With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the '80s. Gifted with a strong, supple alto, Baker was influenced not only by R&B, but jazz, gospel, and traditional pop, which gave her music a distinctly adult sophistication. Smooth and mellow, but hardly lifeless, it made her one of the most popular romantic singers of her time.
Baker was born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, OH, and raised in nearby Detroit, where she grew up listening to female jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald. At age 12, she began singing a gospel choir, and by age 16 she was performing with several local bands. In 1975, she successfully auditioned for Chapter 8, one of Detroit's most popular acts at the time; the group eventually signed with Ariola and released an album in 1979, but were immediately dropped when the label was acquired by Arista (which didn't care for Baker's vocals). Chastened, Baker worked low-paying jobs in Detroit and eventually found steady work as a receptionist at a law firm. In 1982, Otis Smith -- an executive who'd worked with Chapter 8 -- contacted Baker about recording for his new label Beverly Glen. Happy with her employment benefits and skittish over the experience with Arista, Baker was reluctant at first, but eventually flew out to the West Coast to record her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983. Though it didn't gain quite enough exposure to become a hit, it did help Baker build a strong fan base through word-of-mouth and she was signed by Elektra in 1985.
Working with producer Michael J. Powell (an old Chapter 8 cohort), Baker released her major-label debut Rapture in 1986. It was a platinum, Grammy winning smash, appealing to both urban and adult contemporary listeners and producing two all-time quiet storm classics in "Caught Up in the Rapture" and "Sweet Love." Baker toured the world in 1987 and her guest appearance on the Winans track "Ain't No Need to Worry" won a Grammy. Her equally stylish follow-up album, Giving You the Best That I Got, appeared in 1988, spawning more staples in the title track and "Just Because." "Giving You the Best That I Got" also won Baker two more Grammys, for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song. For her third Elektra album, Baker decided to handle a greater share of the songwriting, hence the title Compositions, which was released in 1990 and featured even stronger jazz inflections than Baker's previous work (not to mention all live instruments).
Following Compositions, Baker took a break from recording and touring; after having her first son in 1993, she returned to the studio to craft Rhythm of Love, which was released in 1994. In the years that followed, Baker was mostly silent, despite her fans' clamoring for a jazz album; instead, she raised her family and became embroiled in contract disputes with Elektra, which eventually led her to move to Atlantic. She began working on a new album in 2000, but had to start over from scratch due to defective recording equipment that made the original tracks unsalvageable. In 2004 it was announced that she had signed with Blue Note and still working on her new album. In the meantime, the Atlantic imprint Rhino released Night of Rapture: Live, a 1987 concert originally available on video. Baker finally returned to the studio in 2003 and issued My Everything, her first album in 10 years. Two years later she released her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Anita Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Anita Baker's rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a beautiful version of the traditional Christmas carol. The lyrics are a reminder that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born on this blessed day to save humanity from Satan's power. The song begins by urging the listener to be merry and not to dismay, for we have been given comfort and joy through the birth of Christ.
The second verse takes us to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born and laid in a manger. This event, which would later become known as the Nativity, is celebrated by Christians worldwide as the birth of their Savior. The song reminds us that even Mary, the mother of Jesus, did not take this blessed event for granted, as she looked upon her newborn son with awe and reverence.
The third verse tells us of an angel who came to shepherds and announced the birth of the Christ child. The shepherds then journeyed to Bethlehem and found the child in a manger, just as the angel had said. The shepherds rejoiced and praised God for sending them a Savior, who would free them from Satan's power.
The last verse is a call to sing praises to the Lord and to embrace one another with love and brotherhood. The holy season of Christmas is meant to be a time of peace and goodwill towards all, and the song reminds us to keep this spirit throughout the year.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
May you, gentlemen, find rest in the celebration of this season.
Let nothing you dismay
Do not let anything discourage you from enjoying the festivities of Christmas.
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Recall that Jesus Christ, who is our Savior, came into the world to redeem us from our sins.
Was born on Christmas day
He was born on this day, which we now celebrate as Christmas.
To save us all from Satan's power
He came to rescue us from the control of Satan, who tries to lead us away from God.
When we were gone astray
When we had wandered away from the path of righteousness and truth.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
What joyful news this is, bringing great comfort and happiness to our hearts.
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
In Bethlehem, which is located in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
This wonderful baby, who is a blessing to the world, was born.
And laid within a manger
He was placed in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals.
Upon this blessed morn
On this blessed morning, when the Savior was born.
The which His Mother Mary
And His mother, Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn
Accepted this humble birth without feeling ashamed or insulted.
From God our Heavenly Father
From God, our Father in heaven,
A blessed Angel came;
An angel, who was blessed and full of joy, appeared,
And unto certain Shepherds
And gave the good news to a group of shepherds,
Brought tidings of the same:
Telling them the same message,
How that in Bethlehem was born
That a baby had been born in Bethlehem,
The Son of God by Name.
And this baby was the Son of God.
Fear not then," said the Angel,
Do not be afraid," said the angel,
Let nothing you affright,
Do not be frightened or troubled by anything,
This day is born a Saviour
On this day, a Savior has been born,
Of a pure Virgin bright,
Born of a pure and bright virgin,
To free all those who trust in Him
To liberate all who believe in Him
From Satan's power and might.
From the grip of Satan's evil influence and control.
The shepherds at those tidings
Upon hearing this news, the shepherds
Rejoiced much in mind,
Were filled with joy in their hearts,
And left their flocks a-feeding
And left their herds of sheep that were grazing,
In tempest, storm and wind:
Even though there were harsh weather conditions like storms and wind.
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
They immediately journeyed to Bethlehem,
The Son of God to find.
To find the Son of God there.
And when they came to Bethlehem,
Upon their arrival at Bethlehem,
Where our dear Saviour lay,
Where our beloved Savior was lying,
They found Him in a manger,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
A place where the oxen would usually eat and rest.
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
And His mother, Mary, was kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
Offering up her prayers and worship to the Lord.
Now to the Lord sing praises,
So now, let us offer praises to the Lord,
All you within this place,
All of those who are currently present here,
And with true love and brotherhood
And show true love and unity towards each other,
Each other now embrace;
Let us embrace and hold onto one another firmly.
This holy tide of Christmas
This holy season of Christmas,
All other doth deface.
Is more special and sacred than any other celebration or festival.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, EAST BAY MUSIC INC. D/B/A MELORIE MUSIC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, BRIAN SCOTT BENNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind