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.
It
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say it's all right (it's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
We're gonna move it slow
When lights are low
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
Now listen to the beat
Kinda pat your feet
You got soul, and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul
Make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right (it's all right)
Say it's all right (it's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Give yourself a chance
You got soul, and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Someday I'll find me a woman
Who will love and treat me real nice
Then my woe's got to go
And my love, she will know
From morning, noon, and night
And she's got to ...
Say it's all right (it's all right)
Say it's all right (it's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Now give yourselves a chance
You got soul...
Solomon Burke’s hit single “It’s All Right” is an upbeat and soulful song that encourages listeners to move slow, enjoy the music and have a good time. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “say it’s all right” several times, urging listeners to enjoy themselves and ignore their worries. In the first verse, Burke suggests that when the lights are low and you move slow, the experience is intensified. He then instructs the audience to listen to the beat, pat their feet, and let your soul do its thing, because everyone knows “it’s all right”.
In the second verse, Burke gives listeners a strategy for dealing with difficult mornings by suggesting they hum a little soul and focusing on making the most out of life. The bridge of the song emphasizes the importance of clapping hands and giving oneself a chance to shine. The song concludes with Burke’s hope to find a woman who will love and treat him right - someone who will bring him joy and happiness.
Overall, the lyrics of “It’s All Right” encourage listeners to experience joy and happiness. Burke hints that everyone has challenges, but suggests that moving slow, listening to the beat, and focusing on the positive can help people to enjoy life.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it's all right (it's all right)
It's okay to feel good and have fun.
It's all right, have a good time
Don't worry, enjoy yourself.
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Everything's okay, no need to stress.
We're gonna move it slow
Let's take it easy and slow down.
When lights are low
When things are calm and peaceful.
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
Small movements can feel significant.
Now listen to the beat
Pay attention to the rhythm of the music.
Kinda pat your feet
Tap your feet to the music.
You got soul, and everybody knows
You have spirit and energy that shines through to others.
When you wake up early in the morning
On days when you wake up feeling down.
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Experiencing negative emotions, like many people do.
Hum a little soul
Sing a song that speaks to your soul.
Make life your goal
Focus on living life to the fullest.
And surely something's got to come to you
Good things will come your way if you stay positive.
Now everybody clap your hands
Let's celebrate together with applause.
Give yourself a chance
Believe in yourself and take risks.
Someday I'll find me a woman
One day, I will meet a woman who will love me.
Who will love and treat me real nice
Someone who will be kind and caring to me.
Then my woe's got to go
My troubles and worries will disappear.
And my love, she will know
My partner will understand and support me.
From morning, noon, and night
All throughout the day, every day.
You got soul...
You have inner strength and spirit.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@4rowsee174
To Willow Bean
You too lol! Recently I stumbled upon this epic song by accident😯 I was listening to an old Sam Cooke song "Bring It On Home To Me"...one thing led to another and Solomon Burke's name came up as one of the many great Blues/Soul masters that joined the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, BB and Benny King, and others before them...I watched Solomon's performance and was blown away! His voice, style, stage presence, was magical! I wondered how the hell had I missed knowing of him!? Everyone's heard of the late great Otis Redding even though he tragically died at the tender age of 26, so not able to be around for decades of hits, but still is way famous and known world wide.
I then searched for more songs of Solomon's, especially wanting to see vids actually showing his performance, not some lyrics with a a few pics in the background.
I finally found one video of a young Solomon Burke singing the highly addictive Cry To Me"😍😵💫😯 After I kept having to replay this epic masterpiece, I set it to Loop! That wasn't enough, because everyday I keep coming back to watch and listen to this:
"When your baby leaves you all alone..
And nobody call you on the phone...
Doncha feel like crying
Doncha feel like crying
Well, here I am, my honey c'mon baby, cry to me...
Doncha feel like crying (cry to me)
Don't you feel like cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cry (cry to me) cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-crying? (cry to me)
Don't you feel like cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cry (cry to me) cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-crying?"
Wow! To me, Solomon Burke is the epitome of coolness, a real King, the master of soul and blues, and no future generations can compare to his talent, nor the other masters from that magical era that created these masters from the past. In many ways I wished I had been a teenager, young adult back in the 1960's that for me, had the best epic songs, singers, groups, etc...who can top the "Blue eyed soul" of the Righteous Brothers & Elvis. Then there's Dion, and other hot smooth voiced ones like him...the there's the unrivaled mega Masters of groups like The Stones,Beatles, CCR, Led Zeppelin, Small Faces {Itchicoo(?sp) Park} the Eagles, ...the epic hit White Rabbit by Grace Slick..
Then solo artists like Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Tina (the legs) Turner...
then there's Janis Joplin and Joe Cocker, who are in a league of their own, just for their sheer unbridled performances and never forgotten uniqueness!
I could go on and on with how mind blowing the 🎶🎵 songs and singers that era produced.
Damn, I need to stop lol. Anywho, if I had been old enough in that era, I most likely be deceased by now, or too damn old to discover and realize just how amazing those many masters the 60s had, and jazzed and pleased how technology has advanced decades later that allow us to see, watch, and hear so many of them right from our homes, even though the majority have been long gone.
@voyeurette1
I'm 73 year old woman living alone. I play this and slow dance with my dish towel. What a sight to envision but this man's version is the BEST! Can't get enough. Not too old to wish I had a man my age to dance for in a fringy dress!
@kathrynralli4557
He's out there. Go dancing. My mother is 87 looking for Mr. Right, dancing 3 days a week!
@dtschuor459
I vote with the gal whose 87 year old mother still goes out.
If there isn’t anything in your area, maybe it’s gonna be up to you to find a senior gathering place and put on a sock hop?
But, I always have a gratitude for the fact that my legs still allow me to dance💝
@elizabethbeauchamp6580
Try dancing with the broom... it's fun😂!
@mrfreeland123
You dont have to be alone, your dance partner is out there doing the same thing and waiting for you
@yagsmoodley6654
Stay strong, sister.❤
@treborrenrac
73 years old, can't breathe with emphysema, can barely talk and still find myself trying to sing alone with Solomon Burke. Crazy
@chevychelios4672
Jesus loves you
@dianagreen5700
God bless you ❤️
@lizzrobb2313
Aww God love u 😥😥, I was born mid 70s, but grew up loving all the 50s, 60, 70, & now my teenageers are doing the same, can't beat the oldies