Orleans found its core audience touring the clubs and college circuit of the Northeast US, crossing paths with other up-and-comers such as Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, and Hall & Oates. Rolling Stone called Orleans "the best unrecorded band in America". Showcase performances in NYC gave rise to a recording contract with ABC Dunhill Records and the release of an eponymous debut album in 1973. But it was not until Orleans was produced by Chuck Plotkin, then head of A&R for Asylum Records, that the band scored its first Top 40 hit with "Let There Be Music" in early 1975.
The follow up single "Dance With Me" brought Orleans into the Top 5 and the mainstream of American pop music. Atypical of the high-energy, earthy, R&B/Rock 'n' Roll mix of styles they had been previously identified with, "Dance With Me" cast the band in a more "soft-rock" light and landed them a tour with Melissa Manchester, when they really were more at home on tour with bands such as Little Feat.
It was the smash hit "Still the One" that cemented Orleans' relationship with the American public. While the single was climbing the charts all the way to #2, the band did a major cross-country tour with label-mate Jackson Browne. However, within a year internal stresses prompted guitarist/songwriter Hall to leave the band in search of a solo career, as "Still the One" played ceaselessly as the ABC TV network theme song. Since then it has been used for countless commercials and movie soundtracks.
The Hoppen brothers and Kelly reunited the band and, in 1979, produced the Top 10 hit "Love Takes Time", continuing to tour with the likes of Stephen Stills and Chicago. Collectively, the three Orleans' hits have been aired over 7 million times.
One of the many signatures of Orleans was and still is harmony guitar riffs and two serious players trading rhythm and lead between them, all seamlessly. Larry and John were, for most of this still–active band’s 35-year-and–counting career, those players. When John Hall left for a solo stint in 1977, Orleans found Dennis “Fly’ Amero, a lefty, upside-down Strat player (in the manner of Jimi Hendrix) who took over for several years.
After original drummer Wells Kelly passed away in October 1984, Larry, Lance and John played at his Memorial event. Out of this, they decided to work together as Orleans again, starting with a Nashville album. From 1985 through 2006 (when John got elected to the US Congress – D, NY-19) the group always included the three original members. Over those years, another 8 albums were released, always containing new material.
In 2001 the band added Lane Hoppen, the third brother, as a permanent member. Shortly after, Charlie Morgan – drummer with Elton John for 13 years – also joined the group. Early in 2006, as John Hall began his election campaign, Fly Amero was asked back by the band – including John - roughly 25 years after Fly’s first ‘term’. Fly agreed, and a smooth transition ensued. (Orleans’ 2006 “We’re Still Havin’ Fun” DVD features BOTH John and Fly.)
Fly and Larry’s guitar chemistry is obvious, as is the whole group’s camaraderie. Besides being a great guitarist, songwriter and singer with a strong blues/R&B soulful tilt, Fly is great with a crowd and has a Gold Record for comedy music featuring his parody lyrics.
Here in 2008, John is up for Congressional re-election and Fly is a permanent Orleans member, as are Charlie, Lane and original mainstays Lance and Larry (who is the voice on all the radio hits, by the way).
Thirty-five years in, Orleans’ trademarked slogan couldn’t be more appropriate: “We’re Still Havin’ Fun”. It’s also the title of their new (and debut) DVD and latest CD (related to the DVD). For much more on this classic American band, visit www.OrleansOnline.com
SUNSET
Orleans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fly over the trees
And onto the sunset ahead
When you find your soft cloud
To lay your head on
Well God don't forget about me
Not it used to be so easy
And show everybody else how
Now it seems they all know
How to do that and more
And left you behind in the while
But I'll be along in a minute, uh huh
Sometimes it gets hard to be
And you won't regret
When you hear the angels sing sweetly
But it's always been you and me
Yeah it's always been you and me
(Now) Open your window
Fly over the trees
And onto the sunset ahead
When you find your soft cloud
To lay your head on
Well God don't forget about me
Yeah 'cause I'll be along
In a minute, yeah yeah
Sometimes it gets hard to leave
And you won't regret
When you hear the angels sing sweetly
It's always been you and me
It's always been you and me
Yeah It's always been you and me
And it'll always be you and me
The song "Sunset" by Orleans is a beautiful ode to friendship and love. The lyrics talk about two friends who have been together and have gone through a lot of ups and downs. The song begins with the words "Open your window, fly over the trees, and onto the sunset ahead." This line suggests the idea of flying away from the present problems and feeling free. It is about finding inner peace and becoming one with nature.
The next line "When you find your soft cloud, to lay your head on, well God don't forget about me" shows the vulnerability of the person who is worried about losing their friend. The phrase "soft cloud" indicates the friend's protective and comforting nature. The singer is requesting their friend not to forget about them when they find their peace.
The next few lines describe how things used to be. It used to be easy to float like the wind, and the singer would show everyone how to do it. But now, it seems everyone knows how to do it, but the singer is left behind. The lines "But I'll be along in a minute, uh huh, Sometimes it gets hard to be" suggest that the singer is trying to catch up with their friend, but it's not that easy.
The song concludes with "It's always been you and me" repeated twice, suggesting that this friendship has been constant and will remain that way. It is a beautiful, soothing song that speaks to the comfort and security of friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Open your window
Look beyond your immediate surroundings and broaden your perspective.
Fly over the trees
Rise above obstacles and challenges to gain a fresh perspective on life.
And onto the sunset ahead
Set your sights on the future and all the possibilities it holds.
When you find your soft cloud
When you find peace and comfort in life.
To lay your head on
To rest and find solace in the beauty of life.
Well God don't forget about me
A plea to be remembered and not left alone in life's journey.
Not it used to be so easy
Life used to be simpler and less complicated.
To Float like the wind
To move effortlessly through life without stress or worry.
And show everybody else how
To set an example for others to follow.
Now it seems they all know
Others have caught up and surpassed you.
How to do that and more
They have learned more and expanded their abilities beyond what you thought was possible.
And left you behind in the while
You feel left behind and struggle to catch up to others.
But I'll be along in a minute, uh huh
A promise of support and encouragement to help you through tough times.
Sometimes it gets hard to be
Life can be difficult and challenging at times.
And you won't regret
You will be rewarded for the effort you put in.
When you hear the angels sing sweetly
When you experience joy and beauty in life.
But it's always been you and me
We have been together through thick and thin.
Yeah it's always been you and me
Our relationship has been constant and enduring.
And it'll always be you and me
We will continue to be there for each other in the future.
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gidget711
Can you please fix the title of this video by removing the word "money" from it? That's the song after "Sunset" on Orleans II album. "Sunset" is such a beautiful song and the wrong title here takes away from its beauty. R.I.P. Wells Kelly... <3 :'(
gidget711
Thank you so much for fixing the title! <3 :)
Jason Graham
franklin pierce
where do you get so much great music?
Franklin Pierce
Been collecting for 30 years
Jason Graham
I think it's awesome
You post a lot of good music that you can't find anywhere else and music that nobody knows.
Im only 21 and I dislike all the modern music there is no talent in it
So it's a real gold mine to listen to the music you upload
Eric Parker
Good idea!! Yeah, fix the title please! "Sunset". not sunset money!