Larry David Norman (April 8, 1947 - February 24, 2008) was an American sing… Read Full Bio ↴Larry David Norman (April 8, 1947 - February 24, 2008) was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who is considered a pioneer of Christian Rock. His music is primarily folk rock reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, sometimes with strong orchestral or blues influences. He has had a strong influence on several later rock musicians and has been called one of the fathers of Jesus music and Christian Rock.

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/

Shot Down
Larry Norman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been shot down, talked about
Some people scandalize my name,
But here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.

I've been knocked down, kicked around
But like a moth drawn to the flame,
Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.

I've been rebuked for the things I've said,
For the songs I've written and the life I've led.
They say they don't understand me, well I'm not surprised,
Because you can't see nothing when you close your eyes.

They say I'm sinful, backslidden,
That I have left to follow fame.
But here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.

You wanna talk about my life, hey listen to me,
You got your facts all backwards, one two three
Spreading rumors and gossip is a real bad game
The only name to spread is Jesus' name,

I've been knocked down, kicked around
But like a moth drawn to the flame,
Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus brother,

Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus sister,
Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.

Overall Meaning

Larry Norman's "Shot Down" is a song that talks about the trials and tribulations that are associated with being a Christian in a world that is predominantly secular. The first verse speaks about how people have been gossiping and scandalizing Norman's name because he talks about Jesus. However, he is proud to say that he is still continuing to talk about Jesus just as passionately as he always has. Norman has been knocked down and kicked around, but he is still committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. The second verse talks about how people have rebuked him for the things he has said and the songs he has written. Norman is not surprised that they do not understand him because they have closed their eyes and are not open to seeing what he is trying to communicate. In the third verse, Norman addresses the rumors and gossip that are being spread about him. He is not interested in responding to them because they are backward and spreading them will not lead to anything good. Instead, he urges people to spread Jesus' name and leave rumors and gossip out of the equation.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been shot down, talked about
I've faced criticism and gossip about me and my beliefs.

Some people scandalize my name,
Some people spread rumors and negative information about me.

But here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.
Despite their efforts, I'm still talking about Jesus and spreading his message.

I've been knocked down, kicked around
I've faced adversity and obstacles in my journey.

But like a moth drawn to the flame,
Despite that, I'm still drawn to Jesus' light and message.

I've been rebuked for the things I've said,
I've faced criticism and reprimands for my words and ideas.

For the songs I've written and the life I've led.
My creative endeavors and personal choices have also been met with disapproval.

They say they don't understand me, well I'm not surprised,
Those who criticize me often do not take the time to truly understand me.

Because you can't see nothing when you close your eyes.
They are unable to see the truth and accept my positive message when they choose to ignore it.

They say I'm sinful, backslidden,
They accuse me of being immoral and having strayed from my faith.

That I have left to follow fame.
They suggest that I have abandoned my faith in favor of seeking personal glory and success.

But here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.
Despite their false accusations, I remain committed to spreading Jesus' message.

You wanna talk about my life, hey listen to me,
Those who spread negative information about me have not fully heard my story.

You got your facts all backwards, one two three
Their information is incorrect and does not reflect my true character or beliefs.

Spreading rumors and gossip is a real bad game
Their actions are harmful and misguided.

The only name to spread is Jesus' name,
Instead of spreading false narratives about me, they should focus on sharing Jesus' message of love and kindness.

Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus brother,
I'm still spreading Jesus' message despite people's negative attitudes.

Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus sister,
I remain committed to sharing Jesus' teachings with all people, regardless of their gender.

Here I am, talkin' 'bout Jesus just the same.
My commitment to spreading Jesus' message remains strong and unwavering despite any challenges I have faced.

Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Man Joe

3y↑5

Beautiful song,I am living far from US, I never heard before about Larry Norman ,now I knew it,he is a great Christian musician, God bless you all from Indonesia.

Melissa Sours-Tyrrell

2y↑4

I'm a Larry Norman fan. I've always liked his music. Good song.

Hey Old Man

1y↑3

i saw him in Vancouver Canada . he was great … i saw every thing from hard core bikers to the other side of that spectrum and he loved us all Rest in Peace my friend. you did good Larry

logosjohn1

2y↑6

I have this little pocket Bible that Phil Keaggy signed. When I went to a Randy Stonehill concert he signed his name right under Phil’s and said “Hey, I know that guy!” Then I answered, “All I need now is Larry Norman’s autograph.” And to my pleasant surprise Randy said, “ I’d be in good company.” This was after all the bad stuff had been rumored about Larry Norman.
Well, about a year after that I was scheduled to go to a Larry Norman concert near Leavenworth, Wa. When I got there the church parking lot was empty and there was a sign on the door that Larry was in the hospital. He died within days. I am forever grateful for his ministry to the young and old while he was alive. RIP Larry.