Born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Bradley spent the better part of his childhood living on the streets. One of the more optimistic moments of his childhood came in 1962, when his sister took him to see James Brown at The Apollo. Brown’s energy formed a lasting impression on Bradley. He went home and immediately began practicing microphone tricks with a broom attached to a string, imitating the Godfather’s every move. With his newfound inspiration came an urgent desire to get off the streets and make something of himself.
Bradley made his way out of Brooklyn via Job Corps, a federal program for helping underprivileged families. His job placement took him to Bar Harbor, Maine where he learned to cook. While in Maine, he put together a band and began to pursue his passion for performing. He had his first taste of the stage when he was asked to perform for some female employees of Job Corps in Poland Springs. The ladies went wild and Bradley knew that he was destined to be an entertainer. Unfortunately, his fate was put on hold when his band mates were drafted in the Vietnam War, and he was forced to find work as a chef in Wassaic, New York at a hospital for the mentally ill.
After nine years cooking for 3500 people a day, being harassed by local police officers, and having no musical outlet, Bradley decided to leave Wassaic and head west in search of a dream. He had saved up enough money to buy a new Ford but soon realized that he couldn't keep up with the payments; he promptly returned it to a dealer and began hitchhiking. He caught rides all the way from New York to California and up through Canada. He persevered through the dangers of the road (including one driver who confided in him that he had just killed his wife and children) and eventually landed in Alaska where he once again found work as a chef. Though the job paid well, he was not well liked by his fellow chefs, and soon made his way back to California via airplane.
Bradley spent over 20 years in California, making his living as a chef, all the while playing music on the side. He had no regular band, but he played pick-up gigs when they came along and sat in on recording sessions to feed his musical cravings. Things seemed to be looking up for Bradley, but just as he was about to put a down payment on his first house, he was laid-off from his job of 17 years. Being fired forced him to re-evaluate his life out west. Ultimately, he decided to come home to Bushwick, Brooklyn to be with his family again. Bradley took every penny he had saved, loaded up a truck with the musical equipment he collected over the years, and drove back to New York. At this point, he was fed up with the tribulations of being a chef and took up work as a handyman to allow himself the flexibility to pursue his musical career.
Bradley finally found an audience when he began making appearances in local Brooklyn clubs performing his James Brown routines under the alter ego “Black Velvet.” At 51, he was finally making a life for himself back home. His musical career was moving forward, but he was to be tested once again.
Bradley awoke in his mother’s house one morning to the sounds of police sirens. He was devastated to find that his brother had been shot and killed by his nephew. Life did not seem worth living anymore.
Bradley was down and out when Gabriel Roth of Daptone Records happened upon him performing his Black Velvet act at the Tarheel Lounge in Bedstuy. Roth recognized his raw talent and directly brought him into the Daptone “House of Soul” studios for a session with the Sugarman 3. "Take It as It Comes" was Bradley's first single on Daptone and it proved him as a worthy vocalist. Roth eventually brought Bradley out to Staten Island to see Dirt Rifle and the Bullets, a young funk band playing James Brown and Meters influenced songs. Thomas Brenneck, songwriter and guitarist for the Bullets, hit it off with Bradley and they began working together. They released two singles on Daptone under the name “Charles Bradley and the Bullets,” but the Bullets soon dismantled in order to form the afrobeat influenced Budos Band.
However, Brenneck knew that Bradley had something more to give and after moving to Bushwick himself, he and Bradley reunited. In time, they became close friends and Bradley confided his life story in Brenneck. The young producer was moved when he heard Bradley tell the painful story of his brother’s death. Brenneck said, "Charles, we gotta put that story to music." Brenneck had put together a small bedroom studio and was working on instrumentals with a new group soon to be named Menahan Street Band. His new sound was the perfect compliment for the heartfelt and troubled lyrics that sprang from Bradley’s story. Brenneck had just launched Dunham Records, a division of Daptone, and would release Bradley’s "The World (Is Going Up in Flames)" and "Heartaches and Pain" as it’s second single. A departure from his Black Velvet act, the songs showed a new side of Bradley as a compelling artist in his own right and proved to be a great success. Many late night writing and recording sessions later, he and Brenneck completed their first full-length record, "No Time for Dreaming". Bradley always knew he was born to entertain, but in the making of this record he discovered a proclivity for songwriting as well.
The record was a labor of love for both Bradley and Brenneck. After years of working together, "No Time for Dreaming" was released on Dunham Records. After that, Bradley toured with the Menahan Street Band and honed his passion as a singer and an entertainer.
Bradley died on the 23rd of September, 2017, due to the consequences of cancer.
Lovin' You Baby
Charles Bradley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loving you, baby
When you're holding me, baby
I feel so real
When you're kissing me, baby
Oh, it feels so real
Oh oh, baby
Mourning for love, giving everything I know
Oh, oh oh, baby
When you touch me, baby
My heart skips a beat
Loving you, baby
Has meant everything to me
Oh, baby, oh, baby
Everything to me
Every night when I look into your face
I know baby, I know it's you
That makes my life complete
Wanting you, baby
Oh, I can't get enough of you, baby
Can't get enough of you
Ooh, I was crying when I felt your love
This time I know it's for real, baby
Ooh
No more bad dreams, baby
No more afraid to open the door and let you in, oh
Lovin' you, baby
Needin' you, baby
But I feel so real
When you're holding me, baby
When you're needing me, baby
Every night when I look into your face
I know it's you that makes my life complete
Oh, I'm just sayin'
Baby, baby, baby
Oh, I'm gonna love you, baby
No matter what it takes
It's you and me all the way, oh, baby
For the rest of my life
Mm
I really mean it, baby
For the rest of my life
Nobody but you and me, oh, baby
I, I love you, baby
There's no one above you
You know when you love someone so deeply
When you feel it in your heart
And it took a long time coming
Sometime I feel that I don't want to go on
But baby, when I met you
I know it was a good one
The lyrics of Charles Bradley's song Lovin' You Baby describe the deep and genuine love the singer has for someone. The first few lines of the song, "Loving you baby, when you're holding me, baby, I feel so real" paint a picture of a person who feels safe and happy in the arms of their beloved. The singer believes that what they have is real, and when they are kissing, they feel an intensity of emotions that they might have never felt before. This love is precisely what the singer has always been searching for, and they have given everything to find it. They finally found someone who completes their life, and they want to love this person for the rest of their life, and nobody else.
The love that the singer has for their beloved is so strong that it makes them feel vulnerable. In the line "When you touch me, baby, my heart skips a beat," the singer confesses that this person has such a significant effect on them that they can't control their emotions. The love has elevated the singer's life to new heights, and they can't get enough of it. They want to spend every moment with their beloved, and when they are apart, the singer feels incomplete. The song creates a picture of a love that is both passionate and tender and is powerful enough to put an end to bad dreams and all fears. The song, Lovin' You Baby, is a song about a powerful, all-encompassing love that can change a person's life, fill them with hope, and uplift them.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving you baby
Expressing my love for you, my baby
When you're holding me, baby
I feel so secure, complete and content when you hold me in your arms, my dear baby
I feel so real
I feel alive and authentic, as if nothing else matters, darling
When you're kissing me, baby
Your kisses are so passionate, intimate and genuine, making me feel desired and loved, sweetheart
Oh, it feels so real
Such a depth of emotion, desire and fulfillment is hard to put into words, babe
Oh oh baby
My heart races with joy, excitement and anticipation when I am with you, my darling
I, all my life I been searching for love
I have been yearning and longing for true love all my life, baby
Mourning for love, giving everything I know
I have felt deep sadness and grief for the absence of love in my life and have given my best and all to find it, sweetheart
Oh, oh oh baby
Your love has filled my heart and soul with infinite joy, comfort and hope, darling
When you touch me, baby
Your caress is electrifying and invigorating, stirring my emotions and passions, my baby
My heart skips a beat
My heart flutters and races with excitement and affection, my dear one
Loving you baby
My love for you is all-consuming, unconditional and life-affirming, my sweet baby
Has meant everything to me
Your love has given my life purpose, meaning and joy, sweetheart
Oh, baby oh baby
I cannot stop thinking and feeling overwhelmed by your love, my darling baby
Every night when I look into your face
I am reminded of the beauty, goodness and happiness that you bring into my life, my beloved one
I know baby, I know it's you
You are the only one who can make me feel this way, my love
That makes my life complete
You are my missing piece, my soulmate and my life partner, my beloved one
Wanting you, baby
I crave your presence, your company and your love, my baby
Oh I can't get enough of you baby
I am addicted to your love, touch and affection, my beloved one
Can't get enough of you
I never tire or get bored of you, my dear one
I was crying when I felt your love
Your love has moved me to tears, my darling
This time I know it's for real baby
I am absolutely sure that your love is genuine, faithful and committed, my sweetheart
Ooooo
My heart is singing with joy, passion and gratitude when I am with you, my baby
No more bad dreams baby
Your love has dispelled all my fears, worries and nightmares, my dear
No more afraid to open the door and let you in oh
