Prior to her appearance on The Wiz, Cheryl taped an episode of the Gong Show in the early part of 1976. She went on to win the competition while singing Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful." Lynn later told Dick Clark during her appearance on American Bandstand that after the episode aired, in the fall of 1976, record industry executives were calling about her soon after the win.
Success and later career
After signing with Columbia Records, Lynn released her first and biggest hit, "Got to Be Real," which was penned by Toto's keyboardist David Paich, David Foster and Lynn. The song peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the R&B chart. The success of the single prompted a full scale debut album. Titled, Cheryl Lynn, it was produced by Paich. The album sold over a million copies and peaked at #5 on Billboard's R&B albums chart and #23 on Billboard's top 200 album charts. The follow-up single, "Star Love," also became a hit —reaching the top twenty on both the R&B and Dance charts.
During Cheryl's debut album's run, members of the rock group Toto were putting together their debut album. During the production Lynn was asked to provided the female backing vocal on the single, "Georgy Porgy." The single peaked at #48 on Billboard's Pop charts. Although Toto would go on to chart more than a dozen pop hits throughout the years, it was Lynn's vocal on "Georgy Porgy" that aided the group in charting their one and only R&B (#18) and Dance (#80) hit on the Billboard charts.
In 1981, Ray Parker, Jr. produced "Shake It Up Tonight," a major club R&B hit from Lynn's third album, In The Night. The following year, Luther Vandross was called on to produced Cheryl's fourth album, Instant Love. The second single off the album, "If This World Were Mine" —a 1982 duet with Luther Vandross that covered a Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell song, has become an urban contemporary classic. For her fifth album, Preppie, Cheryl took it upon herself to produce most of the tracks with the exception of the single "Encore" (#1 R&B hit) —written and produced by the Minneapolis funk duo, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It became Lynn's second #1 single on the U.S. Billboard R&B Charts. Her final top ten hit in the 80s was released in 1989: "Every Time I Try To Say Goodbye," from her eighth album, Whatever It Takes.
The 1990's
Cheryl began the 90's without a record contract. During this period she did session work on Richard Marx albums Rush Street and Paid Vacation. She also worked with Luther Vandross on his album Your Secret Love . In 1995, after a six year hiatus from recording her own material, Lynn teamed up with producer/songwriter Teddy Riley, (formally of the New Jack Swing group Guy), to record her ninth album, Good Time. It was released in Japan, the UK and later in the United States as an imported CD and featured the club favorite single "Guarantee For My Heart."
2000 to present
During the new millennium Lynn toured Japan and did the occasional gig in the U.S., performing at charity events in her hometown of Los Angeles. She performed on ABC's The Disco Ball... A 30-Year Celebration, which aired in January 2003. In 2004 she recorded the song, "Sweet Kind Of Life," which was also written and produced by Jam & Lewis, for the animated film and soundtrack to Shark Tale.
On September 19, 2005, Lynn's signature song "Got to Be Real" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. She is considered an influence on some of today's R&B female singers, including Mary J. Blige, who, along with Will Smith, covered Lynn's signature song, "Got to Be Real", also for the soundtrack of the animated film Shark Tale.
Life's Too Short
Cheryl Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you know it would you act the same
I never ever, ever on the same
But if you know me you would know I am
Well, let me tell you first a thing or two
You'll never ever catch me being you
Why try and tell me all the things to do?
I like me don′t you like you?
Life's too short to live as someone else
Wake up don't be late be yourself
There′s nobody else I′d rather be
From my head to toe as one but me
I suggest that you don't wait and see
Who you really on don′t you agree
If I never see you again
You can say in me you've found a friend
Though we are parting this is not the end
You′ll be you and I'll be me
Until we meet again
Life′s too short to live as someone else
Wake up don't be late be yourself
Life's too short to live as someone else
Wake up don′t be late be yourself
Wake up and be yourself
Your life is too short to live as someone else
Wake up and be yourself
Your life is too short to live as someone else.
The lyrics of Cheryl Lynn's song "Life's Too Short" express a strong sense of self-identity and individuality. The singer starts by acknowledging that not everyone knows their name or understands who they are, but they question whether those people would treat them differently if they did. The repetitive phrase "I never ever, ever on the same" suggests that the singer is not interested in conforming or following the crowd. They emphasize that they will always be true to themselves, contrasting with those who try to dictate how they should live.
The chorus of the song reinforces the message that life is too short to live as someone else. The singer urges everyone to wake up and not be late in embracing their true selves. They firmly believe that there is nobody else they would rather be and encourage others to discover and embrace their own identities. The mention of parting without it being the end signifies that even though relationships may change or end, everyone should remain true to themselves until they meet again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Life's Too Short" promote the importance of self-acceptance and authenticity. They serve as a reminder to individuals to stay true to their own unique identity rather than trying to conform to societal expectations or the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, let me tell you don't know my name
I want to make it clear that you don't truly know who I am
And if you know it would you act the same
If you actually knew me, would you treat me differently?
I never ever, ever on the same
I'm constantly changing and evolving
But if you know me you would know I am
If you truly knew me, you would understand my true identity
Well, let me tell you first a thing or two
Allow me to enlighten you on some important matters
You'll never ever catch me being you
I will never try to imitate or emulate someone else
Why try and tell me all the things to do?
Why should you have the authority to dictate my actions?
I like me don't you like you?
I embrace and appreciate myself, don't you feel the same about yourself?
Life's too short to live as someone else
The limited time we have should not be wasted trying to be someone we're not
Wake up don't be late be yourself
Realize who you truly are and don't delay in embracing your authentic self
There's nobody else I'd rather be
I am content with who I am and wouldn't want to be anyone else
From my head to toe as one but me
Every aspect of my being comes together to form a unique individual
I suggest that you don't wait and see
I advise you not to hesitate and witness your true self
Who you really on don't you agree
You should acknowledge and affirm your true identity, don't you think?
If I never see you again
In the event we never cross paths again
You can say in me you've found a friend
You can claim to have discovered a companion in me
Though we are parting this is not the end
Even if we go our separate ways, it doesn't signify the conclusion
You'll be you and I'll be me
You will remain as yourself, and I will continue being myself
Until we meet again
Until the moment our paths cross once more
Wake up and be yourself
Rise from your slumber and embrace your true identity
Your life is too short to live as someone else
The limited time you have should not be spent pretending to be another person
Wake up and be yourself
Arise and fully embrace your authentic self
Your life is too short to live as someone else
Your time on this earth is too valuable to be wasted trying to be someone you're not
Writer(s): Rabon Delmore, Alton Delmore
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.