Early history
In 1963, Jon Mark, using his given name Jon Michael Burchell, and a former schoolmate, Alun Davies; singer-songwriter, folk guitarist and skiffle musician, (later of Cat Stevens' band), recorded an album as a duo, with the name Relax Your Mind, on Deram Records' new label, Decca.
Mark and Mick Jagger co-produced Marianne Faithfull's early recordings, with Mark recording on at least one album, touring with Davies again, both as supporting guitarists for Faithfull. Upon returning, both Mark and Davies travelled extensively throughout the UK, and France, busking until they secured a job entertaining on a Cunard Line ship, crossing the Atlantic sixteen times. Tired of their voyages, both moved away in differing musical directions. Five years later, the two united in a five-piece band, the short-lived Sweet Thursday. The band had only one recording, the eponymous Sweet Thursday on Fontana Records. The band was composed of Jon Mark, Alun Davies, Nicky Hopkins, Harvey Burns, and Brian Odgers. However, the album was not promoted by their record label, and the bandmates never toured. Fontana Records later declared bankruptcy.
Johnny Almond had previously played in the Alan Price Set and had recorded a 1970 solo record for Deram Records, Johnny Almond's Music Machine, as well as performing considerable session work in England.
The two began playing together in John Mayall's popular Bluesbreakers band in 1969, and can be heard on the records The Turning Point and Empty Rooms. From that experience they decided to form Mark-Almond. Davies, though invited, was unreceptive. He had found a position as guitarist in Cat Stevens' band, and "was "getting a buzz off Stevens' work.".
Mark-Almond
Mark-Almond's first two albums, Mark-Almond (1971) and Mark-Almond II (1972) were recorded for Bob Krasnow's Blue Thumb label, and were noted for their embossed envelope-style album covers. "One Way Sunday" was a hit for them in America and hit #1 in Boston in 1970. The group then recorded two albums for Columbia Records, Rising (1972) and the live Mark-Almond '73 (1973), by which time the group's members had grown to seven. The liltingly arranged but thematically depressing "What Am I Living For" from 73 gained the group the most U.S. radio airplay they would get, but nevertheless they disbanded later that year.
Jon Mark released a solo record for Columbia Song For A Friend in 1975. He and Almond reunited in 1975 and released To the Heart on ABC Records in 1976, which featured noted drummer Billy Cobham. Other notable musicians who have recorded or toured with Mark-Almond include drummer Dannie Richmond, violinst Greg Bloch, keyboardist Tommy Eyre and bassist Roger Sutton. Eyre and Sutton later teamed in Riff Raff. A&M Records signed the duo in 1978 and released Other Peoples Rooms, but the record did not sell as well as earlier releases. A number of European releases followed, but Mark-Almond disbanded again in the early 1980s. Mark-Almond reunited again in 1996 for a CD called Night Music featuring keyboardist Mike Nock and others.
Later history
Jon Mark eventually moved to New Zealand in the mid-1980s and has released a number of successful solo New Age music recordings on his White Cloud music label, as well as collaborating with other artists on traditional Celtic and folk recordings and producing other artists. A release of Tibetan Monk chants Mark recorded and produced with his wife Thelma Burchell won a Grammy award in 2004. Johnny Almond at last report was living in the San Francisco Bay area.
What Am I Living For
Mark-Almond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My daddy he taught me to drink whisky
But my momma she died from a-drinkin' gin
My brother, he works in a coal mine, works so hard to get his pay
My sister, she believes in sweet lord Jesus
And she's waitin' for redemption day
Why am I living, why am I giving all my life
To bring up a family, children, and wife
Tell me my friend hasn't that been done before?
I remember my first job, I was singin' with a band
Every payday came around
I'd take my money from the man
He said "Now spend it wisely, boy, or save it while you have the time"
But I got drunk on a stand
And I blew the band
Now I'm standing in the unemployment line
What am I livin' for?
Why am I living, why am I giving all my life
To bring up a family, children, and wife
Tell me my friend hasn't that been done before?
I had me a sweet woman, mine until the sun don't shine
I came home one morning, early
And I found her with a friend of mine
It's not so much I needed her
But oh, God, how to stay away
I packed my bags, and I hit the road
And I've never seen her to this day
What am I livin' for?
Why am I living, why am I giving all my life
To bring up a family, children, and wife
Listen my friend, it's been done before
The opening verse of Mark Almond's song "What Am I Living For?" introduces the listener to the singer's personal life story, where he is in a state of confusion, questioning his purpose in life. His father taught him to drink whiskey, while his mother's life ended due to her addiction of drinking gin. His brother works in a coal miner and struggles to make ends meet, while his sister is a devotee of Jesus who is waiting for the day of redemption. While the above scenarios give him a broader perspective of life, he is still lost, as he fails to comprehend his significance in it.
In the second verse, he reminisces his earlier days when he was a member of a band. However, due to his love for alcohol, he was unable to manage his finances and ended up losing his job. The song's protagonist questions the conventional concept of life values, wherein a man's sole objective is to raise a family and work nine to five. Though he follows the norms yet he can't help but wonder if this has been done before.
In conclusion, the song's lyrical content discusses the search for one's own purpose in life, which most people can relate to on a personal level. The lyrics signify the idea of an existential crisis where an individual is unable to find meaning, and it's a question that has been asked since time immemorial.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I said to my best friend, can't you see what a mess I'm in?
I confided in my closest confidante about my life struggles and asked for help.
My daddy he taught me to drink whisky
But my momma she died from a-drinkin' gin
My father was the one who influenced me to drink alcohol, but unfortunately, my mother died from excessive drinking of gin.
My brother, he works in a coal mine, works so hard to get his pay
My sister, she believes in sweet lord Jesus
And she's waitin' for redemption day
My brother puts in a lot of hard work in dangerous conditions to earn his income, while my sister has strong faith in Lord Jesus and believes in the concept of redemption.
I remember my first job, I was singin' with a band
Every payday came around
I'd take my money from the man
He said "Now spend it wisely, boy, or save it while you have the time"
But I got drunk on a stand
And I blew the band
Now I'm standing in the unemployment line
I used to work as a singer in a band, but instead of heeding the advice of saving or spending wisely, I ended up getting drunk and losing my career path, hence, now I'm jobless.
I had me a sweet woman, mine until the sun don't shine
I came home one morning, early
And I found her with a friend of mine
It's not so much I needed her
But oh, God, how to stay away
I packed my bags, and I hit the road
And I've never seen her to this day
I had a partner with whom I shared a deep connection, but one morning, I found her with someone else, and although I didn't necessarily require her, it was tough to separate. Ultimately, I chose to pack my bags and move on without looking back.
What am I livin' for?
Why am I living, why am I giving all my life
To bring up a family, children, and wife
Tell me my friend hasn't that been done before?
I become introspective about the reasons for my existence and wonder why I am sacrificing so much of myself for the sake of my family when this has been done before by others. I question my purpose and the motivation behind my actions.
Listen my friend, it's been done before
I come to the realization that what I am doing with my life is nothing new and has been accomplished before by others, and hence, question its significance.
Contributed by Bailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chaswindows7
We long to hear music from our past. Thanks to You Tube and the good folks who contribute, that we can hear the music that has shaped our lives. Thanks, ALL!
@victorarcena6224
Thank you for the song.it means much to me.Very much!
@CosworthUSA
Thats it! Wow! I haven't heard this song in 25 years. Soothing to my sole, It never left me. I thought it was too obscure to ever hear again. But here it is. Love it! Thank You Mark. "Spend it Wisely Boy , or save it while you have the time"! Words to live by!
@94ddare
This song has amazing lyrics! This song made me listen to Mark-Almond
@dr.jamesolack8504
Will always love this song. Old memories just flood in. Thanks to KEXL in San Antonio and KSHE in St. Louis. My heroes!
@jchavez53
KEXL...haven't heard those call letters since my days back in San Antonio in the 70's...thanks for the memories!
@dr.jamesolack8504
@Joel Chavez
Remember Debbie Jecker? What a party animal!
@groove9tube
This was one of my favorite bands in college. Especially listened to them when I was down. Vividly remember playing album after a rejected love.
@mamunozcc
This song takes me back to my college days. My roommate had this album then. Later, I found me a copy and it's sitting in my closet. It is such a joy to hear it once again. Thanks for posting it.
@garyodle5663
I first heard this song in 1972 when I was a junior in college. It motivated me to answer the question, "What am I living for?" Without that answer, am not sure how anyone makes it. I found it.