Early life
Bobby Caldwell was born in Manhattan to Bob and Carolyn Franklin, the hosts of Suppertime, an early television variety show. Living in Memphis and, chiefly, Miami (which he has called an influential "dumping ground" for all kinds of music), he took up piano and guitar as a preteen. Forming his own band at 17, he took the group on the road, later recording an album entitled Kathmandu.
Caldwell's first performances were more rock-oriented than the bulk of his career would indicate; early dates had him playing Jimi Hendrix and Cream covers in small clubs.
[edit] Recording career
[edit] Bobby Caldwell (What You Won't Do for Love)
Bobby Caldwell was signed to legendary Miami label TK Records, home to many different kinds of musical acts: the pop-disco of KC & The Sunshine Band, the Latin-flavoured funk of Foxy, the down-home soul of George McCrae and his wife Gwen McCrae, and the futuristic, jazzy disco of Peter Brown and T-Connection.
For this very hot label, Bobby recorded his double platinum-attaining self-titled solo album, scoring hits with the singles "What You Won't Do for Love", "My Flame" and, in Britain, "Down for the Third Time." In order to ensure significant airplay on the African American-dominated R&B radio format of the time, Caldwell's management took certain steps — such as portraying the artist only in silhouette on the cover and in advertisements — to hide the fact that he was white. The secret was, for obvious reasons, shattered by his first live appearances.
After the tracks were first recorded and the record was considered "complete," TK owner Henry Stone said that he enjoyed the album but couldn't hear a hit. Attempting to address this issue, Caldwell and his band re-entered the studio, laying down the song's now-familiar rhythm tracks. After he quickly penned a set of lyrics, "What You Won't Do for Love" was born.
"What You Won't Do for Love" in its novelty vinyl incarnation
Reaching the top ten on both the pop (#9) and R&B (#6) charts, the song proved to be a success, though a bit of a surprise one due both to the haste with which it was written and the fact that Caldwell assumed "My Flame", the LP's second track ("What You Won't Do for Love" is the sixth), would wind up as the standout single. The album which contained it was later re-released under the song's title. The single was also marketed in the form of a distinctive red heart-shaped 45-RPM vinyl record (advertised as "the single that gets to the heart of the matter"), now a collector's item frequently seen on eBay. Although the record is heart-shaped, the grooves on the vinyl, of course, are round, even though the sleeve would lead one to think otherwise. (The What You Won't Do for Love album also received a novelty release on yellow vinyl.)
While the original song still receives frequent airplay today, it has been covered, re-made (once, in 1998, by Caldwell himself) and sampled many times since 1978. Phyllis Hyman for her Living All Alone album, Go West's version rose high in the adult contemporary charts, and Boyz II Men's version in 2004, Tupac Shakur's "Do for Love," which samples the lyric, also attained a good deal of popularity. Goldie covered it on his 1998 EP Ring of Saturn (the lyrics were sung by Diane Charlemagne), In 2007 it was given a funky house makeover by Central Avenue featuring Simon Green. In addition, "My Flame" was covered by actress/singer Vanessa Williams for her 1999 Greatest Hits CD and also sampled by Bad-Boy recording artist The Notorious B.I.G. and integrated into the song Sky's the Limit; which was also another major Rap/Hip-Hop hit.Another version is to notice from Ricky Peterson in the 90's.
The Cat in the Hat through August Moon
Caldwell's sophomore period involved the considerable task of following up such a staggering success as What You Won't Do for Love; during this time, his Japanese audience steadily eclipsed his American one. The Cat in the Hat (1980) and Carry On (1982), were artistic improvements upon the first album, but did not match its commercial success. They were, however, bestsellers in Japan -- The Cat went platinum and Carry On gold—and sealed Bobby's reputation as a superstar in that country.
1983 saw Bobby Caldwell put out August Moon, a project bearing a much more rock- than soul-oriented sound, in Japan only; it was released in the United States in the 1990s.
