As performers, their best-known song is "Solid" (1984 US and 1985 UK), although they have had many other hits, mostly on the R&B charts. Many of their songs have been recorded in hit versions by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and so many, many others.
Ashford and Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1963. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year Ashford & Simpson joined Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".
The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
High Rise
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We suffered through the good and the bad times
Believed above else
She was mine
But she said that it couldn't last forever
Runnin' 'cross the bridge she said
No, boy, oh, no
I've got better things to do
I'm gonna miss you, oh
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city, ho...
In high society (Ho, ho)
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city
Where she can forget about me, ooh
I remember the moment
She took me through it in the pourin' rain
Said there's somethin' all the love in the world
Ain't gon' change
And as we ran for shelter under the oak tree
She suddenly turned to me and said
No, boy, oh, no
We've pretended long enough
Now the time is almost here
I won't leave no tears (No), no tears
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city (Ho, yeah)
In high society (Oh, please don't go) (Ooh)
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city, hey
Where she can forget about me, ooh
Said she's got to find a way to get up there (Woo)
Said she hasn't really made it yet to you up there
I won't be comin' back again (Baby)
I've got better things to do (Please)
I'm gonna miss you, miss you, ooh (Oh)
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city (city) ho, yeah
High society (Oh, please don't go)
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
A city (city) ho, baby
Where she can forget about me (Oh, oh)
She wanna live in a high-rise
Way up on the east side
The song "High Rise" by Ashford and Simpson tells the story of a man reminiscing about a failed relationship with a woman he once loved. The woman wants to move on and forget about him by living in a high rise on the east side of the city. The man remembers how they had suffered through the good and bad times together, but the woman has given up on their relationship. She tells him that she won't be coming back again, and that she has better things to do, leaving him alone to remember her.
The woman's desire to live in a high-rise on the east side is symbolic of her desire to escape the past and start anew. The high-rise represents a new and better life, something that she believes she cannot have with the man. The city, in all its glory, represents her aspirations for a better life, beyond her current circumstances. The man, on the other hand, is left to mourn the loss of the relationship and the woman's desire to forget about him by moving on to bigger and better things.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew her well
The singer knew the person they were in a relationship with quite well.
We suffered through the good and the bad times
The couple went through both positive and negative experiences together.
Believed above else
The singer had an unwavering faith in the relationship.
She was mine
The person being referred to was in a committed relationship with the artist.
But she said that it couldn't last forever
The person being referred to believed that the relationship was not sustainable in the long-term.
Runnin' 'cross the bridge she said
The person being referred to is seen running away from the singer, possibly indicating that they are leaving the relationship.
No, boy, oh, no
The singer is being rejected by the person they were in a relationship with.
I won't be comin' back again
The person being referred to is clear that they have moved on from the relationship and have no intention of returning.
I've got better things to do
The person being referred to is interested in pursuing other things in life.
I'm gonna miss you, oh
Despite moving on from the relationship, the person being referred to still feels a sense of loss.
She wanna live in a high-rise
The person being referred to has a desire to live in a tall building.
Way up on the east side
The person being referred to has a specific location in mind for their desired high-rise.
A city, ho...
The person being referred to wants to live in a bustling metropolis.
In high society (Ho, ho)
The person being referred to wants to live among the wealthy and fashionable.
Where she can forget about me, ooh
The person being referred to is looking to get away from the singer, and the memories associated with the relationship.
I remember the moment
The artist recalls a specific moment in their past relationship.
She took me through it in the pourin' rain
The person being referred to had an important conversation with the artist during a rainy day.
Said there's somethin' all the love in the world
The person being referred to believes that sometimes love is not enough to overcome certain issues in a relationship.
Ain't gon' change
The person being referred to believes that the underlying problems in the relationship will not be resolved.
And as we ran for shelter under the oak tree
During the same rainy day conversation, the artist and the person they were in a relationship with sought shelter under an oak tree.
She suddenly turned to me and said
In the middle of the conversation, the person being referred to addressed the artist.
We've pretended long enough
The person being referred to thinks that the relationship has been sustained by pretending that everything is okay, but that can't continue.
Now the time is almost here
The person being referred to thinks that the end of the relationship is imminent.
I won't leave no tears (No), no tears
The person being referred to will not cry over the end of the relationship.
Said she's got to find a way to get up there (Woo)
The person being referred to is determined to achieve their goal of living in a high-rise.
Said she hasn't really made it yet to you up there
The person being referred to acknowledges that they have yet to achieve their goals.
I won't be comin' back again (Baby)
The person being referred to reiterates that they have no intention of returning to the relationship.
Please)
Despite not wanting to come back to the relationship, the person being referred to still acknowledges that it is a difficult decision.
I'm gonna miss you, miss you, ooh (Oh)
The person being referred to is saying goodbye to the artist, but still has a sense of loss and attachment.
Ho, yeah
The person being referred to wants to live in a big city with a vibrant social scene.
Please don't go
The singer is pleading with the person being referred to not to abandon the relationship.
city
The person being referred to wants to live in an urban environment.
ho, baby
The person being referred to expresses their wishful thinking of a luxurious lifestyle in high-rise living.
Where she can forget about me
The person being referred to is looking to move on from the artist and move on with their life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brashcracker5860
I sang this song with Nick & Valerie in NYC on the down escalator at Madison Square Garden after a Michael Jackson concert in 1991. My friends and I left a little early to beat the crowd and there we were together. They laughed and smiled at my attempt to sing this. Valerie actually put her arm around me and we sang this together. i swear to God. My whole life I told people I sang with Ashford & Simpson at a Michael Jackson concert. I even called my friends who were with me to prove it to doubters! Ha! 💜💚💙❤️
@prtmanprtGod
I know people who are on drugs.
@azeleapark
@@prtmanprtGod ........ and hit that crackpipe on a regular basis!!!! 😂😂👎
@Dr.JHIrons
Fantastic 👍🏾
@brianmitchell8552
Michael Jackson didn’t tour America in the 90s at all. Must’ve been the 80s.
@ducksick510
@@brianmitchell8552 yes he did…The Bad Tour …1991. You are wrong. I was there bud.
@arethawhite3712
This is my jam 👍!!! Rip Nick Ashford. Loved him in New Jack City!!! They did a lot of writing for other singers so talented before Nick Ashford passed away 💔😢😇🙏 RIP.
@lifesaver72
This is my favorite Ashford and Simpson song. RIP Nick. You will be missed.
@mousedriverRussia
At 1987 my uncle from Israel bring me a present - my first casette' player with this album !!! Sweet memories.. :)
@thecaptainbenjaminhey
I had the honor of meeting them in an elevator at The Hudson Hotel in NYC. We were in our way to a party for Luther Vandross & J Records. They were so humble and sweet. It was an honor to be in the same space with these legends!