In 1975 Street Corner Symphony released its first single "Earth Angel" (B-side: I'm Not Ready (To Let You Go)) on Bang Records (B-719). The single was followed by the groups album "Harmony Grits", released also on Ban Records (BLP-406) in 1976. The album was produced by Jerry Love and Michael Zager.
In 1976 Street Corner Symphony released its hit album "Little Funk Machine" on ABC records. The album was produced by none other than Willie Hutch.
Essentially a vocal quintet, three of its members, (Jesse Harris, Milton Hayes and Lawrence Miller) had started out in Los Angeles group The Marvellos (aka The Sons Of Watts) during the sixties. Lead singer Morris Chestnut, formerly of the Attractions, The Sound-Masters and The Vows, recorded solo both under his own name and that of James Washington Lee.
The second, soon to be disbanded, Street Corner Symphony was founded as a birthday present for Mark on May 28, 2010. It began with six talented fellows–Jeremy & Richie Lister, Jon & Mark McLemore, Ben Dixon, and Sean Saunders–who had worked together, but not as a single group. In fact, Ben and Sean met Jeremy and Richie the day before SCS’s first gig.
Three weeks later, the group broke up. Citing reasons of some sort, Ben and Sean left void the high and low ends of Street Corner Symphony’s frequency spectrum. Within days, however, Mark had contacted two friends in his extensive network of talented people and restored balance. Welcome, John Martin and Adam Chance. Street Corner Symphony commenced the dominating.
The members of Street Corner Symphony are from all over the Southeast US and are proud to call Nashville TN their home base. The group was formed in May of 2010 for the sole purpose of winning the Sing Off. SCS brings a unique laid back southern soul to the competition, demonstrating notable influences from artists like Take 6 and Alison Krauss. While SCS offers a diverse repertoire, the group has a rich heritage in gospel music. Two of the members are grandsons of the legendary southern gospel tenor Bill Shaw of “The Blackwood Brothers.” In addition, five of the six members were preacher’s kids and grew up singing and learning music in church. SCS is made up of two sets of brothers and two other unrelated guys, and each brings a unique background and character to the group. One member is a pilot, one is a major label recording artist, one is an operatic baritone, one is a dichromat, one has indeed met Chuck D., and one has a serious phobia of fruit. When not singing together, the group is actually still just trying to get acquainted!
Adam Chance was born on the Florida Panhandle and grew up in southern Alabama just north of the beautiful, once oil-free, Gulf Coast beaches. His childhood home was two miles down a dirt road and he spent many summer days fishing in the Gulf. He is the only member of Street Corner Symphony that is not a minister’s son. He learned to sing in the shower, learned music theory in marching band and plays a number of instruments. He once met Chuck D. Adam studied journalism and music at the University of Alabama and is also a songwriter. He enjoys watching american and association football, wearing vests and ties, and would prefer not to die by sword or gunshot. Although he sings bass in the group, he is afraid of spiders.
John Martin is the high tenor for SCS, a native of Marianna FL and is probably shorter than you. His dad was a chaplain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religion and Music in 2009 from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. John is honored to have been selected as a winner of the state National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Music Teachers’ National Association (MTNA) auditions for Alabama, as well as to have been chosen as a two-time finalist in auditions for the world renowned Chanticleer. John is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in voice performance at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He enjoys cooking beef and once made a cheese soufflé just to prove he could. His favorite movies are the original Star Wars trilology, and his favorite actor is William H. Macy. He is red-green color blind and has a fear of upside down traffic lights.
Mark McLemore (The Plethora) was born in Alabama to a banjo pickin’ preacher and is Jon’s younger brother. He recently earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. He received two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) in 2008 for his work on the McLemore Brothers record ‘Sunday Drive.’ He is the group’s resident operatic baritone and he can read music faster than he can read text. His wife, Meredith, is an archivist for the state of Alabama, and taught Mark the importance of making the bed. He also helps out with the vocal percussion duties from time to time. Mark enjoys baking bread and making puns. He once rode a motorcycle from Alabama to California and back in 8 days, danced in the Nutcracker, and engineered his own ping-pong paddle. His favorite actors are Sean Connery and Christopher Walken. He still plays with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from time to time; his favorite is Raphael. He is afraid of poor intonation.
Richie Lister grew up the son of a minister in Mississippi. Although he primarily sings baritone, Richie has a tremendous range and can sometimes be heard singing the highest part. He moved to Nashville 7 years ago and is Jeremy’s older brother. He learned to sing from his parents and from church music and could match pitch with his dad at age 2. He is the grandson of renowned southern gospel tenor Bill Shaw of “The Blackwood Brothers”. Richie is a keyboardist and songwriter and has spent the last 15 years playing in various rock bands, most notably for Jeremy’s solo career. He majored in Music Composition at Mississippi College and has a dream of one day composing music for film. Richie is often told that he has an uncanny resemblance to John Lennon. He is afraid of fruit.
