Rangell first played flute at the age of 15. Within six months he was studying both classical and jazz music at The Interlochen Arts Academy, a national camp for gifted music students. He went on to attend The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. As a student he twice won Down Beat Magazine's prestigious National Student Recording Awards competition both as best jazz and best pop/rock instrumental soloist. After college he headed to New York in 1984 to pursue his career.
The next four years were spent "paying dues", sitting in, playing alongside, and gigging with some of the world's greatest contemporary jazz musicians including Hiram Bullock, Jorge Dalto, Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Jaco Pastorius, David Sanborn and many others. He also found occasional employment with the legendary Gil Evans Monday Night Orchestra and worked on many commercial jingle recording sessions. Rangell's 1987 debut album was released on Gaia/Gramavision Records, and signed soon thereafter by Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin at GRP Records.
A succession of albums followed at GRP where he recorded eight CDs, beginning in 1989. His stated ambition throughout these endeavors has been "to grow and evolve as a player and artist while making music that people can easily relate to in a form that is substantive." With his musical armory encompassing flute, piccolo, alto, tenor and soprano saxophone as well as whistling, he was well equipped to fulfill this desire. He has recorded with The Rippingtons, Chuck Loeb, Patti Austin, Tom Browne, and The GRP All Star Big Band to name a few and is featured on Don Grusin's Grammy nominated CD "The Hang." Though Rangell has recorded mostly in the contemporary/pop and smooth jazz formats garnering top radio play and a large audience, The Times of London notes "heard live a much more robust and idiosyncratic player emerges." In the late 90s Rangell continued his career with Shanachie Records and has now released 14 CDs nationally and internationally.
That's The Way Of The World
Nelson Rangell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire create love desire
High and higher to your place on the throne
We come together on this special day sing our message loud and clear
Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days, future pass, they disappear
You will find peace of mind if you look way down in your heart and soul
Stay young at heart, 'cause you're never, never old
That's the way of the world, plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world makes his heart so cold
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
The song "That's The Way Of The World" by Nelson Rangell is an upbeat tune about the power of love and perseverance. The first two lines of the song, "Hearts of fire create love desire, take you high and higher to the world you belong" are a direct reference to the passion and excitement that come with falling in love. The use of 'hearts of fire' elevates the significance of love as it represents both the warmth and intensity it brings.
The following lines, "We come together on this special day, sing our message loud and clear, looking back we've touched on sorrowful days, future pass, they disappear" are a reminder to focus on the present and enjoy the moment. The lyrics encourage the listener to look beyond their past troubles, acknowledge them, but ultimately move on from them. This advice offers a sense of hope, urging people to stay young at heart and be resilient, because troubles are a part of life, but dwelling on them will not help in the long run.
The song concludes by repeating the chorus, stressing the importance of love above all else, as it is the key to achieving what one desires. Despite the hardship of the ways of the world, it is possible to find solace through the power of love. This message of positivity is reflected in the upbeat tempo of the music, giving listeners a feeling of hope and a desire to keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Hearts of fire create love desire
Passionate hearts ignite the flames of love that fuel your longing
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
With love in your heart, you can soar to great heights and discover your true purpose
Hearts of fire create love desire
The power of love transforms and inspires us to reach for our dreams
High and higher to your place on the throne
Love elevates us to a position of authority and influence in our lives
We come together on this special day sing our message loud and clear
As a community, we celebrate our unity and proclaim our message with clarity and conviction
Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days, future pass, they disappear
Though we have experienced sadness in the past, we know that it will fade away as we move forward into the future
You will find peace of mind if you look way down in your heart and soul
Inner peace can be discovered by looking deep within yourself and connecting with your authentic self
Don't hesitate 'cause the world seems cold
Even if the world seems harsh and unforgiving, do not delay in pursuing your goals and aspirations
Stay young at heart, 'cause you're never, never old
Maintain a youthful spirit and zest for life because age is just a number and the heart never grows old
That's the way of the world, plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Life is unpredictable, but by sowing seeds of positivity and goodness, you can reap unexpected beauty and treasures
Child is born with a heart of gold
Every human being is born with a natural capacity for kindness, compassion, and goodness
Way of the world makes his heart so cold
The harsh realities of life can harden the heart and cause a loss of innocence and compassion
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
The passion and intensity of love can propel us forward and lead us to our desired destination
High and higher to the world you belong
By embracing love and pursuing our passions, we can find our place in the world and fulfill our purpose
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
The transformative power of love can bring us to new heights and inspire us to greatness
High and higher to the world you belong
When we align ourselves with love, we discover our place in the world and find true fulfillment
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.