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The Very Best Of Larry Norman Volume 1

by Larry Norman

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1.
​Well a blind man standing by the side of the road He was a blind from birth, it was a heavy load And though he lived a good life he could not see Up walked the man from Galilee He touched those eyes and he made that blind man see There ain't never been nobody like the man from Galilee Lazarus died and for four long days He laid in the grave and he did not raise His sisters kept saying how can this be Up walked the man from Galilee He said Lazarus come forth and he was set free There ain't never been nobody like the man from Galilee You got to stand on the rock to get your name on the roll Do not stray, do not stroll If you're all messed up and don't know what to do Then brother I am talking to you You got to stand on the rock to get your name on the roll Do not stray, do the stroll If you're all messed up and don't know what to do Then brother I am talking to you Well they nailed him to the cross, they laid him in the ground They put soldiers at the grave and there were people walking round Saying this is the end of christianity Up rose the man from Galilee When I die I know where I want to be Standing in the presence of the man, yeah There ain't never been nobody like the man, yeah Never been nobody like the man from Galilee And this is just the beginning​
2.
Walking backwards down the stairs Trying to get higher How can I get anywhere Walking backwards down the stairs Watching life elude me Slipping through my grasp Oh I know the truth at last But to reach the top I've got to stop from Walking backwards down the stairs Trying to get higher How can I get anywhere Walking backwards down the stairs People stop to watch me Wonder what I'm doing What direction I'm pursuing I pretend I'm free but actually I'm Walking backwards down the stairs Trying to get higher, higher How can I get anywhere Walking backwards down the stairs
3.
Pardon Me 03:22
​Pardon me Kissing you like I'm afraid But I know I'm being played with And you'll leave me when you get the chance Off you'll go In the darkness of the night Like a bird in freedom's flight You're thinking only of deliverance Close your eyes And pretend that you are me See how empty it can be Making love if love's not really there Watch me go Watch me walk away alone As your clothing comes undone And you pull the ribbons from your hair Pardon me
4.
Riding High 02:18
​High, riding high On a trip in a ship through the sky I keep looking through the cloud Everything seems fine Everything I'll ever want is mine Riding high Riding high On a trip in a ship through the sky I keep reaching through the mist Melting fire with snow Watching changes in the world below Bap ba ba ba bap ba ba ba bap ba bap ba Ba ba ba bap ba ba ba bap ba ba ba bap bap I keep looking through the cloud Everything seems fine Everything I'll ever want is mine High, riding high [x4]
5.
​Looking for the footprints of the man who wears the sandals Ah ah ah Looking for the footprints of the man who wears the sandals Ah ah ah Ah-ah-ah
6.
Soul On Fire 04:52
​Ow ​ When I was a little boy In a all black neighbourhood Well it was rough and tumble in a concrete jungle Hard to do the things you should But I walked the straight and narrow I kept looking higher Because Jesus He set my soul on fire (fire) And when I was a young man Temptation was all around And when the darkness finds you It slips up behind you Tries to knock you to the ground But I just kept on going I was so inspired Because Jesus He set my soul on fire (fire) One day a light from above shone down on my face (Ooh ooh) And lifted me up to a heavenly place (Ooh ooh) I heard voices of angels on a distant shore (Ooh ooh) And Jesus healed me (Ooh ooh) And brought me back to life once more (Ooh) Now I am a grown man With a vision locked inside my heart And I speak to men of their pride and sin And the need to be set apart And I can run like a lion I do not tire Because Jesus He sets my soul on fire (fire) Soul, soul on fire [x2] Soul on fire [x3] Soul on fire (Soul on fire) [x5] Soul on fire (Soul on fire) I can run like a lion (Soul on fire) And I do not tire (Soul on fire) Jesus set my soul on fire (Soul on fire) Soul on fire [x4] ​ Ah ah-ah ah ah Ah ah-ah ah ah ah [x2] Ah ah-ah ah ah Ah ah-ah ah
7.
