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/
People Get Ready
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
There's room for all of the loved and lost
Yeah yeah
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
Oh people get ready there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah
I'm getting ready I'm ready
Oh I'm getting ready I'm ready
Larry Norman's song "People Get Ready" acknowledges Christ's return and urges listeners to be prepared for it. The lyrics state that regardless of religion or social status, one can board the train to salvation, but only if they carry faith instead of baggage. The song, therefore, tells the listener to get ready for the coming salvation, emphasizing that all one needs is faith to be saved, and not material possessions or titles. The lyrics also assert that all "loved and lost" will have a place on the train. As the song progresses, it warns that sinful individuals who are harsh towards others in order to save themselves will have nowhere to hide during judgment day. Still, the song ends on a hopeful note, with Norman revealing that he himself is getting ready.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready there's a train a-comin'
The opportunity to change your life is coming, so prepare yourself for it.
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
To join this opportunity, you don't have to bring any material possessions or burdens with you.
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
What you need is faith to recognize the potential of the opportunity and to believe in its power.
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
You don't have to pay anything to take advantage of this opportunity, just show gratitude for it.
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Prepare yourself for a new journey, a new direction in your life.
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
The opportunity is open to everyone, regardless of where they come from.
Faith is the key open the doors and board them
Faith is what unlocks the opportunity and lets you take advantage of it.
There's room for all of the loved and lost
Everyone is invited to the new journey, regardless of their past and background.
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Those who reject the opportunity or try to exploit it will not be welcomed.
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
People who harm others to gain personal benefit will not be accepted.
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
Show empathy and assistance to those who have less opportunity or struggle in life.
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
Eventually, all your actions and decisions will be judged, so be mindful about them.
I'm getting ready I'm ready
The singer is enthusiastic and motivated to take this opportunity for himself.
Oh I'm getting ready I'm ready
The singer emphasizes his readiness and eagerness to join the journey.
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Schartle
Thank you for your work on these Greg. There is just something about Larry and his music that speaks to my heart and from my heart. God used him to help disciple and Shepard me along my journey through this mortal life on our way to eternal life. I am so pleased and encouraged that God uses broken and bruised reeds to do His work. Only God can get the glory if we have eyes to see it.
SilvrmaneWJ Rockz
I believe a lot of folks are going to be astounded when the King of Glory comes to Larry and gives him a special place of honor for his servanthood here on earth. He- and they- will realize that when Jesus said "your sins are forgiven you, Larry" He the Lord of Heaven and earth had the authority from His Heavenly Father to speak it.
Larry Norman
+The Custom King I feel the same way... Larry songs just do it for me. I feel so connected to God when hearing him sing. --- God loves and guides us, He uses ordinary men and woman. He is not picky!!!
gpomeroy
Greg , thank you for posting Larry's Copper Wires. I was so bless to record with Larry after 24 yrs . It was a chance to redeem after The Israel Tapes. In Him we live and have our being!
Larry Norman
+gpomeroy You are most welcome - Great job. Copper Wires is one of my favorite albums!
Jenny Murray
Love this song :)
Jee-hoon Oh
Thank you for your posting especially, given the lyrics.~ from Seoul, Korea.
Terje Engstrøm
Good videos! Good work brother!
Lorna Denton
Another cool track of Larry's, so getting into this right now. HE is right on time. Amen
Lorna Denton
Yeah!!!