By the late 1960s Austin was a prolific session musician and commercial jingle singer. By the 1980s she was signed to Jones's Qwest Records and she began having hits. She charted twenty R&B songs between 1969 and 1991 and had success on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where she hit number one in 1981 with "Do You Love Me?" / "The Genie."
The album containing that hit, Every Home Should Have One, also produced her biggest mainstream hit. "Baby, Come To Me," a duet with James Ingram, peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982. After being featured as the love theme in a prominent storyline on the soap opera General Hospital, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in October and went to number one in early 1983.
Next Austin released her third album in three years entitled "Gettin' Away With Murder". In addition to the title track, she had two more hit singles, "Honey For The Bees" (#24 R&B and #6 Dance) and "The Heat of Heat". Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, noted for their later work with Janet Jackson, the latter track returned Austin to the top 15 of the R&B charts for what would be the last time to date. It would also be her last Hot 100 charting to date, peaking at number 55, although she would score a top-5 dance hit with the single Reach that appeared originally on her 1994 CD That Secret Place (GRP Records). "Gettin' Away With Murder" used producers Russ Titelman, Tommy LiPuma, Monte Moir (of "The Time"), and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Billy Joel (Austin sang background on his "Just The Way You Are"), Dan Hartman, friends Luther Vandross and Jocelyn Brown, along with Chaka Khan were among the background vocalists on the project, with successful songwriters, Randy Goodrum, Michael Bolton, Jam & Lewis plus several other big name writers offering up their best compositions on what was likely a big budget affair. She next appeared with Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen in Francis Ford Coppola's critically acclaimed period piece Tucker: The Man and his Dream (1988). That year, Austin released The Real Me, a collection of standards which garnered her the first of several Top 10 showings on the Jazz Albums chart. "The Real Me" was chiefly produced by David Pack who had been a part of the Pop group Ambrosia. Austin served as a co-producer and as Executive Producer on the project. Austin sang "It's the Falling in Love" with Michael Jackson on his album Off The Wall. Other duet partners include George Benson ("Moody's Mood for Love" and "Keep Your Dreams Alive"), and Luther Vandross ("I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning"). Earlier she'd recorded featured duets with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on "Our Day Will Come" and "Swearin' To God" with little billing. Austin also sang lead and background vocals on many contemporary Jazz instrumentalists' records in the 1970s. In 1985 she sang lead vocals on a collaboration with her producer, Narada Michael Walden, and the single, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme", went top 40 on the R&B charts. In 1991, she recorded the duet "You Who Brought Me Love" with music legend Johnny Mathis, which was received with critical acclaim. That same year she was invited to be a guest on a Johnny Mathis television special that was broadcast across North America.
Austin led a new group of Raelettes for the 2006 album Ray Charles + Count Basie Orchestra = Genius². That group also featured veteran session singer Valerie Pinkston and members of the group Perry.
During a 2007 interview promoting her latest recording, Austin reflected how as a teenager she reluctantly attended one of Judy Garland's last concerts and the experience helped focus her career, stating "She (Judy Garland) ripped my heart out. I wanted to interpret a lyric like that, to present who I was at the moment through the lyric."
In 2007 Patti Austin participated in the Avo Session Basel with a program dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald.
In 2008, fifty-three years after getting her first record contract, Patti Austin was awarded her first Grammy Award, winning Best Jazz Vocal Album for "Avant Gershwin" at the 50th annual Grammy Awards. The award came for her ninth nomination in that category.
Austin is co-producer and one of over 70 artists singing on "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
In 2011 Austin released a mostly covers album project titled "Sound Advice" which contained re-works of Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody", Brenda Russell's "A Little Bit Of Love", a lesser known Jacksons tune, "Give It Up," her tribute to late friend/collaborator, Michael Jackson, a cover of Bill Withers, "Lean On Me" which she first sang at a milestone birthday for her Godfather Quincy Jones. Also on "Sound Advice" standout performances of Don McLean's "Vincent" (aka Starry Starry Night) and a deeply female take on "My Way." Austin wrote the anthemic "The Grace Of God" after watching an episode of the old "Oprah Winfrey Show" which featured a facially scarred woman ... Keeping relevant, Austin offered the bouncy slice of Pop/Rock/RandB "Round And Round" including the latest trendy vocal effects, though Austin remains one singer who clearly needs no such production techniques to cover a crystal clear, flexible, and knowing voice imitated by many, duplicated by none. Austin co-wrote and sings in the star-studded L.O.V.E. - Let One Voice Emerge, encouraging especially younger Americans to get out there and exercise their right to vote.[citation needed]
Austin appears in the Academy Award-winning documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on 21 June 2013. She is working on an upcoming, as yet untitled duets album project with James Ingram.
