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/
Soul on Fire
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At least that's what the people said
But Eldridge, he was only working out
All the things they put inside his head.
He was like an angry lion, trapped in a vice
They couldn't keep him down,
And so they put his soul on ice.
But he managed to get away.
But living on the run ain't no fun,
Both eyes open every night and day.
Just a little peace and quiet
Was his one desire,
But it never came 'til something set his soul on fire.
Then the man in the moon spoke in his ear
With a word that was true and a voice that was clear,
Go back to your people, but lean on me,
They can lock you up again, but I have set you free.
Eldridge says he's different now
Some people, they don't agree.
They say he's only trying to free himself
I guess in time we all will see.
But I do believe his message
He ain't no liar
When he says that Jesus can set your soul on fire.
Larry Norman’s song Soul on Fire tells the story of a man named Eldridge who is labeled as a bad man by society. However, Eldridge was only trying to work through the things that were put inside his head. He was like an angry lion, who was trapped in a vice and they couldn't keep him down. Eldridge was locked in a prison but he managed to escape, and he had to live on the run. But one day, something lit his soul on fire.
The man in the moon spoke to him and told him to go back to his people and lean on him. Eldridge listened to the voice and went back to his people to spread a message of hope. He became a different person, but people remain skeptical of his transformation. However, through his experience, Eldridge truly believed that Jesus could set someone’s soul on fire.
The lyrics of Soul on Fire reveal the theme of redemption and the transformative power of faith. Eldridge was seen as a bad man, but through his struggles, he found a new purpose in life. Larry Norman’s lyrics encourage people to believe that anyone can turn their life around through faith and surrendering to a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Eldridge was a bad man,
People judged Eldridge as a bad person based on hearsay.
At least that's what the people said
The source of information about Eldridge's character is nothing but rumors.
But Eldridge, he was only working out
Eldridge was in fact, trying to sort things out.
All the things they put inside his head.
All negative things that people make him believe, are troubling him.
He was like an angry lion, trapped in a vice
He was furious and helpless because of imposed limitations.
They couldn't keep him down,
Even though others tried to stop him, he refused to be restrained.
And so they put his soul on ice.
They attempted to freeze his passions and ambition to hold him back.
They locked him in a prison cell
They caught him and put him in jail.
But he managed to get away.
Eldridge escaped from prison.
But living on the run ain't no fun,
Being a fugitive is not enjoyable.
Both eyes open every night and day.
It's like he's living with a sense of dread all the time.
Just a little peace and quiet
All that Eldridge wanted was a bit of rest.
Was his one desire,
The jailbreak was just a means to an end - finding peace.
But it never came 'til something set his soul on fire.
He never found inner peace until he discovered something truly inspiring.
Then the man in the moon spoke in his ear
Eldridge claims he received guidance from a supernatural force.
With a word that was true and a voice that was clear,
The message from the man in the moon was pure and easy to comprehend.
Go back to your people, but lean on me,
Return to the community and rely on the divine power.
They can lock you up again, but I have set you free.
No matter what happens, Eldridge should remain emotionally detached and trust in the supernatural being.
Eldridge says he's different now
Eldridge claims he has undergone a change of heart.
Some people, they don't agree.
Not everyone is convinced of Eldridge's redemption.
They say he's only trying to free himself
Some maintain that his new outlook is just a ploy to avoid punishment.
I guess in time we all will see.
Only time will prove whether Eldridge has truly changed.
But I do believe his message
The singer puts faith in Eldridge's message.
He ain't no liar
The artist believes that Eldridge is telling the truth.
When he says that Jesus can set your soul on fire.
Eldridge's message is that a spiritual rebirth through Jesus can ignite the soul.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VILLE HERMANNI VALO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Vendetta
One of Larrys best if you ask me. What a great songwriter. This song always has me dancing
James Palmer
i like it
Stephen Shaw
i like it too! <3