In 1982, DeBarge finally found success with their acclaimed second album, All This Love, which gave DeBarge major chart success with singles "Stop! Don't Tease Me," the perennial "I Like It," and the title track. In 1983, DeBarge's third album, In a Special Way garnered yet more success for the group. El and Bunny wrote most of the songs with El most often singing leads. The album produced the hit singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me in a Special Way."
In 1985, the group released their fourth album, Rhythm of the Night which produced hits "The Heart Is Not So Smart," "Who's Holding Donna Now," "You Wear It Well", and the massively successful title track, which was their second single to top the R&B charts, reached #3 in the U.S., and #4 in the U.K. Its music video was featured in the 1985 martial arts film, The Last Dragon as well as in an episode of Miami Vice (Season 2) called "Bought and Paid" for in which "You Wear It Well" was also performed. That year, El appeared as himself in an episode of the television series The Facts of Life and sang "You Wear it Well."
Solo career
After the commercial pop success of "Rhythm of the Night," El left the group in 1986 to begin a solo career. The same year, El released his self-titled debut solo album. "Who's Johnny" was the first single released and was featured in the movie Short Circuit. The single was a major success, peaking at #3 in the U.S. The music video for the song reflected its use in the movie, depicting a mock trial for characters Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby (Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg, respectively) for the theft of the movie's main character, the robot Johnny 5, with scenes from the movie being shown as evidence.
Other singles from this album were "Someone" and the laid-back ballad "Love Always". A break in El's career, according to some, kept him from the spotlight until 1989 when he returned with a second solo album, Gemini. This marked El's final Motown release to date. "Real Love" was a single, as well as "Broken Dreams." El signed with Warner Brothers and released his third solo album, In The Storm. "You Know What I Like," which featured Chante Moore (Latimore) on co-lead vocals, "My Heart Belongs To You," and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "After The Dance" (recorded with Fourplay and featuring Patti LaBelle) were singles. Two years later, in 1994, El collaborated with hit producer Babyface and released his fourth and most recent to date solo album Heart, Mind and Soul. "Can't Get Enough", "Slide," and a duet with Babyface, "Where Is My Love," were singles.
El teamed up with Quincy Jones to create the successful collaboration, "The Secret Garden," a single from 1990 which also featured Barry White, Al B. Sure!, and James Ingram on vocals. In 1998, El worked with DJ Quik for the single "Hand In Hand."
In 2008, Eldra was featured on RZA's album Digi Snacks on the track "Up Again". "Rhythm of the Night" will be the theme song of Lowes Motor Speedway during the 2008 NASCAR season.
Personal life
According to his mother, Etterlene DeBarge, El is the father of 11 children, the eldest born when El was only fifteen. His children include Adris DeBarge, who is an executive assistant for producer Tracey Edmonds.[3] He is currently separated from Monique DeBarge, having been arrested in 2007 for a conflict stemming from an individual described as "girlfriend."
Legal troubles
El DeBarge was arrested in Los Angeles County, California on August 26, 2007 for possible vandalism, drug possession, and alleged domestic violence.[4] On October 27, 2008 he was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance. Eldra had been arrested earlier in the month after police discovered two warrants for his arrest. [5]. On October 28,2008 he was sentenced to two years in state prison for possession of crack cocaine. He was recently released from prison on October 26, 2009 nearly a year after his sentence.
After the Dance
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
(I want you, ooh)
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
I want you and you want me
All right, ooh
(Looking girl, saw you smile)
When I first saw you
(Looking good on Soul Train)
You were looking so, so good
(Oh, I was looking, too)
Oh, I was looking at you
(Sweet and so fine)
Sweet and so fine
(Freak that she was)
What a freak thing
(Tantalizing)
And I thought to myself
(Ooh, on the floor)
She was so into her space
(She started to dance, would she)
So caught up in the time and the place
And I wondered would she want me
(Ah, wonder if she, she'd go for me)
If she knows what she needs is me
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
Oh, yeah
(Talk while we play records, girl)
We could play so, so sweet
(Look so fine, move closer to me)
Come on over baby, move closer to me
(Your brown eyes, love for a while)
I love your smile, stay a while
(Oh, baby I just got flashes)
I feel something
(That you're wanting me)
Something in me
Oh, nobody else, girl
They'll be talking all night
(Can we leave sweet love baby?)
