Isham was born in New York City. He studied classical music at an early age and played trumpet, piano and violin. The Isham family later moved to San Francisco, where Mark found work in several of the local orchestras. He also became actively involved in the Bay Area rock and roll scene of the 1960s, performing live with several of the local groups.
One of his early recordings "Group 87" was released as a demo LP to college radio stations. Few commercially available pressings of this first release are available > though several custom CD burns (CBS/Sony denies existence, but providing the label & issue number through their custom burn service known as [SONY MUSIC SPECIAL PRODUCTS] can be had)!> I believe this is "THE DEFINITIVE ISHAM" against all others will be judged! One other Group 87 album followed titled "A Career in Dada Processing", a reflection attesting to the learning curve associated with the emerging CD Format. It was released with very limited availability. Both albums in the "Group 87" moniker are a bit mechanical, utilizing heavy sampling, forceful sequencing, strong percussion and a progressive edginess as compared to the later Isham releases. Mark Isham next released his self-titled "Vapor Drawings", softening the stylings of the group, but with a emphasis on his trumpeting skills, that as they matured developed into the sound that would be identified as his own unique sound. He has a MYSPACE page currently, where all available recordings can be ordered.
His albums Castalia (1988) and Tibet (1989) were both Grammy-nominated. He won in 1990 with his album Mark Isham.
In 1992 he published his first orchestral work Five Stories for Trumpet and Orchestra. The same year he earned an Academy Award nomination for the soundtrack of the film A River Runs Through It. During the following years he became a prolific film score composer. Some of his film scores include: Save the Last Dance, Men of Honor, October Sky, Point Break, and the critically acclaimed Crash which won well over 30 awards worldwide, including the Oscar for Best Achievement in Editing, Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Writing/Original Screenplay, and many soundtrack awards.
In 1995 he released an album titled Blue Sun. This was his first album to follow a mainstream contemporary jazz format.
In 1999 he formed a group to interpret the music of Miles Davis's late 1960s through mid-1970s electric jazz fusion and released an album, Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project, which was recorded live.
Searchin'
Mark Isham Lyrics
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(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her) yeah
I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
A-a searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' (gonna find her)
Searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie (gonna find her)
You know I'll bring her in someday (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, now, if I have to swim a river
You know I will
And a if I have to climb a mountain
You know I will
And-a if she's a-hiding up on a-blueberry hill
Am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' (gonna find her)
My goodness, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin', child, on me
Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
A-no matter where she's a-hiding, she's gonna hear me a comin'
Gonna walk right down that street Like Bulldog Drummond
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Oooh, Lord, now, searchin' (gonna find her)
Mm, child, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her...)
The song "Searchin'" is about a man who is determined to find the woman he loves. He is willing to go to any lengths to find her, even if it means swimming across a river or climbing a mountain. The lyrics suggest that the man has been searching for a while, but he is confident that he will eventually find her. He compares himself to a Northwest Mountie, who is known for his determination and resilience. The song also includes references to famous detectives, such as Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Chan, implying that the man is just as skilled at finding people.
The lyrics of the song are full of energy and determination, with the repeated lines of "gonna find her" emphasizing the man's resolve to reunite with his love. The use of metaphors, such as the reference to the Northwest Mountie, adds to the intensity and adds a hint of adventure to the song. The upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation further reinforce the message of the song, which is one of hope and persistence.
Overall, "Searchin'" is a song that celebrates the power of determination and the strength of love. The lyrics suggest that no challenge is too great to overcome when it comes to finding the person we love, and the music reinforces this message with its enthusiastic tone and catchy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna find her
I am determined to find the person I am searching for.
I've been searchin'
I have been spending a lot of time and effort trying to find this person.
A-a searchin'
I have been searching with great intensity and focus.
Oh, yeah, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah
I have tried searching in every possible direction and method.
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
I am like a Canadian mounted police officer, determined to find my target.
You know I'll bring her in someday
I am confident that I will eventually find this person and bring them to where I am.
Well, now, if I have to swim a river
I am willing to do anything to find this person, even if it means crossing a dangerous body of water.
And a if I have to climb a mountain
I am willing to do anything to find this person, even if it means scaling a steep and treacherous mountain.
And-a if she's a-hiding up on a-blueberry hill
Even if this person is hiding in a remote and obscure location, I am determined to find them.
Am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
I am confident that I will eventually locate and bring this person to where I am.
Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin', child, on me
I am confident in my abilities to track down and find this person, and I am better at it than famous fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade.
Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
I am better at this job than highly respected TV detectives like Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie.
A-no matter where she's a-hiding, she's gonna hear me a comin'
I am confident that no matter where this person is hiding, they will eventually hear me coming.
Gonna walk right down that street Like Bulldog Drummond
I am confident in my abilities and will approach finding this person with the same level of confidence and determination as popular fictional detective Bulldog Drummond.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind