Born and raised in New York City by her Cuban father and Puerto Rican mother, this Latin bombshell was exposed to a variety of musical styles, from Motown to Aretha Franklin to Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. Says Angela, “Growing up in Harlem, if you didn’t have the latest James Brown or a Supremes forty-five single, you weren’t hip. We always had Latin music playing in the house as my parents were great music lovers. In fact my father used to sit in and sing with the great Cuban bandleader, Machito.”
By the age of eighteen, Angie was an accomplished singer and songwriter, jamming with the likes of Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock, Nat Adderley Jr and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few. She was a featured soloist with the Dance Theater of Harlem, majored in theater at the University of Hartford and majored in voice at the Hartt College of Music. Angela also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music where she was classically trained in opera.
Angela’s solo recording career began in 1978 with her self-titled album, Angie. The hits This Time I’ll Be Sweeter and Under The Moon and Over the Sky began the career of a young woman whose unique blend of jazz and R&B established her as one of the top vocalists in both the pop and jazz world. Signed to GRP records, she released her sophomore recording titled, Angel of the Night. With hits like I Try and the title track, both her albums were simultaneously topping the pop, jazz and R&B charts in 1979 for months. Angela’s recording career was solidified.
After suffering a massive stroke in 2006, Angie has been recuperating in her California home. She can move one leg with the help of a brace, but still can't move her left arm.
On July 10, 2007 Bofill suffered yet another massive stroke and according to angelabofill.com was in critical condition. As recently as July 24, 2007 blackamericaweb.com reported that Bofill's entire left side is paralyzed, as it was after her first stroke in early 2006. Family and friends encourage the public to purchase her live CD, for sale on her website.
Because Bofill did not have health insurance, a benefit concert was organized to pay her hospital bills. The show, planned by manager Rich Engel along with NY radio stations Kiss FM and CD 101.9, was held on March 11 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. Similar events followed, and other aid was being sought from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.[3] Her album Live in Manila (recorded in 2004) was released during this time. Unfortunately, Bofill suffered another massive stroke in 2007, which required a long period of therapy and has left her speech - and mobility-impaired.
Although unable to sing, in recent years Bofill has returned to the stage (at the suggestion of manager Engel) in The Angela Bofill Experience. The show consists of Bofill recounting her life and career, joined by artists such as Maysa Leak, Phil Perry and Melba Moore performing Bofill's biggest hits and signature songs. In 2012 Bofill was profiled and interviewed for the TVOne Documentary series, Unsung
Holdin' Out for Love
Angela Bofill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tinsel talk and rainbow lights
Easy smiles that shine like gold
Burnin? hot, then turnin? cold
Led that kinda life before
I lost enough to learn the score
Somethin? tells me that there must be somethin? more
This time I?m holdin? out for love
Mister, this time, I?m holdin? on
Holdin? back, holdin? out for love
Had my fill of party scenes
One night stands and neon dreams
Goodtime friends in fancy clothes
Flashin? highs and crashin? lows
So if that?s what?s on your mind
I?ll just take a pass this time
I believe I?d rather leave it all behind
Oh, this time I?m holdin? out for love
Made up my mind, I?m holdin? out for love
Mister, this time, I?m holdin? on
Holdin? back, holdin? out for love
I need to find someone
Who?ll still be holdin? me
When the dancin?s done
This time I?m holdin? out for love
Made up my mind, I?m holdin? out for love
Mister, this time, I?m holdin? on
Holdin? back, holdin? out for love
Oh, this time, yeah, I?m holdin? out for love
Made up my mind, I?m holdin? out for love
Mister, this time, I?m holdin? on
Holdin? back, holdin? out for love
I?m holdin? out for love
Made up my mind, I?m holdin? out for love
Mister, this time, I?m holdin? on
Holdin? back, holdin? out for love
Oh, this time, I?m holdin? out for love
Made up my mind, I?m holdin? out for love
The lyrics to Angela Bofill's "Holdin' Out for Love" convey a sense of a shift in perspective for the singer. She has had experience with the wild and fleeting nature of the disco scene, with its glittery, superficial trappings and shallow connections. However, she has grown tired of this kind of meaningless existence, and now seeks a deeper, more genuine connection with someone. She is willing to be patient and wait for someone who will truly connect with her on a deeper level, rather than simply being swept up in the whirlwind of partying and casual flings.
