“I was always a writer," says the man formerly known as Aaron Livingston. "Before I really learned music, I was serious about writing. Didn’t matter what it was. Just playing with words.”
Considering how long he's been making music, that's saying something. Born in Los Angeles to a preacher and a teacher, as a kid he absorbed songs from dusty family records and learned saxophone and piano, though he felt more at home inventing his own language on those instruments rather than following the lesson plan. Adapt or die, as they say.
Cycling through jazz, rock and R&B history, the hungry young son was beginning his true education. A few years later, the Livingstons moved to Queens, introducing Aaron to the active arts of hip-hop, basketball and city life. High school in suburban Jersey left him wanting more, so he headed to Manhattan and Columbia University, where he discovered art, recreational substances, and girls, girls, girls. He dropped out, got a job, got sad, kept journals. He moved to Philly, enrolled at Temple University, met the legendary Roots crew, even played music with them; they put his voice on an album, undun. He had a daughter, then a son. He was happy, still writing all the while.
Then, slowly, the music stalled. Faded. He got another dead end job. He checked out of days. He got sad again. He forgot how to adapt.
But, as it has the ability to do, the songwriting saved him. It was in his blood, he remembered. Coltrane. Hendrix. Santana. Tribe. And this time he vowed to never let it go. That's not to say he's always happy; he's human, after all. But making music helps keep things in perspective.
"I feel the weight of life as I always did, as everyone does," he says. "But I feel the weight lifted, because I love doing this. And the more I do it, the more I love it."
Son Little writes everywhere, every day, finding inspiration on the train, in a car, on the street, in the supermarket, with his children. Sometimes the ideas are fresh. Sometimes a tune comes from his past, a single spark. Nothing is off limits.
"It could be just a thought, and everything else comes from that," he says. "In one of my books could be a phrase that later is a song, and then the song becomes a whole catalog. It’s gotta germinate from somewhere."
Inspiration firmly struck, the song begins to bloom. There are many channels to Son Little's broadcast, varied stops on the dial, from blues to soul to funk to folk, and jook-joint jazz and chamber pop and back again. His voice—raw, weary yet alert, grave and gravelly, Marvin and Otis and Stevie all at once—soars and creeps, cracks and moans. His songs haunt, thrill, yearn and stomp like all the best work of his heroes.
And the learning never stops. Little has collaborated with highly respected artists like The Roots and the producer/DJ RJD2, mentoring under the former and creating a duo with the latter called Icebird, which allowed him to flex his considerable vocal chops and song arrangement skills.
"I've always loved the studio, but RJ helped me see how I can use it more effectively and find ways to challenge myself, and be inventive with sound. And The Roots, it’s hard to quantify what I’ve learned from them. Everything from how to rehearse to how to occupy the stage and command it…two things that are very fundamental in this business, and they are masters."
This fall sees the release of the first recorded output from Son Little for Anti- Records, an EP called, wouldn't you know it, Things I Forgot. Six songs: three babies (released first as videos), two twins, and an RJD2 remix. It's all there, all those misremembered things: Triumph and trophies, hardship and heartache, soft sentences, loud chapters, facts and birthdays, faces and places and scrapes and scales, nights and weeks and years all lost, gone into the ether, slipped away, out-sizing our normal human bandwidth.
"The singles, 'Cross My Heart' and 'Your Love Will Blow Me Away When My Heart Aches' and 'The River,' were more or less written consecutively," he says. "And so I think they were sort of internal responses to one other, complements. It's harder to place but I’ve been tinkering with the other two, 'Joy' and 'Alice,' for a long time. They’re sort of akin to one another in terms of mood. This is a small collection and maybe it's not as much a singular vision...it's more of a handful.”
A grip of memories; Things He Forgot. Son Little writes to remember, matching the disparate vibes of his full, full life with a patchwork blanket of sound, experience and inspiration. Inventing, observing, adapting. And still, it grows.
"I don’t see any end to the learning," he says. "And to understanding more of something that you immerse yourself in. Could be anything, again. Right now I’m immersed in this music and I feel that my understanding appreciates and changes scope and perspective. It's really rewarding in its own way."
