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.
Shambala
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the rain of Shambala
Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame
With the rain of Shambala
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
On the road to Shambala
Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind
On the road to Shambala
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes
On the road to Shambala
I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes
On the road to Shambala
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
(Tell me) How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, Shambala
Ah, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah, road to Shambala
Solomon Burke’s song “Shambala” speaks of a utopian world in which all troubles, sorrows and shame are washed away by the rain of Shambala. The song describes everyone as helpful and kind on the road to Shambala, where everyone is also considered lucky. The repeated question, “How does your light shine in the halls of Shambala?” seems to speak to one’s impact on such a world - a world where the name alone connotes a sense of tranquillity and peace. Moreover, the imagery of identifying one’s siblings and friends by “the flowers in their eyes” also suggests that this is a community deeply connected to and aware of each other’s emotions and needs.
Burke’s song speaks to what many may yearn for, particularly during uncertain times: a world where everyone is kind and helpful, a world where troubles are washed away with ease, and where individuals are understood and supported by their community. The mention of light, although brief, also speaks to a sense of hope and possibility - a world illuminated by the collective good of its inhabitants. In all, the song paints a vivid picture of a harmonious and idyllic world, one that strongly contrasts with the flawed and imperfect society that many navigate on a daily basis.
Line by Line Meaning
Wash away my trouble, wash away my pain
With the rain of Shambala
I seek release from my distress and agony through the transformative energy of Shambala
Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame
With the rain of Shambala
I desire absolution from my grief and guilt through the purifying power of Shambala
Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind
On the road to Shambala
The journey towards Shambala is marked by communal support, compassion, and generosity
Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind
On the road to Shambala
The path to Shambala is characterized by a culture of fortune and benevolence towards all beings
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?
What is the nature of your inner radiance when in the presence of the spiritual realm of Shambala?
I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes
On the road to Shambala
On the path to Shambala, I can intuitively recognize my sibling's connection to the divine through the beauty and vitality of their gaze
I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes
On the road to Shambala
While journeying to Shambala, I can discern my kin's proximity to the sublime based on the luminescence and grace of their countenance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL JOSEPH MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lorenzo Paredes
I didn't know Shambhala was so funkified. That bass line is so contagious.
imnokid
Tony, thanx for uploading this. I'm on a Soloman dive and this was in his discogs and I didn't have it.