Angela Winbush (b. January 18, 1955) is an American R&B/soul singer-songwri… Read Full Bio ↴Angela Winbush (b. January 18, 1955) is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter who rose to fame first in the 1980s R&B duo René & Angela, also scoring hits as a solo artist. During her career, Winbush has sold ten million albums and singles worldwide, and has had twenty Top Forty R&B singles and three number one R&B singles.
Early life and career
Born to a deeply religious family in St. Louis, Missouri, Angela began singing in church. She did not initially aspire to a career in music, studying architecture at Howard University, singing only to earn extra money. She continued to sing in church while at Howard as well as with gospel legend Richard Smallwood. By 1977, Angela had changed her major to music education, and recorded a demo. She shopped it to various record labels with no success but, through a personal introduction furnished by respected industry veteran, Wayne K. Garfield, the demo was heard by New York disc jockey Gary Byrd, who made the call that landed Angela a spot in Stevie Wonder's backing vocal group, Wonderlove. Becoming Wonder's protegé, she learned a great deal about writing and arranging songs. While in Los Angeles with Wonder, Angela met singer René Moore; the two became a couple (eventually marrying), and began writing songs together. René & Angela released their self-titled debut album in 1980, followed by Wall to Wall in 1982 and Rise in 1983. During this period they had two moderate hit singles, "I Love You More" and "My First Love".
A Street Called Desire and meeting Ron Isley
During Rene & Angela's early years, they were asked to produce songs for Janet Jackson's 1982 self-titled debut album, Janet Jackson. One of the songs, "Young Love", became Jackson's first top ten R&B hit reaching number six on the chart. They also wrote exclusively for Stephanie Mills, who forged a close friendship with Winbush (their "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love", gave Mills her first-ever #1 R&B single, in 1985). Winbush would later write another Mills number one R&B hit with "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel". Between that, Rene & Angela decided to branch out and find a bigger fan base signing with Mercury Records in 1984. They released their breakthrough album, A Street Called Desire the following year. Among the hit singles included on the album was their first R&B number one with the dance single, "Save Your Love (For #1)", which included guest vocals from rapper Kurtis Blow, making it besides Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You", one of the first songs to prominently feature a rapper. Other hit singles included "I'll Be Good", the mostly Winbush-led "Your Smile" was another number one hit while the subsequent "You Don't Have to Cry", hit number two in the beginning of 1986. Eventually A Street Called Desire sold over a million copies going platinum but on the brink of their greatest success, tensions between Winbush and Moore had grown and by the end of the album's promotion, the duo split both personally and professionally. Moore would continue to find success as a songwriter, most notably for Michael Jackson, but he would never again find success as a singer as Winbush was often the main draw of their singles.
In 1987, Winbush was introduced to future husband Ronald Isley, lead singer of the influential Isley Brothers after Benny Medina had agreed to ask Winbush to be involved with the Isleys' next record when Isley proposed plans to work with Winbush on a future project. Producing, writing and arranging the Isleys' Smooth Sailin' album, Winbush helped the group, now including just Ronald and Rudolph (eldest brother O'Kelly had passed away the previous year), score a top 10 R&B hit with the title track.
Sharp and subsequent follow-ups
In turn, Isley opted to manage Winbush and he helped in the process of releasing her debut solo album, Sharp, which was also released in 1987. The album included the huge hit, "Angel", which stayed at number one on the R&B chart for two weeks in 1987 and showcasing her five and a half octave range. Other hits include the dance track, "Run to Me", "C'est Toi (It's You)" and the Ron Isley duet, "Hello Beloved". In 1988, she wrote and produced two tracks for Sheena Easton's gold album "The Lover In Me". They were "Without You" and "Fire and Rain", both of which showcased Easton's lower range and surprisingly soulful vocals. In 1989, Winbush released her follow-up to Sharp with It's the Real Thing. The title track reached number two on the R&B chart while subsequent hits "No More Tears" and "Lay Your Troubles Down" continued Winbush's top 40 success on the R&B charts where she was now a fixture on despite failed attempts to cross her over to pop audiences. On June 26, 1993 Winbush and longtime manager/collaborator/lover Ronald Isley, who is thirteen years Angela's senior, married. A year later Winbush released her third self-titled solo album, which included the huge R&B hit, "Treat U Rite". Produced by Chuckii Booker, the song peaked at number six on the R&B chart making it Winbush's ninth top ten R&B hit altogether in her career. In 1996, Winbush was featured on the Isley Brothers' hit "Floatin' On Your Love", which was essentially a duet between Winbush and Ron Isley. The song was later remixed by Sean "Puffy" Combs and featured guest vocals from Lil' Kim and the group 112 in backgrounds. The video for it showcased Winbush serenading Isley's Mr. Biggs character. Winbush continued to collaborate with the Isley Brothers until 2001's Eternal, where afterwards, their marriage had cooled off. In 2002, Winbush and Isley quietly divorced. In 2003, Winbush made news when it was found out she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Eventually after a successful surgery, the cancer was in remission and Winbush returned to perform on the road.
