Brenda's greatest success came in 1988 with the release of her third album, "Get Here". It featured the hit singles "Get Here" and "Piano In The Dark". At the 31st Grammy Awards, Brenda was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for "Get Here". "Piano In The Dark" was nominated for Song of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (there was a duet? -- duet vocal was by Joe Esposito of Brooklyn Dreams). "Get Here" was later a huge hit covered by Oleta Adams.
Nearly all of her songs were written by herself. Some of her compositions are also performed by others like Roberta Flack, Diana Ross, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Justin Guarini, and very successfully by the aforementioned Luther Vandross and Oleta Adams.
Russell is also a chief songwriter and lyricist for the hit Broadway musical "The Color Purple". In 2005 she saw a Broadway musical version of Alice Walker's The Color Purple. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, the show's score is written by Russell and lyricists-composers Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Russell and her co-writers were nominated for a Tony Award (for Best Score) and a Grammy Award (in the Best Musical Show Album category).
Dinner With Gershwin
Brenda Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna watch Rembrandt sketch
I wanna talk theory with Curie
Impossible I guess
I wanna talk moods with Picasso
On a rendezvous
I wanna fly double with Earhart
Next to you
So close
Just as close as I can get
The rain of your worry
Can't effect
What I feel is what I feel
One touch
Of your greatness
Is all I need
My circle of fantasy
Would be complete
I wanna sing hymns with Mahalia
When the day is through
I wanna tell you about it
I wanna get next to you
Next to you
So close
Just as close as I can get
The rain of your worry
Can't effect
What I feel is what I feel
One touch
Of your greatness
Is all I need
My circle of fantasy
Would be complete
So close
Just as close as I can get
The rain of your worries
Can't effect
What I feel is what I feel
One touch
Of your greatness
Is all I need
My circle of fantasy
Would be complete
I wanna have dinner with Gershwin
I wanna watch Rembrandt sketch
I wanna talk theory with Curie
I wanna get next to you
Next to you, yeah yeah
I'm gonna get next to you
Come on girl, get on board, I got to go
I wanna get next to you, oh baby
I wanna be, I wanna get next to you
I got to go
I'm gonna get next to you
Come on girl, get on board, I got to go
In Brenda Russell's "Dinner with Gershwin," the singer expresses a desire to have dinner with George Gershwin, watch Rembrandt sketch, and talk theory with Marie Curie. She also wants to discuss moods with Picasso and fly with Amelia Earhart. However, the singer acknowledges the impossibility of these things as they are from different eras, and some are not even living anymore. She also mentions wanting to sing hymns with Mahalia Jackson.
The overarching theme of the song is the singer's desire to be close to someone special. She wants to be next to this person, and she believes that even in the rain of their worries, the connection will not be affected. The touch of their greatness is all she needs to feel complete. The singer sees her circle of fantasy fulfilled by being next to this person.
The song is about the desire to be connected to someone on a deep level by sharing experiences that are meaningful to the singer. It also emphasizes how a connection between two people can have a profound impact on one's sense of self, identity, and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna have dinner with Gershwin
I desire to have a delightful meal with George Gershwin, renowned American composer
I wanna watch Rembrandt sketch
I wish to observe as Rembrandt paints and sketches his masterpieces
I wanna talk theory with Curie
I hope to discuss scientific theories with Madame Curie, the revolutionary scientist
Impossible I guess
Unfortunately, it could be impossible to fulfill these ambitious wants
I wanna talk moods with Picasso
I long for speaking about moods and emotions with the famous painter Picasso
On a rendezvous
During a romantic meeting with Picasso
I wanna fly double with Earhart
I aspire to fly with Amelia Earhart, the pioneering female aviator
I wanna get next to you
I desire to be close to you, to be with you
Next to you
By your side, near you
So close
In close proximity
Just as close as I can get
As near to you as I possibly can
The rain of your worry
The negative thoughts that occupy your mind
Can't effect
Cannot impact
What I feel is what I feel
My emotions are genuine and true, and cannot be influenced by outside factors
One touch
The act of coming into contact with you
Of your greatness
The display of your exceptional qualities and traits
Is all I need
The touch with your greatness fulfills my desires
My circle of fantasy
My idealistic thoughts and dreams
Would be complete
Would be fulfilled, would materialize
I wanna sing hymns with Mahalia
I want to sing inspiring hymns with Mahalia Jackson, the remarkable gospel singer
When the day is through
At the end of the day
I wanna tell you about it
I would like to share my experiences and emotions with you
I'm gonna get next to you
I will reach to you, to be close to you
Come on girl, get on board, I got to go
Resigning from the current place, I'm coming to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARDS, RODGERS, RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind