Nathaniel Mayer (February 10, 1944 – November 1, 2008) was an American rhyt… Read Full Bio ↴Nathaniel Mayer (February 10, 1944 – November 1, 2008) was an American rhythm and blues singer, who started his career in the early 1960s at Fortune Records in Detroit. "Nay Dog" or "Nate," as he was also known, had a raw, highly energetic vocal style and wild stage show.

After a 35-year absence from music, in 2002 Mayer began recording and touring again, releasing albums with Fat Possum, Alive Records and Norton Records.

Mayer started his career at Fortune Records, a Detroit record label owned by Jack and Devora Brown. There he became label-mates with fellow Fortune stars Nolan Strong and Andre Williams. Mayer would stay with the label for six years, recording a handful of records.

When Mayer was 18 years old he scored a Top 40 hit record in 1962 with "Village of Love," credited to Nathaniel Mayer and The Fabulous Twilights. It was originally released on Fortune Records, who then leased the record to United Artists Records for wider distribution. Follow-ups such as "Leave Me Alone" (1962) and "I Had A Dream" (1963) failed to duplicate the success of "Village of Love" (although both records, especially "Leave Me Alone," sold well regionally). In 1966, Mayer released "I Want Love and Affection (Not The House Of Correction)," a funky offering in the James Brown vein. He then split with Fortune Records due to differences.

After Mayer’s Fortune Records days, his whereabouts were practically unknown and only ever confirmed by rumors for several decades. Though he did surface in 1980 to record the "Raise the Curtain High" single. It would be the only release from Mayer between 1966 and 2002. Disappearing into the ghettos of East Detroit for the next two decades, rumors abounded. However, after Norton Records released "I Don't Want No Bald-Headed Woman Telling Me What to Do" in 2002 (a never before released recording from 1968), Mayer was inspired to record and perform again.

Mayer staged a full-fledged musical comeback in 2002. His once-sweet soul scream had deepened to a rasping growl, giving his latter albums a whole new feel. He played clubs and festivals, gaining a new generation of fans with his exciting live shows.

In 2004, Mayer returned to the studio to record I Just Want to Be Held for Fat Possum Records, a Mississippi label known mostly for releasing records by obscure bluesmen. In 2005, he toured with fellow Fat Possum artist The Black Keys. In 2006, the Dutch-based Stardumb Records released a 7" single featuring three songs taken from the Fat Possum album.

Mayer's last sessions were released across two albums, 2007's Why Don't You Give It To Me? and 2009's Why Won't You Let Me Black?, both on Alive Records and featuring Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry, Troy Gregory of The Dirtbombs, and Dave Shettler of SSM and The Sights.

The Detroit Cobras remade "Village of Love" in 1996. While "Leave Me Alone" was covered by The Hard Feelings and Holly Golightly. Eve Monsees, The Exiles and the Gibson Brothers have all recorded "I Had A Dream."

Within a year after completing his first European tour, Mayer suffered multiple strokes. After months of hospitalization, Nathaniel Mayer died on November 1, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan.

Discography

Albums
I Want Love and Affection (Not the House of Correction) (1962, rereleased on Vampi Soul in 2011)
Village of Love (1963, Fortune Records; CD is a 1996 compilation with additional tracks, Gold Dust Records, Italian bootleg import)
I Just Want to Be Held (2004, Fat Possum Records)
Anthology: I Want Love and Affection - 2xLP / CD digipack (2006, Vampisoul)
Why Don't You Give It To Me? (2007, Alive-Naturalsound Records)
Why Won't You Let Me Be Black? (2009, Alive-Naturalsound Records)

Singles
"My Last Dance With You"/"My Little Darling" (1961) Fortune 542
"Village Of Love"/"I Want A Woman" (1962) Fortune 545; United Artists 449
"Leave Me Alone"/"Hurting Love" (1962) Fortune 547; United Artists 487
"Mr. Santa Claus"/"Well, I've Got News" (1962) Fortune 550
"Well, I've Got News"/"Work It Out" (1963) Fortune 550
"I Had A Dream"/"I'm Not Gonna Cry" (1963) Fortune 554
"Going Back To The Village Of Love"/"My Last Dance With You" (1963) Fortune 557
"A Place I Know"/"Don't Come Back" (1964) Fortune 562
"I Want Love and Affection (Not the House of Correction)"/"From Now On" (1966) Fortune 567
"Raise The Curtain High"/"Super Boogie" (1980) Love Dog 101
"I Don't Want No Bald Headed Woman Telling Me What To Do"/"I Don't Want No Bald Headed Woman Telling Me What To Do" (instrumental) (2002; recorded 1968) Norton 107
"Ride In My 225"/"Mister Santa Claus" (live) (2005) Norton 126
"I Found Out" (2006) Stardumb Records

Everywhere
Nathaniel Mayer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Summer, winter, Autumn, Spring
Mountain, Blue Sky and the Sea
Rainbow, Sunshine and the trees
Jesus the Maker of all
Everywhere i go
I see you right there
In the beauty of nation, You shine all around
For you are everything and everything is you

Precious Jesus the wonderful wonder you are

Oooo, Oooo
Oooo, Oooo

Overall Meaning

The song "Everywhere" by Nathaniel Mayer is a spiritual song that worships Jesus as the creator of everything. The song describes the beauty of nature and how it reflects Jesus' greatness. The lyrics enumerate the different seasons, landscapes, and natural phenomenon which presents Jesus' greatness, beauty, and power. Whether it's summer, winter, autumn, or spring, the mountains, blue sky, or the sea, the rainbow, sunshine, or the trees, Jesus is seen in everything.

The chorus emphasizes that Jesus is in everything and everything is Him. The beauty of his work is all around and shines in every nation. The lyrics suggest that the wonder of Jesus is beyond human comprehension and he is a precious wonder. This song is a call to worship Jesus and realize that he is the creator of the universe, who is present in every part of creation.

Line by Line Meaning

Summer, winter, Autumn, Spring
In every season of the year, whether it be Summer, Winter, Autumn or Spring, I see a reflection of You.

Mountain, Blue Sky and the Sea
Whether I am surrounded by towering mountains, blue skies, or the vastness of the sea, I see You in the beauty of Your creation.

Rainbow, Sunshine and the trees
Even in the smallest details of nature, like a rainbow, the sun's rays, or the leaves on a tree, I see Your hand at work.

Jesus the Maker of all
I recognize that it is You who are the Maker of all that I see and experience around me.

Everywhere i go
No matter where I am or where I go, I am reminded of Your presence and Your handiwork.

I see you right there
I know that You are always with me, and I see glimpses of Your presence wherever I turn.

In the beauty of nation, You shine all around
When I look at the beauty of my country, I see Your light shining all around, illuminating the goodness that surrounds us.

For you are everything and everything is you
I recognize that everything around me is ultimately a reflection of You - You are everything, and everything is You.

Precious Jesus the wonderful wonder you are
I marvel at Your wondrous works and consider You, Jesus, to be a precious, tangible part of my life.

Oooo, Oooo
A joyful exclamation of wonder and awe at the greatness of God.

Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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