Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Steve Forbert's Moon River
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll your rain
Roll your rain down
Well, help me peel the frown off my face...chit-chat-chat
I need a little faith an' that's what I'm after
Diamonds on a band in your hair...chit-chat-chat
You're talkin' to your wall, you're sleepin' with a stranger
[Chorus:]
Oh, moon river
Moon river
Lisa doesn't know what I mean...chit-chat-chat
I try to make it good, I can't rearrange her
Standin' in the track of her tears...chit-chat-chat
You know I'm just a child, I can't see the danger
[Chorus:]
Roll your rain
Roll your rain
Roll your rain down
Oooh, well, typin' up alone in my room...chit-chat-chat
The night goes creepin' by, I talk to the paper
Wakin' up to sun feelin' fine...chit-chat-chat
Got shoes aroun' my feet an' I'm off to my races
[Chorus:]
Roll your rain
Roll your rain
Roll your rain down
In this song, Steve Forbert talks about various aspects of life, emotions and relationships. The repeated phrase "Roll your rain" is a cry for release, perhaps from the difficult situations that one encounters in life. The lyrics are full of "chit-chat-chat" which adds texture to the song, making it feel as though we are eavesdropping onto a conversation. Forbert's lyrics express feelings of loneliness and desperation, as well as hope, which often coexist in our lives. The line "I need a little faith and that's what I'm after" indicates that the search for meaning is ongoing and often elusive.
In the chorus, Forbert sings "Oh, moon river, Moon river." He is referencing the classic tune famously sung by Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. This song is a romantic symbol of hope and longing, and by using this phrase, Forbert connects his own emotions to this cinematic representation of yearning, perhaps suggesting that his hope and yearning are no different than that of the iconic heroine portrayed by Hepburn.
Some listeners have interpreted the song to be about Forbert's own struggles as a musician - the lyrics "Typin' up alone in my room," and "Got shoes around my feet and I'm off to my races," seems to suggest that he is a struggling artist trying to make it in a competitive industry. However, much of the song's meaning is open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll your rain
Encouraging someone to let out their emotions or tears
Roll your rain
Reinforcing the encouragement to let out one's emotions
Roll your rain down
Further encouraging someone to express their feelings
Well, help me peel the frown off my face...chit-chat-chat
Asking for someone's help to improve his mood
I need a little faith an' that's what I'm after
Looking for some hope and optimism
Diamonds on a band in your hair...chit-chat-chat
Referring to a woman's beauty, possibly his own love interest
You're talkin' to your wall, you're sleepin' with a stranger
Describing someone who is isolated and alone
Oh, moon river
Expressing awe and admiration for the beauty of the moon
Moon river
Repeating the same expression of admiration
Lisa doesn't know what I mean...chit-chat-chat
His love interest doesn't understand his feelings
I try to make it good, I can't rearrange her
He can't change his love interest's mind or feelings
Standin' in the track of her tears...chit-chat-chat
Being affected by his love interest's sadness or grief
You know I'm just a child, I can't see the danger
Admitting his own lack of experience and knowledge
Oooh, well, typin' up alone in my room...chit-chat-chat
Describing a lonely and introspective moment
The night goes creepin' by, I talk to the paper
Describing an action of writing as a form of self-expression
Wakin' up to sun feelin' fine...chit-chat-chat
Starting a new day and feeling refreshed
Got shoes aroun' my feet an' I'm off to my races
Moving forward with his own plans and goals
Roll your rain
Repeating the same encouragement to express emotions
Roll your rain
Repeating the same encouragement again
Roll your rain down
Repeating the same encouragement one last time
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
russrosh
on Get Well Soon
Love it!