The history of Pacific Gas & Electric can be traced back to 1967 in Los Angeles (L.A.) Self-taught guitarist Tom Marshall met bassist Brent Block at a party thrown by Block's former art teacher. The band they started was called "Pacific Gas and Electric Blues Band", one of the first interracial bands to hit the L.A. music scene. One of the early members was a drummer from the east coast named Charlie Allen. Allen's vocal abilities were so good that he was relieved of his drum sticks, and became lead singer and frontman, to be replaced on drums by Canned Heat's former drummer, Frank Cook, who had earlier signed on to manage the band.
By 1968, the band name was shortened to Pacific Gas & Electric, and included Allen, Cook, Marshall, Block, and guitarist Glenn Schwartz (also of James Gang and All Saved Freak Band). They released their first album, Get It On, that year on the Kent record label (it was subsequently released on Big Orange and Power Records as well). Although it only reached #159 on the album charts, someone at Columbia Records was listening, as they signed the band to a recording contract shortly after their appearance at the Miami Pop Festival in December of 1968.
The next album, and the first released by Columbia, was simply called Pacific Gas and Electric, in 1969. However, it was the next release, the Are You Ready LP that included their first mainstream hit. The title track reached #14 in the summer of 1970, and featured the backing vocals of The Blackberries.
Wholesale changes were in store for the group after recording the Are You Ready album. After a serious car accident, Cook was replaced on drums by Ron Woods, and he stayed on as manager. Schwatrz announced his conversion to born-again Christianity onstage during a concert and then later joined the All Saved Freak Band. Marshall also left, and the two were to be replaced by Frank Petricca on bass and Ken Utterback on guitar, with Brent Block moving to rhythm guitar from bass. This is the line-up that toured in support of Are You Ready. This version of the band recorded one self-titled album in 1971 (minus Block, who had left the band in late 1970), adding Jerry Aiello on keyboards, trumpet player Stanly Abernathy, sax players Alfred Galagos and Virgil Gonsalves, and percussionist Joe LaLa. At the request of the utility company sharing the same name, the band name was shortened to "P G & E".
The band did countless concerts, often appearing with other big musical acts of the era. It was at one P G & E show that writer and film producer Lawrence Schiller filmed his documentary "The Lexington Experience". Disagreements with the owners to the rights to the music caused the film to be shelved after only a few showings, and the only copies known to exist are in Schiller's vault. They made more movie history when they appeared in, and provided music to, the Otto Preminger film "Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon" starring Liza Minnelli.
After 1972, the group's line-up became unstable, resembling more of an Allen solo project. One more album was forthcoming ...Starring Charlie Allen in 1973 on the Dunhill label, featuring Allen and a host of studio musicians.
Are You Ready
Pacific Gas & Electric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Men dying and women crying
If you breathe air, you'll die
Perhaps you wonder the reason why
But wait! Don't you worry
A new day is dawning
We'll catch the sun, and away we'll fly...
Are you ready to sit by His throne?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready, then He'll carry you home
(Are you ready?) (2X)
People say that He won't come
And I don't know what say you
But if He should, would you be the one?
I've got a little question I'd like to ask you
Are you ready to sit by His throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready, then He'll carry you home
(Are you ready?) (2X)
Brothers and sisters, I have many
Stumbling along to do their thing
Love is a song, it's better than any
It's better for music, it's easy to sing
Are you ready to sit by His throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready, then He'll carry you home
Are you ready to sit by His throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready, then He'll carry you home
(Yes, I'm ready)
Are you ready? (Yes, I'm ready)
Are you ready? (Yes, I'm ready)
I've got to know, yeah (Yes, I'm ready)
You sound real good (Yes, I'm ready)
Are you ready? (Yes, I'm ready)
Gonna be sunshine again (Yes, I'm ready)
And the flowers growing (Yes, I'm ready)
Children playing (Yes, I'm ready)
Gonna be all right (Yes, I'm ready)
You've got to be ready (Yes, I'm ready)
I know you're ready (Yes, I'm ready)
Say it loud one more time (Yes, yes, I'm ready)
Oh, yeah (Yes, yes, I'm ready)
The song "Are You Ready" by Pacific Gas & Electric is a gospel-infused rock anthem that encourages people to prepare for the end of the world and the coming of God. The opening lyrics reveal the unsettling state of the world- rumors of war, men dying, and women crying- and a reminder that death is inevitable for all, leaving the listener to question what will happen after death. However, the chorus provides reassurance that if one is "ready" and accepts Christ, they will be taken to heaven and "not be alone."
The song's verses continue to encourage listeners to become "ready" by accepting Christ and living a righteous life. The line "Love is a song, it's better than any" encourages people to live with love in their hearts as it is the best way to prepare for the end of the world.
Overall, the song's message is that the end of the world is coming, and people need to be ready to face it. Through accepting Christ and living a righteous life, one can be carried home to be with God.
