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/
U.F.O.
Larry Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You will see Him in the air
He's an unidentified flying object
You will drop your hands and stare
You will be afraid to tell your neighbors
They might think that it's not true
But when they open up the morning papers
They will know they've seen Him too
He will come back like He promised
With the price already paid
He will gather up His followers
And take them all away
He's an unidentified flying object
He will sweep down from the sky
He's an unidentified flying object
Some will sleep but will not die
He's an unidentified flying object
Coming back to take you home
He's an unidentified flying object
He will roll away your stone
And if there's life on other planets
Then I'm sure that He must know
And He's been there once already
And has died to save their souls
He's an unidentified flying object
You will see Him in the air
He's an unidentified flying object
You will drop your hands and stare
He's an unidentified flying object
Coming back to take you Home
He's an unidentifed flying object
He will roll away your stone
Larry Norman's song "U.F.O." paints a picture of a second coming of Christ, likening His return to an unidentified flying object. The lyrics suggest that He will return and gather His followers to take them all away. The song creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for this otherworldly event that will be witnessed by all, yet it also speaks to the fear and doubt that may arise, causing people to keep their experience hidden from others. The lyrics also suggest that Christ is the savior not only for humankind but for other life on other planets, demonstrating His reach and universal love.
The song plays on the concept that extraterrestrial life exists and combines that idea with Biblical scripture and prophecy. Norman's lyrics suggest that Christ's return will be so grand and otherworldly that it will be mistaken for a UFO sighting. It speaks to the belief that the second coming will be undeniable as it will be seen by all and suggest that it will come at a time when many are not expecting it. Norman uses the concept of alien life to reinforce the message of Christ's universal love and sacrifice for all, regardless of their planet of origin.
Line by Line Meaning
He's an unidentified flying object
Referring to Jesus as a supernatural and mysterious being
You will see Him in the air
The second coming of Jesus will be visible to all
You will drop your hands and stare
The sight of Jesus will be so awe-inspiring that people will be unable to react
You will be afraid to tell your neighbors
Acknowledging the potential for individuals to be ridiculed for sharing their belief in the second coming of Jesus
They might think that it's not true
People may not believe in the possibility of the second coming of Jesus
But when they open up the morning papers
The second coming of Jesus is a topic that will gain widespread coverage
They will know they've seen Him too
The second coming of Jesus is an event that will be visible to all
He will come back like He promised
Referencing the promise that Jesus made in the Bible about His return
With the price already paid
The death and resurrection of Jesus have already redeemed us, and we don't need to pay for our sins again
He will gather up His followers
Jesus will take His faithful believers with Him during the second coming
And take them all away
The faithful believers will go to heaven with Jesus during the second coming
He will sweep down from the sky
The second coming of Jesus will be a dramatic and impactful event
Some will sleep but will not die
Those who have died and believe in Jesus will be resurrected during the second coming
Coming back to take you home
The second coming of Jesus is a comforting and uplifting event
He will roll away your stone
Referencing the resurrection of Lazarus in the Bible as a metaphor for overcoming death
And if there's life on other planets
Contemplating the possibility of extraterrestrial life
Then I'm sure that He must know
Believing that God's knowledge is boundless and encompasses all things
And He's been there once already
Suggesting that Jesus has already visited other planets to save their souls
And has died to save their souls
The death and resurrection of Jesus apply to all beings, not just humans
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LARRY NORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KevinSullivan-ho2tw
Believe in God. He is the truth
@kellyanneforster2074
“How will they know, unless they are told”????
Send Me Jesus♥️
My life is Yours♥️
Hallelujah and Amen♥️
@thelightsthatblink
I have loved this song since I heard it in the early 80’s.
@rosemarynash3008
Amazing song, always a good listen from Larry Norman, thanks.
@rosehunter4789
I first heard Larry at Explo’72 in Dallas!
@polychromicportal
I started writing my own song about my alien abduction experience. This is a Beautiful song, never heard it before but came across this whilst listening to many songs about UFO's. Ive met the creator in 2018 and yes he is coming back for us.
@bloemenvoorvrijheid7984
We are close to and meet him in heaven
@JamesCouch777
One of my favorite songs of all time 👍
@sharjens
Brings back do many memories!... And if there's life on other planets... He's been there once already, and has died to save their souls.
@broandrew
Jesus Lives! so does Larry!