I was sitting in my kitchen Thinking about my life And how some men end up all alone Some men take a wife How old men get discouraged And young men go astray And for every sinful thing we do Somehow we will pay I got up to get my bible Some pages fell onto the floor Well it’s an old one that my father had And his father before It’s been with me since my childhood I was saved in '52 When I look back at my troubled life I give thanks I’ve made it through I am free, I can see And I’m who I wanna be (Ooh ooh ooh) Mercy me, mercy me, mercy me (Ooh) ​Yeah Na na na na na na na na na na Why does it take so long Na na na na na na na na To learn to stand and be strong I grew up in San Francisco In a real rough neighbourhood Where they beat you bad if you were tough And worse if you were good But I came through those times With a lot of love for those boys that knocked me down And I pray some day I’ll see them And we’ll be standing on sacred ground I am free (mercy mercy), I can see (mercy mercy) And I'm who I wanna be (Ooh ooh ooh) Mercy me, mercy me (yeah yeah), mercy me (Ooh) Yeah, woh woh ah yeah oh I am free (yeah yeah yeah), I can see I'm who I wan’ to be (Ooh ooh ooh) Oh ah I’m free, I can see ah ah ah ah ah Mercy me, mercy me, mercy me He's coming back again (Oh oh oh oh) I am free, I can see Mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy (Ooh ooh ooh) Mercy
8.
​Na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na nada na ​Na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na nada na na When you know a pretty story You don't let it go unsaid You tell it to your children As you tuck them into bed And when you know a wonderful secret You tell it to your friends Because a lifetime filled with happiness Is like a street that never ends Alright Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation And let your laughter fill the air Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation And tell the people everywhere Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation To every man in every nation Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation An' let the people know that Jesus cares ​Na na na na na na na na Na na na na nada na na na ​Na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na da da na na Well look around you as you sing it There are people everywhere And to those who stop to listen Your sweet song becomes a prayer 'Cause when you know a wonderful secret You tell it to your friends Tell them that a lifetime filled with Jesus Is like a street that never ends Alright co' co' co' sing that sweet sweet song of salvation And let the laughter fill the air Sing that sweet (sweet) sweet song of salvation Tell the people everywhere Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation To every man an' every nation Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation And let the people know that Jesus cares Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation Sing it like you mean it And let your laughter fill the air Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation Song of salvation Tell the people everywhere (Yeah ah ah) Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation To every man and every nation (Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing a song of salvation Let the people know that Jesus care
9.
​Life was filled with guns and war And everyone got trampled on the floor I wish we'd all been ready Children died, the days grew cold A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold I wish we'd all been ready There's no time to change your mind The son has come and you've been left behind A man and wife asleep in bed She hears a noise and turns her head He's gone I wish we'd all been ready Two men walking up a hill One disappears and one's left standing still I wish we'd all been ready There's no time to change your mind The son has come and you've been left behind La la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la la la la la Life was filled with guns and war And everyone got trampled on the floor I wish we'd all been ready Children died, the days grew cold A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold I wish we'd all been ready There's no time to change your mind How could you have been so blind The father spoke the demons dined The son has come and you've been left behind You've been left behind [x2]
10.
I am a servant, I am listening for my name I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame I am a servant, I am waiting for your call (Aah aah) I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall How can you use me when I've never given all How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall So you feed my soul and you make me grow And you let me know you love me And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow I will humbly bow before thee Oh please use me, I am lonely I am a servant, getting ready for my part There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start To live's a privilege, to love is such an art But I need your help to start Oh please purify my heart I am your servant​
11.
Sigrid Jane 01:56
​Ow ow ow ow ow Ow ow ow ow ow Sigrid Jane Jane Jane You're so plain plain plain But I love you Sigrid Jane Jane Jane You're insane Sigrid Jane But I love you You’re never treated anything but wrong And no one's ever loved you for long But you were sure that someday love would ride You knew that love would come along and be a welcome surprise Sigrid Jane Jane Jane You're so plain plain plain But I love you Yeah Sigrid Jane Jane Jane You're insane Sigrid Jane But I love you You’re never treated anything but wrong You never curse The worst you do is bite your tongue You're never mad You try to get along The world around you falls and you stay strong But how long Sigrid Jane Jane Jane Ow ow ow ow ow Oh I love you Sigrid Jane Jane Jane Oh you're so strange And I love you Sigrid Jane Jane Jane Ow ow ow ow ow Oh I love you Sigrid Jane Jane Jane (Wo Sigrid Jane) Jane Jane Jane What plain Jane Oh Sigrid Jane Sigrid Jane Jane Jane Oh Sigrid Jane You’re so strange
12.
