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).
Sensitive Heart
Angela Winbush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I cant explain
I slowly wanna tear us apart
Woah, I'm trying
But it's all in vein
If you keep leaving me in the dark
When I need your love and comfort
(Talk to me)
Communicate cause I can't read your mind
(Ohhhh)
I'm reacting to the situtation desparately
(Desparately)
Can't you see
Take it slow and heed
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
(Ohhh baby, I'm)
Dealing with a sensitive heart
(A sensitive heart)
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
(Ohhh)
Dealing with a sensitive heart
Heartaches and the tears I cry
It's not too hard for me to forgive
Cause I know
That you're my side
And I need your love just to live
Ever need a shoulder
You can lean on me
If you need someone to count on I'll be there
I'm giving you the best of my love can't you see
Just be fair
Take it slow and heed
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
Dealing with a sensitive heart
(Ohh, I)
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
(A sensitive heart babe)
Dealing with a sensitive heart
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
Dealing with a sensitive heart
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
Dealing with a sensitive heart
repeats
In "Sensitive Heart," Angela Winbush sings about the challenges of being in a relationship with a sensitive heart. The singer has strong feelings for their partner, but their partner's lack of communication and understanding is putting a strain on the relationship. The singer pleads with their partner to open up and communicate with them so they can work through their issues together. The singer emphasizes that they have a sensitive heart and need patience and understanding from their partner.
The chorus emphasizes the sensitivity of the singer's heart, and how easily it can be hurt or broken. Despite this, the singer is willing to forgive their partner and provide them with love and support when they need it. The song is a reminder that communication and understanding are crucial in any relationship, and that being patient and supportive is essential when dealing with someone who has a sensitive heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelings
Emotions that I am experiencing
That I cant explain
Emotions that I cannot express in words
I slowly wanna tear us apart
I am feeling a desire to separate from you, even if it is happening slowly
Woah, I'm trying
I am putting in effort to fix the situation
But it's all in vein
However, it feels like my efforts are not making any difference
If you keep leaving me in the dark
If you continue to not share your feelings and thoughts with me
When I need your love and comfort
During times when I require your love and support
Baby talk to me
Please communicate and have a conversation with me
(Talk to me)
express what you are thinking and feeling
Communicate cause I can't read your mind
I cannot accurately guess or understand your thoughts and intentions
(Ohhhh)
Reflecting my frustration or sadness
I'm reacting to the situation desperately
I am responding to the current state of events impulsively and anxiously
(Desperately)
Reflecting my urgency or strong feeling
Can't you see
A plea to acknowledge my needs or sentiments
Take it slow and heed
Please listen carefully and proceed cautiously
You're dealing with a sensitive heart
My heart is fragile and easily impacted by emotions
(Ohhh baby, I'm)
An expression of vulnerability and openness
Heartaches and the tears I cry
Painful experiences in the past that have made me cry
It's not too hard for me to forgive
Despite the pain, it is possible for me to forgive
Cause I know
I understand
That you're my side
You are there to offer me support
And I need your love just to live
I require your affection to feel alive and happy
Ever need a shoulder
If you ever require someone to lean on
You can lean on me
I am available to offer you support and comfort
If you need someone to count on I'll be there
If you require someone reliable, I am ready to be there for you
I'm giving you the best of my love can't you see
I am offering you my utmost affection and care
Just be fair
As you accept my love and support, please treat me well and with respect
(Ohh, I)
An expression of emotion
(A sensitive heart babe)
An acknowledgement of the fragility and importance of my heart
Dealing with a sensitive heart
The challenges of coping with my delicate emotions and sentiments
repeats
The lyrics repeat several times to emphasize the theme of having a sensitive heart and the importance of communication and understanding in relationships.
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeanette N. Godette
on I've Learned To Respect The Power Of Love
This Woman Has It! Aways Have And Always Will! All I Have To Say I Iove It And I Love Her!