Porgy & Bess Medley
Patti Austin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fore you start a traveling
Women, they born you, love you, and mourn you
But a woman is a sometime thing
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Your mama is the first to name you
And she'll tie you to her apron strings
Then she'll shame you, and she'll blame you
Cause a woman is a sometime thing
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Don't you never let a woman grieve you
Just cause she's got your wedding ring
She'll love you and deceive you
Then she'll take your clothes and leave you
Cause a woman is a sometime thing
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Summertime
And the living is easy
Fish are jumping
And the cotton is high
Oh your daddy's rich
And you're ma is good looking
So hush little baby
Don't you cry
One of these mornings
You're gonna rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning cuz
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mama standing by
Ooh
There's a boat that's leavin soon for New York
Come with me, that's where we belong, baby
You and me can live that high life in New York
Come with me, that's where we belong
That's where we belong
It' ain't necessarily so
It ain't necessarily so
Things that you're liable
To read in the bible
It ain't necessarily so
David was small but oh my
Little David was small but oh my
He fought big Goliath
Who fell down and dieth
Little David was small but oh my
Scared he was
Scared he was
Jonah he lived in a whale
Jonah he lived in a whale
For he made his home in that fishes abdomen oh
Jonah he lived in a whale
Moses was found in a stream
Don't you know that Moses was found in a stream
He floated on the water till old Pharaoh's daughter
She fished him she says from that stream
Scared he was
Scared he was
It ain't necessarily so
Said it ain't necessarily so
Well you tell all your children that the devil is a billain
But it ain't, ain't necessarily so
To get into heaven
Don't snap for a seven
If clean, don't have no fault
Oh take the gospel whenever it's possible
But with a grain of salt
The pharaohs live 900 years
The pharaohs live 900 years
But who calls that living
When no gal's gonna give in
To no man who wants 900 years
I'm preaching the sermon to show
That it ain't nessa, ain't nessa,
ain't nessa, ain't nessa, ain't necessarily so
I've got plenty of nuttin'
Nuttin' is plenty for me
I got not car, got no mule
I got not misery
Folks with plenty of plenty
They've got a lock on the door
Afraid somebody's gonna rob em
While they're out making more, what for
I got not lock on the door, that's no way to be
They can steal the rug from the floor, that's ok with me
Cause the things that I prize
Like the stars in the skies
Are all free
I've got plenty of nuttin'
Nuttin' is plenty for me
I've got my guy, got my song
Got Heaven the whole day long
Got my guy, got my Lord
Got my song
I got plenty of nuttin'
Nuttin's plenty for me
I've got the sun, got the moon
Got the deep blue sea
Folks with plenty of plenty
Gotta pray the whole darn day
Seems with plenty
You sure gotta worry
How to the devil away, away
I ain't frettin about hell till the time arrives
Never wary long as I'm well
Never one to strive to be good to be bad, what the hell I'm just glad
I'm alive
I've got plenty of nuttin'
Nuttin's plenty for me
Got my guy, got my song
Got heaven the whole way long
Got my man, got my Lord
Got my song, got my man
There's a boat that's leaving soon for New York
Come with me, that's where we belong
That's where we belong
The lyrics of Patti Austin's song "Porgy & Bess Medley" incorporate selections from George Gershwin's classic opera "Porgy and Bess." The medley starts with the song "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing," which expresses the complex nature of women and the ups and downs of relationships. It tells the story of how a woman can both love and deceive a man, emphasizing the unpredictable and transient nature of romantic connections.
The medley then transitions into "Summertime," one of the most famous songs from "Porgy and Bess." This iconic lullaby evokes a serene and idyllic atmosphere, describing a peaceful summer where life is easy, and nature is abundant. It highlights the comfort and security that a child's parents provide and foreshadows the hope and possibility of a bright future.
The medley concludes with "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "I've Got Plenty of Nuttin'." These songs challenge traditional beliefs and societal expectations. "It Ain't Necessarily So" questions the veracity of biblical stories and warns against taking everything at face value. It encourages critical thinking and urges listeners to approach religious teachings with skepticism. "I've Got Plenty of Nuttin'" celebrates contentment and the simple joys of life, contrasting the pursuit of material wealth with finding happiness in what one already possesses.
