Since moving to Los Angeles from his native Germany in the 1980s, Nils has … Read Full Bio ↴Since moving to Los Angeles from his native Germany in the 1980s, Nils has traveled PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) on numerous occasions. So when it came time for this acclaimed contemporary jazz artist to name the breezy title track of his current album, he looked no further than his virtual backyard. In the same tradition as Nat King Cole’s “Route 66” and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” Pacific Coast Highway is a roadside celebration of America, this time from the musical viewpoint of a bedazzled and grateful immigrant. Featuring nine exquisite original compositions, the disc includes the hit title track and stellar interpretations of Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” and the 1980 Toto classic, “Georgy Porgy.” Dreamy, romantic and delectably sexy, Pacific Coast Highway comes off like the jazz-funk soundtrack to some Great American road movie.
Accompanying Nils on his musical journey is a contemporary Who’s-Who of jazz and pop, including drummer Steve Ferrone (George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Average White Band), bassist Abe Laboriel (Herbie Hancock, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles), percussionist Alex Acuna (Wayne Shorter, Rickie Lee Jones, Tracy Chapman), guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna), saxophonist Gerald Albright (Anita Baker, Whitney Houston), and singer Siedah Garrett (Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones).
NILS changed his vocation from session guitarist ( Temptations, George Benson, Rick Braun) to recording artist in 2005 when his self produced hit song PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY from the same titled CD became one of the biggest hits of the Contemporary Jazz genre. The song stayed 7 weeks number one and put Nils name on top of the list having the most played song of 2005 ahead of Dave Koz, Boney James and Kenny G. Following up with a second number one hit " Summer Nights" Nils ensured his position in the Genre. His 2007 follow up CD "Ready To Play" produced another hit song Cat Nap. His newest offering "Up Close and Personal" was released in March 2009.
As a Producer Nils created music for TV ( Weeds - Showtime, Undeclared - Fox, Film Independent Spirit Awards - IFC) He produced his own CDs (Pacific Coast Highway, Ready To Play and Up Close And Personal) as well as as Transmuteo and Journey to Eden for Violinist DOV on Lovestar records. He also produced the forthcoming CD of AC/Pop/ R&B group Gravity180 in collaboration with Eddie Brown.

You've Got a Friend
Nils Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knocking at you door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there

Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
You've got a friend

Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend

Overall Meaning

Nils's song "You've Got A Friend" is a comforting message to a friend in need. The lyrics of the song start with acknowledging the difficult times we all go through and how it is easy to feel helpless and alone during such circumstances. The singer assures his friend that he is always there to support her, even when things are at their worst. The song is an uplifting message of hope, letting the listener know that they are not alone.

The song is a reminder that friends are always there for each other in times of need. The singer is encouraging his friend to reach out to him whenever she needs him, regardless of the time or season. The lyrics suggest that friendship is a constant support system that endures through all the seasons of life. The song emphasizes that having a friend is a valuable asset that we should cherish because in life, we will all go through difficult times and we need someone to lean on.

In summary, "You've Got A Friend" is a song about showing support to those who need it, emphasizing the importance of friendship and the comfort it provides. It's a message of hope that reassures the listener that they always have someone to turn to when everything falls apart.

Line by Line Meaning

When you're down and troubled
When you're feeling bad or have problems

And you need a helping hand
And you need someone to help you out

And nothing, nothing is going right
And everything seems to be going wrong

Close your eyes and think of me
Think about me and feel better

And soon I will be there
And I will come and be there for you

To brighten up even your darkest night
To make you feel better even in your worst times

You just call out my name
You only need to say my name

And you know wherever I am
And you can be sure that wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again
I will come very quickly to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall
In every season, at any time

All you have to do is call
All you need to do is ask me