He began his adult life as a young preacher in Philadelphia, where he hosted a gospel radio show. In the 1960s, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music. His first hit was Just Out Of Reach Of My Open Arms, a cover of a country song. Though well-received by both peers and critics, and attaining a few moderate pop and several major R&B hits, Burke never could quite break through into the mainstream as did his contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
Nevertheless, his emotive delivery, polished production, as well as the touches of country and pop sensibility in his music won him admirers and imitators. In 1964 he wrote and recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love his most prominent bid for an enduring soul standard. Covered by the Rolling Stones the same year, other well-known versions include one by Wilson Pickett and another a decade and a half later in the 1980 feature film by The Blues Brothers. Burke's biggest hit was a 1969 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.
His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of the album Don't Give Up On Me, produced by Joe Henry, where he sang songs written specifically for the album by a roster of top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Joe Henry himself.
He is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle singing Turn on Your Love Light and Down in the Valley.
As of October 2002 Burke was the father of 14 daughters and 7 sons with 64 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry, though none as much so as their patriarch.
Burke died, arriving at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where he was supposed to perform with Dutch band De Dijk with whom he recorded an album, entitled Hold on Tight.
Rock icon Mick Jagger performed a tribute to Burke at the 2011 Grammy Awards, laying down Burke's classic hit "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love".
A cover of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love received huge exposure as the music for Amazon's 2019 Christmas commercial.
Fading Footsteps
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said that nothing could be lost
If I only was a half that wise
I wouldn't be walking to get sauced whisky
Now Mozart was a superstar by
The time he made thirteen
Sure would hurt my fingers Lord if
And I heard old Emerson say
No debt will go unpaid
But I feel my heart confounding as
Your cold shoulder turns away turn away
I don't understand it
But I know what it means
Your fading footsteps
When I tell you my dreams
Who stood right there beside you
When you were so afraid
Now I'm crying out to no-one
As your footsteps fade
Fading footsteps, fade fade fade fade away
Old George he must have talked funny
With a mouthful of wooden teeth
But a broke down starving army
Followed that man to victory true Lord
Got a shoe string for my supper
And a suitcase full of rhymes
Suns on hold and a band of gold
And I'm looking at hard times have mercy
And I built you a mountain high
Castles in the sky
Now there they all go falling
And I think that maybe you know why
Why why why
And I don't understand it
But I know what it means
Your fading footsteps
When I tell you my dreams
Who stood right there beside you
When you were so afraid
Now I'm crying out to no-one
As your footsteps fade
Fading footsteps, fade fade fade
Fade away, fading footsteps, fading away
Memories of the times gone by, how they fly
Fading footsteps, castles in the sky
I wonder why why why why why why why
Fading footsteps, fading footsteps
Look out, watch it now mercy, good Lord
Fading footsteps pour whisky
Rip it up ooh ooh ooh
The lyrics of "Fading Footsteps" by Solomon Burke delve into themes of wisdom, loss, and nostalgia. The song begins with a reference to Walt Whitman, an American poet associated with the counterculture and free-spiritedness. Burke mentions that Whitman believed nothing could truly be lost. However, the singer regrets not possessing even half of Whitman's wisdom, as they find themselves walking to drown their sorrows in whiskey.
The mention of Mozart in the next verse contrasts with Whitman's carefree attitude. Mozart was a musical prodigy who achieved great success at a young age. The singer reflects on how difficult it would be to replicate Mozart's talent, highlighting the disparity between their own struggles and Mozart's accomplishments.
The lyrics then take an introspective turn with an allusion to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a notable thinker and philosopher. Emerson's statement that no debt goes unpaid contrasts with the singer's feelings of heartache and rejection as the subject of their affection turns away. The cold shoulder they receive causes confusion and distress, hinting at a loss of emotional connection and abandonment.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's confusion and longing. They confess to not fully understanding the situation but recognize the emotional weight behind the fading footsteps of the person they have lost. The lyrics suggest a previous intimacy and comfort that is now disappearing, leaving the singer feeling alone and unheard.
The final verse introduces the character of "Old George," who is likely George Washington, the first President of the United States. The mention of his wooden teeth and the starving army highlights the hardship and sacrifice he endured. The singer reflects on their own struggles, symbolized by a meager supper and a suitcase full of rhymes, suggesting a life of poverty and poetic expression.
The reference to building mountains and castles in the sky alludes to the singer's efforts to create something meaningful and substantial, only to see them crumble. The lyrics pose a question to the subject of their affection, wondering if they may hold the key to their dreams' demise.
In the final repetition of the chorus, the fading footsteps are equated to the fleeting memories of times gone by. The singer laments their loss, questioning the reasons behind the fading footsteps and expressing a deep longing for understanding. The song concludes with the repetition of phrases and sounds, emphasizing the emotional distress and longing expressed throughout.