Line by Line Meaning
There's rumors of war
There is talk of war
Men dying and women crying
Men dying and women crying
If you breathe air, you'll die
Everyone will die because they breathe air
Perhaps you wonder the reason why
You might be curious as to why people are dying
But wait! Don't you worry
But don't worry
A new day is dawning
A new day is beginning
We'll catch the sun, and away we'll fly...
We will leave and start anew
Are you ready to sit by His throne?
Are you prepared to be in heaven?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Are you prepared to be with others?
Someone's coming to take you home
God is coming to bring you to heaven
And if you're ready, then He'll carry you home
If you're prepared, God will bring you to heaven
People say that He won't come
People are skeptical that God will come
And I don't know what say you
And I don't know what your opinion is
But if He should, would you be the one?
If God comes, will you be ready?
I've got a little question I'd like to ask you
I have a question to ask you
Brothers and sisters, I have many
I have many brothers and sisters
Stumbling along to do their thing
Trying to figure things out
Love is a song, it's better than any
Love is the best thing there is
It's better for music, it's easy to sing
Love is better than music because it's easy
(Yes, I'm ready)
I am ready
Are you ready? (Yes, I'm ready)
Are you ready? Yes, I am
Gonna be sunshine again (Yes, I'm ready)
Things will get better
And the flowers growing (Yes, I'm ready)
Nature will thrive again
Children playing (Yes, I'm ready)
Children will play and be happy again
Gonna be all right (Yes, I'm ready)
Everything will be okay
You've got to be ready (Yes, I'm ready)
You need to be prepared
I know you're ready (Yes, I'm ready)
I believe you are prepared
Say it loud one more time (Yes, yes, I'm ready)
Say it confidently
Oh, yeah (Yes, yes, I'm ready)
I am ready
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDY HILL, JAY HILDA ASTON, CHERYL BAKER, BOBBY GUBBY, NICHOLA ANDREA MARTIN, MICHAEL NOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Arturo7881
There's rumors of war
Men dying and women crying
If you breathe air, you'll die
Perhaps you wonder the reason why
But wait, don't you worry
A new day is dawning
You catch the sun
And away we'll fly
Are you ready to sit by his throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready then he'll carry you home
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
People say that he won't come
And I don't know what say you
But if he should, would you be the one
I've got a little question I'd like to ask you
Are you ready to sit by his throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready then he'll carry you home
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Brothers and sisters
I have many stumbling along to do their thing
Love is a song, it's better than any
It's better for music, it's easy to sing
Are you ready to sit by his throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready then he'll carry you home
Are you ready to sit by his throne?
Are you ready not to be alone?
Someone's coming to take you home
And if you're ready then he'll carry you home
(Yes I'm ready)
Are you ready?
(Yes, I'm ready)
Are you ready?
(Yes, I'm ready)
I've got to know, yeah
(Yes, I'm ready)
You sound real good
(Are you ready?)
Are you ready?
(Aah, yes, I'm ready)
Gonna be your sunshine again
(Aah, yes, I'm ready)
And the flowers growing
(Aah, yes, I'm ready)
Children playing
(Aah, yes, I'm ready)
Gonna be alright
(Aah, yes, I'm ready)
You've got to be ready
(Oh, yes, I'm ready)
I know you're ready
(I know, baby, I'm ready)
Say it loud one more time
(Oh, yes, I'm ready)
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah
(Yes, yes, I'm ready)
@pennycarroll9006
I heard this song on the radio yesterday and it sure brought back memories! Im 77 now and guess it was back in the 60s! Wow! Love it!
@m.loughlin1915
Turned 15 in '70 and just started playing guitar. This song was one of my absolute favorites.
A better time in a better country.
@brettwolk6640
Ask charlie allen if he thought it was a better country in 1970 than today.
@brettwolk6640
@M. Loughlin yea im aware, im going to let you think about what my reply means.
@m.loughlin1915
@Brett Wolkย You tell me. You want to point something out? Fine. I'm listening.
But I'm not going to make a silly game out of it.
@brettwolk6640
@M. Loughlin yea i made a pretty obvious point its not my fault you dont get it. Im not making a game out of it, im telling you to go away and think about what it means yourself.
@m.loughlin1915
@Brett Wolkย Sorry, but I don't know about the man's life history or his personal business. All I know about him is he fronted a band I really liked.
Your response reminds me of a typical bitchy girlfriend who when asked, "What's the matter?", she answers, "Well, if you don't know, I can't tell you"!
@takedown5184
I was a youngster when this song came out and itโs got everything good about it including an invite to the Gospel.
@alanheindel2629
This is a great live performance! Yes, I just posted on FB BC of the Gospel message! I wonder what year this was?
@mariodeferrari5676
Maravillosa mรบsica y maravillosa รฉpoca ๐๐๐