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).
Save Your Love
Angela Winbush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That's always there
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That's always there
To hold you
I work hard all day
For a little play at night
My body aches
Come and make it alright
When I called you hot
On the telephone
My heartbeat stopped
'Cause you were not at home
(Save your love)
Sa-save your love
(For your number one)
(Save your love)
Sa-save your love
(For your number one)
Rumor has it
Girl
I've been dippin' and dabbin'
My friends are blabbin'
About some girl
I've been havin'
I'm good with you
'Cause you know what to do, baby
When all is said and done
You're still my only one
(Save your love)
Sa-save your love
(Save your love)
(For your number one)
(Save your love, baby)
(Save your love)
Sa-save your love
(For your number one)
Ooh, I'm the one
That you have to come home to
I'm the one
That will always love you
I'm the one
Keepin' things together
I'm the one
Who'll last
Through stormy weather
Save your love
Ooh
Save your love
For your number one
Save your love
For your number one
Save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That's always there
To hold you, hit it
Ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha, ha-ha, ooh
Huh-ho, ruff
Yeah, baby
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Save some love
For your number one
I work so hard
Every day on time
When I come home
I want some peace of mind
Got to fight them
Don't want to fight you
That's why I tell you
That my love is true
'Cause my love is strong
Just like my big heart
And I don't want nobody
To tear it apart
'Cause you are the dream
That I have seeked
And that's why I'm rappin'
To the funky beat
Just to let you know
That you're my number one
From now until
Until the day I'm done
Save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That's always there
To hold you
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
You got to save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That's always there
To hold you
You got to save your love
Save your love
Sa-save your love
Save-save your love
Save your love
For number one, y'all
For the one
That you gotta come home to
The lyrics of Angela Winbush's song "Save Your Love" are written about the importance of prioritizing your significant other and cherishing the relationship. The song is a plea to the person she loves to prioritize their love for each other and keep their relationship strong. The lines "you got to save your love for number one, y'all, for the one that you gotta come home to, you got to save your love for number one, y'all, for the one that's always there to hold you" repeatedly emphasize the importance of preserving the love they share and putting each other first.
The song also touches on the challenges faced in a relationship when rumors and doubts arise. The lyrics suggest that rumors have been spreading about the singer's infidelity, yet she reassures that her love for the person is true and will last through any stormy weather. The line "I'm good with you 'Cause you know what to do, baby, when all is said and done, you're still my only one" highlights the trust and commitment they have in each other and their ability to overcome any obstacles in their relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Save Your Love" speak to the importance of cherishing and prioritizing a relationship through thick and thin, with trust and love being the building blocks of a strong and lasting connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Save your love
Hold onto your love
For number one, y'all
For the person you come home to
For the one
For the only one
That you gotta come home to
That you need to be with
You got to save your love
You must hold onto your love
That's always there
That never leaves you
To hold you
To comfort and support you
I work hard all day
I work all day
For a little play at night
To relax at night
My body aches
I am physically tired
Come and make it alright
Comfort me
When I called you hot
When I complimented you
On the telephone
Over the phone
My heartbeat stopped
I was worried
'Cause you were not at home
Because you were not there
Rumor has it
People are talking
Girl
Woman
I've been dippin' and dabbin'
I have been cheating
My friends are blabbin'
My friends are gossiping
About some girl
About another woman
I'm good with you
I am happy with you
'Cause you know what to do, baby
Because you understand me
When all is said and done
When everything is over
You're still my only one
You are my one and only
Ooh, I'm the one
I am the person for you
That you have to come home to
That you need to be with
That will always love you
That will never stop loving you
Keepin' things together
Keeping everything in order
Who'll last
Who will survive
Through stormy weather
Through difficult times
Save some love
Hold on to some love
I work so hard
I work very hard
Every day on time
Every day, punctually
When I come home
When I return
I want some peace of mind
I need to relax
Got to fight them
Have to deal with problems
Don't want to fight you
Don't want to argue with you
That's why I tell you
That's why I explain to you
That my love is true
That I really love you
'Cause my love is strong
Because I love you deeply
Just like my big heart
As big as my heart is
And I don't want nobody
And I don't want anyone
To tear it apart
To harm it in any way
'Cause you are the dream
Because you are the ideal
That I have seeked
That I have searched for
And that's why I'm rappin'
That's why I am singing
To the funky beat
To the upbeat music
Just to let you know
Just to tell you
That you're my number one
That you are my top priority
From now until
Starting from now
Until the day I'm done
Until I die
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bernardseymour2640
Rene and Angela were a great team! Their music went a long way in the mid eighties and continues to do so.
@danielburns987
this song went to #1 on the R&B charts in 1985!!!
@gemmadillon7452
Omg I can't believe I was 2!! I may be gen y but gen z have NO IDEA
@patrimonioalianzaoldschool7873
In which city or country?
@jenniferfields1084
@Gemma Dillon My sis was 1 but I always sing it to her . She soo remember ❤
@nathanielwaters6730
DAMMIT, I'm listening to this right now on the radio, old skool 107 9 in Philadelphia, brings back strong memories!!! Rene and Angela, wow!!!👍👍😃😃
@drewstar412
This is the JAM! Great song to dance to! Classic 80s R&B! Miss these times! A song that use to played on the air waves...not so much now. A Forgotten Jam!
@stephleven7985
I love this and will never forget it,sent it to my daughter and her best friend , they are both 24 and will love this!
@lisamarie3734
I haven't heard this song in yearssssssss. I was in my teens back in the 90s and I heard this late night. Love it. Just heard this song a few minutes ago on the radio.
@BarkleyConners
WBLS ? (smiles) They did play this and "I'll Be Good."