Line by Line Meaning
Walt Whitman was a hippie
Walt Whitman, known for his progressive and free-spirited nature, believed that nothing could truly be lost or wasted in life
Said that nothing could be lost
He emphasized the idea that everything has a purpose and nothing is truly lost or without value
If I only was a half that wise
If only I possessed half of Walt Whitman's wisdom and understanding
I wouldn't be walking to get sauced whisky
I wouldn't resort to walking around to find solace in consuming alcohol
Now Mozart was a superstar by
Mozart achieved incredible success and fame at a very young age
The time he made thirteen
His exceptional talent and skills were recognized and celebrated even as a teenager
Sure would hurt my fingers Lord if
It would undoubtedly be difficult for me to play a complex and challenging musical piece like Mozart did
I had to play that mean rip it up
If I had to perform a demanding and intense musical composition
And I heard old Emerson say
There is a quotation attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson that says
No debt will go unpaid
Emerson believed that all debts and obligations, whether literal or metaphorical, will eventually be settled or fulfilled
But I feel my heart confounding as
However, I feel my heart becoming confused and troubled
Your cold shoulder turns away turn away
As you continue to ignore me and reject me, turning a cold and indifferent shoulder, my heart grows more distressed
I don't understand it
I cannot comprehend or make sense of it
But I know what it means
But I do understand the significance and emotional impact it has
Your fading footsteps
Your footsteps, which are gradually growing fainter and disappearing
When I tell you my dreams
Whenever I share my hopes and aspirations with you
Who stood right there beside you
Who was the person who faithfully stood by your side and supported you
When you were so afraid
During times when you were filled with fear and uncertainty
Now I'm crying out to no-one
Now, I find myself desperately seeking help and guidance, but there is no one to hear or answer my call
As your footsteps fade
As your presence and influence in my life disappear
Fading footsteps, fade fade fade fade away
The diminishing sound of your footsteps progressively fading away
Old George he must have talked funny
It is believed that George Washington had a peculiar way of speaking
With a mouthful of wooden teeth
This is a reference to the fact that George Washington wore dentures made from wood
But a broke down starving army
Despite facing adversity and hardship, an impoverished and hungry army
Followed that man to victory true Lord
Remained loyal and devoted to George Washington and led to the ultimate triumph of their cause
Got a shoe string for my supper
I have nothing but a shoelace to rely on for sustenance and a meal
And a suitcase full of rhymes
All I have is a suitcase filled with my poetic and lyrical expressions
Suns on hold and a band of gold
My aspirations and dreams are put on hold, while a sense of loyalty and commitment remains steadfast
And I'm looking at hard times have mercy
I find myself facing difficult and challenging circumstances, seeking compassion and grace
And I built you a mountain high
I created a towering and majestic symbol of my love and devotion for you
Castles in the sky
Built imaginary and lofty dreams and hopes for our future together
Now there they all go falling
Now, all those dreams and aspirations are crumbling and collapsing
And I think that maybe you know why
And I believe that perhaps you have a clear understanding of the reasons behind their downfall
Fading footsteps pour whisky
As your footsteps fade, I turn to drinking whiskey to drown my sorrows
Rip it up ooh ooh ooh
Expressing the emotional pain and turmoil I feel
Memories of the times gone by, how they fly
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of past memories
Look out, watch it now mercy, good Lord
Walking the path of uncertainty and seeking divine intervention and mercy
Fading footsteps, castles in the sky
The diminishing presence of your footsteps and the collapse of our shared dreams
I wonder why why why why why why why
Expressing a deep sense of curiosity, confusion, and longing for answers
Fading footsteps, fading footsteps
The vanishing sound of your footsteps, slowly disappearing
Fading footsteps pour whisky
As your presence fades, I turn to alcohol as a source of comfort and solace
Rip it up ooh ooh ooh
Pouring out my emotions and pain through intense and powerful actions
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julie Smith
Thanks David - brilliant song (and love the Solomon Burke version too), but struggling to pick up some lyrics with my New Zealand ear, anyone know where I can find them online?
MrMusicguyma
Julie, Something like this is at https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/solomonburke/fadingfootsteps.html
hope this helps
"Fading Footsteps"
Walt Whitman was a hippie, said that nothing could be lost
If I only was a half that wise, I wouldn't be walking to get sauced Whisky
Now Mozart was a superstar by the time he made thirteen
Sure would hurt my fingers Lord if I had to play that mean Rip it up
And I heard old Emerson say no debt will go unpaid
But I feel my heart confounding as your cold shoulder turns away Turn away
I don't understand it, but I know what it means
Your fading footsteps, when I tell you my dreams
Who stood right there beside you when you were so afraid
Now I'm crying out to no-one as your footsteps fade Fading footsteps, fade fade fade
Fade away
Old George he must have talked funny with a mouthful of wooden teeth
But a broke down starving army followed that man to victory True Lord
Got a shoe string for my supper and a suitcase full of rhymes
Suns on hold and a band of gold and I'm looking at hard times Have mercy
And I built you a mountain high, castles in the sky
Now there they all go falling, and I think that maybe
You know why Why why why
And I don't understand it, but I know what it means
Your fading footsteps, when I tell you my dreams
Who stood right there beside you when you were so afraid
Now I'm crying out to no-one as your footsteps fade
Fading footsteps, fade fade fade Fade away, fading footsteps, fading away
Memories of the times gone by, how they fly Fading footsteps, castles in the sky
I wonder why why why why why why why Fading footsteps, fading footsteps
Look out, watch it now Mercy, good Lord
Fading footsteps Pour whisky Rip it up Ooh ooh ooh
MrMusicguyma
Another great one.