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.
Moondance
Anita Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
[Chorus]
Can I just have one more Moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love
Well, I want to make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
And I know that the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
[Chorus]
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
One more Moondance with you in the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love
The lyrics to Anita Baker's Moondance describe the magical and romantic atmosphere of a night under the moonlight. The first verse sets the scene with the singer describing the stars in the eyes of her lover and the falling leaves to the sound of the breezes. The second verse reveals her desire to make love to her partner with a sense of urgency and how it will fulfill her dreams.
Throughout the song, the singer's deep admiration and love for her companion is evident. The chorus repeats the request for one more Moondance, creating a nostalgic longing for an enchanting moment in time. The lyrics also hint at the desire for a deep emotional connection through the mentioning of heart-strings that play soft and low.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a feeling of tranquillity, passion, and longing for forever love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
The night is perfect for dancing under the moonlight
With the stars up above in your eyes
The stars in the sky reflected in your eyes, make them shine bright
A fantabulous night to make romance
It's a perfect night to be with someone you love and create memories
Neath the cover of October skies
Under the cover of the October skies, they can dance and be alone with each other
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
The trees are letting go of their leaves, signifying the change in season and the end of things
To the sound of the breezes that blow
The leaves fall subtly and gracefully to the sound of the cool evening breeze
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Anita is trying to fulfill the call of the person she loves
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
She is trying to satisfy their longing and desires that are gentle and deep
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
The night feels magical and special, like a secret whispered in a quiet hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
The moonlight makes the person she loves blush and highlights their beauty
Can I just have one more Moondance with you, my love
Anita wants to dance and be with the person she loves under the beautiful moonlight just one more time
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love
She wants to create more intimate memories and moments that they will both cherish
Well, I want to make love to you tonight
Anita wants to express her love physically and emotionally tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
She's impatient to be with the person she loves and doesn't want to wait any longer
And I know that the time is just right
She knows it's the perfect moment in time to express her love
And straight into my arms you will run
Her love will rush into her open arms to be with her
And when you come my heart will be waiting
Her heart is open and eager to receive the love of the person she loves
To make sure that you're never alone
She wants to assure the person she loves that they will never feel alone in her arms
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
When the person she loves comes to her, her dreams will be fulfilled
There and then I will make you my own
She wants to claim the person she loves as her own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
Her touch is so powerful it makes the person she loves tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
She is aware of the strong feelings the person she loves has for her
One more Moondance with you in the moonlight
She wants to spend one more special night dancing with her love under the beautiful moonlight
On a magic night
The night feels enchanting and otherworldly
La, la, la, la in the moonlight
The dance is accompanied by the sweet sound of her love's laughter
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love
Anita wants just one more dance and moment with the person she loves
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tristan imboden
This was recorded in 1986 at Montreux with Anita opening for Al Jarreau. I was Al's drummer at the time and our bass player Freddie Washington had recommended me to George Duke who was to produce what was to be a live jazz album of Anita singing standards. Freddie had recorded the Rapture album with Anita Baker. I just discovered that this one song had been released.
Marie Holliday
Awesome I would love to see this live.
tristan imboden
This recording is the Al Jarreau Band with George Duke playing as well as producing. I know this because I am the drummer on it. It was an amazing night and an honor to play with her as well as George Duke! Tris Imboden
Melissa Williams
The BEST version of this song! I sing this version with my band. You play the HELL out of this. I can't imagine how much fun this was for you! I saw her in Atlanta at the Fox theater waaaaaay back but I'm still "borrowing" her material as well as George Benson's. I'm in Europe now. I hope you haven't retired. Talent like this should NEVER retire!!!
larry temp
@tristan imboden I THOUGHT IT WAS JAMES BRADLEY JR. ON DRUM AND BOBBY LYLES ON KEYS WITH THE REST OF THE CREW PLEASE CLARIFY. ALSO ARE YOU THE DRUMMER THAT PLAYS WITH CHICAGO ?
Mama Ames
When in this element, which the INCOMPARABLE Ms. Anita Baker COMPLETELY OWNS... she so capably transports my entire being to a universe of jazz SO RARE & sadly, nearly extinct today... that frankly... I would be completely content to put HER music on an infinite loop... to listen to HER glorious voice... & live inside HER soulful, heavenly Jazz... forever.💕💕💕
tristan imboden
And yes I have been the drummer with the band Chicago for the past 25 years.
NeoFunkyman1
Originally recorded by Van Morrison. I love Anita Baker and this is a decent version, but Bobby McFerrin hit it out the park IMO @2mins - a master of voice manipulation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AggV_Ku0li8