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's All Right
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 © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vado575
Philadelphia sound ..thanks for sharing
@stevethmod5387
Not heard this before! What a great voice!! Thanks for posting and sharing, makes my day when I hear a tune i like I've not heard before! 🎶🎶👍👍🛵
@SupersonicMark
Yeah it's great, Solomon Burke has a lot of top tunes
@lefakyr6519
One of the greatest voice, can cheer you up just by singing those words, because that's all right.