The Outlaw 03:52
​Some say he was an outlaw That he roamed across the land With a band of unschooled ruffians And a few old fishermen No one knew just where he came from Or exactly what he'd done But they said it must be something bad That kept him on the run Some say he was a poet That he'd stand upon the hill And his voice could calm an angry crowd Or make the waves stand still That he spoke in many parables That few could understand But the people sat for hours Just to listen to this man Some say he was a sorcerer A man of mystery He could walk upon the water He could make a blind man see That he conjured wine at weddings And did tricks with fish and bread That he talked of being born again And raised people from the dead Some say a politician Who spoke of being free He was followed by the masses On the shores of Galilee He spoke out against corruption And he bowed to no decree And they feared his strength and power So they nailed him to a tree Some say he was the son of God A man above all men But he came to be a servant And to set us free from sin And that's who I believe he was 'Cause that's who I believe And I think we should get ready 'Cause it's time for us to leave
13.
​Sipping whiskey from a paper cup You drown your sorrows till you can't stand up Take a look at what you've done to yourself Why don't ya, you put the bottle back on the shelf Yellow fingered from your cigarettes Your hands are shaking while your body sweats Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Gonorrhea on Valentine’s day, VD And you're still looking for the perfect lay You think rock and roll will set you free Honey, you'll be deaf before you're thirty three Shooting junk till you're half insane A broken needle in your purple vein Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Work all night Sleep all day You take your money Throw it all away You say you're gonna be a superstar But you never hung around enough To find out who you really are Ah ah ow-ah-ow ow aw ah wow Ah ah ah-ah-ow ah ah ah uh ooh Think back to when you were a child Your soul was free, your heart ran wild Each day was different and life was a thrill You knew tomorrow would be better still But things have changed, you're much older now If you're unhappy and you don't know how Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Yes he does Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Check it for yourself Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer Why don't you look into Jesus He got the answer He got the answer Take a look, take a look​
14.
​Santa Claus is coming and the kids are getting greedy It's Christmas time They know it's in the store because they've seen it on the TV It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time It used to be the birthday of the man who saved our necks Oh it's Christmas time But now it stands for Santa Claus you spell it with an x It's Christmas time, yeah I said it's Christmas time Wo wo wo it's a Christmas time Wo wo baby [x2] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Break Ow You go into the forest and you cut down all the trees It's Christmas time I know you got a power saw but who plants the seeds It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time I gotta buy a present, can't remember who it's for It's Christmas time, ow I said it's Christmas time Well I'll see you in an hour when I get back from the store It's Christmas time, yeah (all right) it's Christmas time Wo wo wo it's a Christmas time Wo wo baby [x2] Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah [x3] Yeh-ow Christmas time (It's Christmas time) Christmas time (What about last year baby) Christmas time (What did you give me baby) Christmas time (It's Christmas time) Christmas time (Christmas time) (It's Christmas time) [x3] Christmas time aah (Christmas time) Christmas time (It's Christmas time ya) Christmas time (It's Christmas time yeah) Christmas time (It's Christmas time yeah)​ ​Christmas time
15.
If I could find someone who really cared for me Someone to share my love and keep me company If I could find someone, I'd let them take control And in exchange for love I'd give my very soul It's such a lonely life, I almost cry each night 'Cause fate has put me on the shelf I get so lonely, so lonely by myself If I could find someone who really loved me right They'd make my life complete, they'd make my soul shine bright I've looked around the world, I've walked down every street Still I can't find no one to give me what I need It's such a lonely life, I almost cry each night 'Cause fate has put me, fate has put me on the shelf I get so lonely, so lonely by myself I get so lonely, so lonely So lonely by myself Who can I turn to, is there anybody there Doesn't anybody care Oo-ooh, doesn't anybody listen Doesn't anybody care
16.
​​The word is revolution But no one’s fired the shot Each side has its battle plan With detailed counterplot And the world is closely watching As we near the battle line But if you’re truly wise You’ll keep your eyes on Palestine The water is polluted And the air is filled with death Some day it won’t be easy To stop and catch your breath But it’s all in Revelation It’s part of the design 'n if you’re truly wise You’ll keep your eyes on Palestine Sha la la la la la la la la la [x4] Well I marched for peace in Washington Things were getting hot Then I gave blood in Chicago Went anaemic on the spot I woulda hitch-hiked to Toronto, John But it’s all a waste of time So I’m writing down this song to you To sing and pass along to you If you’re truly wise You’ll keep your eyes on Palestine Sha la la la la la la la la la Revolution Sha la la la la la la la la la Peace or pollution Sha la la la la la la la la la Persecution Sha la la la la la la la la la Ooh Jesus come quickly (Sha la la la la la la la la la) The world's getting sickly (Sha la la la la la la la la la) Revolution (Sha la la la la la la la la la) Oh oh oh Sha la la la la (Sha la la la la la la la la la) You're the solution (Sha la la la la la la la la la) Sha la sha la sha la yourself (Sha la la la la la la la la la) Sha la la la la la la la la la Sha la la la la la ​One way sha la
17.
