Many artists have been declared “before their time” however with the album title After My Time, Noel pays homage to the soul stars of generations past that have paved the way for him to express himself through the “most relevant music” in his life. While he’d fit perfectly in the old-school soul genre, he has crafted an album that also proves him to be a unique new-generation artist with undeniable staying power.
As a kid growing up just outside of Boston in Brockton, Massachusetts, the 26-year-old musician soaked up the sounds of his father’s music collection, which consisted of plenty of old soul favorites like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Tyrone Davis and Teddy Pendergrass. Noel realized his true passion for making music in high school and set out on the beaten path to a professional career by writing and producing songs and performing at clubs and showcases in and around the Boston area. During this time, he partnered with Larry “Lucky” Fernandes, a music executive also from the Boston area and head of Stalin Entertainment. Having grown up with Noel, Fernandes watched him develop into a promising musician and when he felt the time was right, he introduced the aspiring singer to fellow producer/artist Tommy Olivera and songwriter Balewa Muhammad of the Trakaddix production team.
Olivera had a wide range of industry contacts, among them former Naughty By Nature DJ / producer Kay-Gee, best known for his production work for Jaheim, Zhané and Next. Declaring him the “new-age Sam Cooke,” Kay-Gee brought Noel into the studio to record “Family Reunion” for the soundtrack to the 2004 film The Cookout. A number of industry players bore witness to the formation of Noel’s career, as he also found himself in the studio with hit-making producers such as Mike City and Dr. Dre along the way. After taking meetings with various labels, Noel’s camp ultimately settled at Epic and set to work on presenting to the world who they already knew to be R&B’s next superstar.
With his father’s two-hour Maxell soul tapes as their soundtrack, each year, Noel and his family made the long car trips to his grandparents’ home just outside Biloxi, Mississippi. There, he spent his summers soaking up the environment that would serve not only as a rural refuge, but the foundation for his manhood. It was here that the city boy learned of a world outside of Boston. He lived and breathed the stories of his predecessors’ struggles through the civil rights movement and the oppression synonymous with the South. The memories of Sunday mornings at church, fish fries and backseat make-out sessions were created and each summer, Noel nourished his existence with the growth and renewal he gained there, much like that offered through the time-honored Southern tradition of river baptisms.
It’s no wonder that Noel is already winning music fans over with his debut single, aptly titled “The River.” Kay-Gee produced the feel-good track in the tradition of an old-soul ballad, which harks back to the all-encompassing elements of love, family and summers in Mississippi. Noel recalls of writing the song, “My grandfather had just died and I was thinking about him, and in the Deep South, the river represents something spiritual.” He attributes the song’s popularity to its applicable theme. “I think there’s something in the record a lot of people can hold and grasp and relate to. It seems like people from 15 on up to 50 years old can grab something from this record.”
Along with his production team Trakaddix, Noel Gourdin co-wrote much of the album, which also boasts a formidable list of collaborators, including Raphael Saadiq, Vidal & Dre, The Black Beatles and Eddie F. Grown-and-sexy but edgy enough to appeal to the younger crowd, the disc offers up the melodic sounds reminiscent of pioneering soul imprints like Motown, Stax and Philly International, while incorporating the beat-driven hip-hop rhythms that are a constant on today’s music charts.
Some of these gems include “Reach,” on which Noel flexes his falsetto muscles while addressing the notion of giving a 100 percent to a relationship. “Sorry I Led You On,” is about the harsh realities of a man growing out of love. Noel lets his lover down easy on the track produced by Soundz (Usher). Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse) works his magic on “Open.” Borrowing from the late B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya,” the tastefully seductive track hears Noel give praise to that special woman who arouses his sensual side. The typical male-female roles are switched on “One Love,” a groove-driven track on which Noel looks to take a relationship to the next level. The downside of love is represented on tracks like “Too Late,” where he campaigns to save a union he fears is already doomed; And Trakaddix’s own “Hurts Like Hell” hears the artist brokenhearted but bitter and resigned to move on. Hip-hop is infused again on the latter track, nodding to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Lyrics to Go.”
In summing up himself as “city to the heart but southern to the soul,” Noel also sums up his music. “It’s emotional and vulnerable, but still strong and secure.” He is certainly among those rare artists who can walk the fine line between being “what’s hot” and a favorite among more mature listeners. His music can be played at the young people’s party or the family barbeque, much like contemporaries John Legend, D’Angelo and Robin Thicke before him. However, artistically in a class by himself Noel declares, “More than anything, I wanted to make music that was real, relatable and timeless.” And with this first offering destined to become a classic, Noel Gourdin has certainly done just that.