Legacy and influence
Since starting out with Rene & Angela, Winbush has played an influence on various R&B and hip-hop acts. In the latter genre, Winbush has heard her music being sampled by acts such as The Notorious B.I.G. (who featured her and Jay-Z on his Rene & Angela-sampled "I Love You More" for the song "I Love the Dough"), Foxy Brown (who sampled her "I'll Be Good" for her 1997 top ten hit, "I'll Be") and singer Avant re-recorded the Rene & Angela ballad, "My First Love", with singer Keke Wyatt in 2000. In appreciation during Avant's performance of the song on BET's 106 & Park, in 2001, Winbush surprised the audience by singing alongside Avant on the song. As a singer, Winbush influenced the likes of Syleena Johnson and Chante Moore. Winbush and former partner Rene Moore also shared the distinction for being one of the first R&B acts to prominently feature a rap act in a R&B song sharing that distinction with Chaka Khan and funk band Cameo. Winbush also carries the distinction of being one of the few female artists to find success as a songwriter, arranger, producer and session musician (Winbush also is an avid musician playing piano and keyboards).
Early life and career
Born to a deeply religious family in St. Louis, Missouri, Angela began singing in church. She did not initially aspire to a career in music, studying architecture at Howard University, singing only to earn extra money. She continued to sing in church while at Howard as well as with gospel legend Richard Smallwood. By 1977, Angela had changed her major to music education, and recorded a demo. She shopped it to various record labels with no success but, through a personal introduction furnished by respected industry veteran, Wayne K. Garfield, the demo was heard by New York disc jockey Gary Byrd, who made the call that landed Angela a spot in Stevie Wonder's backing vocal group, Wonderlove. Becoming Wonder's protegé, she learned a great deal about writing and arranging songs. While in Los Angeles with Wonder, Angela met singer René Moore; the two became a couple (eventually marrying), and began writing songs together. René & Angela released their self-titled debut album in 1980, followed by Wall to Wall in 1982 and Rise in 1983. During this period they had two moderate hit singles, "I Love You More" and "My First Love".
A Street Called Desire and meeting Ron Isley
During Rene & Angela's early years, they were asked to produce songs for Janet Jackson's 1982 self-titled debut album, Janet Jackson. One of the songs, "Young Love", became Jackson's first top ten R&B hit reaching number six on the chart. They also wrote exclusively for Stephanie Mills, who forged a close friendship with Winbush (their "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love", gave Mills her first-ever #1 R&B single, in 1985). Winbush would later write another Mills number one R&B hit with "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel". Between that, Rene & Angela decided to branch out and find a bigger fan base signing with Mercury Records in 1984. They released their breakthrough album, A Street Called Desire the following year. Among the hit singles included on the album was their first R&B number one with the dance single, "Save Your Love (For #1)", which included guest vocals from rapper Kurtis Blow, making it besides Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You", one of the first songs to prominently feature a rapper. Other hit singles included "I'll Be Good", the mostly Winbush-led "Your Smile" was another number one hit while the subsequent "You Don't Have to Cry", hit number two in the beginning of 1986. Eventually A Street Called Desire sold over a million copies going platinum but on the brink of their greatest success, tensions between Winbush and Moore had grown and by the end of the album's promotion, the duo split both personally and professionally. Moore would continue to find success as a songwriter, most notably for Michael Jackson, but he would never again find success as a singer as Winbush was often the main draw of their singles.
In 1987, Winbush was introduced to future husband Ronald Isley, lead singer of the influential Isley Brothers after Benny Medina had agreed to ask Winbush to be involved with the Isleys' next record when Isley proposed plans to work with Winbush on a future project. Producing, writing and arranging the Isleys' Smooth Sailin' album, Winbush helped the group, now including just Ronald and Rudolph (eldest brother O'Kelly had passed away the previous year), score a top 10 R&B hit with the title track.
Sharp and subsequent follow-ups
In turn, Isley opted to manage Winbush and he helped in the process of releasing her debut solo album, Sharp, which was also released in 1987. The album included the huge hit, "Angel", which stayed at number one on the R&B chart for two weeks in 1987 and showcasing her five and a half octave range. Other hits include the dance track, "Run to Me", "C'est Toi (It's You)" and the Ron Isley duet, "Hello Beloved". In 1988, she wrote and produced two tracks for Sheena Easton's gold album "The Lover In Me". They were "Without You" and "Fire and Rain", both of which showcased Easton's lower range and surprisingly soulful vocals. In 1989, Winbush released her follow-up to Sharp with It's the Real Thing. The title track reached number two on the R&B chart while subsequent hits "No More Tears" and "Lay Your Troubles Down" continued Winbush's top 40 success on the R&B charts where she was now a fixture on despite failed attempts to cross her over to pop audiences. On June 26, 1993 Winbush and longtime manager/collaborator/lover Ronald Isley, who is thirteen years Angela's senior, married. A year later Winbush released her third self-titled solo album, which included the huge R&B hit, "Treat U Rite". Produced by Chuckii Booker, the song peaked at number six on the R&B chart making it Winbush's ninth top ten R&B hit altogether in her career. In 1996, Winbush was featured on the Isley Brothers' hit "Floatin' On Your Love", which was essentially a duet between Winbush and Ron Isley. The song was later remixed by Sean "Puffy" Combs and featured guest vocals from Lil' Kim and the group 112 in backgrounds. The video for it showcased Winbush serenading Isley's Mr. Biggs character. Winbush continued to collaborate with the Isley Brothers until 2001's Eternal, where afterwards, their marriage had cooled off. In 2002, Winbush and Isley quietly divorced. In 2003, Winbush made news when it was found out she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Eventually after a successful surgery, the cancer was in remission and Winbush returned to perform on the road.
Legacy and influence
Since starting out with Rene & Angela, Winbush has played an influence on various R&B and hip-hop acts. In the latter genre, Winbush has heard her music being sampled by acts such as The Notorious B.I.G. (who featured her and Jay-Z on his Rene & Angela-sampled "I Love You More" for the song "I Love the Dough"), Foxy Brown (who sampled her "I'll Be Good" for her 1997 top ten hit, "I'll Be") and singer Avant re-recorded the Rene & Angela ballad, "My First Love", with singer Keke Wyatt in 2000. In appreciation during Avant's performance of the song on BET's 106 & Park, in 2001, Winbush surprised the audience by singing alongside Avant on the song. As a singer, Winbush influenced the likes of Syleena Johnson and Chante Moore. Winbush and former partner Rene Moore also shared the distinction for being one of the first R&B acts to prominently feature a rap act in a R&B song sharing that distinction with Chaka Khan and funk band Cameo. Winbush also carries the distinction of being one of the few female artists to find success as a songwriter, arranger, producer and session musician (Winbush also is an avid musician playing piano and keyboards).
It's The Real Thing
Angela Winbush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's do it
Real
Real thing, boy, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Hold on tight and make it last
Oh, you can't imitate or duplicate it, naw
When it's real love it's a one of a kind thing, yeah
It's a______________________choice to take, yeah
Whateva you need boy, you can have it anytime, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing, yeah
Just hold on tight and make it last
Wanna say it again, make no mistake this ain't no fake love
It's the real deal
and it's on the one, yeah
It's not complicated, it's a feelin'
And ain't nothin' like it, when all is said and done, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last, Wanna talk about it
It's the real thing
I got a good thing
He's a fine thing
I just want you to know that
It's the real thing
He's my thing, Oh, hold on tight and make it last
Oh, it's a real thing
It's a real thing
I got a good thing
Good thing
It's your thing, and it's my thing
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, oh
Gon' hold on tight and make it last
Let me hear you say
Real thing!
Say it again boys, yeah
Real thing!
Boys, real thing, ha ha
Just want you to know that
Real thing! Boys
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Gonna make me moan
Huh, Huh, Huh
Gonna say it again, yeah
Huh, huh, huh
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
Just hold on tight and make it last, hold on tight and make it last
Girl, real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
It's a real thing, hold on tight and make it last, oh
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, (I got a good thing) it's your thing, yeah, and it's MY thing, Baby
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, gonna hold on tight and make it last
Gonna say it again, it's a real thing, sure 'nough my thing, and it's your thing
Just want you to know that (wild thing)
It's a real thing, I got a REAL thing, Hold on tight and make it last
Gonna say it again
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing! , boys
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
Hold on tight and make it last, boys
Real
Real thing, boy, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Oh, you can't imitate or duplicate it, naw
When it's real love it's a one of a kind thing, yeah
It's a______________________choice to take, yeah
Whateva you need boy, you can have it anytime, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing, yeah
Just hold on tight and make it last
Wanna say it again, make no mistake this ain't no fake love
It's the real deal
and it's on the one, yeah
It's not complicated, it's a feelin'
And ain't nothin' like it, when all is said and done, well
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last, Wanna talk about it
It's the real thing
I got a good thing
He's a fine thing
I just want you to know that
It's the real thing
He's my thing, Oh, hold on tight and make it last
Oh, it's a real thing
It's a real thing
I got a good thing
Good thing
It's your thing, and it's my thing
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, oh
Gon' hold on tight and make it last
Let me hear you say
Real thing!
Say it again boys, yeah
Real thing!
Boys, real thing, ha ha
Just want you to know that
Real thing! Boys
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It's the real thing
Just hold on tight and make it last
Gonna make me moan
Huh, Huh, Huh
Gonna say it again, yeah
Huh, huh, huh
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
Just hold on tight and make it last, hold on tight and make it last
Girl, real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
It's a real thing, hold on tight and make it last, oh
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, (I got a good thing) it's your thing, yeah, and it's MY thing, Baby
It's a real thing, I got a good thing, gonna hold on tight and make it last
Gonna say it again, it's a real thing, sure 'nough my thing, and it's your thing
Just want you to know that (wild thing)
It's a real thing, I got a REAL thing, Hold on tight and make it last
Gonna say it again
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing! , boys
Real thing! Real thing! Real thing!
Hold on tight and make it last, boys
The song "It's The Real Thing" by Angela Winbush is an uplifting and upbeat love song about the purity and authenticity of true love. The lyrics convey the idea that real love is one of a kind and cannot be imitated or duplicated. The singer encourages her lover to hold on tight to the real thing and make it last. She emphasizes that real love is not complicated but rather a feeling that cannot be expressed in words. The lyrics also suggest that real love is a choice that one can make and that it is worth fighting for. The repetition of the phrase "real thing" throughout the song reinforces the message of the importance of authentic love.
The upbeat and catchy melody of the song is matched with the positive and optimistic tone of the lyrics. The use of repetition, call and response, and harmonies creates a sense of unity and togetherness. The song celebrates the idea that true love can bring happiness and fulfillment to one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the real thing
Authentic love is present
Just hold on tight and make it last
Don't let go of this real love and treasure it for life
Oh, you can't imitate or duplicate it, naw
There is no duplicating the real love experienced
When it's real love it's a one of a kind thing, yeah
True love is unique and incomparable
It's a______________________choice to take, yeah
Authentic love is a choice to make
Whateva you need boy, you can have it anytime, well
The person in love is willing to give whatever they need to their partner at any time
Wanna say it again, make no mistake this ain't no fake love
Reiterating that this love is real and not fake
It's the real deal and it's on the one, yeah
This love is genuine and unique
It's not complicated, it's a feelin'
Real love is not complex, it's simply a feeling
And ain't nothin' like it, when all is said and done, well
When everything is said and done, there's nothing like the feeling of true love
I got a good thing, He's a fine thing
The singer has found true love and describes her partner as a good and fine person
It's your thing, and it's my thing
The love they share is exclusive to them
Just want you to know that (wild thing)
The singer wants to emphasize that this love is real
Contributed by Alyssa F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@haroldsmither8378
When GROWN ASS WOMEN WHO COULD REALLY SING were in heavy rotation on the radio: Angela, Anita Baker, Vanessa Williams, Regina Belle, Patti Labelle, Jody Watley, Stephanie Mills, Betty Wright, Miki Howard, Vesta Williams, Cherrelle, Mica Paris and Whitney Houston! Real grown women who SANG!
@tarawalton6778
It was a BEAUTIFUL time to witness.❤
@telly5838
All those beautiful women can sing but what separates Miss Winbush is that she can play multi-instruments and sing
@design17
Preach!!!
@akekestory493
So jealous I wasn't alive for this time I love this era but im 23 and my fav are
Anita Baker
Angela winbush
Chantay savage
Basia
Sade
Alicia Meyers
And plenty more but these ladies are at the top.
@godsanointed1477
What about Pebbles ?? she had a couple of hits too??🤗👏👏
@mslady795
Ms Winbush was underrated, She is a great song writer, never got the credit that she deserves..... She was a bad Woman... She was the Real Thang
@DutchFunkenstein
Still doesn't get the recognition she deserves, since everyone is focusing on Don Cheadle..
@TheLovliestbrown
And so f'n gorgeous at that! She gets "goddess status" from me along with Anita and Chaka...👑
@linnyw1072
@@TheLovliestbrown z