El DeBarge
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born the fifth of eigh… Read Full Bio ↴Born in Detroit, Michigan, Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born the fifth of eight brothers and sixth of ten DeBarge family members. In 1972, newly divorced from her abusive husband, El's mother Etterlene moved her children from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Like his siblings, El participated in the local church choir and was labeled a child prodigy thanks to his skills as a vocalist and a keyboardist and years of private study with music educator Ricky Callier. Later, he, Mark, Randy and Bunny formed DeBarge in 1979 (James joined three years later just before his high school graduation). In 1981 DeBarge released their album The DeBarges, which produced one single, "What's Your Name." The album was not considered a success and quickly fell into obscurity. El was a natural in the role of lead singer for the group.
In 1982, DeBarge finally found success with their acclaimed second album, All This Love, which gave DeBarge major chart success with singles "Stop! Don't Tease Me," the perennial "I Like It," and the title track. In 1983, DeBarge's third album, In a Special Way garnered yet more success for the group. El and Bunny wrote most of the songs with El most often singing leads. The album produced the hit singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me in a Special Way."
In 1985, the group released their fourth album, Rhythm of the Night which produced hits "The Heart Is Not So Smart," "Who's Holding Donna Now," "You Wear It Well", and the massively successful title track, which was their second single to top the R&B charts, reached #3 in the U.S., and #4 in the U.K. Its music video was featured in the 1985 martial arts film, The Last Dragon as well as in an episode of Miami Vice (Season 2) called "Bought and Paid" for in which "You Wear It Well" was also performed. That year, El appeared as himself in an episode of the television series The Facts of Life and sang "You Wear it Well."
Solo career
After the commercial pop success of "Rhythm of the Night," El left the group in 1986 to begin a solo career. The same year, El released his self-titled debut solo album. "Who's Johnny" was the first single released and was featured in the movie Short Circuit. The single was a major success, peaking at #3 in the U.S. The music video for the song reflected its use in the movie, depicting a mock trial for characters Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby (Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg, respectively) for the theft of the movie's main character, the robot Johnny 5, with scenes from the movie being shown as evidence.
Other singles from this album were "Someone" and the laid-back ballad "Love Always". A break in El's career, according to some, kept him from the spotlight until 1989 when he returned with a second solo album, Gemini. This marked El's final Motown release to date. "Real Love" was a single, as well as "Broken Dreams." El signed with Warner Brothers and released his third solo album, In The Storm. "You Know What I Like," which featured Chante Moore (Latimore) on co-lead vocals, "My Heart Belongs To You," and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "After The Dance" (recorded with Fourplay and featuring Patti LaBelle) were singles. Two years later, in 1994, El collaborated with hit producer Babyface and released his fourth and most recent to date solo album Heart, Mind and Soul. "Can't Get Enough", "Slide," and a duet with Babyface, "Where Is My Love," were singles.
El teamed up with Quincy Jones to create the successful collaboration, "The Secret Garden," a single from 1990 which also featured Barry White, Al B. Sure!, and James Ingram on vocals. In 1998, El worked with DJ Quik for the single "Hand In Hand."
In 2008, Eldra was featured on RZA's album Digi Snacks on the track "Up Again". "Rhythm of the Night" will be the theme song of Lowes Motor Speedway during the 2008 NASCAR season.
Personal life
According to his mother, Etterlene DeBarge, El is the father of 11 children, the eldest born when El was only fifteen. His children include Adris DeBarge, who is an executive assistant for producer Tracey Edmonds.[3] He is currently separated from Monique DeBarge, having been arrested in 2007 for a conflict stemming from an individual described as "girlfriend."
Legal troubles
El DeBarge was arrested in Los Angeles County, California on August 26, 2007 for possible vandalism, drug possession, and alleged domestic violence.[4] On October 27, 2008 he was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance. Eldra had been arrested earlier in the month after police discovered two warrants for his arrest. [5]. On October 28,2008 he was sentenced to two years in state prison for possession of crack cocaine. He was recently released from prison on October 26, 2009 nearly a year after his sentence.
In 1982, DeBarge finally found success with their acclaimed second album, All This Love, which gave DeBarge major chart success with singles "Stop! Don't Tease Me," the perennial "I Like It," and the title track. In 1983, DeBarge's third album, In a Special Way garnered yet more success for the group. El and Bunny wrote most of the songs with El most often singing leads. The album produced the hit singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me in a Special Way."
In 1985, the group released their fourth album, Rhythm of the Night which produced hits "The Heart Is Not So Smart," "Who's Holding Donna Now," "You Wear It Well", and the massively successful title track, which was their second single to top the R&B charts, reached #3 in the U.S., and #4 in the U.K. Its music video was featured in the 1985 martial arts film, The Last Dragon as well as in an episode of Miami Vice (Season 2) called "Bought and Paid" for in which "You Wear It Well" was also performed. That year, El appeared as himself in an episode of the television series The Facts of Life and sang "You Wear it Well."
Solo career
After the commercial pop success of "Rhythm of the Night," El left the group in 1986 to begin a solo career. The same year, El released his self-titled debut solo album. "Who's Johnny" was the first single released and was featured in the movie Short Circuit. The single was a major success, peaking at #3 in the U.S. The music video for the song reflected its use in the movie, depicting a mock trial for characters Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby (Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg, respectively) for the theft of the movie's main character, the robot Johnny 5, with scenes from the movie being shown as evidence.