Kimberly's Mine
Son Little Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is right here before me
And she's mine, all mine
Brighter than diamonds
She's heavy like gold
Queen of my castle
And she's queen of my soul
Or do I have to stand up and shout it right in your ear?
Kimberly's mine
So stand clear
Or I'm make you pay if I ever catch you tryna hang around here
Coal mine
Pressure on you [?]
Please understand me
'Cause I know how you feel
But Kimberly's mine man
And our magic's real
I'm tryna keep my cool
As cool as I can
But I'm just a martian
I'm just a man
Have I made myself clear?
Or do I have to stand up and shout it right in your ear?
Kimberly's mine
So stand clear
Or I'm make you pay if I ever catch you tryna hang around here
Coal mine
Pressure on you [?]
Have I made myself clear?
Or do I have to stand up and shout it right in your ear?
Hey, Kimberly's mine
So stand clear
Or I'm make you pay if I ever catch you tryna hang around here
Hey
The song "Kimberly's Mine" by Son Little is a passionate declaration of love and possessiveness. The singer describes his lover, Kimberly, as the only thing he ever needed in life and the queen of his castle and soul. He compares her to precious jewels, diamonds, and gold, emphasizing her beauty and value in his life. He warns anyone who would try to come between them to stand clear or face the consequences as he fiercely protects his relationship with Kimberly.
The lyrics also reveal the singer's vulnerability and insecurities as he admits to trying to keep his cool, but acknowledging he's just a man. He fiercely defends his love for Kimberly and their relationship, portraying a sense of loyalty and dedication. The use of metaphorical language throughout the song, comparing his lover to jewels and referring to himself as a martian, adds an artistic depth to the overall meaning of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
All that I ever needed in life
The singer feels complete and fulfilled with what they have in life.
Is right here before me
The singer is grateful and acknowledges that what they need is within their reach.
And she's mine, all mine
The singer is possessive and protective of their partner or loved one.
Brighter than diamonds
The artist describes their partner as something that shines and is precious to them.
She's heavy like gold
The partner or loved one weighs heavily on the artist but is still valuable to them.
Queen of my castle
The singer sees their partner or loved one as the most important person in their life and someone they adore.
And she's queen of my soul
The partner or loved one has a profound impact on the singer's innermost emotions and being.
Have I made myself clear?
The artist wants to ensure their message is understood.
Or do I have to stand up and shout it right in your ear?
The artist is willing to be forceful to get their message across.
Kimberly's mine
The artist wants everyone to know that their partner or loved one is exclusively theirs.
So stand clear
The singer warns others to keep their distance and not interfere with their relationship.
Or I'm make you pay if I ever catch you tryna hang around here
The artist threatens consequences for anyone who disobeys their warning.
Coal mine
The singer compares their relationship to the hardships and pressure of working in a coal mine.
Pressure on you [?]
The singer hints at the challenges and difficulties they and their partner face in their relationship.
Please understand me
The singer wants others to comprehend their perspective and feelings.
'Cause I know how you feel
The artist empathizes with the possible confusion or misunderstanding others feel.
But Kimberly's mine man
The artist repeats their claim to their partner or loved one.
And our magic's real
The singer believes their relationship is genuine and special.
I'm tryna keep my cool
The singer strives to maintain their composure and not become overly possessive or aggressive.
As cool as I can
The artist acknowledges that keeping their cool is a challenge but tries their best to do so.
But I'm just a martian
The artist feels alienated or different from others in their thinking.
I'm just a man
The artist acknowledges their humanity and limitations in dealing with their emotions.
Hey, Kimberly's mine
The singer repeats their claim to their partner or loved one in a more assertive tone.
Writer(s): A Livingstone
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kim Williams
This song brought a smile to my face. Love it!!!!!
Melissa Star
I love this song. Everything about it. HUGE FAN !!
CathD
Just saw Son Little last night in Northampton MA. Fantastic! Better than so many so-called "famous" singers out there.
Malea Hill
He performed the shit outta this last Friday! So happy I got to see him.
Ebony Monique
Song sings to my soul! His voice is life, so old school!
Ana Lídia Amorim Lopes
I feel this artist entering my soul
Leo
Me encanta.I love it.
Ana Lídia Amorim Lopes
So good!!!
Craig Johnson
Genuine artist.
Mason Adams
I love that intro