“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."
Neve give up
Son Little Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man' I'm telling you the truth
I had a temper like a
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Hallelujah
Though I'm battered and blue
Feel like I'm born to lose
Though I never been, never been, never
Never have I been so low
Now there's only one way to go, oh
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
I'm so thankful
I can feel the tingle
From my head to my ankles
And I never felt, never felt, never
Never have I felt so cold
I bring a chill to your bones
Don't you know? Don't you know?
'Cause I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Nigga, get off my porch with your hot-headed self
He says, "I've been expecting it"
Hallelujah
There's only one way to go
Said I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no, no
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
And I never
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
Never will I give up, no, no
The lyrics of Son Little's song "Never Give Up" convey a powerful message of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. The opening lines depict the singer holding both a club and a pistol, symbolizing a past filled with anger and violence. However, the chorus resounds with the declaration that the singer will never give up, repeated emphatically to reinforce their unwavering resolve.
The word "Hallelujah" introduces a shift in tone, suggesting a turning point or a glimmer of hope. Despite feeling battered and blue, and like they were born to lose, the singer declares that they have never been so low. Yet, they acknowledge that there is only one direction to move forward from this point – upward.
The second verse continues the theme of persistence, expressing gratitude for the tingling sensation from head to ankles. This physical sensation symbolizes a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The singer mentions bringing a chill to someone else's bones, perhaps indicating their ability to inspire or affect others positively.
In the final verse, the singer addresses someone who approaches them with a hot-headed attitude, urging them to leave. They assert their expectation of such behavior, perhaps highlighting the challenges they have faced in the past. However, the overarching message remains the same: never giving up.
Overall, Son Little's "Never Give Up" serves as an anthem of resilience, emphasizing the commitment to keep pushing forward despite hardships. It embodies the spirit of perseverance, reminding listeners to stay determined and never abandon their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
With a club in hand and a pistol in the other
Even in difficult situations, I am prepared to fight for my goals.
Man' I'm telling you the truth
I want to emphasize that my words are honest and sincere.
I had a temper like a
My anger was intense and uncontrollable.
And I never
I will always remain determined and resilient.
(Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up)
No matter what happens, I refuse to surrender.
Never will I give up, no, no
I am steadfast in my commitment to keep going.
Hallelujah
Expressing joy and gratitude.
Though I'm battered and blue
Even though I am emotionally and physically beaten down.
Feel like I'm born to lose
It seems like I am destined for failure.
Though I never been, never been, never
Despite the hardships, I have never succumbed to negativity.
Never have I been so low
I have never felt this emotionally down before.
Now there's only one way to go, oh
The only direction from here is upwards.
I'm so thankful
I deeply appreciate my current circumstances.
I can feel the tingle
A sense of excitement and anticipation washes over me.
From my head to my ankles
The tingling sensation spreads throughout my body.
And I never felt, never felt, never
I have never experienced such intense emotions before.
Never have I felt so cold
I have never felt this emotionally detached and distant.
I bring a chill to your bones
My presence gives others a sense of unease.
Don't you know? Don't you know?
I want to make sure you are aware of this.
'Cause I never
It is because I have never wavered.
Nigga, get off my porch with your hot-headed self
I have no patience for someone who is easily angered.
He says, "I've been expecting it"
This person admits to being aware of their own temperament.
There's only one way to go
The only option left is to move forward.
Said I never
I want to reaffirm my unwavering attitude.
Never will I give up, no, no, no
I firmly declare my refusal to surrender.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Aaron Earl Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AmericanHustleMag
This is the best medication ever... i suffer from extreme depression and listening to your music make me feel again... just amazing energy!
kokoroko1188
absolutely
Mark Weller
Medicine for the soul. I was just released from federal prison and have needed a song like this for a long time to push me through bullshit
Mr Man person
what crime did you do?
Pascaline Pommier
So so underrated!! His voice, his message, the melody and even the video 😍!!! Bravo de Paris !! Keep on giving beauty to our lives 🙏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Portia Bhali
Beautiful song... and his voice is angelic. In these trying times.
Pietro Fernandes
Awesome bass line. Also great vocals, drums and lyrics.
Sinethemba Ngundana
Under rated artist
Raízes na música Raízes
Amazing Song from amazing artist A feel good knowing better 🙏🏾
Phil McIntosh
appropriate and a blessing to see what is becoming. thanks Anti-Rex for being so fkn real.!!!!