Make no mistake: You know and love the voice—and it belongs to Chris Willis.
At once soulful and gritty, Willis’ voice has fueled numerous dance and top 40 pop hits, including the 2007 charttopper, “Love Is Gone,” which dominated charts around the world, and “Everytime We Touch,” a Top 10 European smash earlier this year.
In a world of sound-alike dance divas, Willis is that rare male vocalist doing dance music successfully. But the man does more than sing. He’s an accomplished producer and stellar songwriter. Still, you may not necessarily know his name or face. But that is about to change. It is 2009, dance music is pop music (again!) and Willis is ready for his close-up.
You see, Willis is a featured vocalist on über-hot French DJ/producer David Guetta’s fourth album, “One Love.” (The two have been making sweet music together for nearly 10 years.) Surely, Guetta’s name rings a bell. The man, after all, is responsible for two of the summer’s biggest pop-dance hits: his own track, “When Love Takes Over” (featuring Kelly Rowland), and The Black Eyed Peas’ 1 smash “I Gotta Feeling.” Both are featured on “One Love,” as are guest turns from Ne-Yo, Akon, Estelle and other A-listers.
“With all the other celebrities involved in this project, the fact is more people will probably hear [it] than any of [Guetta’s] previous albums,” Willis says. “As a result, not only is there potential for change with regard to dance music in America, but everyone—David, the celebrities, myself and especially the fans—has the potential to gain from this new light.”
Indeed. Dance music is no longer viewed as the bastard child of the music industry. R&B and pop superstars are lining up to work with tastemaking electronic/dance DJs. Consider this a major shift in the musical landscape. “These superstars have just caught on to what I discovered, or should I say discovered me, years ago,” Willis explains. “It speaks to the appeal of dance music that is alive in the world. Here is a genre that takes the raw and true energy of creative genius and invites it to the best party of individuals the world has ever known—the dance music community—and says, just like it did to me 10 years ago, ‘We love you. We love the pure essence of what you do. Come and dance with us.’ And so they do.”
Willis and Guetta forged a creative union in 2001 when Guetta tapped Willis to be the featured singer on his debut single, “Just a Little More Love.” They’ve been recording together ever since. According to Willis, their working relationship has changed over the years. “It started with the focus on my participation as a singer and songwriter. It has evolved to the point where I’m not only writing the lyrics and singing, but I’m producing my own vocals and co-producing other vocals on the project.” Willis produced some of Kelly Rowland's vocals on the "One Love" project.
Like dance music itself, Willis’ musical influences are many and include such R&B/pop legends as Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Madonna, Prince, Donny Hathaway and Michael Jackson. (He is especially fond of “Off the Wall”-era Jackson.)
It’s no surprise that Willis’ self-titled debut album, a contemporary gospel collection released in 1996, was steeped in the R&B-flavored sounds of the artists that inspired him. “Chris Willis” spotlighted a newcomer whose enthusiasm for mixing gospel, soul and pop was heard by many in the music industry. With new fans in powerful places, Willis quickly became an in-demand session singer, songwriter and backing vocalist and has, over the years, worked with “American Idol” superstars Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken; gospel greats CeCe Winans, Amy Grant and Take 6; venerable icons like Dusty Springfield, country charttoppers Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Brooks & Dunn and quintessential pop producers Quincy Jones and Desmond Child.
"One of the most incredible things about this journey is how varied the twists and turns have been and where they've taken me. Years flew by before I realized that the experiences in and out of diverse genres had brought out the chameleon in me. It's certainly a pleasure to pull from the bag of tricks sharpened in the studio, on stage, or in the background, and to use them now as a frontman. It hasn't always been an easy ride, but it's all worked to polish what I bring to the world."
It was Willis’ co-production credit on Parisian pop stars 2BE3’s album, “Excuse My French,” that opened the door to David Guetta’ inviting Willis to sing on that ubiquitous title track from his 2002 debut album, “Just a Little More Love.” The Willis-Guetta union proved to be fruitful, with seven collaborations on the album, including the worldwide club/radio hits “Love Don’t Let Me Go” and “Just a Little More Love.” Willis—and Guetta—were catapulted into the international pop spotlight.
Two years later, Guetta tapped Willis, again, to contribute to his sophomore album, “Guetta Blaster.” Willis delivered the vocal goods on such songs as “Stay”, "Time" and “Money.” The creative partnership between Willis and Guetta was only heating up. For Guetta’s third album, 2007’s “Pop Life,” Willis was featured on five tracks (of these, he wrote three), including the club anthem-turned-pop radio hits “Love Is Gone,” “Everytime We Touch” and a mashed-up, anthemic reworking of “Love Don’t Let Me Go (Walking Away)” with The Egg.
Now, along comes Guetta’s fourth studio album, “One Love,” with Willis’ powerful vocals heard on three tracks: the hard-hitting “Gettin’ Over”, electro-smacked “The Sound of Letting Go” and the empowering bonus track "It's Your Life." In signature fashion, Willis—who supplies the melody and lyrics—sings of love and relationships, of love found and lost. “These are the sources of my lyrical inspiration,” he says. “It always comes back to love.”
