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.
In My Heart
Anita Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fallin' in on the deep end one more time baby
I'm helpless to stop this, there's no defense
(Got this fever) I'm sick baby
(I'm on fire) I'm on fire
(Fire burns) fire burns
[Chorus:]
In my house, in my arms, in my room, in my bed
I feel the symptoms I know the signs
Will I get well, really can't tell not for sure darling
For this disease you're the only cure
(Got this fever) I'm sick baby
(I'm on fire) I'm on fire
(Fire burns) fire burns
In my heart, in my life, on my mind, in my head
In my house, in my room, in my arms, baby baby baby
Take my heart, take my soul
Take my hand, make me whole baby
Say my name, ease this pain baby
In my heart, in my life, on my mind, in my head
In my house, in my room, in my arms, in my bed
The lyrics of Anita Baker’s song “In My Heart” depict the feelings of a person who is deeply in love with someone and cannot resist falling for them again and again. The persona in the song is depicted as helpless and unable to control the emotions that come with falling in love. The lyrics also symbolize the physical effects of love that include fever, a burning sensation, and a disease-like impact on the emotions. The chorus repeats the phrases related to all the areas in which the persona feels the impact of this love, including the heart, life, mind, head, house, room, arms, and bed. The persona hopes that the subject of their love is also feeling the same symptoms and signs, and they are the only cure for their sickness.
The lyrics of “In My Heart” are deep and emotional that resonate with the feelings of many people who have experienced love. The persona's depiction of love as a fever, a disease, and a burning sensation gives the impression of uncontrollable emotions that come with love. The repeated phrases of “in my heart,” “in my room,” and “in my arms” gives a feeling of longing and desire, indicating the depth of the persona's love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no baby here I go
I'm about to fall in love again and it's out of my control.
Fallin' in on the deep end one more time baby
I'm diving into this love with all of my being, despite knowing the potential risks.
I'm helpless to stop this, there's no defense
I have no power to resist this love, and there's no way to defend myself from it.
(Got this fever) I'm sick baby
I'm officially in love and there's no denying it.
(I'm on fire) I'm on fire
This love is consuming me entirely, and I feel like I'm burning inside from it.
(Fire burns) fire burns
This love is intense and it's causing a fire in my heart.
In my heart, in my life, on my mind, in my head
This love is everywhere and it's all-consuming in every aspect of my life.
In my house, in my arms, in my room, in my bed
This love is present in my private spaces and personal life as much as it is all around me.
I feel the symptoms I know the signs
I am aware of the signs of love and I recognize them in myself.
Will I get well, really can't tell not for sure darling
I'm not sure if this love will end well or not, but I'm still willing to take the chance.
For this disease you're the only cure
You are the only one who can make this love better or cure me from it.
Take my heart, take my soul
I'm giving you everything I have, including my heart and soul.
Take my hand, make me whole baby
I need you to take my hand and complete me, fill the missing pieces in my life.
Say my name, ease this pain baby
Your love and affection is the only thing that can ease the pain that comes with love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANITA BAKER, BARRY JAMES EASTMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jayd8547
This entire album never quite got the exposure and recognition it deserves. Even she makes no mention of it. I wonder why. Either way, It goes where I go. A true gem.
@jahintoodeep2321
💯 As soon I heard it years ago, I found an album and bought it immediately. I’m sure the battle with the record label had something to do with it, but she owns her masters now. 🙏🏾🙌🏾
@glowingcrowns1692
It's messed up. It's not on YouTube music
@MISTER_SBAD1
@@glowingcrowns1692 I too noticed that the My Everything album is not available on YouTube Music yet the rest of her discography is. Record label politics I guess.
@truewilliams7118
It wasn’t up to her usual standards plus I believe Babyface sued her over this project
@jaxzy7h684
I purchased this album several months ago online. I really like it!
@sheildarobinson2195
This album was her best,all the song were off the chain,still listening to this album in 2023❤️❤️
@kevintownsend3840
Evidence of a classic songstress Ainta Baker is still played in 2023 simply the best falsetto voice of our time. Her band with Nathan East bass always delivers
@biggestlongone
Simply the best vocalist of all time. This one also has a nearly unique lyric ——- I’m sick, baby I’m on fire ......pure genius!!!!
@MeSoUnicorny
My favorite part! 🙌🏾💕