I have no hesitation, doubt or reservation in inviting and welcoming your love into my life and heart, my beloved one
Lovin' you baby
My love for you is unwavering, fervent and deep, my baby
Needin' you baby
I cannot live, thrive or survive without your love, my darling
But I feel so real
Your love has made me come alive, feel authentic and genuine, my beloved one
When you're holding me baby
Your embrace is my safe haven, my paradise and my sanctuary, my baby
When you're needing me baby
Your desire and longing for me is a great source of validation, affirmation and connection, my love
Every night when I look into your face
Your face is the most beautiful, radiant and enchanting thing I have ever seen, my darling
I know its you that makes my life complete
You are my better half, my soulmate and my destiny, my beloved one
Oh baby baby baby
There are no words to express how much I love, cherish and adore you, my sweet baby
Oh I'm gonna love you baby
I am committed to loving you unconditionally, passionately and selflessly, my darling
No matter what it takes
I will overcome any obstacle, challenge or hardship to be with you, my sweetheart
It's you and me all the way, oh baby
Our love is exclusive, intimate and infinite, my beloved one
For the rest of my life
I want to spend the rest of my life with you, my darling
I really mean it baby
I am sincere, honest and heartfelt in my words and actions towards you, my love
Nobody but you and me, oh baby
We are the only ones who matter, who belong and who complete each other, my beloved one
I, I love you baby
I cannot emphasize enough how much I love, cherish and adore you, my baby
There's no one above you
Your love is the highest, purest and most valuable thing in my life, my beloved one
You know when you love someone so deeply
You know you love someone deeply when your heart and soul resonates with their love, passion and purpose, my love
When you feel it in your heart
Love is not a feeling or a choice, but an innate force that resides in one's heart and soul, my beloved one
And it took a long time coming
True love is rare, precious and hard to find, but it is worth waiting and fighting for, my darling
Sometime I feel that I don't want to go on
Without your love, I feel lost, incomplete and meaningless, my beloved one
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles Bradley, Thomas Brenneck, David Guy, Leon Michels, Homer Steinweiss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mishel in
Te quiero, nena.
Cuando me abrazas,
me siento real.
Cuando me besas,
me siento real.
Toda mi vida busqué el amor:
iba triste, entregándolo todo.
Pero cuando me tocaste,
dio un vuelco mi corazón.
Tú eres todo para mí.
Cada noche, al mirar tu rostro,
sé bien que eres tú
la que hará mi vida completa.
Te deseo, nena.
Nunca me canso de ti.
Al sentir tu amor lloré,
pero sé que es real esta vez.
No habrá más pesadillas,
no volveré a tener miedo
y dejarte entrar.
Te necesito, nena.
Te amaré por siempre,
no importa cómo, estaremos juntos.
Por el resto de mi vida.
No hay nadie como tú.
Cuando amas a alguien así de cabrón,
cuando lo sientes con todo el corazón...
Henrique de F. Porfirio
Loving you baby
When you're holding me, baby
I feel so real
When you're kissing me, baby
Oh, it feels so real
Oh oh baby
I, all my life I been searching for love
Mourning for love, giving everything I know
Oh, oh oh baby
When you touch me, baby
My heart skips a beat
Loving you baby
Has meant everything to me
Oh, baby oh baby
Everything to me
Every night when I look into your face
I know baby, I know it's you
That makes my life complete
Wanting you, baby
Oh I can't get enough of you baby
Can't get enough of you
I was crying when I felt your love
This time I know it's for real baby
Ooooo
No more bad dreams baby
No more afraid to open the door and let you in oh
Lovin' you baby
Needin' you baby
But I feel so real
When you're holding me baby
When you're needing me baby
Every night when I look into your face
I know its you that makes my life complete
Oh baby baby baby
Oh I'm gonna love you baby
No matter what it takes
It's you and me all the way, oh baby
For the rest of my life
I really mean it baby
For the rest of my life
Nobody but you and me, oh baby
I, I love you baby
There's no one above you
You know when you love someone so deeply
When you feel it in your heart
And it took a long time coming
Sometime I feel that I don't want to go on
Maria Kalopoulou
he was abandonned as a kid, he was homeless... his dream came true when he was 61 years old... RESPECT! WHAT A VOICE, WHAT A PASSION!
Tom T
and the guy didn't give up or get pissed off with the world!
Not sure I have even 1% of his strength.
GC Monkey
And now Hes gone, RIP.
Yare Herrera
Amazing persona
Rich P
I'm just happy I stumbled upon his music. What a voice
Val
he's worth 100 mil so yeah
Jessica Tracey
Holy shit. Just discovered this man today, i'm absolutely blown away by his beautiful voice and PASSION oh my g o d he is incredible. Rest in power, man.
HS S
The same happened to me. I agree with your words. Anyway, i am grateful to be able to hear him. Greetings from Brazil!!!
Randy mack
just heard accidentally for first time last week, someone used one of his songs in a motorcycle video. now trying to learn more & hear more, love his voice, takes me back to the artists of the 50's when they put heart & soul into music.
Theus
Descobri ele agora, uma lenda!