Heart of Mine through Where is Love
Though August Moon went gold, Caldwell subsequently took a hiatus from recording, instead directing his efforts toward composing songs for other performers (and make his own version of this song), most notably "Heart of Mine" for Boz Scaggs, "The Next Time I Fall" for Amy Grant and Peter Cetera, "Janet" for the Commodores, "Niagara Falls" for Chicago, "The Real Thing" for Kalapana and "All or Nothing at All" for Al Jarreau.
Caldwell sold albums at a steady pace throughout the 1990s, producing 1991's Stuck on You, recorded with a sixty-piece orchestra, and 1993's Where is Love, the latter having been recorded with musicians who had previously played with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett along with a twenty-four piece orchestra.
During this period, the airplay of his music shifted from the declining R&B radio format to the then-nascent smooth jazz stations. Caldwell is frequently cited as a staple of the genre, with "What You Won't Do for Love" as well as lesser-known singles such as "Real Thing", "All or Nothing at All" (both from Heart of Mine) still featuring prominently on programmers' playlists.
[edit] Soul Survivor through Come Rain or Come Shine
1995 saw the release of Soul Survivor, marking a turn toward coverage of others' songs. Though a handful of originals were present, the album was for the most part focused on, appropriately, soul standards such as "Walk on By" and "Your Precious Love".
He later turned to singing nothing but big band standards and original, yet big band standard-like songs (such as the much-promoted "Tomorrow") on 1996's Blue Condition and 1999's Come Rain or Come Shine. Blue Condition was recorded in real-time, live with a sixty-piece string section and twenty-piece jazz band in the same Capitol Records studios used by such icons as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin.
[edit] Perfect Island Nights
In 2005, Caldwell released Perfect Island Nights, his first album of mostly original studio material since 1993. The record features a new version "Rain", a track which made its debut on his second anthology release, Time and Again, as well as versions of Phil Perry's "Perfect Island Night", "Where is the Love" (rendered as a duet with Deniece Williams) and "Our Day Will Come". Guest players include saxophonist George Shelby and percussionist Russ Miller.
Film soundtracks
Caldwell has contributed music to a number of movies. He has both written and performed original songs for 1986's Back to School ("Educated Girl"), 1988's Mac & Me ("Take Me, I'll Follow You"), 1988's Salsa ("Puerto Rico") and its sequel ("Every Teardrop").
Songs penned by Caldwell but performed by others have appeared in films such as 1989's Ghostbusters 2 ("The Promised Land," performed by James "J.T." Taylor, the lead singer of Kool & the Gang) and 1987's Princess from the Moon ("Stay With Me," performed by Peter Cetera).
Due to what Caldwell has cited in interviews a lower cost of use than the original recordings, his versions of big band standards have appeared in several films. Examples include 2002's LakeBoat and 2001's Simone.
Caldwell also composed and performed "Don't Quit," the theme song for Body by Jake's workout video of the same name. He also appears in the associated music video, musically urging an actor portraying a weak young man to engage in weight training in order to defeat the bully of a local beach.
[edit] Sampling
Caldwell's music has been a popular source material for other artists, sometimes of differing genres, to sample. Of the many releases that make use of pieces of Caldwell's work, the following are some of the most prominent:
* Aaliyah's "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number" (samples "What You Won't Do for Love")
* Da Brat and Mariah Carey's "Gotta Thing 4 You" (samples the chorus of "What You Won't Do for Love")
* 2Pac's "Can I Get Your Number", "What I Won't Do For Love (Unreleased)" "Do for Love"(Posthumous) and "Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find" (sample "What You Won't Do for Love")
* Tatyana Ali's "Boy You Knock Me Out" (samples "What You Won't Do for Love") On Kiss The Sky (1998)
* Common's "The Light" (samples "Open Your Eyes")
* Notorious B.I.G.'s "Sky the Limit" (samples "My Flame")
* Portrait's "heartstrings" (samples "My Flame")
* The Luniz's "Playa Hata" (samples "What You Wont' Do for Love")
* Guru (rapper)'s "Something in the Past" (samples "What You Wont' Do for Love")
* Esham's "24/7" (samples "What You Wont' Do for Love")
* Raheem DeVaughn and DJ Jazzy Jeff's "My Soul Ain't for Sale" (samples "What You Won't Do for Love")
* Goldie's "What You Won't Do for Love" is a drum & bass re-working of "What you Won't Do for Love"
* Mona Lisa's "Jus Wanna Please U" (samples "What You Won't Do For Love")
* Medaphoar's "Can't Hold On" (samples "Carry On")
* Gym Class Heroes "Viva La White Girl" (references "What You Won't Do For Love")
* Kool G Rap "Blowin' Up in the World" (samples "What You Won't Do For Love")
* Master P featuring Steady Mobb'n's "If I Could Change" (samples "what you won't do for love") in 1997.
