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.
Mystery
Anita Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding on to misty memories
Chasing shadows through the night
Trying to find my happy ending
Reaching out for another chance at heaven
We could still find a way if we try
Like it used to be
We were more than lonely drifters in the dark
I can remember the sun inside
Love held us tight
I need to feel your magic in my heart
Instead of it tearing apart
Diamonds shining in the night
Lying soft and warm together
Only images survive
Can't my dreams go on forever
Oh there's still time to lock away your sadness
Let the secrets of love start to smile
Baby, believe in the mystery
Like it used to be
Baby bring back all the passion to my heart
I can remember the tender days, all the love we made
Can't you see in me your magic here tonight
Lonely spirits seem to whisper in the wind
It's a silent song that's never meant to be
Since the dawn of time the mystery never ends
We could find forever if we let love rise again
Tell me shy can't we reach for another chance at heaven
We can still find the way if you try
Baby, believe in the mystery
Like it used to be
Baby bring back all the passion to my heart
I can remember the tender days, all the love we made
I need to feel your magic here tonight
This song, "Mystery" by Anita Baker, is about the nostalgic longing and hope to rekindle a lost love. The singer of the song is turning back the hands of time and revisiting the memories of their past love. They are chasing shadows, trying to find their happy ending. The lyrics express a desire for another chance at heaven and to believe in the mystery of love once again. Even though the memories are misty and only images survive, the singer holds onto the hope of locking away their sadness and letting the secrets of love start to smile.
The chorus of the song expresses the longing for passion and love to return to their heart. The singer remembers the sun inside and how love once held them tight. They need to feel their former lover's magic in their heart once again instead of their heart tearing apart. The lyrics express how diamonds shining in the night and lying soft and warm together are only memories, and it's time to bring back the passion to their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning back the hands of time
Reflecting on the past and wishing to go back to a different time.
Holding on to misty memories
Clutching onto hazy and unclear memories.
Chasing shadows through the night
Pursuing fleeting and elusive things.
Trying to find my happy ending
Searching for a conclusion to one's story that brings joy and contentment.
Reaching out for another chance at heaven
Striving for an opportunity to experience pure bliss.
We could still find a way if we try
There is hope for success if effort is exerted.
Baby, believe in the mystery
Encouraging a listener to have faith in the unknown and inexplicable.
Like it used to be
To long for a return to a time when things felt better.
We were more than lonely drifters in the dark
The relationship was meaningful and deep, not just two solitary people.
I can remember the sun inside
Recalling the happiness and warmth once felt.
Love held us tight
The all-encompassing presence of love.
I need to feel your magic in my heart
Craving the enchantment and wonder of love once again.
Instead of it tearing apart
Rather than the relationship falling to pieces.
Diamonds shining in the night
Bright moments that stand out against a dark background.
Lying soft and warm together
The comfort and security of being close.
Only images survive
Only fleeting memories remain.
Can't my dreams go on forever
Wishing for the dreams of the past to become a permanent reality.
Oh there's still time to lock away your sadness
Seizing the opportunity to put sorrow aside and embrace happiness.
Let the secrets of love start to smile
Allowing the joy and intimacy of love to reveal itself.
Baby bring back all the passion to my heart
Asking for a return to the fervor and ardor of the relationship.
I can remember the tender days, all the love we made
Reminiscing about the gentle moments and fond memories of intimacy.
Can't you see in me your magic here tonight
Urging the other person to perceive the ability to reignite the magic of love.
Lonely spirits seem to whisper in the wind
A sense of loneliness that is pervasive and intangible.
It's a silent song that's never meant to be
A hopeless situation, where the beauty and enchantment of a relationship cannot be actualized.
Since the dawn of time the mystery never ends
The enigma and inexplicable nature of love has been present since the beginning of humanity.
We could find forever if we let love rise again
Suggesting that reigniting love can lead to a long-lasting and fulfilling relationship.
Tell me shy can't we reach for another chance at heaven
Questioning why they cannot try once more to experience ecstasy and purity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Carr, Earl Shuman, Rod Temperton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind