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/
One Way
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold up high your hands
One way, free and forgiven
Children of the Lamb
Two roads diverged in the middle of my life
I heard a wise man say
And I took the one less traveled by
So I say one way, one way to Heaven
Hold your heads up high
Follow, free and forgiven
Children of the sky
Children of the sky, halelu
Children of the sky
The lyrics of Larry Norman's "One Way" speak about the concept of faith and the journey towards the ultimate destination of Heaven. The opening lines proclaim that there is only one path to reach this destination, which is by holding up one's hands towards the sky, embracing the faith and the love of the Almighty. The next line talks about how this path leads one towards being free and forgiven, being accepted as a child of God. The phrase "Children of the Lamb" refers to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
The second verse alludes to the famous poem by Robert Frost - "The Road Not Taken". The poet talks about standing at a fork in the road and taking the path that is less traveled, which has made all the difference. Just like that, Larry Norman suggests that in life, there are two paths that one can take, and choosing the path towards faith and Heaven can make all the difference. He once again reiterates the idea that there is only one way towards the ultimate goal of Heaven, and those who follow it will be free and forgiven.
In the final lines, Larry sings that those who follow the path of faith are not just children of God, but also children of the sky, and he uses the term 'Halelu' in joyous celebration. He urges his listeners to hold their heads up high, signifying that one should never be ashamed of their faith and always keep it close to their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
One way, one way to Heaven
There is only one path that leads to heaven
Hold up high your hands
Express your devotion by raising your hands
One way, free and forgiven
The chosen way offers freedom and forgiveness
Children of the Lamb
Those who follow the path are referred to as children of the Lamb
Two roads diverged in the middle of my life
At some point in the author's life, he faced a decision that would determine his path
I heard a wise man say
Someone gave him valuable advice
And I took the one less traveled by
He chose the path that was unconventional and less popular
And that's made the difference, every night and every day
Choosing that path has made a significant difference in his life
So I say one way, one way to Heaven
He is affirming the existence of only one way to heaven
Hold your heads up high
Be proud of your decision to follow the path
Follow, free and forgiven
By following the path, you will be free and granted forgiveness
Children of the sky
Those who follow the path are referred to as children of the sky
Children of the sky, halelu
An exclamation of praise to those who follow the path
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LARRY NORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
24carrot gold
Larry Norman performed in concert at my college in 1975. I memorized this song 🎵 👆
Davidjh1
Yes. Great song. Always loved it. Friend of mine came to Christ and shared this me. Have always remembered. ☺
Robin Deal
Sounds so beautiful.
Words so special
fab2263
Great job as usual, Greg! God bless you!
James k Chapman
It's coming..Great song
None yo Dam business
Powerful
Teri Lynge-Kehl
<3 Children of the Lamb.....