FYI: Originally Alexander O'Neal was supposed to be the lead singer for The Time. For whatever reason Morris Day was used instead.
The 1985 self-titled release was filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam "Innocent". The song was a funky Jam/Lewis groove, featuring "The Secret"- (Monte Moir, Cherrelle, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis). The song lasts for nearly 10 minutes, which consists of some exceptional guitar and keyboard solos, which also features the funk intermission of "Alex 9000". Alex's 1987 release, titled "Hearsay", includes the smash hit "Fake". "Fake" is arguably one of the best songs ever made to feature the "Minneapolis Funk" sound, the song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Single of the Year (Male). In late 1990, he had a minor hit with "All True Man."
His 1988 album "My Gift to You" was a successful holiday release, with the track "Our First Christmas" still popular during the holidays.
He has recently appeared in the celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us with BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce.
Alexander O'Neal's popularity and support in the UK has been immeasurable throughout his Career and still remains so today. Based in Minneapolis, he frequently commutes to Britain, which he sees as his 'Second Home'. All of his six albums have charted both in the UK and the US and he has enjoyed numerous sell-out tours. In 2005, he recorded his first live album "Alexander O'neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo". It's a collection of his Favorites and Biggest Hits from his career. With his personal love of performing on stage and constant tour support from his fans it was a clear progression for him to deliver the live experience in the form of an album. He has handpicked tracks that traverse the success of his career singing alongside a 12 piece band.
Alexander O'Neal releases his first Live DVD, taken from a performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo in March 2006 in January 2007.. It includes a duet with Uk Singer JC Bentley on Saturday Love.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hearsay '89
Alexander O'Neal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spreadin′ on my name all over town
Hearsay, it's nothin′ but hearsay
Because a lie's not the truth
Until you can prove it
We're together from [Incomprehensible]
They want to break up our happy home, home
It′s nothin' but hearsay
That′s causing you heartache
Because a lie's not the truth
Unless you′re believin'
So they bring up all the things I′ve done
When they need someone to pin it on
They point a finger in my direction
This time it's nothing but hearsay you want
It's nothin′ but hearsay
Because a lie′s not the truth
Unless you can prove it
It's nothin′ but hearsay
It's never that easy
Because a lie′s not the truth
Unless you're believin′
Oh, do you prove it baby?
It's hearsay
I don't want to talk about no hearsay
Oh, don′t bring me no hearsay
The love that we′ve found
Oh, I'm gonna be around
I want you, you want me
And together we will be love of hearsay
Oh, little woman yeah, hearsay
Ooh, then I get you down, hearsay
Oh, we′re mad in love
(Love's gonna last)
Ooh, I am in your class
Girl, I gotta have your love
I wanna be in your arms
Hearsay baby, hearsay
Hearsay baby
In Alexander O'Neal's song Hearsay '89, he starts off by confronting his girlfriend about rumors that she is spreading about him all over town. He emphasizes that these are baseless rumors, and that they are causing unnecessary heartache for the couple. He points out that before believing any rumor, they must first understand if it is actually true.
He then goes on to highlight that this is not the first time that fingers have been pointed at him unfairly. O'Neal emphasizes that just because someone needs a scapegoat, it does not mean that it is true. He encourages his girlfriend to not be swayed by these false rumors, and to trust in the love that they have found. Together, they can rise above the hearsay, and end up being the love of hearsay.
The song has a deeper meaning beyond being merely a love song. It's a statement about trust and the importance of being sure about the information we receive before believing or spreading it. The tone of the song is both heartfelt and assertive, which is typical of Alexander O'Neal's larger-than-life persona.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here girlfriend
Addressing his significant other, asking her to come closer to him
Spreadin' on my name all over town
People are gossiping and talking negatively about him in the community
Hearsay, it's nothin' but hearsay
The rumors being spread are only rumors and have no basis in fact
Because a lie's not the truth
A falsehood is not a factual statement
Until you can prove it
Evidence must be presented for it to be considered true
We're together from [Incomprehensible]
They have been together for an unspecified amount of time
Baby, somebody's steering you wrong
Someone is attempting to influence his partner with false information
They want to break up our happy home, home
The person spreading rumors wants to ruin their relationship and living situation
That's causing you heartache
The rumors are causing his partner emotional pain
So they bring up all the things I've done
The rumormongers are bringing up his past actions and using them against him
When they need someone to pin it on
The perpetrators are using him as a scapegoat for their own actions
They point a finger in my direction
The rumor-mongers are blaming him for things he didn't do
This time it's nothing but hearsay you want
He doesn't want to hear any more rumors and speculation
It's never that easy
Disseminating truth from fiction is not always straightforward
Oh, do you prove it baby?
He is asking his partner to ask for evidence before believing the rumors
I don't want to talk about no hearsay
He doesn't want to continue discussing gossip and speculation
The love that we've found
Their romantic relationship
Oh, I'm gonna be around
He plans on being with her for the long haul
I want you, you want me
They both have mutual feelings for one another
And together we will be love of hearsay
Their love is the only thing that will last despite any rumors that come their way
Oh, little woman yeah, hearsay
He expresses affection for his partner and labels the rumors as hearsay once again
Ooh, then I get you down, hearsay
He will prove the rumors wrong and get his partner back on his side
Oh, we're mad in love
Their love for one another is incredibly intense
(Love's gonna last)
Their love will withstand the rumors and any other challenges that come their way
Ooh, I am in your class
He considers himself to be on his partner's level
Girl, I gotta have your love
He needs his partner's love in his life
I wanna be in your arms
He wants physical affection from his partner
Hearsay baby, hearsay
Reiteration that the rumors are baseless hearsay
Writer(s): Terry Lewis, James Samuel Iii Harris
Contributed by Adrian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sumanth Bhat
Today's bands can't even match 10 % of this
Anita Kos
So beautiful! Classic! 💋❤️🌹🌹
Shawn Diggz
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis extraordinary remix geniuses. I love that Minneapolis Sound.
MM's iPhone Vinyls
This version is OK , but IMO the original is a bit better. Always wondered why they felt the need to remix it
Kraft Oliver
Summer Hit 1989