The son of a suburban New York schoolteacher, Orlando declined a classical music scholarship to pursue his then current musical interest, glam rock. In the late 1970s, his professional interests turned to disco and shortly thereafter, he established his own record label, "O" Records.
During the 1980s he produced, composed and performed on hundreds of music productions that he released under a myriad of record labels, including: "O" Records, Bobcat Records, Memo Records, Telefon Records, MenoVision Records, Beach Records, Plastic Records, Eurobeat Records, Obscure Records, Beat Box Records, Riovista Records, Intelligent Records, Basic Records, Knowledge Records and others. In the late '80s, at the peak of his success, the one-man-band halted his extensive production output.
Orlando is credited as one of the founding fathers of Hi-NRG pop-dance music. His productions are easily identifiable by their dense synthesizers, rolling bass lines, and resounding percussion. Orlando tracks showcase him playing multiple instruments including keyboards, guitars, drums, percussion and saxophone. The ringing cowbell percussion lines and robotic sequencers heard in "She Has A Way", "The Best Part Of Breakin' Up", and "Native Love (Step By Step)" define the electrifying sound he pioneered.
As a solo artist, Orlando scored hits with tracks "She Has a Way," "How To Pick Up Girls," and "I'm So Hot for You." He created his project concept, The Flirts, to further front his performances. With its ever revolving roster of female session singers and models, Orlando churned out international hits "Passion," "Danger," and "Helpless," which featured Orlando as the sole musician. His legendary association with underground film star Divine resulted in classic club anthems "Native Love (Step By Step)" (featuring Orlando's voice in the chorus), "Love Reaction," and "Shoot Your Shot." He also is famed for founding The Fast, later to be known as Man 2 Man.
When Neil Tennant, then an assistant editor at Smash Hits, and later a member of Pet Shop Boys, was sent to interview The Police in 1983 in New York, he sought out Orlando. Both Tennant and fellow Pet Shop Boy Chris Lowe were impressed by Orlando's sound and productions - "Passion," by The Flirts, being a particular favorite. Orlando decided to produce Pet Shop Boys and released their earliest productions including the original 'West End Girls' and "One More Chance."
Orlando produced and penned numerous hits that span multiple genres in mostly self-created groups and aliases, often just consisting of Orlando himself. He sang lead vocals in many of his groups including One, Two, Three (Another Knife In My Back, Runaway), The Now, Hippies with Haircuts, and Barbie & the Kens (Just a Gigolo). His productions were released under the names: Ian Darby, The Beat Box Boys, Spooge Boy, Something/Anything, New Breed, Jonny Bankcheck, Hotline, Banana Republic, Oh Romeo, Teenrock, The New York Models, Hippies With Haircuts, Girly, Barbie & the Kens, Wow, 1 plus 1, The He Man Band, The Boyd Brothers, Nancy Dean, Ian Darby with Ya Ya, Cha Cha featuring Don Diego, Yukihoro Takanawa, This is House, Joy Toy, Dressed To Kill, Band Of South, Dynasty featuring Dexter D, The Now, "One, Two, Three", Darlene Down, The Fem-Spies, Gangsters of House, Girls Have Fun, Zwei Maenner, Gomez Presley, Gringo Lopez, Patty Phillipe, Malibu, Lilly & the Pink, Miss Tammi Dee, Mc Fritz and the P-Rockers, Charlene Davis, Claus V, Ronnie Goes to Liverpool, The Bang Gang, Bubba and The Jack Attack, Fascination, Free Enterprise, Sandra Ford, Future Generation, Citrus, The College Boys, Condo, The Bigalows, Free Expression, Lola, Lifestyle, I Spies, Latin 1, Kinski Music, Gina Desire, Beachfront, Vision 1 and others. Other aliases of Bobby Orlando include John "Gumball" Gonzales, C. Shore, Cha Cha Garcia, Klaus Vogel, Mein, B. Banora, Yuki, and Gato Perro.
Orlando's songs frequently deal with philosophical themes such as "Try It (I'm in love with a married man)," which was given a contemporary twist when it was re-recorded by Pet Shop Boys in 2003. Many of Orlando's lyrics describe unrequited love, private despair, personal angst and a truth-seeking perspective. Orlando frequently etched philosophical maxims into vinyl records featuring his songs; these adages being literally cut into the grooves near the "lead out" and "lock grooves" of the vinyl. Many of these are rare and are now collector items often selling for hundreds of dollars.
His music appears in numerous motion pictures, including: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, Wigstock: The Movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Valley Girl, Dark Mirror, Flying, High Risk, Rappin, Underground and others. In 2005, Dance-punk band "ShitDisco" from Glasgow Scotland, paid tribute to Bobby Orlando and The Flirts in their first single titled "Disco Blood".
Orlando's musical influence on many present day artists is vast and the sound he created routinely surfaces on Euro, Techno, Italo-disco, Electro, and Hi-NRG releases throughout the world. He has a large international following and is often cited by music historians for his immeasurable contribution to dance music.
His most recent releases are his 2012 CD "Primitive Primal Scream", 2011 CD Social Contract Theory, his 2010, 2011 & 2012 Production Series, and his 2010 CD Bright Nothing World.