* On The New York Undercover episode Singer Montell Jordan cover the song.
[edit] Acting
Aside from a minor role in 1988's Salsa, Caldwell portrayed Frank Sinatra from October 1999 to January 2000 in the Las Vegas stage musical The Rat Pack is Back, garnering positive reviews.
[edit] Personal life
Caldwell resides on a horse farm in NJ with his wife, Mary, and their children.
[edit] Current activity
Bobby Caldwell is presently devoting his time to live performances.
[edit] Japanese audience
Like several other singers (such as Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera, and Daryl Hall), Caldwell has attained a great deal of popularity in Japan. In 1992, he received the nation's equivalent of a Grammy as the "best international artist."
His current career reflects his fame in that country. His albums tend to be released in that country before his own, his tours typically include many prestigious well-attended dates at such venues as the Nagoya Blue Note and, in the early 1990s, he married (and fathered twin daughters with) a woman from Japan.
The Japanese soul/jazz group Skoop on Somebody covered What You Won't Do for Love in their album,「undressed~club SOS~」.
TV
* In one episode of "New York Undercover" Montell Jordan performs "What You Won't Do for Love".
Discography
LPs
* What You Won't Do for Love (1978) Initially released as Bobby Caldwell. Reached double platinum status in the United States and gold status in Japan.
* Cat in the Hat (1980) Reached gold status in the United States and platinum in Japan.
* Carry On (1982) Reached gold status in Japan.
* August Moon (1984) Initially a Japan-only release, where it reached gold status.
* Heart of Mine (1988) Reached double platinum status in Japan and received Ad Lib magazine's Best Record of the Year 1989 award.
* Stuck on You (1991) Released in Japan as Solid Ground
* Where is Love (1993)
* Soul Survivor (1995)
* Blue Condition (1996)
* Timeline: The Anthology (1998)
* Come Rain or Come Shine (1999)
* Time and Again: The Anthology Part 2 (2001)
* Perfect Island Nights (2005)
Singles
* "What You Won't Do for Love" (1978)
* "Coming Down from Love" (1980)
* "Jamaica" (1982)
* "All of My Love" (1982)
Quotes
* "It got to where I could just send the hat to the show and stay home!" - on why he no longer wears his former trademark fedora during live performances
* "The record label went to great lengths to hide the fact that I was white, and I just deferred to what I didn't understand." - on his career immediately post-"What You Won't Do for Love"
"Bobby Caldwell Lounges Hard" - Louis Boston
Come to me
Bobby Caldwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit and wait in vain
I guess I'll rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I want to tell you baby
The changes I've been going through
Missing you
Listen you
That's what I'm gonna do
Why did you have to decide
You had to set me free
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
I'm gonna walk by meself
Just to prove that my love is true
Oh, for you baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
Living for you my dear
Is like living in a world of constant fear
In my plea, I've got to make you see
That our love is dying
Although your phone you ignore
Somehow I must explain
I'm gonna rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I'm gonna camp on your step
Until I get through to you
I've got to change your view baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
The lyrics to Bobby Caldwell's song "Come To Me" express the deep desire to be reunited with a lost love. The tone of the song is one of longing, regret, and hopefulness. It is clear that the singer is deeply in love with the person he is singing to, and desperately wants them to return to him. The opening lyrics reveal the singer's sense of emptiness and loneliness, as he mentions not receiving any communication from his love interest. He is consumed by thoughts of them, and despite not hearing from them, still waits in vain for them to come back to him.
