Their self-titled debut album entered the US Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart at number 6 in February 2017, and reached number 1 on the iTunes Blues Chart.
The band's eventual leader, Ori Naftaly, grew up in Israel and relocated to Memphis in 2013 to compete for Israel in the International Blues Challenge competition. After advancing to the IBC Semi-Finals (the highest an Israeli artist had placed at that point in time), Naftaly made the move permanent and toured the United States with his own band. However, Naftaly became disenchanted with his own outfit and later met the Memphis native Tierinii Jackson, a vocalist who introduced him to her drumming sister, Tikyra. Other musicians joined the fledgling outfit in 2015 who took the band name Southern Avenue, in recognition of the Memphis street. They toured the United States and in Europe, appearing at several music festivals and competed themselves at the International Blues Challenge in January 2016, representing Memphis. Less than a year after their formation, they signed a recording contract with Stax Records.
Their self-titled debut album was released in February 2017 via Stax Records, a division of Concord Music Group. It was mixed and produced by Kevin Houston. Southern Avenue included ten songs, nine of which were penned by Naftaly and Tierinii Jackson, and the track-list also included a cover of Ann Peebles' "Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love". The collection featured guest appearances from Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars and trumpeter Marc Franklin of the Bo-Keys. The album was recorded at Inside Sounds in Memphis and at Zebra Ranch in Coldwater, Mississippi. One journalist described their music as "unique blend of gospel-tinged R&B vocals, roots/blues-based guitar work and soul-inspired songwriting".
In June 2017, they performed at an event for Rock and Wrap it Up. The North Mississippi Allstars invited Southern Avenue to support them on their "Prayer For Peace" tour. Southern Avenue's debut album entered the US Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart at number 6. The band toured across the US until October 2017.
Southern Avenue played at Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware on June 15, 2018 and the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon on July 6, 2019.
Savior
Southern Avenue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody′s gonna love you like I
Give me your heart to ease my mind
I don't trust no other lover to treat you right, oh
Put it all in my hands
Oh baby let me save ya
Nobody understands
Put your love in the right place
Put your love in the right place
Put your love where no one can break ya
Oh let me be your savior
(Oh) Ooh-oh
I know your heart and understand your mind
I know your worth, you're one of a kind
Just wanna ease your doubts
Be the woman you don′t wanna be without
Darling, the world is cruel
And no one deserves a king like you, oh
Put it all in my hands
Oh baby let me save ya
Nobody understands
Oh let me be your savior
Put your love in the right place
Put your love in the right place
Put your love where no one can break ya
Oh let me be your savior
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh
Pour me your truth, then
My love will cover you
My tears will seal your wounds
When you cry I die inside for you, I
Put your love in my highest place, I
I shower down my dearest grace
Just trust in me, yeah
Trust in my love, oh
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Let me be your)
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Let me be your)
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Let me be your)
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh
In "Savior," Southern Avenue offers a message of support and love to a person who is hurting. The song suggests that the singer understands and appreciates the person's worth and wants to be there for them. They ask for the person's heart, promising to ease their mind and save them from other potential lovers who may not treat them right.
The chorus of the song is a plea to the person to trust the singer and put their love in the right place. The message is clear: the world is cruel, but the singer is here to help. They offer their love and support as a way to protect the person from harm, sealing their wounds with their tears and showering them with grace.
The song is a soulful, heartfelt plea to someone in need. It speaks to the power of love and forgiveness, suggesting that the singer can provide both to the person in question.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet lovin′ don't you pass me by
Don't ignore my love and the opportunity for happiness that I can give you
Nobody′s gonna love you like I
No one else will love you as much as I do
Give me your heart to ease my mind
Give me your love so that I can feel secure in our relationship
I don't trust no other lover to treat you right, oh
I don't trust anyone else to treat you with the love and respect that you deserve
Put it all in my hands
Trust me with your heart and let me be responsible for your happiness
Oh baby let me save ya
Let me be your savior and protect you from pain and heartache
Nobody understands
No one else knows you like I do and can love you the way you need to be loved
Oh let me be your savior
Trust me to be the one who saves you from heartache and pain
Put your love in the right place
Invest your love in me and let me take care of it
Put your love where no one can break ya
Give your love only to me so that it can never be damaged or destroyed
I know your heart and understand your mind
I know you deeply and understand what you need from a relationship
I know your worth, you're one of a kind
I recognize how amazing and unique you are
Just wanna ease your doubts
I want to alleviate any fears or uncertainties you have about our relationship
Be the woman you don′t wanna be without
Be the person who completes you and who you couldn't imagine living without
Darling, the world is cruel
The world can be a harsh and unforgiving place
And no one deserves a king like you, oh
You are special and worthy of a love fit for a king
Pour me your truth, then
Tell me your deepest thoughts and feelings
My love will cover you
My love will protect you and make you feel safe
My tears will seal your wounds
My empathy and compassion will help heal any emotional pain you may have
When you cry I die inside for you, I
You mean so much to me that seeing you cry hurts me deeply
Put your love in my highest place, I
Put your love for me above everything else
I shower down my dearest grace
I give you my best and most sincere love
Just trust in me, yeah
Believe in my love and have faith in our relationship
Trust in my love, oh
Believe that my love for you is genuine and true
(Let me be your) Savior
Let me be the one who saves you from heartache and protects you with my love
Writer(s): Tierinii Tamille Jackson
Contributed by Lucy Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patriciaberry7509
An absolute jewel this song is💕
@Jyamishiro
this one captivated me on first listen! absolutely lovely~
@davidwhite206
Absolutely love this song!! I'm from Memphis, TN. but I'm living in Nashville now. Can't wait to see you guys live again.
@Serenityblisse
Istg this song deserves more recognition its sooo good
@idilozler1158
Never stop making music!! 🙏🏻💗
@satungsatang1988
Im from Thailand
I love this song !!❤️❤️❤️
@coolmikepl
Amazing
@leovermeiren
Helaba, great song and music, greetings from Ostend Belgium!
@farmfreshradio4415
People are listening in Burlington!
@greciacabanillas4181
No me canso de escucharla ❤️