Jeremy Lister began singing and learning harmonies in church at the age of two. When his dad wasn’t looking, Jeremy would sneak into his guitar case and start picking out chords. He grew up collaborating and writing songs with his older brother Richie. At ages twelve and thirteen, he traveled through Europe with his parents. The trip changed his perspective on life and music, and upon returning to the States, he began exploring different musical outlets, ranging from an a cappella quartet to a progressive rock band. Setting out on his own in 2003, Jeremy moved to Nashville bringing his first EP “Shooting Star” with him. Here he began playing writer’s nights and passing his CD along to anyone who would listen. In 2005, he released his second EP, “So Far,” and quickly gained the attention of Warner Bros. Records. The label put him in the studio, where he wrote and recorded songs during ’06. In the spring of ’07, Lister signed a record deal with WBR. His debut release, the “Just One Day” EP, was released digitally on November 20, 2007. More recently, Jeremy has toured with Brett Dennen and Colbie Caillat as well as selling out his own headlining shows in and around the Nashville area. He is currently working on songs for his full-length album to be released later this year. Jeremy sings tenor and lead for SCS, and has a fear of flying with Jon.
Jon McLemore (A Cappella Morpheus) was born in North Alabama and is Mark’s older brother. He began his lucrative career in a cappella at age 19 and over the following four years, performed in all 48 of the contiguous U.S. At age 23, while on tour in Montana with Four Shadow, he met and married Mandy after she was brought on stage to help the group sing ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight.’ Following marriage, Jon came off the road, got a real job and had five kids. He recently earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Ministry from Amridge University in Montgomery, AL. Jon has received numerous Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARA) and nominations as a solo artist, as a member of Four Shadow, No Joe, and the McLemore Brothers. He sings tenor and lead for SCS and does vocal percussion for the group when needed. Jon is an instrument rated pilot and enjoys motorcycles, fishing, and family time. He is afraid of driving over a bridge, having it collapse under him, plummeting to the depths of a mighty river and being trapped in his vehicle until he drowns.
Everything
Street Corner Symphony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.
And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.
'cause you can see it when I look at you.
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.
And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
Cause you know that's what our love can do.
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
You're every song, and I sing along.
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The lyrics to Street Corner Symphony's song "Everything" express the sentiment of unconditional love and gratitude towards a significant other. The song begins by comparing the significant other to a falling star, a get away car, and a line in the sand that shows restraint when the singer goes too far. The significant other is also compared to positive things like a swimming pool on a hot August day, and the perfect thing to say. However, despite playing coy, the significant other does know the effect they have on the singer and can see it in the way the singer looks at them.
The chorus expresses how the significant other is everything to the singer, comparing them to a carousel, a wishing well, and even from outer space. The significant other lights up the singer's life and is a mystery that the singer experiences every minute of every day. The bridge expresses the singer's disbelief that they get to kiss the significant other just because they can and that they will get through whatever comes their way because of the strength of their love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Everything" express a deep and unconditional love for a significant other who is everything to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a falling star, you're the get away car.
You're someone who's always on the go and ready for adventure. You're the one who can sweep me off my feet and run with me towards new horizons.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the one who keeps me grounded when I take things too far. You're my voice of reason when I need it most.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
You're the refreshing coolness that washes away the heat of life. You're the oasis that quenches my thirst for comfort and peace.
And you're the perfect thing to say.
You always know the right words to say to lift me up and keep me going. Your encouragement is like a breath of fresh air.
And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.
You have a way of teasing me and being a little mysterious, but it only makes me more drawn to you. Your playful nature is charming.
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Your smile has a magical effect on me. You know just how to make me feel loved and appreciated.
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.
You know your effect on me and the power you have over my heart. Don't pretend you don't know the hold you have on me.
'cause you can see it when I look at you.
When I look into your eyes, you can see the love and admiration I have for you. It's impossible to hide my true feelings.
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
In this unpredictable and insane world we live in, you are the one constant that keeps me grounded and centered. You are my rock.
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
It's you who brings out the best in me, and makes me want to sing and dance for joy. You inspire me.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You are the one who completes me. Every thought, every word, every action, revolves around you. You are everything to me.
You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
You bring me an endless sense of joy and excitement. You're like a magical carousel and a wishing well all in one.
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You have a way of bringing out the best in me and making me feel alive. Your presence is like a ray of sunshine and a jolt of electricity all at once.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You are someone with a unique and fascinating personality. You're like an enigma from an unknown world, and I can't help but be intrigued by you.
You're every minute of my everyday.
You occupy my thoughts and emotions every moment of every day. My life revolves around you.
And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
I can hardly believe that you have chosen me to be the one to share your life with. It's humbling and incredible.
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
I am blessed to be able to show my affection for you in the simplest and most intimate ways. It's a privilege just to be able to kiss you.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
No matter what challenges we face, we will tackle them together as a team. We have each other's backs.
Cause you know that's what our love can do.
Our love has the power to overcome any obstacle, and we both believe in that power. It's what keeps us strong and united.
You're every song, and I sing along.
Your influence on my life is so profound that you are like the soundtrack to my life. I can't help but sing along with every thought and emotion you evoke in me.
'Cause you're my everything.
You truly are the center of my universe. You're the only thing that really matters in my life.
Yeah, yeah
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Writer(s): Marit Elisabeth Larsen, Marion Elise Ravn, Peter Zizzo, James Robert Bralower
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.