The singer goes on to emphasize his willingness to try to reconnect with his lost love, even if it means that he will have to put his pride aside and beg for their attention. He sings, "Why did you have to decide, you had to set me free? I'm gonna swallow my pride, I'm gonna beg you to please baby please see me." This reveals a depth of love that is not easily found, especially in today's world where many relationships are built around convenience and superficiality. Despite the challenges, the singer remains hopeful, expressing that he will do whatever it takes to change the other person's view and win them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you don't call anymore
Even though you don't call me anymore
I sit and wait in vain
I sit and wait for you, even though it's in vain
I guess I'll rap on your door
I suppose I'll knock on your door
Tap on your window pane
Or maybe I'll tap on your window instead
I want to tell you baby
I want to share something with you, my dear
The changes I've been going through
I want to tell you about the changes I've experienced
Missing you
I miss you terribly
Listen you
Please listen to me
'Till you come back to me
Until you return to me
That's what I'm gonna do
That's all I can do
Why did you have to decide
Why did you feel the need to make that decision?
You had to set me free
You felt that you had to let me go
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I'll put aside my pride
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
I'll plead with you to see me
I'm gonna walk by meself
I'm going to walk alone
Just to prove that my love is true
To show you that my love is sincere
Oh, for you baby
For you, my love
'Till you come back to me
Until you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
That's all I can do
Living for you my dear
Living for you, my dear
Is like living in a world of constant fear
Feels like living in a scary world
In my plea, I've got to make you see
I need to make you understand
That our love is dying
That our love is slowly dying
Although your phone you ignore
Even though you ignore my phone calls
Somehow I must explain
I must find a way to make you understand
I'm gonna rap on your door
I'll knock on your door
Tap on your window pane
Or maybe I'll tap on your window instead
I'm gonna camp on your step
I'll stay on your doorstep
Until I get through to you
Until I'm able to reach you
I've got to change your view baby
I need to change your perspective
'Till you come back to me
Until you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
That's all I can do
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Morris Broadnax, Clarence O. Paul, Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pietro Leanza
Come to me
Let me hold you
In my arms
Darling tonight
Come to me
Come to me
There's no need to stay
Alone this way
Baby come to me
Let me love you honey
Keep you warm
Holding you tight
Come to me
Come to me
All your cares will be history
Come to me
Come to me
I would never mistreat you
I would always, always be around
In this world you'll need someone
I will never let you down
Come to me
Let me love you honey
In my arms
Darling tonight
Come to me
Come to me
All your cares will be history
When you come to me
jose mada
Come to me
Let me hold you
In my arms
Darling tonight
Come to me
Come to me
There's no need to stay
Alone this way
Baby come to me
Let me love you honey
Keep you warm
Holding you tight
Come to me
Come to me
All your cares will be history
Come to me
Come to me
I would never mistreat you
I would always, always be around
In this world you'll need someone
I will never let you down
Come to me
Let me love you honey
In my arms
Darling tonight
Come to me
Come to me
All your cares will be history
When you come to me
Mikey G
This whole album is a MAJOR vibe
Alfredo Martinez
One of the most underrated artists passed away. RIp
TI84SATACT
I remember the first time I listened to this album--that's right I said album--I was floored. It was incredible! As a grown up, I NOW understand why his album cover was him sitting on a bench in silhouette. Too many people judge a book by its cover and Mr. Caldwell wanted us to appreciate his musical gifts without prejudice!
Me 2
I have always liked Bobbie Caldwell. Yes that could explain why he choice to do this album cover this way. I am African American by the way... always loved him.
Mase Mason
Saw Bobby Caldwell perform this in concert eons ago🙂 A beautiful song💪🏽
MizuhoAMVs
RIP Legend
TI84SATACT
"What You Won't Do for Love" led me to discover Mr. Bobby Caldwell but THIS song, this song right here, made me love this man.
AntonovT
An absolute masterpice of Mr. Caldwell
D Songstress
Bobby has Transitioned onward... But... He left us His Legacy... 💞💞💞🌟🌈
daniel blanco
Temazo°°°