Donnie Elbert (May 25, 1936 – January 26, 1989) was an American soul singer… Read Full Bio ↴Donnie Elbert (May 25, 1936 – January 26, 1989) was an American soul singer, who had a prolific career from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s. His US hits included "Where Did Our Love Go?" (1972), and his reputation as a Northern soul artist in the UK was secured by "A Little Piece of Leather", a performance highlighting his powerful falsetto voice.

Elbert was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but when aged three his family relocated to Buffalo, New York. He learned to play guitar and piano as a child, and in 1955 formed a doo-wop group, the Vibraharps, with friend Danny Cannon. Elbert acted as the group's guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and background vocalist, making his recording debut on their single "Walk Beside Me". He left the group in 1957 for a solo career, and recorded a demonstration record that earned him a recording contract with the King label's DeLuxe subsidiary. His solo debut "What Can I Do?" reached #12 in the U.S. R&B chart, and he followed it up with the less successful "Believe It or Not" and "Have I Sinned?", which became a regional hit in Pittsburgh.

He continued to release singles on DeLuxe, but with little commercial success, and also played New York's Apollo Theater and toured the chitlin' circuit of African-American owned nightclubs. After completing an album, The Sensational Donnie Elbert Sings, he left DeLuxe in 1959, joining first Red Top Records, where in 1960 he recorded "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)", and then Vee-Jay Records, where he had another regional hit with "Will You Ever Be Mine?," which reportedly sold 250,000 copies in the Philadelphia area but failed to take off nationwide. His career was also interrupted by a spell in the US Army, from which he was discharged in 1961. He then recorded singles for several labels, including Parkway, Cub and Checker, but with little success. However, although the 1965 Gateway label release of "A Little Piece of Leather" failed to chart in the US, the record became a #27 pop hit when released on the London label in the UK several years later in 1972, and remains a Northern soul favorite.

Elbert relocated to the UK in 1966, where he married. There, he recorded "In Between The Heartaches" for the Polydor label in 1968, a cover version of The Supremes' hit "Where Did Our Love Go?". and an album of Otis Redding cover versions, Tribute To A King. His 1969 Deram release "Without You" had a rocksteady rhythm, and went to the top of the Jamaican charts. He returned to the US the same year, and had his first US chart hit in over a decade with the Rare Bullet label release "Can't Get Over Losing You," which reached #26 on the Billboard R&B chart. Following the success of that record, "Where Did Our Love Go?" was released on the All Platinum label, and became his biggest hit, reaching #15 on the US pop charts, #6 on the R&B charts, and (in 1972) #8 in the UK. Its follow-up "Sweet Baby" reached #30 on the R&B chart in early 1972.

Elbert then signed with Avco-Embassy, where he entered the recording studio with the successful production team of Hugo & Luigi. Although his cover of The Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself" reached #14 on the R&B chart, Elbert balked at the label's insistence that he record material associated with Motown. He returned to All Platinum and had a run of minor R&B hits, but left after he claimed authorship of Shirley & Company's R&B chart-topper "Shame Shame Shame" which was credited to label owner Sylvia Robinson. For 1975's "You Keep Me Crying (With Your Lying)," Elbert finally formed his own label, and "I Got to Get Myself Together," appeared on an imprint bearing his surname, but it was among his final recordings.

By the mid-1980s Elbert had retired from performing, and became director of A&R for Polygram's Canadian division. He suffered a massive stroke and died in 1989, at the age of 52.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STAR
Donnie Elbert Lyrics

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You can come as you are
With just your heart
And I'll take you in though
You're rejected and hurt
To me you're worth
Girl, what you have within

Oh honey, boy

I don't need no superstar
Cause I'll accept you as you are
You won't be denied
Cause I'm satisfied
With the love that you can inspire
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
Oh, honey
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show

Somebody nobody knows
Could steal the tune that you want to hear
So stop your running around
Cause now you've found what was cloudy is clear
Oh honey, there'll be no cheering from the crowds
Just two hearts beating out loud
There'll be no parade
No tv or stage
Only me till your dying day
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
Oh, honey
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show

Don't think your star has to shine
For me to find out where you're coming from
Oh honey, girl, what is a beauty queen
If it don't mean that I'm number one?
I don't need no superstar
Cause I'll accept you as you are
You won't be denied
Cause I'm satisfied
With the love that you can inspire
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
Oh, honey
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show

You don't have to be a star, baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Donnie Elbert's song "You Don't Have To Be A Star" carry a message of acceptance and unconditional love for someone who may feel rejected and hurt. The singer assures them that they don't need to be a superstar or meet any particular standards to be loved and appreciated. The song is a tribute to the value of inner beauty and character, over external appearances.

In the first verse, the singer tells the listener that they can come as they are, with just their heart, and they will be accepted and valued for who they are. The singer recognizes the hurt and rejection that the listener may have experienced, but assures them that they are worth something valuable, and that whatever they have within them is appreciated.

In the chorus, the singer reiterates that the listener doesn't need to be a star to be loved, accepted and included in their world. The lyrics suggest that there is something far more valuable than fame or celebrity, and that is the ability to inspire love and build a deep connection with someone else.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STARDonnie Elbert Lyrics

Garrido Tony

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STAR
Donnie Elbert Lyrics