When asked to forecast his own future, Willis says, “I have always dreamed of living a pop life in the pop world just like Prince, Michael or Madonna—you know, cutting-edge, mysterious, magical. But I never in a million years dreamed I’d have anything to do with dance music. Just like disco music escalated to popularity in the ’70s, dance and pop music seem to be colliding again. The world knows me now as a mix of the two. I have a new dream now: to continue to merge these two worlds together more and more. It’s already happening. I’d be a fool not to grow with it and let it take me beyond my imagination.”
Which begs the question: Where oh where is Chris' own debut release? Pausing for a moment, Willis says it’s all about timing and strategy. “The last thing you want to do is release a project and it gets overlooked,” he explains. “I’m ready to release a solo album. The songs are here—love, loss, passion and hope. The interest is building. It’s only just a matter of time.”
Sites: Discogs and Wikipedia
I'm In Love
Chris Willis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking by like the perfect superstar
Caught me off guard
Didn't know what to say
'Cause the last time you took my breath away
I said I said that if I ever
See you again
That I wouldn't let you pass me by
This moment in time
'Cause I'm gonna make you mine
Gonna make you mine
Is there any
Is there anybody in love tonight
Any body wanna tell me when it feels just right
And oh
I think I found the one tonight
Give me more than just a touch
'Cause I'm just too much in love
I'm just too much
I'm just too much in love
I think I found the one tonight
Give me more than just a touch
'Cause I'm just too much in love
Here I am all the man that you say you want
So tell me why you running game
Messin' with my heart
When you know that I can play that part
I said I said that if I ever
See you again
That I wouldn't let you pass me by
And I just want you to remember
This moment in time
'Cause I'm gonna make you mine
Gonna make you mine
Is there any
Think I finally found the one
Think I finally found the one
I think I finally found the one
I think I finally finally found the one
Is there any
The lyrics of Chris Willis's song Too Much In Love depict the singer's encounter with someone they have strong feelings for. The person catches their attention as if they are a superstar, leaving the singer breathless and unsure of what to say. The singer is reminded of a past moment where the person took their breath away and vowed to not let them pass by again. They want the other person to remember this moment in time because they are determined to make them theirs. The chorus then poses a question to the listener, asking if anyone else is in love and wanting more than just a touch.
The second verse has the singer questioning why the other person is playing games with their heart when they meet their desired qualities. They reiterate their promise to not let the person pass by again and to make them theirs. The chorus then repeats with the singer proclaiming that they have finally found the one they have been looking for.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of determination and passion for this other person. The singer is not afraid to express their feelings and is willing to pursue the person they desire. The use of the word "superstar" emphasizes the importance and significance the other person has in their eyes, making the pursuit all the more urgent.
Line by Line Meaning
There you are
I see you, you are present in this moment
Walking by like the perfect superstar
You are walking confidently, as if you are a superstar
Caught me off guard
Your appearance was unexpected and surprised me
Didn't know what to say
I was at a loss for words because of your sudden presence
'Cause the last time you took my breath away
The last time I saw you, you made a powerful impact on me
I said I said that if I ever
In the past, I made a promise to myself
See you again
If I were to see you again
That I wouldn't let you pass me by
I wouldn't let you go without making a move
Be'Cause I want you to remember
Because I desire for you to never forget
This moment in time
This exact point in our lives
'Cause I'm gonna make you mine
Because I plan on making you mine
Gonna make you mine
I am determined to have you as my own
Is there anybody in love tonight
Is there anyone currently experiencing the feeling of love?
Any body wanna tell me when it feels just right
Would anyone be willing to share when they feel love is perfect?
And oh
And by the way
I think I found the one tonight
I believe I have found the person I've been searching for tonight
Give me more than just a touch
I desire more than physical contact
'Cause I'm just too much in love
I am experiencing overwhelming feelings of love
I'm just too much
I am overpowering in the way I love
Think I finally found the one
I believe I have finally found my perfect partner
Give me more than just a touch
I want a deeper connection than just physical contact
'Cause I'm just too much in love
Because I am filled with immense love at the moment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLEMAN, WILLIAM EDWARD, ANTHONY PRESTON, CHRISTOPHER KEVIN WILLIS, CRAIG DAVID ROSS, JARED DIETCH, LENNY KRAVITZ, MARK CURTIS ALSTON, WILLIAM EDWARD COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Willis
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Emma Em
WOW> JUST >>> WOW! 🌟The voice, the beat, the ENERGY!! What a TUNE! This guy is INCREDIBLE!🔥
TheUrbanTigress
Love it,What an awesome voice,fantastic song and video,it's been saved straight in my playlist =)
TonyHarisMusic
I love your work! Very similar music to mine! Cant wait to see much more from artists like us!!
Anita S
Blew me away! Completely fresh sound with just the right amount of 'nostalgia'👍
Wellington Ricardo
O timbre desse cara é espetacular!!!
Hot Sauce
Great track! Love the Lenny Kravitz guitar
Jordan Strom
This is such a good jam! That rock/soulish thing is really cool.
Carmine Menna
I am LOOOOOVING this song.
Jenny2Toes
I love this and Can't Stop Loving You - the best Willis songs!