You can be a righteous rocker Or a holy roller You can be most anything You can be a Leon Russell Or a super muscle You can be a corporate king You can be a wealthy man from Texas Or a witch with heavy hexes But without love You ain't nothing without love Without love You ain't nothing without love You can be a brilliant surgeon Or a sweet young virgin Or a harlot out to sell You can learn to play the blues Or be Howard Hughes Or the Scarlet Pimpernel Or you can be a French provincial midwife Or go from door to door with a death knife But without love you ain't nothing You ain't nothing without love Without love you ain't nothing Without love (Without love you ain't nothing) (You ain't nothing without love) Without love you ain't nothing Without love Ooh ooh ooh ooh An' you can be a woman feeler Or a baby stealer You can drink your life away Or you can be a holy prophet Get a blessing off it You can fast for fifty days You can shake hands with the devil Or give your life to God on the level But without love You ain't nothing without love Without love You ain’t nothing without love, love Without love you ain't nothing (You ain't nothing without love) Without love you ain’t nothing Without love Now you could be a righteous rocker (Without love) And eh, that's right (Without love) Or you could be a holy roller You ain't nothing without love (Without love) Without love Without love (Without love) ​You ain't nothing without love​
18.
U.F.O. 02:47
​He's an unidentified flying object You will see him in the air He's an unidentified flying object And you will drop your hands and stare You will be afraid to tell your neighbors They might think that it's not true But when you open up the morning papers You will know they've seen it too He will come back like he promised With the price already paid He will gather up his followers And take them all away He's an unidentified flying object He will sweep down from the sky He's an unidentified flying object And some will sleep but will not die He's an unidentified flying object Coming back to take you home He's an unidentified flying object He will roll away your stone And if there's life on other planets Then I'm sure that he must know And he's been there once already And has died to save their souls He's an unidentified flying object You will see him in the air He's an unidentified flying object And you will drop your hands and stare Well he's an unidentified flying object Coming back to take you home He's an unidentified flying object He will roll away your stone Hi-ya-ah-wa-waoh wo-oh-oh-ah-woh
19.
Darkness can't hide much longer The spirit is getting stronger You keep the dance halls humming But the end of the age is coming I've searched all around the world to find a grain of truth I opened the mouth of love and I found a wisdom tooth Ah Maybe you think I'm plastic But your situation's drastic I'm glad my faith is stronger This world won't last much longer I've searched all around the world to find a place of peace I've sat in the shade of God and I watched the joy increase Ooh ooh ooh ooh Oh oh ah ah Oh oh-ho-oh Ooh hoo hoo hoo ooh There's no time left for stalling Can't you hear someone calling Life all around is crumbling I think this world is stumbling Maybe you think I'm wrong now But this is my only song now I've searched all around the world to find a grain of truth Wo oh-ho-oh I opened the mouth of love and I found a wisdom tooth I've searched all around the world to find a place of peace I've sat in the shade of God and I watched the joy increase Yes, I've searched all around the world to find a grain of truth Woah I opened the mouth of love and I found a wisdom tooth I've searched all around I've searched all around I've searched all around the world [x2] Woo ooh hoo ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ah uh uh oh uh yeah ​??? [Talking]
20.
I want the people to know That he saved my soul But I still like to listen to the radio They say rock and roll is wrong We'll give you one more chance I say I feel so good I gotta get up and dance I know what's right, I know what's wrong I don't confuse it All I'm really trying to say is Why should the devil have all the good music An’ I feel good every day Because Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away They say to cut my hair They're driving me insane I grew it out long to make room for my brain But sometimes people don't understand What's a good boy doing in a rock and roll band There's nothing wrong with playing blues licks Well if you've got a reason, tell me to my face Why should the devil have all the good music There's nothing wrong with what I play, aaaah Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away ​Allright I ain't knocking the hymns Just give me a song that has a beat I ain't knocking the hymns Just give me a song that moves my feet I don't like none of those funeral marches I ain't dead yet Wow Jesus told the truth An’ Jesus showed the way There's one more thing I'd like to say They nailed him to the cross And they laid him in the ground But they shoulda known you can't keep a good man down I feel good every day I don't wanna lose it All I wanna, all I wanna know is Why should the devil have all the good music I been filled, I feel okay Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues Ah Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues Ah Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away, yeah​
21.