A Man Like Me
Bobby O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know we're up dealin', I hope you feel the same
You are my fantasy
I've seen you in my dreams though you're just 17
Just let your long hair down
And move your move body to mine
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me (Make a woman out of you)
You, I know want you need
I've got the answer, I've got the key to your door
Don't you try to deny
What we're both feeling, feeling deep inside
Now let your long hair down
And move your body to mine
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me (Make a woman out of you)
I hope you understand
I want to be your man
You know I'm out of control
Gonna give you my all, I'm really out of control
Make a woman out of you
Make a woman out of you
Make a woman out of you
(Make a woman out of you)
I want your know your name
I know what you want, I know what you need
You are my fantasy
I've seen you in my dreams though you're just 17
Just let your long hair down
Just move your move body to mine
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
(Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you)
You, I know want you need
I've got the answer, I've got the key to your door
Don't you try to deny
What we're both feeling, feeling deep inside
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me (Make a woman out of you)
I hope you understand
I want to be your man
You know I'm out of control
Gonna give you my all, I'm really out of control
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
The lyrics of Bobby O's "A Man Like Me" tells the story of a man who is interested in a 17-year-old girl whom he is seeing for the first time. He expresses his desire to get to know her better, and make her his woman. Despite her age, he feels there is chemistry between them and is eager to make a move. The lyrics are quite straightforward and don't leave much room for interpretation.
The message of the song is concerning, as it seems to normalize an inappropriate relationship between an older man and a young girl. The line "Let a man like me make a woman out of you" is particularly problematic, as it suggests that the girl is not yet a woman and needs a man to "make" her into one. This can be interpreted as manipulative and predatory behavior on the part of the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Man Like Me" are concerning and should be approached with caution. While the song may have been intended as a harmless pop tune, its lyrics could be potentially damaging to young listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to know your name
I want to learn more about you and establish a connection.
I know we're up dealin', I hope you feel the same
I sense that there's something special between us and I hope you feel it too.
You are my fantasy
You represent my ideal partner and I have romantic thoughts about you.
I've seen you in my dreams though you're just 17
I feel a strong attraction to you even though there may be an age difference.
Just let your long hair down
Relax and be yourself.
And move your body to mine
Let's dance together and enjoy each other's company.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to be a strong and dominant partner who helps you grow and mature as a person.
You, I know want you need
I believe I understand what you want and require in a relationship.
I've got the answer, I've got the key to your door
I'm confident that I have the solutions to your problems and can unlock your potential.
Don't you try to deny
I sense that you're holding back your feelings and I want you to be truthful with me.
What we're both feeling, feeling deep inside
I know that we share a strong emotional connection that goes beyond physical attraction.
I hope you understand
I want us to be on the same page and for you to know my intentions.
I want to be your man
I want to be a romantic and committed partner for you.
You know I'm out of control
I'm emotional and passionate about our connection.
Gonna give you my all, I'm really out of control
I'm willing to completely invest myself in our relationship and let my emotions guide me.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to be the person who shapes and guides you into a more mature and confident version of yourself.
You, I know want you need
I believe I can provide you with the support and love that you desire.
I've got the answer, I've got the key to your door
I'm confident in my ability to understand your needs and provide solutions.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to be a dominant partner who guides you toward personal growth.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I believe that I can help you become more mature and confident.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to help you become the kind of woman who is confident and secure in herself.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to be the one who helps you grow and mature.
I hope you understand
I want you to be aware of my intentions and to be comfortable with our relationship.
You know I'm out of control
I may be impulsive and emotional, but I want you to know that my feelings for you are sincere.
Gonna give you my all, I'm really out of control
I'm willing to give everything I have to our relationship and to let my emotions guide me.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to be the one who guides you and helps you become the woman you want to be.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I believe that I have the qualities and experience necessary to help you grow and become more confident.
Let a man like me make a woman out of you
I want to help you reach your full potential and become the best version of yourself.
Contributed by Jackson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Heiswise
I remember listening to this track and album back in 1986 when I was living in Stockholm in my youth for about two years. I found the record from a second hand record store. I already knew Bobby O. from his song "She Has A Way", which I already had in some HNRG compilation LP. I still have both albums in a storage. While listening to this song I remember my days in Stockholm when I was young. And I remember all my co-workers there with whom I worked with. Sometimes we had parties there by a lake. They were happy days thought I didn't realize it back then. Now all those young men and women are old just like me (I am 57 now) and maybe some of them has already passed away. Here on YouTube I still sometimes go back to those days by listening to Modern Talking, Bad Boys Blue and Sandra which were popular back then, and of course Bobby O. And I remember my friends and I wonder if they still remember me and our time together.
JPerez9011
That needed a like...I'm glad you're still here among the living jamming to this awesome track!!
iceblue717
One of the best songs ever made in my opinion...
JPerez9011
2019/2020....
And I'm supposedly a "millennial" jamming on this shit while I make my dinner and appreciate real music.
Adam Harris
In this song, the LinnDrum was heard.
Ricardo Humberto Rocha Vázquez
In fact the drum machine used in this song was the EMU SP 1200.
Camapiol Camapiolo
2018...
Spike Spiegel
2020
Tomazinho tomas
me@Ricardo Arroyo
Ricardo Arroyo
¡¡¡¡2019!!!