In late 1970 Jim Messina, formerly of Poco and Buffalo Springfield, was working as an independent contract record producer for Columbia Records. It was then that he met a little-known studio artist who had written a few songs of his own, Kenny Loggins. Loggins was working as contract songwriter for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Messina decided to produce Loggins' debut album. By the time all was said and done, Messina had contributed so much to the album, both instrumentally and vocally, that the effort was more of a Kenny Loggins album with Jim Messina sitting in. Thus an accidental duo was born. Their harmonies meshed so well that what was begun as a one-off album became an entity unto itself. So rather than simply producing Kenny Loggins as a solo act, in 1971 they both decided to form a duo, Loggins and Messina.
Over the course of the next four to five years they produced five original material albums, one album of covers of other artists' material and two live albums. One compilation album, a "best of", would be released after the duo had separated.
As is natural in most mentor type relationships, Loggins outgrew the duo over time. Within a few years he would feel the need to spread his wings and fly by his own right, and by 1976 the pair separated and pursued successful solo careers, with Loggins soon achieving the super-star status that he sought.
They reunited in 2005 for a compilation album of their greatest hits, which proved so successful that they decided to tour as a group again. The "Sittin' In Again" tour was launched in mid-2005 and played out the remainder of the year, proving that they hadn't lost the magic that made them famous in the first place.
Their backing band changed from album to album. Many albums featured backing members who were well know in their own right, such as Stephen Stills who contributed to their self-titled second album. Bryan Adams played guitar on the album Full Sail. John Townsend and Ed Sanford, later of the Sanford Townsend Band (Smoke from a Distant Fire) contributed vocals and songwriting to the Native Sons album.
Growin'
Loggins & Messina Lyrics
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You've been my friend
Love and a friend′s all you need in the end
We'll keep on growing
And ever we'll be
A friend and a love, indivisible
Loving
Gonna keep it growing
As long as we can
Sometimes a sunshine day
Sometimes we′re rain
Sunshine and rain keeps the fields ever green you know
It'll keep our love growing
Sure as a spring
The rain and the sun′s indivisible
The sunshine and rain indivisible
Growing
The seed we're sowing
Gonna keep it growing
As long as we can
Uh mama
Growing
The seed we′re sowing
Gonna keep it right on growing
As long as we can
Growing
The seed we're sowing
Gonna keep it growing
As long as we can
Oh growing
The seed we′re sowing
Gonna keep it on growing
As long as we can
Gonna keep it on growing
As long as we can
The lyrics to Loggins & Messina's song "Growin'" speak to the enduring nature of love and friendship. The singer reflects on their relationship, acknowledging that they have been both lovers and friends to each other. They believe that love and friendship are all they need in the end. The phrase "we'll keep on growing" suggests their commitment to continue nurturing their bond, symbolized by a seed they have sown. The idea of being "indivisible" emphasizes the inseparability of their love and friendship.
The lyrics also draw parallels between the ups and downs of their relationship and the changing seasons. They compare their love to a field that requires both sunshine and rain to stay green. This imagery suggests that their relationship thrives on the combination of joy (sunshine) and challenges (rain). They believe that these contrasting elements are essential in keeping their love alive. The repetition of the phrase "as long as we can" emphasizes their determination to sustain their love and friendship for as long as possible.
Overall, the lyrics of "Growin'" convey a strong message about the importance of cultivating and nurturing both love and friendship in a relationship. It suggests that love and friendship are intertwined and that they require attention, patience, and resilience to thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve been your lover
I have been in a romantic relationship with you
You've been my friend
You have been my close companion and confidante
Love and a friend’s all you need in the end
Ultimately, love and friendship are the most important things
We'll keep on growing
We will continue to develop and evolve
And ever we'll be
And we will always remain
A friend and a love, indivisible
A friend and a lover, inseparable from each other
Loving
Expressing affection and care
The seed we’re sowing
The foundation we are laying
Gonna keep it growing
We are determined to make it continue to thrive
As long as we can
For as much time as possible
Sometimes a sunshine day
Occasionally, everything is bright and joyful
Sometimes we're rain
Occasionally, there are challenges and difficulties
Sunshine and rain keeps the fields ever green you know
Both positive and negative experiences help us grow and prosper
It'll keep our love growing
These diverse experiences will strengthen our love
Sure as a spring
As certain as the arrival of spring
The rain and the sun's indivisible
The rain and the sun are interrelated and essential
The sunshine and rain indivisible
Both happiness and challenges are intertwined
Uh mama
An expression of enthusiasm or emotion
Growing
Expanding and developing
The seed we’re sowing
The foundation we are laying
Gonna keep it right on growing
We are committed to its continuous growth
Growing
Flourishing and progressing
The seed we’re sowing
The foundation we are laying
Gonna keep it growing
We will make it continually thrive
As long as we can
For as much time as possible
Oh growing
Expressing excitement and anticipation
The seed we’re sowing
The foundation we are laying
Gonna keep it on growing
We will ensure its continuous development
As long as we can
For as much time as possible
Gonna keep it on growing
We are determined to make it keep progressing
As long as we can
For as much time as possible
Writer(s): Kenneth Clark Loggins, Ronnie Stephen Wilkins
Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
You are the life (?) and I love you
And I'll never, ever, love by myself i think should be
You are my life and I love you
And I'll never, ever, walk by myself
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Chocolate (?), don't you be afraid of wasting our time s/b Try tryin', don't you be afraid of wasting our time
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Wanna turn around and listen to me? s/b Woman turn around and listen to me
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
devil or ranger? (?) s/b devil or angel
Anthony Miglore
on Wasting Our Time
Or begin trying to change it? s/b Or begin trying to change ya'