Make The Most
Noel Gourdin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes we don't see eye to eye
And go for days and don't talk
Just imagine something happens to the ones we love
While we hold a silly grudge
[Bridge]
Don't procrastinate shower the people you love with love
Cant hesitate to give them all and all
Pick up the phone and call
Don't go your whole life long without the joy
Of knowing you loved someone
And they returned the love 24
[Chorus]
Make the most of the time you share
With that special someone
Let them know how much you care
Life is short
We don't really know,
Make the most don't be afraid let the feelings show
A guy who couldn't put aside is pride to save his life
Sits alone at home by the phone and its no surprise
He done took that woman for granted and she got wise
Better open your eyes and recognize
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
Something as simple as a smile,
Can make the day worth while
If we could only be like a child
And remember to laugh sometimes
And not question our hearts
[Chorus]
The song "Make The Most" by Noel Gourdin is a touching reminder to make the most of the time we have with our loved ones. The lyrics suggest that we all have our differences, and sometimes we don't see eye to eye, which can lead to silly grudges. However, we must not let these differences and grudges get in the way of showing our loved ones how much we care for them. The song urges us not to procrastinate in showering the people we love with love, and to let them know with a kiss or a hug. We should not hesitate to give them our all and pick up the phone to call them, so we don't go our whole life long without knowing the joy of having loved someone.
The lyrics also suggest that pride can get in the way of relationships, and we must open our eyes and recognize the importance of the people we love. The song gives a message that something as simple as a smile can make the day worth while and that it's important to remember to laugh sometimes and not question our hearts. The chorus repeats the message of making the most of the time we share with that special someone, letting them know how much we care, as life is short, and we don't really know when it will end.
Line by Line Meaning
We all, we all have our little difference and faults
We all have our own flaws and qualities that may vary from one another.
Sometimes we don't see eye to eye
At times we have disagreements or different perspectives on things.
And go for days and don't talk
This may lead to silent treatments that go on for quite some time.
Just imagine something happens to the ones we love
What if something terrible happened to someone we care about?
While we hold a silly grudge
What if we were holding a grudge against that person at the time of the unfortunate event?
Don't procrastinate shower the people you love with love
Don't wait to show affection and appreciation to those you care about.
Make sure they know with a kiss or a hug
Make it known through physical touch and intimacy
Cant hesitate to give them all and all
Don't hold back from expressing full love and support.
Pick up the phone and call
Don't be afraid to reach out and communicate.
Don't go your whole life long without the joy
Don't miss out on the enjoyment and fulfillment that come from loving and being loved.
Of knowing you loved someone
Enjoy the feeling of being affectionate towards someone.
And they returned the love 24
Experience the joy of having someone reciprocate that love in turn.
Make the most of the time you share
Value and take advantage of the time you can spend together.
With that special someone
With someone who has a special place in your heart.
Let them know how much you care
Communicate clearly and openly about the depth of your love and affection.
Life is short
Life is fleeting and shouldn't be taken for granted.
We don't really know,
We aren't sure what the future holds.
Make the most don't be afraid let the feelings show
Make the most of your time by being unafraid to express your emotions clearly to those you care about.
A guy who couldn't put aside is pride to save his life
A man who was too stubborn to let go of his ego has now been left with nothing.
Sits alone at home by the phone and its no surprise
He is now left in loneliness and isolation, and it's not unexpected.
He done took that woman for granted and she got wise
He had taken his girlfriend for granted, and she eventually became aware of the situation.
Better open your eyes and recognize
It's important to become aware and appreciate who and what you have before it's too late.
Something as simple as a smile,
A smile, as basic as it is, can often make a big difference.
Can make the day worth while
It can brighten an otherwise dull or gloomy day.
If we could only be like a child
If only we could recapture the carefree spirit of our childhood.
And remember to laugh sometimes
And find humor in life's ups and downs.
And not question our hearts
Without analyzing or questioning our true feelings toward someone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ARAMA BROWN, NOEL GOURDIN, MICHAEL HENDERSON, FRANK OLIPHANT, THOMAS OLIVEIRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind