Calvin is also known as C-Rich to his fans. His debut solo album was 1999's 'Country Boy'. In 2003 he released his sophomore effort '2:35PM'.
Calvin's third album, When Love Comes, was released in 2008.
North Carolina native Calvin Richardson is a gritty, gospel-minded urban contemporary/neo-soul vocalist and songwriter whose influences have ranged from Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, Donny Hathaway, and Marvin Gaye to Jodeci, K-Ci & JoJo, and R. Kelly. Like other neo-soulsters who emerged in the '90s and 2000s, Richardson looks to different R&B eras for inspiration. The classic soul of the '60s and '70s has had an impact on his singing and writing, but so have the urban contemporary and hip-hop of the '80s, '90s, and 2000s. At times, Richardson can be flat-out retro; some of his material would have been right at home on an old Stax or Motown LP from R&B's pre-'80s, pre-urban contemporary, pre-hip-hop era. But other times, he has a more modern, hip-hop-influenced outlook. In other words, the Southerner has some songs that are quite friendly to urban radio, and others that would be too old-school for urban radio.
Born and raised in Monroe, NC (where he was the fifth of nine children), Richardson had a very musical upbringing -- one that included a steady diet of R&B and African-American gospel. Richardson's mother led a local gospel group called the Willing Wonders, and he sang with them consistently. When he wasn't listening to gospel, Richardson listened to secular soul and funk -- and his favorites included Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway, and the Gap Band. Richardson, in fact, has cited all of those artists as early influences. North Carolina's gospel circuit is where, as a kid, Richardson met longtime friends Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and his brother Joel "JoJo" Hailey, who went on to achieve urban contemporary stardom in the early '90s as members of the vocal group Jodeci; subsequently, the siblings recorded for MCA as the duo K-Ci & JoJo.
When Jodeci hit big, their success inspired Richardson to form his own urban contemporary vocal group, Undacova (whose song "Love Slave" appeared on the New Jersey Drive soundtrack in 1995). Undacova (as opposed to Undacover) didn't last long, and Richardson went on to become a full-time solo artist. His first solo album, Country Boy, was released on Uptown/Universal in 1999; after that, he switched to Hollywood Records and recorded his second solo album, 2:35 PM, which came out in 2003. Richardson switched to Shanachie Records for his next three albums: 2003's When Love Comes; the 2009 tribute album Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack; and his 2010 effort, America's Most Wanted. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
American Dream
Calvin Richardson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where nothing is wrong in the words of my song
your love baby is all that i ever need
when i turn through the time
when my heart wasn't mine
baby I'm lost in my own realities
all you gotta do baby is hold on to me
can't you see my heart my heart is not that free
()
american dream
home of the hills
where the rainbows and blue skies
light up my day
children run free
and the home of the brave
my beautiful american dream
i wish i could fly like an arrow through time
to the arms that my destiny holds
when war is all gone and my father comes home
our love will never never ever grow old
when i turn to the time
when my heart wasn't mine
baby I'm lost in my own realities
all you gotta do baby is hold on to me
can't you see that i'm not that free
your love is all that i'll ever need.
()
american dream
home of the hills
where the rainbows and blue skies
light up my day
children run free
and the home of the brave
my beautiful american dream
In Calvin Richardson's song American Dream, the artist dreams of living in a fantasy world where anything is possible and nothing is wrong. These lyrics express a desire to escape from the difficulties of everyday life and find solace in a world where love is all that is needed. The artist speaks of being lost in his own realities and needing someone to hold on to, conveying a sense of vulnerability and a longing for connection.
The chorus of the song mentions the "American Dream", an ideal often associated with the United States and its promise of opportunity and prosperity. The artist sings of the beauty of America, with its hills and blue skies, where children run free and bravery is celebrated. This chorus can be interpreted as a commentary on the idea of the American Dream, with the artist expressing a desire to live in a world worthy of the ideals it represents.
Overall, Calvin Richardson's American Dream is a song about escaping from reality and finding hope in a world of possibilities. It conveys a sense of longing for connection and a desire for a better future, while also celebrating the beauty and ideals of the American Dream.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish i can live in a fantasy world where anything is just make believe.
I want to escape reality and live in a world where anything is possible and problems don't exist.
where nothing is wrong in the words of my song
In my imaginary world, everything is perfect and my music reflects that.
your love baby is all that i ever need
The love and support of my partner is the only thing that truly matters to me in life.
when i turn through the time
Reflecting on my past experiences.
when my heart wasn't mine
When I was younger and more naive about love.
baby I'm lost in my own realities
I get lost in my own thoughts and imagination, struggling to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
all you gotta do baby is hold on to me
My partner is my anchor to reality, and all they need to do is support me and stay by my side.
can't you see my heart my heart is not that free
Despite my carefree and imaginative exterior, my heart is burdened by fear or anxiety.
your love is all that i need.
I rely on the love of my partner to keep me grounded and fulfilled.
american dream
The idea of the American Dream, which represents a hopeful and idealized vision of success and fulfillment in America.
home of the hills
America is a vast and varied country, with many different landscapes.
where the rainbows and blue skies
The beauty of nature and the natural world in America.
light up my day
The scenery and beauty of America bring me joy and happiness.
children run free
Children have the freedom to be carefree and happy in America.
and the home of the brave
America is a country that values bravery and courage.
my beautiful american dream
My vision of the American Dream is something to be cherished and celebrated.
I wish i could fly like an arrow through time
I wish I could time travel and experience different eras in history.
to the arms that my destiny holds
I long for the embrace of the person I am meant to be with.
when war is all gone and my father comes home
I dream of a world where there is no war or conflict, and where my loved ones are safe and sound.
our love will never never ever grow old
My love for my partner is timeless and eternal.
Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.