Rockapella is an American a … Read Full Bio ↴Download "A-Punk" from Rockapella HERE.
Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group best known for their series of Folgers Coffee commercials and the Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? theme song. "Rockapella" is a portmanteau of "rock" and "a cappella". In addition to original vocal music, the group also perform a cappella covers of pop songs.
The original group members consisted of Brown University alumni Elliott Kerman, David Stix, Sean Altman, and Steve Keyes, who started performing together sheerly out of their love for music. Stix left the group early on and was replaced with Charlie Evett. After having performed on New York City street corners for passers-by the group met a producer who found them a spot on the television show Spike & Co.: Do It A Cappella, hosted by Spike Lee. It was this show that put them in the national spotlight.
The text "All sounds provided by the voices and appendages of Rockapella," the central idea of the group, appears on the group's label debut, Don't Tell Me You Do.
None of the original members of Rockapella currently remain in the group. Founding members Sean Altman and Steve Keyes, Rockapella alum Charlie Evett, and non-Rockapella-related baritone Kevin Weist now comprise an a cappella group called The GrooveBarbers. They can be seen on a current nationwide television ad for Astelin nasal spray as 'The Astelins'. Founding member Elliott Kerman, is working independently on jazz music compilations.
Frequently, songs downloaded on file-sharing programs are mis-tagged as Rockapella, when they are instead by other a cappella artists, including collegiate groups, Moxy Früvous, The Nylons, and Da Vinci's Notebook, as well as for other, less similar acts, such as Eddie From Ohio, or They Might Be Giants.
On December 11th, 2009 Rockapella made a free version of "White Christmas" available for download on Rockapella.com.
Members:
Current
* Charles S. ("Scott") Leonard (high tenor, joined 1991)
* Jeff T. Thacher (vocal percussion, joined 1993)
* George W. Baldi (bass, joined 2002)
* John K. Brown (baritone, joined 2004)
* Steven Dorian (tenor, joined 2010)
Former
* David Stix (bass, member 1986-1987)
* Charlie Evett (bass, member 1987-1988)
* Steve Keyes (high tenor, member 1986-1991)
* Sean D. Altman (tenor, member 1986-1997)
* Barry S. Carl (bass, member 1989-2002)
* Elliott S. Kerman (baritone, member 1986-2004)
* Kevin R. Wright (tenor, joined 1997)
So Much Better
Rockapella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much better baby,
So much better than before....
I been workin on the railroad darlin layin tie by tie,
Pleased with playin the peaceful of
Whatever good landed in my life.
I been playin in the bullpen baby, nothin on the line
Baby no no no
In the early evenin, I like to breathe under the sky
Like to count up all the blessings in my one-man paradise.
In the early evenin, in the lavender light...
"And with a large whoosh, the clouds
Opened, revealing you -- strange and
Unwelcome, and yet"...
So much better
So much better
So much better than before
So much better
So much better
Livin in never livin outside my door
So much better
So much better
So much better than before
So much better
So much better
So much better than before
When you let me love you, you know I thank the lord above,
You're the closest thing to heaven that I've seen in this life,
When you let me love you, when you lay by my side.
(Chorus or variation)
I been workin on the railroad darlin layin tie by tie
Pleased with playin the peaceful of
Whatever good landed in my life
If ya feel like leavin you know ya can go on your own
Ain't gonna waste my time not feelin fine
(Chorus)
The lyrics of “So Much Better" by Rockapella celebrates a newfound joy in life that comes from loving someone. The song begins with the singer talking about how they have been working hard all day, but they are still happy with what they have achieved. They do not waste their time with things that do not matter or make them feel good. The singer describes how they like to spend their evenings, which involves counting all their blessings, feeling grateful and enjoying the peace around them. Suddenly, the clouds open up, and the person they love appears, making everything so much better.
When the person they love lets them love them back, the singer feels like they are in heaven. They acknowledge that this person is the best thing that has ever happened to them, and they are grateful to have them in their life. The singer ends by saying that if the person they love feels like leaving, they can, but they are not going to let it affect their happiness.
In essence, the lyrics of "So Much Better" convey the message that love makes everything better. It encourages one to appreciate the little things in life and to not waste time on things that do not matter. The song speaks of finding joy and happiness in the people that love us, and in the blessings that we have in life.
Line by Line Meaning
So much better baby,
The situation has improved significantly compared to earlier, my dear.
So much better than before....
This situation is now considerably better than it was previously.
I been workin on the railroad darlin layin tie by tie,
I have been putting great effort into my work, darling, with each tie I lay on the railroad.
Pleased with playin the peaceful of
I am content with enjoying the peacefulness provided by whatever good things have come into my life.
Whatever good landed in my life.
I am fortunate to have received any good things that have come my way.
I been playin in the bullpen baby, nothin on the line
I have been playing without any significant stakes or risks, my dear.
Ain't gonna waste my time with not feelin fine,
I will not allow myself to waste time feeling anything other than fine.
In the early evenin, I like to breathe under the sky
During the early evening hours, I enjoy taking in the fresh air beneath the open sky.
Like to count up all the blessings in my one-man paradise.
I like to remind myself of all the positive things in my life, in my own solitary paradise.
"And with a large whoosh, the clouds
Opened, revealing you -- strange and
Unwelcome, and yet"...
Suddenly, the clouds opened with great force, to reveal you: someone strange and unwelcome, though still there before me.
When you let me love you, you know I thank the lord above,
I am grateful to have the opportunity to love you, and I thank the heavens for it.
You're the closest thing to heaven that I've seen in this life,
In this life, you are the most heavenly thing I have ever encountered.
When you let me love you, when you lay by my side.
When you allow me to express my love to you, as you lie beside me.
If ya feel like leavin you know ya can go on your own
If you ever feel like leaving, know that you have the freedom to do so on your own.
Livin in never livin outside my door
I am so content with my life that I feel like I never have to leave my door to experience joy.
Contributed by Maya W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.