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.
Whisper to a Scream
Bobby O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exactly how I feel
The things I'm about to tell you, girl
Most lovers would never reveal
Now that you're near me
It's time that I confess
The way we planned our love together
From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you!
From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you! (Love you)
Yesterday you were only mine
Today I'm loving somebody new
(Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Are they lies or are they true?)
(Trouble is growing
It comes from deep within
We spend our time)
Searching for love, searching for love
Time is on my side
(Time is on my side too)
Will we ever be true?
Ever be true, ever be true
(How do you leave someone
Who's giving so much to you?)
How can you leave this man
Whose only crime was being true?
(I am waiting
Waiting outside for you)
Now it's the only one waiting
Was me, waiting was me
(From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you!)
(From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you, love you)
Whisper
To a scream
Whisper
To a scream
From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you!
From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you, love you!
(From a whisper to a scream
Now I know just what it means
From a whisper to a scream
I said I love you!)
The lyrics to Bobby O's song "Whisper to a Scream" express a desire to reveal deep feelings to a lover in a way that is both honest and vulnerable. The first verse starts with a confession that what is about to be revealed is something that most lovers would never share. This sets up the expectation that what is coming next is going to be a heartfelt revelation. The second verse expresses the fear and uncertainty that can come when entering into a new relationship. The singer admits that they do not know what the future holds but that they are willing to take a chance and reveal their feelings.
The chorus "From a whisper to a scream" is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of emotions that can be experienced in a relationship. The contrast between the whisper and the scream represents the range of emotions that can be felt. The repeated line "Now I know just what it means" suggests that the singer has come to a realization about the power of their feelings.
The final verses express the pain that comes with leaving a lover and the feeling of waiting for someone who may never return. The ending returns to the theme of the chorus, with the singer declaring their love.
Overall, "Whisper to a Scream" is a powerful and emotional song about the ups and downs of love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna tell you
I want to express my feelings
Exactly how I feel
My emotions are precise and specific
The things I'm about to tell you, girl
I am going to share intimate details with you
Most lovers would never reveal
This level of emotional exposure is uncommon
Now that you're near me
Being with you has brought me to this confession
It's time that I confess
I must confess my feelings to you now
The way we planned our love together
Our plans for love have brought us together
Sometimes doing more is less
At times, doing less can be more fulfilling
From a whisper to a scream
The emotions have gone from subtle to intense
Now I know just what it means
I now understand the depth of my feelings
I said I love you!
I have expressed my love for you
Yesterday you were only mine
Recently, I had your love to myself
Today I'm loving somebody new
Now, I am feeling love for someone else
(Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
The future is uncertain
Are they lies or are they true?)
I am unsure if my emotions are genuine
(Trouble is growing
Difficulties are arising
It comes from deep within
The underlying cause is internal
We spend our time)
Our focus is spent
Searching for love, searching for love
We are continuously seeking love
Time is on my side
I have time on my side
(Time is on my side too)
You also have time on your side
Will we ever be true?
Will our love ever become genuine?
Ever be true, ever be true
Will our love ever be genuine, for real?
(How do you leave someone
Why would you abandon someone
Who's giving so much to you?)
Who is devotedly offering love?
How can you leave this man
How can you abandon me
Whose only crime was being true?
My only mistake was being honest
(I am waiting
I remain patient
Waiting outside for you)
Waiting for your return
Now it's the only one waiting
I am now the only one who waits
Was me, waiting was me
I am the one who waits
Whisper
Softly speak
To a scream
To a loud exclamation
From a whisper to a scream
My emotions have increased in intensity
I said I love you, love you!
I repeatedly expressed my love for you
Contributed by Aiden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alejandroruizaanaya158
Una de mis canciones favoritas!
@josejesus9435
me encanta!
@makeupfordovey
Omg this song!! ❤ 😩
@rastafarirasta523
excelente canción de 1986 👌👌quién más escuchadolo en el 2022?
@psmaia82
1985. Este tema fue la banda sonora de la clásica película de terror Nightmare in Elm Streat.
@damircurkovic9356
Super song!
@djrobbietroncotroncotraxx1850
unexpected loverish ? yes but still love it
@Firthy2002
"[His] starting point was always someone else's song." - Neil Tennant
@josemorales5117
On this one he's making a duo with Claudja Barry originally
@michaelnixjr.familymembers9188
Mikey's Disco But Goodies.