Mike Stokes produced their first and most successful album, 1974's Creative Source, released on Sussex Records (also Withers' label at the time). The Migration album followed later in 1974, but failed to spawn anything major despite Skip Scarborough's exquisite vocal arrangements. Creative Source's other significant singles were "You Can't Hide Love" (the Earth, Wind & Fire ditty), "You're Too Good to Be True," and "I Just Can't See Myself Without You."
Wrongly labeled by many as strictly disco and funk, Creative Source could mellow out with the best of them, such as Withers' "Let Me in Your Life," a floating beauty, and "You're Too Good to Be True," where the male lead sounds like a cross between Tyrone Davis and Jerry Butler. Polydor issued their final two albums (Pass the Feelin' On and Consider the Source), which were as compelling as the Sussex productions, but a lack of promotion and public indifference caused them both to fizzle. With little backing and no label after Polydor, Creative Source drifted back into basic Southern California nine-to-five living.
Who Is He And What Is He To You
Creative Source Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is he to you
Who is he
What is he to you
Who is he
What is he to you
Who is he
What is he to you
A man we passed just
Tried to stare me down
And when I looked at you, girl
You looked at the ground
Yes, you did
Now I don't know who he is
But I think that you do
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
Something in my heart
And in your eyes, oh, girl
Tells me he's not someone
Just passing by, oh, no
And when you cleared your throat
Was that your cue, oh, girl
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you, oh, girl
When I add the
Sum of you and me
I get confused cause
I keep coming up with three
You know that ain't right, baby
You're too much for one man
But not enough for two
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
You tell me men
Don't have much intuition
That's what you said
Is that what think
Or are you only wishing
Before you wreck your old home
And search another new
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
Dad gum it, who is he
And what is he to you
In the song "Who Is He and What Is He to You," Creative Source tackles the complexities of a relationship in which one partner suspects infidelity. The song tells the story of a man who confronts his partner about a man who seems to be more than a stranger to her. When they encounter this man on the street, the man tries to intimidate our protagonist, making him even more suspicious. Despite his suspicions, the man doesn't know who this other man is, but he suspects that his partner does. He implores her to be honest with him and tell him the truth about this other man.
The lyrics are a poignant exploration of the insecurities that can arise when one partner suspects infidelity. The phrase "dad gum it" is a mild exclamation of frustration or annoyance, which adds a touch of southern charm to the song. The line "when I add the sum of you and me, I get confused cause I keep coming up with three" highlights the dissonance in their relationship, as the man realizes that his partner's attention may be divided.
Overall, "Who Is He and What Is He to You" is a powerful song that cuts to the heart of the complexities of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is he
The singer is asking about the identity of a man who he has just seen staring at him and his companion.
What is he to you
The singer is asking his companion about her relationship with the man who was staring at them.
A man we passed just
The singer and his companion encountered a man while they were walking.
Tried to stare me down
The man they passed looked at the artist aggressively.
And when I looked at you, girl
The artist looked at his companion when the man they passed stared at them.
You looked at the ground
The companion avoided eye contact with the singer when he looked at her.
Now I don't know who he is
The singer is uncertain about the identity of the man they encountered.
But I think that you do
The artist believes his companion knows who the man they encountered is.
Dad gum it, who is he
The artist is frustrated by the lack of information and wants to know who the man is.
Something in my heart
The artist feels a gut instinct about the situation.
And in your eyes, oh, girl
The singer observes something in his companion's expression.
Tells me he's not someone
The artist's instincts tell him that the man they encountered is not a stranger passing by.
Just passing by, oh, no
The singer doesn't think the man they encountered was only a random passerby.
And when you cleared your throat
The singer noticed his companion making a sound and interpreted it as a sign of discomfort or guilt.
Was that your cue, oh, girl
The singer suspects that his companion's reaction is a signal that she has something to tell him.
When I add the
The artist is doing a mental calculation.
Sum of you and me
The artist is using a metaphor to describe their relationship.
I get confused cause
The singer is uncertain about the nature of their relationship.
I keep coming up with three
The singer feels like there is a third person involved in their relationship.
You're too much for one man
The artist thinks his companion is too wonderful to be with just one person.
But not enough for two
The artist implies that his companion's love is not enough to keep two people happy and satisfied.
You tell me men
The artist is challenging his companion's generalization about men.
Don't have much intuition
The singer asserts that men have intuitive abilities similar to women's.
That's what you said
The artist reminds his companion of what she previously told him about men.
Is that what think
The singer is questioning his companion's belief.
Or are you only wishing
The singer is suggesting that his companion hopes that men lack intuition, so she can hide her secrets from him.
Before you wreck your old home
The singer advises his companion to think twice before doing something that could harm their relationship.
And search another new
The artist suggests that his companion is considering leaving him for someone else.
Dad gum it, who is he
The artist is repetitive in his demand for information about the man they encountered.
And what is he to you
The singer wants to know the nature of his companion's relationship with the man they encountered.
Contributed by James W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.