Scatman John has received 14 golds and 18 platinums for his albums and singles. He was also the recipient of the Annie Glenn Award for his outstanding service to the stuttering community, and was also inducted to the National Stuttering Association's Hall of Fame.
In 1995, at 52 years of age, he became a world star. The sales of its single were low at the beginning, but gradually they were increasing until reaching the 1º position in practically all the countries where it was sent, selling more than 6 million copies throughout the world. Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop) is still his biggest sales success and his best song to date, having stayed several weeks in the Top 10 singles in the United Kingdom. Later he continued with the single Scatman's World entering the Top 10 of the United Kingdom with less success than his first single, but selling 1 million copies and reaching high positions throughout Europe.
Following the successes of these two singles, he released his debut album Scatman's World. It sold 3 million copies and broke the world record as an album sold in the largest number of countries. Scatman John began a tour of promotional concerts in Europe and Asia. In an appearance he made in Spain, the young people shouted for 5 minutes in a row, he couldn't start the song. During an interview regarding the new album, Scatman John spoke so fluently that a journalist said he had not heard Larkin stutter even once and asked if he was not using the stuttering community as a means to continue his career. Scatman was surprised to feel ashamed for the first time of his ease of speaking.
He was later diagnosed with lung cancer and soon went into intensive treatment. He maintained a positive attitude throughout, declaring that "whatever God wants is fine by me... I've had the very best life. I have tasted beauty." He died in his Los Angeles home on December 3, 1999, at the age of 57.
"I hope that the kids, while they sing along to my songs or dance to it, feel that life is not that bad at all. Even for just a minute." - John "Scatman" Larkin
Discography:
1995 - Scatman's World
1996 - Everybody Jam!
1995 - Scat Paradise (EP)
1999 - Take Your Time
Take Me Away
Scatman John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so happy I could kiss the sky
A Beautiful woman is the reason why
Umm... she's so lovely when she sighs
I be feelin' so good I want to cry
GIRLS: Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
We'll dance until the morning light
Take me away (Yeah, yeah)
We'll stay together every night and day (Yeah, yeah)
Up and away (Yeah, yeah)
And everything will be alright (Yeah, yeah)
JOHN: Reggae!
My heart starts beating every time she moves
Beautiful lady got nothing to prove
I wanna make-a-love-her every night
Suddenly I know everythin' alright
GIRLS: Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
We're going on a summer holiday
Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
We'll dance until the morning light
Take me away (Yeah, yeah)
We'll stay together every night and day (Yeah, yeah)
Up and away (Yeah, yeah)
And everything will be alright (Yeah, yeah)
JOHN: Reggae!
GIRLS: (Yeah Yeah) -
JOHN: Take it out baby... take it out babe
Keep dancing! Ow! Yeah Yeah
Listen to the Scat reggae!
GIRLS: Take me away
We're going on a summer holiday
(It's my party)
Take me away
We'll dance until the morning light
(It's my party)
Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
We'll stay together every night and day
(It's my party)
Up and away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
And everything will be alright
(It's my party)
Take me away (yeah yeah) -
Up and away (yeah yeah)...
The lyrics to Scatman John's "Take Me Away” is a feel-good, upbeat reggae track. In the song, Scatman John talks about the happiness he feels when he is around a beautiful woman. He is so elated that he feels like he could "kiss the sky." The beautiful lady he is referring to is so lovely that he wants to cry. The song is not only about Scatman John's happy feelings but also about the desire to escape from the mundane and enjoy life. The lyrics are calling for someone to take him away on a summer holiday where they could dance until the morning light.
The female backing vocals in the song call for someone to take them away on a summer holiday where every day and night will be spent together, and everything will be alright. The vocals repeat the phrase "take me away" as a plea to whoever could take them away from their current situation. The song continues to encourage dancing and letting loose, putting aside life's worries to enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so happy I could kiss the sky
I am experiencing immense joy and ecstasy that makes me feel like I could touch the sky with my lips.
A Beautiful woman is the reason why
My happiness is occasioned by the presence and affection of a woman who is physically striking and appealing to me.
Umm... she's so lovely when she sighs
The woman's sighing is an expression of her beauty and attractiveness that makes me appreciate her even more.
I be feelin' so good I want to cry
The overwhelming feeling of happiness and satisfaction in me is so intense that it brings tears to my eyes.
Take me away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
I desire to embark on a trip or experience that offers an escape from the mundane or challenging aspects of my life, and immerse myself in a blissful, carefree world.
We're going on a summer holiday
The experience we seek is associated with the warm, vibrant, and relaxed atmosphere of a summer vacation.
We'll dance until the morning light
The fun and excitement of the experience will keep us active and energized, dancing and enjoying ourselves until the dawn of a new day.
We'll stay together every night and day
The experience will be shared with a partner or group of people, and there will be a deep sense of togetherness and companionship throughout the day and night.
Up and away
We are breaking away from the routine and restrictions of our lives, and soaring to new heights of freedom and joy.
And everything will be alright
The experience will bring us a sense of calm, contentment, and fulfillment, and we will not worry about the troubles or challenges of our everyday lives.
My heart starts beating every time she moves
The woman's presence and movements evoke strong and passionate feelings of admiration, attraction, and love in me.
Beautiful lady got nothing to prove
The woman's beauty and allure are natural and effortless, and she does not need to prove anything to anyone.
I wanna make-a-love-her every night
My desire for the woman is intense and sexual, and I want to express it physically and regularly through sexual intimacy.
Suddenly I know everythin' alright
The woman's presence in my life brings me a deep sense of comfort, security, and joy, and everything else fades away in her company.
(Yeah Yeah)
An expression of excitement, enthusiasm, or agreement with the preceding statement or action.
Keep dancing! Ow! Yeah Yeah
An encouragement and invitation to keep dancing and enjoying the moment, accompanied by joyful sounds and expressions.
(It's my party)
A celebratory exclamation, indicating ownership, agency, or pride in the creation and enjoyment of the experience described in the song.
Take it out baby... take it out babe
An invitation or command to remove or discard any negativity, inhibition, or restriction that may hinder the enjoyment of the moment.
Listen to the Scat reggae!
An advertisement for the musical style and genre of the song, Scat reggae, which combines improvisational vocalization, rhythm, and melody to create a lively and innovative sound.
And everything will be alright (yeah yeah)
Reiterating that the experience or relationship described in the song will bring a profound, lasting sense of happiness, fulfillment, and inner peace.
Up and away (oh-ley, oh-lye)
Similar to previous mentions, describing the sense of freedom and release that the experience will provide.
Contributed by Ethan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.