One of the great mysteries of the late Eighties and Early Nineties was how this singer never grabbed a firm foothold on the soul music scene.
From St . Louis, David Peaston's mother is Martha Bass, one of The Clara Ward Singers.
His older sister is Fontella Bass, who sang the hit "Rescue Me."
David initially began a career as a school teacher, but after a staff layoff in 1981 he moved to New York, where he took up session work as a singer and auditioned for a gospel musical "Don't Get God Started."
Alongside four hundred hopefuls, he also auditioned for the infamous talent contest at the Apollo in Harlem.
He sang thirty seconds of "God Bless The Child" (which he first sang at a funeral) and instantly qualified.
In 1988, he began winning TV audiences on the televised "Showtime At The Apollo."
The result was a deal with Geffen Records and his 1989 album "Introducing David Peaston," including "Two Wrongs (Don't Make it Right)," "Don't Say No" and the Vee Allen song, "Can l?"
The same year he made his London concert debut supported by Gerald Alston, and also toured in the USA with Gladys Knight.
Peaston moved to MCA for the 1991 release "Mixed Emotions" including "Luxury Of Love,"
In 1993, he recorded a gospel album with his mother entitled "Promises: A Family Portrait Of Faith."
In December of 2000, Peaston performed a Nativity Concert in Italy alongside his sister Fontella Bass.
Peaston was later diagnosed with diabetes and had his legs amputated, forcing him to use prostheses.
In 2006, Peaston returned to music with his album, Song Book: Songs of Soul & Inspiration. The album featured eight new tracks by Peaston, as well as several of his biggest hits.
Peaston died from complications of diabetes in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 1, 2012, at the age of 54.
Can I
David Peaston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
have a talk with you
can I
make a dream come true
ooooh can i
be in love with you
(speak: here's why I need to know)
cause I... would, if I could
can i
set your soul on fire(ooh baby)
can I can I can I can i
be your one and only desire
ooooooh can I, can I, can I
be in love with you (speak: you see)
iiiiiiii... would, if I could
maybe you are lonely
and just haven't realized
that I'm lonely too
and all I want to do is bring happiness to me and you
oooooooooh... can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I love you?
hear me, see me, touch me, and Love me
kiss me and hug me, doll me and move me
feel me and hold me, love me and soothe me
take me and rock me
Love, wrap your arms around me
I want to feel your love
oooooh can I, caaaaaaan i
can I... (scat)
The lyrics of David Peaston's song "Can I?" is a plea to the person he desires to give him a chance to love and be loved. The song begins with an innocent request to have a conversation with the person, which then turns into a plea to make a dream come true. Peaston sings about wanting to be in love with the person, and asks if he can set their soul on fire with passion and be their one and only desire.
As the song progresses, Peaston speaks about how both he and his love interest may be lonely and how he wants to make both of them happy. He talks about wanting to be kissed, hugged, and loved by his partner. The song comes full circle with Peaston asking once again if he can be loved by the person.
Overall, the lyrics are a beautiful representation of desperate longing and the desire for love.
Line by Line Meaning
can i
Asking for permission to express intent.
have a talk with you
Desire to have a conversation.
make a dream come true
Aspire to fulfill a shared dream.
ooooh can i
Reiterating the request for permission.
be in love with you
Expressing romantic interest.
(speak: here's why I need to know)
Providing context for the request.
cause I... would, if I could
Expressing willingness to act on feelings.
(speak: let your mind relax and lay your head on my heart)
Encouraging emotional vulnerability and closeness.
can i
Repeating the initial request.
set your soul on fire(ooh baby)
Desire to ignite passion and excitement.
can I can I can I can i
Urging for affirmative response.
be your one and only desire
Wish to be the sole object of affection.
ooooooh can I, can I, can I
Enthusiasm for the request.
be in love with you (speak: you see)
Clarifying the intent behind the request.
iiiiiiii... would, if I could
Reasserting the willingness to act on feelings.
maybe you are lonely
Hypothesizing a shared emotion.
and just haven't realized
Suggesting a lack of awareness.
that I'm lonely too
Expressing personal loneliness.
and all I want to do is bring happiness to me and you
Explaining the motivation behind the request.
oooooooooh... can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I, can I love you?
Rephrasing the request with added intensity.
hear me, see me, touch me, and Love me
Desiring attention, affection, and intimacy.
kiss me and hug me, doll me and move me
Requesting physical acts of love and tenderness.
feel me and hold me, love me and soothe me
Desiring emotional and physical comfort.
take me and rock me
Yearning for physical closeness and care.
Love, wrap your arms around me
Expressing a desire for an embrace.
I want to feel your love
Desiring affection and emotional connection.
oooooh can I, caaaaaaan i
Repeating the request with heightened emotion.
can I... (scat)
Ending the song with a plea for love and connection.
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertharper6488
David was a giant among legends . It was truly a pleasure watching him introduced to the world on showtime at the Apollo Theater . Sing with the Angels my brothers.
@jazzy531
Yes he is
@onefromjupiter3019
Opened for him in 1990 at a NY Jazz Club. This man was soo underrated. Could write, play, and sing his a** off. He combined a bunch of different tones at once. A little Luther, Al Green, Stevie..etc. Left way too soon :(😇
@normasloan2363
He's beautiful, and that voice..
I would buy the CD if I knew where to buy it
@sandraboyd8007
I didn’t know he was deceased. Indeed he was talented.
@redmiller8563
RIP David🌹
@7Eightyone
This was just at the time when R&B started to have a more hip hop edge and the adult contemporary sound was fading. Make no mistakes though...this is beautiful music...
@GreyMann2
@@7EightyoneYes! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only person who noticed that! People look at me like I'm crazy when I speak about that shift in R&B.
We went from the quiet storm era straight to random unnecessary rap verses.
@kimstewart7853
MAGNIFICENT VOICE!! Brings tears to my eyes! Rest in Heaven
@venessawatt-stclair3621
This is for the grown folks who truly love music. I fully enjoy this song when I listen with my eyes closed. Happy Valentines Day 2020❤️