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 Your Time
Scatman John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
(Scatting by Scatman John)
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
JOHN: Listen my friend, you don't need any more
When you already got what you're looking for
When you're on the run, from emotions of the past
No relation you make can ever last
You're not ready for love, put it on the shelf
The relationship you need first, is with yourself
Put the cart before the horse and she's gonna turn cold
She don't have any freedom when you try to control
Listen my friend - come close to me
Love is in your hand - you've got to let it be...
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
(Scatting by Scatman John)
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
JOHN: The hole in your soul keeps making you smug
You'll only wanna use the lady as a drug
It's you that you need, not a woman possessed
'Cause when you got you, you'll be ready for the rest
Slow it down brother or you'll miss what you're looking for
It keeps you on the go, and you'll always need more
Love is in the moment - the kind of love that lasts
But you can't have the moment if you're stuck in the past
Look, and you'll see love is there in your hand
Just open your eyes, and you'll begin to understand
Wanna hear the secret? Let yourself be,
You'll inherit your life - it's ecstasy
(Muffled Scatting by Scatman John)
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
(Scatting by Scatman John)
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
(Scatting by Scatman John)
GIRLS: Take your time on the morning after
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go...
Scatman John's "Take Your Time" is a song that is meant to be a caution to men who are looking for love. The song opens with Scatman John urging his male friend to slow down and take some time to figure out what he's really looking for. The lyrics suggest that men should focus on themselves and their own emotional needs before trying to find love with someone else. The chorus, sung by a group of women, advises men to be careful with their hearts and to take things slowly.
The lyrics encourage the listener to put love on the back burner until they've figured out how to love themselves. The verses are full of metaphors describing love as a drug or as something that can be possessed. The song urges the listener to slow down and enjoy the moment, rather than constantly searching for something more.
Overall, the song seems to be a warning against putting too much pressure on relationships and expecting them to solve all of life's problems. Instead, the lyrics suggest that finding love should be a natural and gradual process that is based on mutual respect and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Take your time on the morning after
Don't rush into anything the morning after. Take your time and think things through.
Better watch your heart, when the beat gets faster
Be careful not to get too caught up in the moment and let your heart take over.
Baby I know, I'll never let you go
I will always be there for you and never let you down.
Listen my friend, you don't need any more
You have everything you need, you don't need to keep searching for something else.
When you're on the run, from emotions of the past
When you're trying to escape your past emotions and experiences.
No relation you make can ever last
None of your relationships will work if you don't deal with your past emotions first.
You're not ready for love, put it on the shelf
If you haven't dealt with your past emotions, you're not ready for a relationship.
The relationship you need first, is with yourself
You need to love and understand yourself before you can have a successful relationship with anyone else.
Put the cart before the horse and she's gonna turn cold
If you focus on controlling your partner instead of building a healthy relationship, they will eventually become distant and cold.
Listen my friend - come close to me
Pay attention to my advice, come closer so I can help you understand.
Love is in your hand - you've got to let it be...
You have the power to create love, but you need to let go of your desires to control and allow it to happen naturally.
The hole in your soul keeps making you smug
Your emptiness and lack of self-love keeps making you look for validation from others and feel superior to them.
You'll only wanna use the lady as a drug
You'll only want to use your partner as a way to feel good about yourself and escape your own issues.
It's you that you need, not a woman possessed
You need to focus on loving and understanding yourself, not trying to possess or control your partner.
'Cause when you got you, you'll be ready for the rest
Once you love and understand yourself, you'll be ready to build healthy and meaningful relationships with others.
Slow it down brother or you'll miss what you're looking for
Slow down and don't rush through life or else you'll miss out on what you truly want and need.
It keeps you on the go, and you'll always need more
If you keep rushing through life, you'll never feel satisfied and will always want more.
Love is in the moment - the kind of love that lasts
True love is found in the present moment, and this kind of love endures.
But you can't have the moment if you're stuck in the past
If you're too focused on your past and cannot let go of it, you'll miss the beautiful present moment.
Look, and you'll see love is there in your hand
Love is already in your possession, waiting for you to embrace it.
Just open your eyes, and you'll begin to understand
If you're willing to be open-minded and receptive, you'll be able to see and appreciate the love that surrounds you.
Wanna hear the secret? Let yourself be,
The secret to finding and experiencing true love is to let yourself be and not try to control every aspect of your life.
You'll inherit your life - it's ecstasy
If you allow yourself to be and follow your heart, your life will feel like pure joy and ecstasy.
Contributed by Charlie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Papadopoulos
Take yo' time, We can do-we can do-we can do it
Take yo' time, We can do-we can do-we can do it.
Whooo-whooo...Whoo-oo
We can do-we can do-we can do it
Whooo-whooo...Take yo' time
We can do-we-can do-we can do it
You know that I been licked and I'm terminally hip and you see me
Crawlin' in again reakin' of the same gin
Through the door many times same condition broken mind
Gotta start the same show all over again
Powerless flowerless cannot do this any more
Remember to surrender to the power of your choice
Acceptance is the answer page 449
Slow down take it easy Tommy ain't no hurry here
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Whooo-Whooo take yo' time
We can do-we can do-we can do it.
Whooo-Whooo take yo' time
We can do-we can do-we can do it.
Inventory purgatory checked out my soul.
I'm a legend in my own time legend in my own mind
The plug is in the jug and reality is setting in.
The pink cloud is wearin' thin.The girls are lookin' good
But I'm broke, but I'm broke
Hey Tommy lookin' good.Got a tan.Feelin' better?
Heard you readin' chapter five you know how to stay alive.
Every morning hit you knees ninety meetings ninety days.
Heard you share. We care. Check it out Tommy.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Whooo-Whooo take yo' time
We can do-we can do-we can do it.
Whooo-Whooo take yo' time
We can do-we can do-we can do it.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
Take a time, take a day at a time.
TIME
KoЯn
Leve o tempo que precisar, podemos fazer, podemos fazer, nós podemos fazê
Leve o tempo que precisar, podemos fazer, podemos fazer, nós podemos fazê
(Refrão)
Whooo-whoooo ... whoo-oo
Nós podemos fazer, podemos fazer, nós podemos fazê-lo
Whooo-whoooo ... leve o tempo que precisar
Nós podemos fazer, podemos fazer, nós podemos fazê-lo
Você sabe que eu fui lambido e estou terminalmente deprimido
E você me vê rastejando novamente, fedendo a mesma tralha
Através da porta muitas vezes a mesma mente em condição quebrada
Tenho que começar o show mesmo tudo de novo
Grãos impotentes não podem mais fazer isso
Lembre-se a render-se ao poder de sua escolha
A aceitação é resposta, página 449
Abrande-se, tenha calma, Tommy, não há nenhuma pressa aqui
Leve o tempo que precisar
Leve um dia se precisar ...
(Repete refrão)
Inventário, purgatório, verificada a minha alma
Eu sou uma lenda no meu próprio tempo, a lenda em minha própria mente
As fichas no jarro e realidade é a criação de
A nuvem cor de rosa está vestindo fina
As meninas parecem boas
Mas eu estou quebrado, mas eu estou quebrado
Ei Tommy, parece bom
Tem um bronzeado, se sente melhor?
Ouvi dizer que você está lendo o capítulo cinco, você sabe como se manter vivo
Todas as manhãs bata seus joelhos
Noventa reuniões, 90 dias
Ouvi dizer que você compartilha, nós nos importamos
Olha só, Tommy
Leve o tempo que precisar
Leve um dia se precisar ...
cole white
Here's the lyrics and your Welcome!
LYRICS:
Time...
Time...
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH Woaahhhooh
We can do - we can do - we can do it
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
Woaahhhooh
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
You know that I been licked! and I'm terminally hip!
And you see me crawlin' in again reakin of the same GIN,
Through the door, many times, same condition, broken MIND
Gotta start the same show all over again...
Powerless,flowerless, Cannot do this any more!
Remember to surrender to the power of you choice!
Acceptance is the answer! page 449
Slow down take it easy Tommy ain't No hurry here.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time Take a day at a day at a time. (2x)
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
Woaahhhooh
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT! WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
Woaahhhooh
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
[Scatting] Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
Woaahhhooh
Inventory,purgatory, Checked OUT! my SOUL.
I'm a legend in my own time, legend in my own MIND.
The plug is in the jug and reality is setting in.
The pink cloud is wearin' thin. The girls are lookin good!
But I'm broke... But I'm broke...
Hey Tommy lookin' good. Got a tan. Feelin better?
Heard you readin' chapter five, You know how to stay Alive.
Every mornin' hit you knees' ninety meetings' ninety DAYS.
share. We care. Check it out Tommy Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time...
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
Woaahhhooh
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT! WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
Woaahhhooh
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
[Scatting] Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
TAKE YOUR TIIIIIIIIIME
We can do! - we can do! - we can do IT!
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
[Scatting] Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
Woaahhhooh
Time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time.
Take a time. Take a day at a time. (2x)
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
[Scatting] Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
Woaahhhooh
WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH
Time. Then 6 seconds of Quietness
Just a little clarification for you guys: I added the words like [WOOOAAAAHHHHHHOOHH] & [Woaahhhooh] just so you could somewhat sing along the entire lyrics
Suedeash
This song is oddly beautiful, he really put a lot of soul into this and you can absolutely tell. Even though he died over 20 years again he won't ever be forgotten anytime soon... Art is immortal, and anyone can find success at any point in their life if they take their time.
Adrian Polenok
this song were his last, and no one is enjoing it
Andy F
Art is immortal and the most beautiful thing about it is when future generations find out about it. We might not be able to thank the original creators for a piece but I think from then to now they can appreciate another person respects what they made. The human condition is teaching and passing on, even if they didn't think it then, they passed on to now and that's how we honor them.
Silberwurz
Forgotten Scatman classics such as this should be remembered.
Allen M.
Yes!! When I mention the name Scatman John no one seems to remember him. He is a legend!!
Great Bullet
this is not even close to be forgotten bro. Im born 1992 i have kids and they listen to it ;)
Hyper Chaos Zero
Agreed
Le-Johnny
Absolute masterpiece, I'm glad this man decided to pursue music while he was still alive.
AltairYoshi
I remember Scatman's music mostly from good old SM64 videos, but properly listening to them now they are just wonderful. This is probably my favorite of all his song's so far. All of his musics have this magical feel, it takes me back to simpler times. Not sure if that makes sense but that's what i think XD
Its sad to know he died young... May he rest in peace.
Oceanplayz makes vids
Me too I know 1 of sm64 videos that had this song in it. I have been looking for this song for a week now