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/
Peacepollutionrevolution
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each side has its battle plans and a million counterplots.
And the world is closely watching as we near the battle line
But if you're truly wise you'll keep your eyes on Palestine.
The water is polluted and the air is filled with death
Someday it won't be easy to stop and catch your breath
It's all in Revelations, it part of the design
Ba, ba, ba, ba...
I marched for peace in Washington when things were getting hot,
I gave blood in Chicago, went anemic on the spot.
I would have hitchhiked to Toronto, but it's all a waste of time
So I'm writing down this song for you
To sing and pass along to you
And if you're truly wise you'll keep your eyes on Palestine.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... revolution.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... peace and pollution.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... tribulation.
Ba, ba, ba, ba...
Larry Norman's song "Peace Pollution Revolution" speaks of the current state of the world, where revolution is in the air, but no one has fired a shot yet. Each side has its own battle plans, and the world is watching intently as we approach the battle lines. The chorus brings attention to Palestine, urging the listener to keep their eyes on it, as it holds the key to true wisdom. The world is in a state of turmoil, where the water is polluted, and the air is filled with death. Eventually, it will become difficult to breathe amidst all the pollution. Norman believes that all of it is part of the design mentioned in Revelations, tying into the Christian themes the artist was known for.
Norman's message is clear - he advocates for peace, but at the same time, he understands that revolution is necessary for change. He has marched for peace in Washington and given blood in Chicago, but he believes that such efforts may be a waste of time. He chooses to write this song, urging the listener to sing and pass it along. The song speaks of a world that is on the brink of war, where the environment is being destroyed, and all of it ties back to Palestine. The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's eyes on Palestine, understanding the situation there, and working towards a peaceful resolution.
Line by Line Meaning
The word is revolution, but no one's fired a shot,
Despite talk of revolution, there has been no actual violence or conflict yet.
Each side has its battle plans and a million counterplots.
Both sides of the conflict have made detailed strategies and countermeasures.
And the world is closely watching as we near the battle line
The world is paying close attention as the conflict approaches.
But if you're truly wise you'll keep your eyes on Palestine.
However, those who are wise will focus on Palestine, the location of the heart of the conflict.
The water is polluted and the air is filled with death
The environment is contaminated and hazardous to health.
Someday it won't be easy to stop and catch your breath
The situation will eventually become unbearable and oppressive.
It's all in Revelations, it part of the design
These environmental problems are prophesied in the Bible, and part of God's plan.
And if you're truly wise you'll keep your eyes on Palestine.
Again, wisdom means focusing on Palestine, despite the other problems in the world.
I marched for peace in Washington when things were getting hot,
The artist has participated in peaceful protests for peace.
I gave blood in Chicago, went anemic on the spot.
The artist has also donated blood, even to the point of becoming anemic.
I would have hitchhiked to Toronto, but it's all a waste of time
However, the singer believes more drastic methods like hitchhiking are not worthwhile.
So I'm writing down this song for you
Instead, the artist is sharing their thoughts through music.
To sing and pass along to you
And encouraging others to do the same.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... revolution.
Chanting the word revolution.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... peace and pollution.
Chanting peace and pollution.
Ba, ba, ba, ba... tribulation.
Chanting the idea of suffering and hardship.
Ba, ba, ba, ba...
Continued chant, with no specific meaning.
Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
vhamlin181
Nothing really changes , everything remains the same ,
We are what we are till the day we die.
Create in me a New Clean Heart!
tregle96
Love me some Larry Norman!
lights that blink
Any song that uses the phrase sha la la la in it is awesome.
Gordon Teats
Amen and amen
artvandelay1967
unintentionally relevant even more in 2021
warriorpoet
More relevant than ever