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.
Good Love
Anita Baker Lyrics
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But this desire never seems to go away
It's gonna take much more than hope to bring you close
I think I'll pray
I hear you say you've got a lot to give up
And there is so much more this heart of mine can take
If what you have to bring to me is positive
Right away
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love (I wanna know)
Morning, noon and night (and morning)
Forever all my life
Good love, good love
Good love, good love
There is a void that stands between us
And it seems it's getting harder to relate
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine
Life this way
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love (show me)
Morning, noon and night (show me)
Forever all my life
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time (stand, stand)
I wanna know what good love feels like (show me)
Good love, good love
Hear me when I say, bring it to me baby
Babe, you're the man I hear you say you are
I don't quite understand why loving me is so hard
Never have I felt the need to be this close
Words cannot say, heaven only knows
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time (stand by me)
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
Morning, noon and night
Forever all my life
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time (surely, baby)
I wanna know what good love feels like (somebody, someone)
Good love, good love
Morning, noon and night (show me)
Forever all my life
I wanna know what good love feels like (good love)
Good love, good love (sweet)
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time (somebody stand by me)
I wanna know what good love feels like (show me)
Good love, good love (show me)
Morning, noon and night
Forever all my life
I wanna know what good love feels like (forever, forever)
Good love, good love
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time
I wanna know what good love feels like
Good love, good love
Morning, noon and night
Forever all my life
The lyrics of Anita Baker's song Good Love express the desire of the singer to have a fulfilling relationship with the man she loves. She begins by acknowledging that she often keeps her feelings bottled up, but her longing for him never fades. She realizes that wishing alone won't bring them any closer and decides to pray for their union. The man, on the other hand, seems to be somewhat hesitant or unsure about the depth of his commitment, and Anita reassures him that her heart can take whatever he has to offer, as long as it is positive.
The song appears to be about the search for true love, the kind that is enduring and stands the test of time. Anita describes a gap or missing link between them, which makes it difficult for them to connect intimately. She says she wants to know what good love feels like, and she wants it to be an all-encompassing experience - morning, noon, and night, forever. She sees him as a good man and wonders why loving her is so hard for him. Despite his reluctance, she feels deeply connected to him and longs to be as close to him as possible.
Overall, the lyrics of Good Love are about the desire for an authentic and lasting connection with someone. Anita Baker pours her soul into the song and expresses her longing for a love that is deep, rich, and fulfilling. The lyrics are poignant and emotive, and they will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has ever searched for that special someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, many days it goes unspoken
There have been many moments where I've wanted to express my feelings towards you, but I haven't.
But this desire never seems to go away
Despite the amount of time that has passed, my attraction towards you remains strong.
It's gonna take much more than hope to bring you close
Just having faith and believing in our potential relationship is not enough to make it a reality. We need to take action.
I think I'll pray
I'll request a divine intervention to help bring us closer.
I hear you say you've got a lot to give up
You've hinted that you may have certain reservations or things to lose if we pursue a relationship.
And there is so much more this heart of mine can take
Despite any potential obstacles, I am willing to risk opening my heart to you even more.
If what you have to bring to me is positive you send it right away
If you have any positive intentions or feelings towards me, don't hesitate to act on them and show me.
I want to know what good love feels like
I yearn to experience a fulfilling and positive romantic relationship.
Good love, good love
I desire a strong, reliable and healthy love.
I want a love that's sure to stand the test of time
I seek a love that can endure and thrive despite any challenges or hardships life may present.
Morning, noon and night, forever all my life
I envision this love lasting throughout all moments of my life, from the early morning hours to the late night hours.
There is a void that stands between us
Currently, there is a barrier or separation preventing us from fully connecting emotionally.
And it seems it's getting harder to relate
As time passes, it's becoming more difficult to connect and communicate effectively with each other.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine
I never thought that a gap would form between us or that our relationship would take this difficult turn.
Life this way
Life with this void between us is not what I imagined or desired.
Hear me when I say, bring it to me baby
Listen to my request and take action to bring your positive feelings and intentions to me, if you have them.
Babe, you're the man I hear you say you are
I believe that you are the person you claim to be.
I don't quite understand why loving me is so hard
I am struggling to comprehend why forming a romantic connection with me is challenging for you.
Never have I felt the need to be this close
I have never experienced such a desire to be emotionally closer to someone before.
Words cannot say, heaven only knows
I cannot properly articulate how much I yearn for a closer connection with you. Only a higher power knows the extent of my feelings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary Anthony Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind