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.
Talk to Me
Anita Baker Lyrics
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Baby, baby, baby, baby
You stand all alone, on your own
Please come inside from that storm
Stand where it's warm
I can see, you're in need, baby, please talk to me now
Baby, don't hold this inside, relax your pride
Let it go, set it free, my baby talk to me now
What's wrong, wrong with you
Why don't you tell me what cha goin' through, darling
What's wrong, wrong with you
Why don't you tell me
I can help if you let me, baby,
Yes, I can
I understand, here's my hand
Why stand alone in the dark, open up your heart
Let it's go, setit free, now my baby, talk to me now
What's wrong, wrong with you...
What's wrong, wrong with you...
I understand, that you're only one man
So much you can take, baby
Yes, I understand that you've only got two hands
Stare into space
I see shadows of pain cross your face
You avoid my advice, you avoid my embrace, baby
Whats wrong, wrong whit you
Why dont you tell me
I wont tell a single soul, my, my, my, baby
Yeah- uh
Yeah, you gotta, I gotta, we gotta talk about it - uh
No doubt about it, uh
Let it go, ho-ho, set it free, hee, hee, hee - baby
Uh, I'd like to listen, huh, Id like to listen,,baby, huh
Tell me everything, baby, babee - huh
I will understand, I will understand,
I promise, baby
Tell me now, tell me, huh, tell me
Oww-hey-hey,hey,hey-eee
I believe-hey-hey,baby
God almighty, baby, tell it all to me
Don't cha hold nothin' in , baby, don't cha
Hold it baby
In "Talk to Me", Anita Baker addresses her significant other who is obviously troubled and struggling to communicate. The singer attempts to provide a supportive and comforting environment to encourage her partner to open up and share whatever is troubling him. The song is about communication, listenning and the significance of sharing feelings, opinions, and problems with someone you trust.
Throughout the song, Baker reassures her partner that he is not alone and that she is there to help him. She urges him to let go of his pride and open up to her, emphasizing that she is a trustworthy confidant who will not judge or disclose his secrets. Baker also acknowledges that it is difficult for him to open up and that he will need support throughout the process. Her soothing voice along with the calming musical arrangements provide a warm environment for anyone willing to confide their feelings.
"Talk to Me" depicts the importance of communication, listening and sharing in any type of relationship. As humans, we are bound to go through challenging times that may leave us feeling overwhelmed and alone. Sometimes, all we need is a listening ear and a supportive presence to help us overcome such challenges. By shedding light on the isolation that comes from holding in feelings, the singer encourages healthy communication, creating an atmosphere of understanding and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh -oh - Yes sir
Acknowledging the person she's talking to
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Term of endearment to the person she's talking to
You stand all alone, on your own
Acknowledging that the person is isolated
Please come inside from that storm
Asks the person to come out of the metaphorical 'storm'
Stand where it's warm
Invites the person in a metaphorical way to a 'warm' and welcoming space
I can see, you're in need, baby, please talk to me now
Encouraging the person to open up about their struggles
Swear nothing is wrorng, you're so strong
Assurances that the person is strong and there's nothing wrong with venting
Baby, don't hold this inside, relax your pride
Encourages the person to let their guard down and open up
Let it go, set it free, my baby talk to me now
Invitation to free oneself from the burden of their worries by sharing them
What's wrong, wrong with you
Direct question to the person asking what their struggles are
Why don't you tell me what cha goin' through, darling
Encouraging the person to share their troubles
I can help if you let me, baby,
Yes, I can
Assurance that the person will try to help
I understand, here's my hand
Offering support and empathy
Why stand alone in the dark, open up your heart
Encouraging the person to come out of the dark and open up emotionally
I understand, that you're only one man
Understanding the limitations and pressures of being just one individual
So much you can take, baby
Acknowledging that the person has a lot on their plate
Stare into space
I see shadows of pain cross your face
Observing the person's emotional state
You avoid my advice, you avoid my embrace, baby
Recognizing the person's discomfort and attempts to get away from comfort
I wont tell a single soul, my, my, my, baby
Promise of secrecy and confidentiality
Let it go, ho-ho, set it free, hee, hee, hee - baby
Encouraging the person to let go of their problems
Uh, I'd like to listen, huh, Id like to listen,,baby, huh
Expressing a willingness to be an active and present listener
Tell me everything, baby, babee - huh
Inviting the person to express themselves fully
I will understand, I will understand,
I promise, baby
Assuring the person that they are empathetic and understanding
Tell me now, tell me, huh, tell me
Asking the person for honesty and openness
Oww-hey-hey,hey,hey-eee
I believe-hey-hey,baby
Expressing faith and belief in the person's ability to make it through their tough time
God almighty, baby, tell it all to me
Asking the person to trust her and share everything
Don't cha hold nothin' in , baby, don't cha
Hold it baby
Reiterating the importance of not keeping one's problems bottled up
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AGEE, BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind