Crawford first polished her craft at club gigs from Cincinnati to St. Tropez, but made her name in mid 1970s in New York, where she sang with jazzmen George Benson on his album "Big Man" 1975) and Cannonball Adderley.
She then led Jazz veterans The Crusaders on the transatlantic big hit "Street Life" (1979). Her follow up solo efforts included "'One Day I'll Fly Away" (1980, Grand Prize for Tokyo International Music Festival); "'You Might Need Somebody" (1981); and "'Rainy Night In Georgia" (1981); which all became soul standards. Secret Combination (1981) stayed on the Billboard album chart for 60 weeks, after which her profile dipped, despite a return to the Top 10 with "Almaz" in (1986).
Naked And True (1995) brought Crawford back to her roots: it included Benson's "Give Me The Night", and confirmed her soul heritage by featuring Funkadelicists Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell and The Fred Wesley Horns. But she enjoyed her highest profile of the decade when rising starlet Shola Ama had a worldwide hit with a cover of " You Might Need Somebody" in 1997.
She still continues to make great R&B hits and performs on various Jazz Festivals around the world.
Alfie
Randy Crawford Lyrics
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Is it just for the moment we live
What? s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule As sure as I believe
Something even non-believers can believe in I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you? ve missed, you? re nothing, Alfie
When you walk, let your heart lead the way
And you? ll find love any day, Alfie
Alfie
Randy Crawford's song Alfie is a plea for existential reflection, asking the titular character, "What's it all about?" The lyrics ponder the meaning of life, whether it is temporary or eternal, and whether it requires us to take more than we give. The song ultimately suggests that love is the true source of meaning in life, and that one must follow their heart to find it.
The first stanza of the song questions the purpose of our existence. Alfie, the character being addressed, is asked whether life is just about fleeting moments or if there is more to it. The second stanza poses a more ethical question: are we meant to be selfish or kind? The lyrics suggest that kindness may be foolish, but that cruelty is not necessarily wise. The third stanza turns to the idea of a "golden rule," which may not hold true if life only belongs to the strong. The chorus, which is repeated twice throughout the song, suggests that love is the answer to life's big questions, and that without it, we are nothing.
The final lines of the song implore Alfie to walk through life with an open heart, as that is the way to find true love. The song thus encourages listeners to contemplate the deeper purpose of their lives and to seek out the connections and experiences that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, Alfie
Alfie, what is the true meaning or purpose of life?
Is it just for the moment we live
Do we only live for the present and temporary moments?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie
Alfie, when you figure it out, what is the meaning of life?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Should we be selfish and take more than we give in life?
Or are we meant to be kind
Should we strive to be kind in our actions and interactions with others?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
If being kind makes us appear foolish, should we act cruel instead?
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
So, it's better to be cruel than kind if being kind is considered foolish.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
If only the strong survive in life, what is left for the weak and vulnerable?
What will you lend on an old golden rule
What value do you place on the traditional morals and values of society?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie, I know there's something much more
Even if you believe in a higher power, there must be more to life than just waiting for an afterlife in heaven.
Something even non-believers can believe in
There must be a universal, fundamental truth that even those who do not believe in a higher power can understand.
I believe in love, Alfie
To me, love is the fundamental truth and meaning of life, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Life without genuine, deep love is just mere existence.
Until you find the love you've missed, you're nothing, Alfie
Until you experience the love you have yearned for, your life is incomplete and unfulfilled, Alfie.
When you walk, let your heart lead the way
In life, you should let your heart guide you instead of just following your mind or society's expectations.
And you'll find love any day, Alfie
If you allow your heart to lead you, Alfie, you will eventually find the love you are seeking.
Alfie
The song addresses the listener, a person named Alfie, asking them to consider the meaning of life and the importance of love.
Writer(s): Sonny Rollins, Hal David, Burt Bacharach Copyright: Famous Music LLC, Ensign Music
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.