and life became bleak and difficult.
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
Resources became scarce and valuable, with even the basic necessities having a high cost.
I wish we'd all been ready
The singer reiterates their lament for the lack of preparation.
There's no time to change your mind
It's too late to make a different choice, and the consequences are irreversible.
The son has come and you've been left behind
The artist references a religious belief about the end of the world, where those who were not ready will be left behind.
A man and wife asleep in bed
The artist describes a scene of intimacy and vulnerability.
She hears a noise and turns her head he's gone
In a moment of fear or unease, something changes and the man is no longer present.
I wish we'd all been ready
The singer expresses their regret and wishes for greater preparation.
Two men walking up a hill
The artist describes another scene, this time a journey up a hill, with two people.
One disappears and one's left standing still
One person is suddenly and inexplicably gone, leaving the other behind.
I wish we'd all been ready
The singer repeats their wish that everyone had been better prepared.
The father spoke, the demons dined
The singer references a biblical scene, where the father (presumably God) spoke, but evil forces were at work.
How could you have been so blind?
The artist expresses frustration and disbelief at the lack of preparation and foresight.
I hope we'll all be ready
The final line is a note of hope, expressing a desire for better preparation and a more positive outcome.
You've been left behind [Repeat: x3]
The last line repeats the religious imagery of being left behind, building on the sense of urgency and the need for preparation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LARRY NORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinthomas6488
This song, the movie it came from, changed my life forever. I trusted Christ because of this. I went to Florida Bible College, and met my wife of 36 years and counting.
@ruthyahr4231
I have a son I had not seen for 8 years he did get save when he was a little boy but now he said he dont belive in God I would to see him go to hell
@stoner_vinny
Ruth Yahr is he alright? I hope that he does believe again, so that he will see Heaven. God bless you.
@stoner_vinny
That’s awesome my brother in Christ. How are you doing now? And what do you think of the times we are living in now, with this stuff going on. God bless you brother Kevin, stay strong and encouraged in the name of Jesus.
@tracylowe139
@@ruthyahr4231 my son is the same ☹️
@defaultHandle1110
Anywhere to watch the movie ?
@Matt_Heebs
This song is about to become reality any day now.
@Devorah41
Yes
@deniseeng477
Oh please
@SharonVieira83
Amen