Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four. As a young man, Lewis played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner's Knights of Music. Lewis would eventually join a jazz group called The Clefs.
He formed The Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956 with Eldee Young and Isaac Holt. They started as primarily a jazz unit but after their hit, "The In Crowd", in 1965 (the single reached fifth place on the pop charts, and the album second place) the trio concentrated more and more on pop material. Young and Holt left in 1966 to form the Young-Holt Trio and were replaced by Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White. White was replaced by Maurice Jennings in 1970. In the late 1970s an additional keyboard player was frequently added to the lineup. A contemporary version of "The In Crowd" was recorded for Lewis' 2004 album, Time Flies.
His 2005 album "With One Voice" pays homage to his gospel roots with the help Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks, and Donald Lawrence and the J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir.
In addition to recording and performing, he was a radio host on Chicago's Smooth Jazz station, WNUA (95.5 FM). His syndicated show Legends of Jazz, featuring classic jazz recordings from artists such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis), could be heard in 60 cities in the United States and other countries as well. His Legends of Jazz television series on PBS, was first aired in April 2006.
From December 2006, the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show became a part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other Smooth Jazz stations across the country for the first time.
Lewis was artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia (an annual feature at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois) and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program.
Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In
Ramsey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or decisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Ramsey Lewis's song Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In is a celebration of peace and love, and a call for harmony and understanding. The song starts with the lyrics "When the moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars." These astrological references are believed by many to indicate a time of great change and progress. The Seventh House is commonly associated with relationships, harmony, and balance, while Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth, and Mars is the planet of energy and action. Thus, the alignment of these two planets, according to astrologers, would bring about a period of peace, love, and collective evolution. The song suggests that this moment of cosmic alignment heralds the dawn of a new era, the Age of Aquarius.
The Age of Aquarius represents a time of enlightenment, transformation, and cosmic awareness. The song continues with the lyrics "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Age of Aquarius." It is a time of spiritual awakening, where people come together and share a common vision of unity and harmony. The song invokes images of a world without falsehoods, derisions, or misunderstandings, where people are gradually liberated from their minds and allowed to pursue their dreams and visions. The lyrics "Mystic crystal revelation and the mind's true liberation" suggest that enlightenment is possible through the transcendence of the ordinary world and a connection with the divine.
In summary, Ramsey Lewis's song Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In is a jubilant anthem that celebrates a new age of peace, love, and understanding. With references to astrology and mysticism, the song invites listeners to imagine a world where harmony and compassion reign supreme.
Line by Line Meaning
When the moon is in the Seventh House
When the moon is in the astrological house representing partnerships and marriage
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
And the planets of expansion and assertion align
Then peace will guide the planets
Then an atmosphere of tranquility will prevail in the universe
And love will steer the stars
And an emotion of affection will be the force behind cosmic movement
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
This is a starting point of a new era characterized by humanitarianism, intellectualism, and innovation
The Age of Aquarius
The era of the astrological sign Aquarius, symbolizing revolution and forward thinking
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Aquarius is celebrated as the harbinger of a better future
Harmony and understanding
The ideas of peaceful coexistence and empathy
Sympathy and trust abounding
Mutual compassion and confidence prevailing
No more falsehoods or derisions
No more lies or mockery about different ideas and lifestyles
Golden living dreams of visions
Aspirations for a shining, glorious future
Mystic crystal revelation
An inexplicable and clear insight
And the mind's true liberation
And the complete freedom of thoughts
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Aquarius is again hailed as the bearer of positivity and optimism
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Galt MacDermot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind