Before joining Earth, Wind & Fire in 1971, Bailey sang with different ensembles in the Denver and Chicago area.
Bailey found fame by sharing the lead vocals on EWF songs with EWF-founder Maurice White. Their harmonic voices are legendary. Bailey is most famous for his falsetto and sung lead on such songs as "Devotion", "Head to the Sky", "Reasons", "Fantasy" and "I've Had Enough". Some of Bailey’s earliest heroes included jazz giants like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Max Roach. But he also developed a taste for the Motown sound, especially the music of Stevie Wonder, who was just beginning to make his mark in the early 1960s. He was also greatly influenced by female singers like Dionne Warwick.
Bailey is currently the on-stage leader of Earth, Wind & Fire, along with bassist Verdine White, vocalist/percussionist Ralph Johnson and vocalist/percussionist B. David Whitworth.
Bailey has also recorded as a solo artist, as well as duets with Little Richard, Phil Collins and Eric Benet. His most notable song was a duet with Phil Collins, "Easy Lover" from his solo album Chinese Wall. Phil Collins, during a radio interview, was asked how "he discovered" Philip Bailey. Annoyed at the lack of knowledge of the interviewer he made up a story about how he had been filling his car with gas/petrol when he heard the attendant singing...and that turned out to be Philip Bailey. The interviewer believed the whole story, which was also picked up by other media outlets.
Bailey also records gospel albums and did a jazz-styled album entitled Soul on Jazz.
Nature Boy
Philip Bailey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very strange enchanted boy.
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea,
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he.
And then one day,
And while we spoke of many things,
Fools and kings,
This he said to me,
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
And then one day,
One magic day, he passed my way.
And while we spoke of many things,
Fools and kings,
This he said to me,
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
To be loved in return.
The opening lines of Philip Bailey's song, "Nature Boy," introduce a mysterious character who is described as a strange and enchanted boy. He is said to have wandered far and wide, both over land and sea, and while he appears somewhat melancholy and withdrawn, he is also celebrated for his wisdom and insight. The song takes a turn when the singer encounters this boy, and they engage in a conversation that covers a range of topics, including the nature of power and the human condition. Finally, as they part ways, the boy imparts a message that becomes the central theme of the song: the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
One interpretation of the lyrics of "Nature Boy" is that the boy represents an idealized version of humanity. He embodies the natural harmony and wisdom that can be found in the world, and he offers a path towards greater understanding and fulfillment. At the same time, however, he is presented as a somewhat isolated figure, and the message of love and acceptance that he offers is perhaps a reflection of his own longing for connection and community.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy...
A boy existed, one that was unusual and mystical.
A very strange enchanted boy.
The boy was strange and had an unexplained charm.
They say he wandered very far, very far
Rumor has it that the boy wandered to distant, remote lands and seas.
Over land and sea,
The boy traveled through both land and sea.
A little shy and sad of eye
The boy was a bit reserved and had a sad look in his eyes.
But very wise was he.
Despite his youth, the boy possessed great knowledge and understanding.
And then one day,
On a particular day,
One magic day, he passed my way.
A special day when the boy met the artist.
And while we spoke of many things,
During our conversation, we talked about various subjects.
Fools and kings,
Our discussion included topics of foolishness and royalty.
This he said to me,
The boy uttered these words to the singer.
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
The most significant lesson you'll ever acquire
Is just to love and be loved in return.
Is merely loving and being loved in response.
To be loved in return.
The boy emphasized the need to be loved in response to loving someone else.
Contributed by Caleb K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.