Mornin'

Album: Jarreau (1983)
Charted: 28 21
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Songfacts®:

  • Originally an instrumental by David Foster and Jay Graydon on Foster's 1983 The Best of Me album, "Mornin'" became a chart hit for Al Jarreau when he added super-cheery lyrics and released it later that year. Graydon wrote and produced many of Jarreau's hits and is also known for his work with The Manhattan Transfer and Dionne Warwick. He and Foster also wrote "After The Love Has Gone," which was a hit for Earth, Wind & Fire.
  • Sample lyrics to this song: "Mornin' Mr. Radio, Mornin' little Cheerios, Mornin' Sister Oriole."

    Jay Graydon told Songfacts: "The lyrics are totally lame. It's typical Al Jarreau. David Foster and I basically wrote the track, the melody and all the chord changes, and David released it on an instrumental album that he did in Japan. I took the song to Al and I said, 'Man, this is perfect for you, we gotta record this.' Al Jarreau is a terrible lyricist. He's awful. When it's time for the big payoff everything turns into candy. It's like in 'Breakin' Away': 'Show me some climbing boots, show me some parachutes,' what are you talking about, man?"
  • Graydon is an accomplished guitarist who played the solo on Steely Dan's "Peg." Here, he used a single-note muted guitar technique. Says Graydon: "If I was hired to play rhythm, and I didn't play chords, it would be a single note thing. The best example is 'Mornin'.' That's also a harmonized part. And it's actually four parts. Well, it's two parts, but they're doubled. Meaning I play the top part, and then I played it again on another track, put it in stereo, and then played the lower part, and then played it again on another track, and split it in stereo. On the JaR album, there's a song called 'Make Somebody' that will give the example of how the muted guitar part thing works."

Comments: 17

  • Mercedy from SeattleI agree with everyone. The lyrics match the upbeat, carefree melody. Not sure why Graydon thinks he has to trash Al's lyrics. It's says more about him as a human being than it clearly demonstrates why the lyrics are 'totally lame.' IMO, that's a totally lame evaluation. Some really good lines: My heart has found it's way...and cute: Mornin Mr. Golden Gate, I should walk but I can't wait...Mornin' Mr. Shoeshine Man...shine 'em bright in white and tan.
  • Szademann from PaCorny lyrics ? Maybe, but who cares. It works. Although I have deep respect for Graydon, he can come off a little 'corny' himself at times and I think he probably likes that. Instrumentally, this song is monsterous, including Graydon's rhythm chunkin'. And Foster; what can you say. One of the most prolific songwriters of our time, NTM his session keyboard tracks on hundreds of pop anthems and probably this song as well. Last, the synth solo. Gives me chills. Sounds like Phillinganes to me but not sure. And the string/synth/keyboard track production and how all these tracks dovetail into a remarkable piece. Again, probably mostly Foster but Jay can get this done too. I cannot hear this piece enough. Al's voice and Foster's pure production genius. Magical.
  • M. Turboffy from Alma Co.Flat out disagree w/ Graydon. These are the optimistic, upbeat & positive Al Jareau life's outlook. I'm not religious. But when Al belts out "and touch the face of God" it's very very real heartfelt. Al was never a downer singer/writer...
  • La Zalewski from PaAlways loved this song. The lyrics are cute - just fine by me! I wait wait wait for Al to bust loose at the end with his scatting "be-bup-beeda-dee-dee.." More scatting! I also recall a soap opera using this song in a scene in the 1980s.. The Guiding Light I think.
  • KenFantastic feel good song...I love the instrumental and Als vocals are so great. Plus it's an 80's song!...love love love...the lyrics aren't corny...they work!
  • La Zalewski from PaSo who was the stellar drummer on this gem? It was either Steve Gadd or Jeff Porcaro. Both legends.
  • Gerry Solís from México CityIncredible song, I feel like In the previous pass away, how to tell? It is like I’m talkin with God. Marvelous song.
  • No from OffPretty much makes sense now that I read this. I thought Jarreau was making a more sinister comment than I can remember this song making me think of now I hear it almost forty years later, but it turns out the guy's 'songwriter' was just a loser. Plenty of weird lyrics about 'shoeshine' and all sorts of s--t.
  • Suna from Texas This song is the sound of my soul. Number one favorite of all time.
  • Al Fan from New YorkCorny? Perhaps to the uninitiated who simply listen to the sound of Al Jarreau and can’t feel the emotion he delivers with each song he performed. “Mornin” one of the most uplifting of all time. You can’t help but hear the joy in his voice and feel your own spirit begin to soar right from the intro keyboard run that starts low the climbs to join the lyrics beginning with “mornin”. The upbeat tempo culminates with Al touching “the face of God”! This still sends a wave of happiness over me every time I hear it, even after almost 40 years and hundreds of plays.
  • Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenI always liked this song's video, which I first saw not long after it came out. But now that I watch it, I half expect the Blue's Clues dog to come bounding out behind him!
  • Lou from Omaha, NeCan anyone explain the Sister Oriole? I've never understood what it referenced, except maybe a Catholic church nun.
  • Demetrice from New OrleansI love this song and I’ve been playing it over and over while at work. It took the stress away. Each time the song got to the part where he said he could reach out and touch the face of God, it pulled at my heart.
  • Music Lover from CaliforniaI like the lyrics to this song. Nothing lame or corny here. Just a song that makes me smile.
  • Sheila from Austin TxThis is one the happiest song I've ever heard. i remember how it made me feel back when it was released,and i still get the same feeling today when i play it...it takes away all the ugliness of the world today.
  • Sabrina from Corvallis, OrCorny lyrics? HUMPH! Ok, maybe there are but so what? This is an upbeat song and I can't help but smile whenever I hear it! "Mornin'" is a song that takes me back to the days of when I was a young wife and mother living 'the dream" in sunny SoCal and all seemed right with my world! Heck, even nowadays I think it's a great song to put on in mornings to hear on the way to work...puts ya in a good mood :)
  • Kathy from New Orleans, LaThis song fills me with happiness, positive emotions. Who cares is the lyrics are a little silly ! sometimes happiness does that.
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