Other singles from this album were "Someone" and the laid-back ballad "Love Always". A break in El's career, according to some, kept him from the spotlight until 1989 when he returned with a second solo album, Gemini. This marked El's final Motown release to date. "Real Love" was a single, as well as "Broken Dreams." El signed with Warner Brothers and released his third solo album, In The Storm. "You Know What I Like," which featured Chante Moore (Latimore) on co-lead vocals, "My Heart Belongs To You," and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "After The Dance" (recorded with Fourplay and featuring Patti LaBelle) were singles. Two years later, in 1994, El collaborated with hit producer Babyface and released his fourth and most recent to date solo album Heart, Mind and Soul. "Can't Get Enough", "Slide," and a duet with Babyface, "Where Is My Love," were singles.
El teamed up with Quincy Jones to create the successful collaboration, "The Secret Garden," a single from 1990 which also featured Barry White, Al B. Sure!, and James Ingram on vocals. In 1998, El worked with DJ Quik for the single "Hand In Hand."
In 2008, Eldra was featured on RZA's album Digi Snacks on the track "Up Again". "Rhythm of the Night" will be the theme song of Lowes Motor Speedway during the 2008 NASCAR season.
Personal life
According to his mother, Etterlene DeBarge, El is the father of 11 children, the eldest born when El was only fifteen. His children include Adris DeBarge, who is an executive assistant for producer Tracey Edmonds.[3] He is currently separated from Monique DeBarge, having been arrested in 2007 for a conflict stemming from an individual described as "girlfriend."
Legal troubles
El DeBarge was arrested in Los Angeles County, California on August 26, 2007 for possible vandalism, drug possession, and alleged domestic violence.[4] On October 27, 2008 he was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance. Eldra had been arrested earlier in the month after police discovered two warrants for his arrest. [5]. On October 28,2008 he was sentenced to two years in state prison for possession of crack cocaine. He was recently released from prison on October 26, 2009 nearly a year after his sentence.
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El DeBarge Lyrics
5 Seconds Nice... yea Five seconds, five seconds, five seconds baby gi…
After the Dance Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby Dance with…
All This Love I had some problems and no one could seem to…
Broken Dreams Broken Hearts, broken dreams Torn apart from the seams Oh, a…
Can Last night was incredible You showed me things That I've nev…
Can't Get Enough Last night was incredible You showed me things That I've n…
Christmas Without You Frost on the window, In front the cold Warmth by…
Close To You All I can do baby, to keep close to you…
Cross My Heart Yeah I go again Trap in my identity My reputation Always goe…
Dindi Sky, so vast as the sky With far away clouds…
Don You act like I'm some kind of stranger You don't even…
Don't say It's Over You act like I'm some kind of stranger You don't even…
Format Yeah, something new, fifty Shorty all let in, shorty all let…
Heart You know that she is just a heartbreak in disguise You…
Heart Full Of Love Every sidewalk's filled with snow, And people rush to make i…
Heart Mind Lord, I come to need you More and more each day Other…
Heaven I say what, I say what, All the ladies in the…
How Can You Love Me You know what? You're such a perfect lover, And baby you c…
I I've been thinkin' 'Bout you for quite a while You're on my…
I Wanna Hear It From My Heart Lying here close beside you Thinking of times before Love wa…
I'll Be There Baby, baby love's a mystery So hard to define Darling, darli…
I'm Yours Hasn't always been a sunny day Now and then there's been…
It I've been thinkin' 'Bout you for quite a while You're on my…
Joyful Getting crazy, don't faze me, ask me why and I…
Lay With You Oh baby! I just wanna lay right here with you! Baby I…
Life Begins With You You touched me Like no one has touched me Deep inside my…
Lost Without Her Love Looking out my window Watching through the rain Wishing she …
Love Always I got a secret for you Can't believe myself But ever since…
Love Me in a Special Way You know you had me With your sinchues charm Yet you looked…
Love Me Tonight You know what? You're such a perfect lover, And baby you can…
Private Line Tilt up, oh! If you need somebody there Someone to hold…
Queen of My Heart Yeah I go again Trap in my identity My reputation Always goe…
Reach Out for Me When you go through a day And the things that people…
Real Love Hey little girl whatcha gettn into bet you dont know bet…
Rhythem of the Night When it feels like the world is on your shoulders And…
Rhythm of the Night When it feels like The world is on your shoulders And all…
Sad Songs So sad, there's another sad song, oh yeah Sick and tired…
Second Chance Why should be Just a memory It's like a bell that keeps…
Serenading This is for the one you love, one you love,…
Sexy Lady Hey sexy lady stay with me a while Cause I hear…
Silent Night Silent night holy night All is calm all is bright Round yon…
Somebody Love You You know what? You're such a perfect lover, And baby you can…
Someone Someone just like me Runnin' into someone just like you An a…
Special You know you had me With your sinchues charm Yet you looked…
Starlight When the night is darkest Open up your mind Dream…
Stay With Me Baby you can't go on Wondering where you belong Let me help…
The Heart Is Not So Smart You know that she is just a heartbreak in disguise You…
The Other Side Hollow, such a lonely place, such a lonely place, oh Such…
Time Will Reveal What can I do? To make you feel secure Remove all your…
When I See You Ra ra ra ra, oh Hoo, hu. Just a thought of…
When Love Has Gone Away Nothing matters when you're on your own Ain't no laughter, o…
Where Is My Love I want a woman I can do things for Give her…
Where You Are Performed by El DeBarge Listen to me I got smethin' to s…
Who Sometimes a love won't let go hard as I try…
Who's Johnny There she goes and knows I'm dying When she says,…
You Got the Love I Want All alone sad and brokenhearted Didn't have no peace within …
You Know What I Like Uhh, I see you standing there With the moonlight shining In …
You to Turn Me On You know what? You're such a perfect lover, And baby you can…
You Wear It Well On the streets And everywhere You're turnin' heads You've go…