Overall, Patti Austin's medley combines different themes and emotions from "Porgy and Bess," offering a commentary on relationships, hope, disillusionment, and the importance of appreciating life's blessings.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to your mother warn you
Pay attention to the advice and warnings given by your mother
Fore you start a traveling
Before you embark on a journey or adventure
Women, they born you, love you, and mourn you
Women are responsible for your birth, show you love, and mourn your loss
But a woman is a sometime thing
However, women can be unpredictable and not always constant
Yes a woman is a sometime thing
Indeed, women can have varying moods and behaviors
Your mama is the first to name you
Your mother is the one who gives you your name
And she'll tie you to her apron strings
She will try to keep you close and dependent on her
Then she'll shame you, and she'll blame you
She may criticize and hold you responsible for her disappointment
Till your woman comes to claim you
Until you find a partner who takes you away from your mother's influence
Cause a woman is a sometime thing
Because women can be inconsistent and unpredictable
Don't you never let a woman grieve you
Do not allow a woman to cause you grief or distress
Just cause she's got your wedding ring
Simply because she has a symbolic commitment from you
She'll love you and deceive you
She can both love you and deceive you
Then she'll take your clothes and leave you
Afterwards, she might leave you and take everything you have
Summertime
The season of summer
And the living is easy
Life is relaxed and pleasant
Fish are jumping
Fish are leaping out of the water
And the cotton is high
Cotton plants are growing tall and abundant
Oh your daddy's rich
Your father is wealthy
And you're ma is good looking
And your mother is attractive
So hush little baby
Quiet down, my little baby
Don't you cry
There's no need to cry
One of these mornings
At some point in the future
You're gonna rise up singing
You will wake up and start singing
Then you'll spread your wings
You will metaphorically expand your horizons
And you'll take to the sky
And you will soar and achieve great things
But till that morning cuz
But until that time, because
There ain't nothing can harm you
Nothing can cause you harm or distress
With daddy and mama standing by
Because your father and mother will be there to support you
There's a boat that's leavin soon for New York
There is a boat departing soon for New York
Come with me, that's where we belong, baby
Join me on that boat, as New York is where we should be
You and me can live that high life in New York
Together, we can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in New York
Come with me, that's where we belong
Join me, as that is our rightful place
It' ain't necessarily so
It is not always true or accurate
Things that you're liable
Things that you are likely
To read in the bible
To encounter or learn from the Bible
David was small but oh my
David may have been small, but he was impressive
Little David was small but oh my
Even though David was small, he achieved great things
He fought big Goliath
David courageously battled against the giant Goliath
Who fell down and dieth
Goliath was defeated and died
Little David was small but oh my
Despite his size, David's accomplishments were remarkable
Scared he was
He was afraid
Jonah he lived in a whale
Jonah lived inside the belly of a whale
For he made his home in that fishes abdomen oh
As he found refuge and shelter within the fish's belly
Jonah he lived in a whale
Jonah's temporary residence was inside the whale
Moses was found in a stream
Moses was discovered in a stream
Don't you know that Moses was found in a stream
Do you not realize that Moses was found in a stream?
He floated on the water till old Pharaoh's daughter
Moses was carried on the water until he was found by Pharaoh's daughter
She fished him she says from that stream
She claimed to have retrieved him from the stream
It ain't necessarily so
It is not always the case
Said it ain't necessarily so
Asserting that it is not always true or accurate
Well you tell all your children that the devil is a billain
You teach your children that the devil is evil
But it ain't, ain't necessarily so
However, it is not always the reality
To get into heaven
In order to enter heaven
Don't snap for a seven
Do not solely rely on luck or chance
If clean, don't have no fault
If you are virtuous, without any faults or sins
Oh take the gospel whenever it's possible
Embrace the teachings of the gospel whenever you can
But with a grain of salt
But also with a hint of skepticism or caution
The pharaohs live 900 years
According to legend, the pharaohs lived for 900 years
But who calls that living
However, can that really be considered living?
When no gal's gonna give in
When no woman is going to surrender to
To no man who wants 900 years
To a man who desires to live for 900 years
I'm preaching the sermon to show
I am delivering this message to demonstrate
That it ain't nessa, ain't nessa, ain't nessa, ain't nessa, ain't necessarily so
That it is not always true, not necessarily the case
I've got plenty of nuttin'
I have an abundance of nothing
Nuttin' is plenty for me
Having nothing satisfies me
I got not car, got no mule
I do not have a car or a mule
I got not misery
I am free from suffering or unhappiness
Folks with plenty of plenty
People who have an abundance of material possessions
They've got a lock on the door
They have secured their doors with locks
Afraid somebody's gonna rob em
As they fear someone might steal from them
While they're out making more, what for
While they are busy accumulating more, for what reason?
I got not lock on the door, that's no way to be
I do not have a lock on my door, but it does not bother me
They can steal the rug from the floor, that's ok with me
Someone can take the rug from my floor and I would not mind
Cause the things that I prize
Because the things that I value
Like the stars in the skies
Such as the countless stars in the sky
Are all free
They are freely available to me
Got my guy, got my song
I have my partner and my song
Got Heaven the whole day long
I have a sense of heavenly bliss throughout the day
Got my man, got my Lord
I have my partner and my Lord
There's a boat that's leaving soon for New York
There is a boat departing soon for New York
Come with me, that's where we belong
Join me, as that is our rightful place
That's where we belong
That is our true home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelebogile Mokhethi
This album though, arrangements and all..her voice adds another instrument to the orchestra
TheKoolkanadian
Kelebogile Mokhethi I agree! It’s like a beautiful movie to the ear and mind. 💫😀
mimi rich
so glad I found this talent style grace