The language of the song is somewhat poetic, with metaphors and images evoking both the fleeting nature of the disco scene as well as the singer's new sense of purpose and determination. She speaks of "tinsel talk and rainbow lights," and of the "flashin' highs and crashin' lows" that seem to define the party lifestyle. Yet the central message of her lyrics is one of hope and optimism, as she declares her intention to find someone who will "still be holdin' me when the dancin's done."
Overall, "Holdin' Out for Love" is a song about growing up and recognizing that the superficial experiences of youth are not enough. The singer has matured and seen enough to know that true happiness and fulfillment can only come from finding genuine connections with others, and she is willing to wait for that kind of love to come into her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Had my share of disco nights
I have experienced disco nights before.
Tinsel talk and rainbow lights
I have experienced conversations filled with false compliments and flashy lights.
Easy smiles that shine like gold
I have seen people smile insincerely and put up a façade of happiness.
Burnin’ hot, then turnin’ cold
I have experienced temporary passion or excitement that fades away quickly.
Led that kinda life before
I have lived that kind of life before, but it is not fulfilling.
I lost enough to learn the score
I have learned from my past mistakes.
Somethin’ tells me that there must be somethin’ more
I have a feeling that there is something more meaningful and genuine out there.
This time I’m holdin’ out for love
I am determined to wait for true love.
Made up my mind, I’m holdin’ out for love
I have made a conscious decision to hold out for true love.
Mister, this time, I’m holdin’ on
I am holding on to the idea of true love.
Holdin’ back, holdin’ out for love
I am refraining from settling for anything less than true love.
Had my fill of party scenes
I have had enough of superficial and temporary pleasures.
One night stands and neon dreams
I have experienced meaningless one-night stands and pursuits of unattainable fantasies.
Goodtime friends in fancy clothes
I have spent time with friends who are only interested in having a good time and looking good on the surface.
Flashin’ highs and crashin’ lows
I have experienced high points followed by sudden lows.
So if that’s what’s on your mind
If that is what you are looking for,
I’ll just take a pass this time
I am not interested this time.
I believe I’d rather leave it all behind
I would rather leave behind these superficial pleasures and pursuits.
I need to find someone
I am searching for someone who
Who’ll still be holdin’ me
Will hold onto me even after the excitement of the initial connection fades.
When the dancin’s done
When we move beyond the initial passion and excitement.
I’m holdin’ out for love
I am committed to waiting for genuine love.
Made up my mind, I’m holdin’ out for love
I have made the decision to hold out for true love.
Mister, this time, I’m holdin’ on
I am holding on to the idea of true love.
Holdin’ back, holdin’ out for love
I am refraining from settling for anything less than true love.
I’m holdin’ out for love
I am committed to waiting for genuine love.
Made up my mind, I’m holdin’ out for love
I have made the decision to hold out for true love.
Mister, this time, I’m holdin’ on
I am holding on to the idea of true love.
Holdin’ back, holdin’ out for love
I am refraining from settling for anything less than true love.
Oh, this time, I’m holdin’ out for love
This time, I am determined to wait for genuine love.
Made up my mind, I’m holdin’ out for love
I have made the decision to hold out for true love.
Mister, this time, I’m holdin’ on
I am holding on to the idea of true love.
Holdin’ back, holdin’ out for love
I am refraining from settling for anything less than true love.
Contributed by Tyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
keith brooks02
What a treasure. Her live performances are so rare, thank you for posting this.
Deeman wil
OMG!! Haven't seen many of early live performances. This is a treasure. Thanks so much!❤️💗 She's so beautiful just like the cover of Something About You!
Mark Westphal
Love this song
Love Angela Bofill
Mark Westphal
Love this song
Love Angela Bofill
Kenneth P. Garnier
So beautiful! Thank you and God bless you, Angel!
Lord Brian Alejandro Scott
Me gusta esta canción! 💖💝
HERU Apocalypse
I've been searching Hi and Lo for This Song right here.Back in 1981 during My Elementary Day's.My Dad picked up My Female Cousin and I from My Weekend Drum Practice Session.And This Song was playing on the Radio.We were in My Dad's Car Jamming.And then the Song went off.And that was the last I ever heard it again.And now in 2022 July 11 at 3A.M. I've been reunited with only 1 of My Favorite Songs in My lifetime.I owe this Thanks to My Perseverance and YouTube.👋🏽😎
Eva Johnson
Great Tune Lady Lady Angela. I'd forgotten this One ❤
BLESSINGS. Hope you're Doing Fine 🎶👑👌
nerobear
Beautiful song. Happy Valentine's Day Angela.
daydream70
One of my favorite songs. I so miss this music