Will passengers to flight eighty five proceed to gate number nine. Please have your boarding cards ready [Spoken] I've got a ticket for southeast Asia I packed my camera and press card badge They only paid me to stay the weekend What if I never come back The flight was pretty rough I got a room, took a sauna The bellboy gook put my bags on the bed He left without his tip Then I loaded up my Hasselblad full of film And I stepped outside, I stepped outside I'm taking pictures of burning houses Color movies of misery I see the flash of guns, how red the mud becomes I've got a close-up view I'm the six o'clock news What can I do All those kids without shoes What can I do Military coups What can I do I'm just the six o'clock news I got a suite at the Saigon Hilton Cocktail parties with Premiere Ky We talk about how the war is going And watch his color TV I'm the six o'clock news But what can I do Drinking black market booze What can I do I'm red and white and true blue What can I do I am, I am, I am, I am, I am The six o'clock news Catch my plane flight back to the mainland I fall asleep to the engine's drone I see the flash of guns, how red the mud becomes I've got a close-up view I am, I am, I am, I am, I am The six o'clock news What can I do Guerilla rendezvous And what can I do All those kids without shoes What can I do Napalm tattoos What can I do What can I do What can I do I'm just the six o'clock news, oo-ugh What can I do I am, I am, I am, I am, I am The six o'clock CBS, ABC, NBC CBS, ABC, NBC CBS, ABC, NBC [x4] CBS, ABC, NBC CBS, ABC, NBC CBS, ABC Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome aboard Your attention is directed to the forward part of the cabin Where your stewardess will now demonstrate the use of the oxygen mask In the remote possibility of a loss of cabin pressure A panel directly above your head will open automatically If this should happen, pull the mask down firmly Place it over your nose and mouth, and breath normally Dinner will be served in approximately one hour In the meantime we will be serving beverages Cocktails will be a dollar fifty in the tourist section and complimentary in first class After your meal I hope you'll enjoy the movie for today Thank you [Spoken]
22.
I was born and raised an orphan In a land that once was free In a land that poured its love out on the moon And I grew up in the shadows Of your silos filled with grain But you never helped to fill my empty spoon And when I was ten you murdered law With courtroom politics And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth But I know you better now And I don't fall for all your tricks And you've lost the one advantage of my youth You kill a black man at midnight Just for talking to your daughter Then you make his wife your mistress And you leave her without water And the sheet you wear upon your face Is the sheet your children sleep on And at every meal you say a prayer You don't believe but still you keep on And your money says in God we trust But it's against the law to pray in school You say we beat the Russians to the moon And I say you starved your children to do it You are far across the ocean In a war that's not your own And while you're winning theirs You're gonna lose the one at home Do you really think the only way To bring about the peace Is to sacrifice your children And kill all your enemies The politicians all make speeches While the news men all take notes And they exaggerate the issues As they shove it down our throats Is it really up to them Whether this country sinks or floats Well I wonder who would lead us If none of us would vote ​Hmm Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped From whispering through the fence You know every move I make Or is that just coincidence Will you try to make my way of life A little less like jail If I promise to make tapes and slides And send them through the mail And your money says in God we trust But it's against the law to pray in school You say we beat the Russians to the moon And I say you starved your children to do it You say all men are equal, all men are brothers Then why are the rich more equal than others Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one ​That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son

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Popular 'best of' release from the mid-2000s. All tracks are available elsewhere but note that almost half of them here have been edited.

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released October 18, 2003

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Larry Norman Los Angeles, California

American musician, singer, songwriter, record label owner, and record producer. Norman had a major influence on artists as diverse as The Pixies, Guns n' Roses, and U2. After his death in 2008 his most well-known album, 1972's Only Visiting This Planet, was selected for inclusion in The United States Library of Congress for its cultural significance and impact on American culture. ... more

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