Why did the morning come so soon
Love don't need time
(Girl)
To make up it's mind
(Satisfy)
That's how I feel
(All the love inside of me baby)
How could you, baby
(What you gonna do?)
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
Oh dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
El DeBarge’s song “After the Dance” is about two people who are attracted to each other but have not yet made a move. The opening verse of the song sets the scene, inviting the object of El DeBarge’s affections to dance with him. DeBarge wonders why the two can’t get together after the dance, considering their clear mutual interest.
The second verse of the song describes how El DeBarge first noticed the person he’s singing to. He watched her dance, and he wants to get closer to her but wonders if she’s interested. DeBarge perceives something in her that suggests she might be, but he isn’t entirely sure, and the night progresses. As the evening wears on, he becomes increasingly enamored and wants to go beyond the dance floor.
Ultimately, “After the Dance” is a song about longing and desire, about wanting someone but not yet having the courage or opportunity to pursue a relationship fully. The song’s final message is one of frustration that the two cannot ‘link up’ after dancing, given their clear attraction.
Overall, “After the Dance” is a classic R&B track that showcases El DeBarge’s smooth vocals and effortless charm. The lyrics are straightforward and paint a picture of desire, while the upbeat melody and accompanying instrumentation create a sensual and romantic atmosphere that captures the spirit of the genre’s golden age.
Line by Line Meaning
Dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
I desire to dance with you, baby
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
We both are attracted to each other, then why can't we be together after the dance?
(Looking girl, saw you smile)
When I first saw you
(Looking good on Soul Train)
You were looking so, so good
(Oh, I was looking, too)
Oh, I was looking at you
(Sweet and so fine)
Sweet and so fine
(Freak that she was)
What a freak thing
(Tantalizing)
And I thought to myself
(Ooh, on the floor)
She was so into her space
(She started to dance, would she)
So caught up in the time and the place
And I wondered would she want me
(Ah, wonder if she, she'd go for me)
If she knows what she needs is me
When I saw you, you were really attractive and caught my attention. I wondered if you would also find me appealing and if you knew that I am what you need
(Talk while we play records, girl)
We could play so, so sweet
(Look so fine, move closer to me)
Come on over baby, move closer to me
(Your brown eyes, love for a while)
I love your smile, stay a while
(Oh, baby I just got flashes)
I feel something
(That you're wanting me)
Something in me
Let's talk while we play music and enjoy each other's company. You look amazing, so move closer to me. I love your smile and want you to stay longer. I can sense that you also want me.
(Can we leave sweet love baby?)
Why did the morning come so soon
Love don't need time
(Girl)
To make up it's mind
(Satisfy)
That's how I feel
(All the love inside of me baby)
How could you, baby
(What you gonna do?)
Let's leave together, baby. The night felt so short, but love doesn't need time to decide. I feel it inside me and want to satisfy it. What do you plan to do about it?
Oh dance with me, come on, dance with me baby
Come on, baby, dance with me
I want you and you want me
So why can't we get together after the dance
I want you and you want me, so let's be together after the dance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN WARBECK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louiskariuki6255
2021 people listening to Fourplay, El Debarge give a thumbs up 👍
@stephenironmonger348
👍
@MermaidZombie
👍🏽lol
@martinsiebert738
Yesssssss awesome somg
@sharonsmith6022
2023 Now!
@sharonsmith6022
👍👍
@wandanewton4033
How could you not love the sensuous fire of El's voice? It simply takes your breath away! I think Marvin would have grooved to this.
@nancyparry1
Yaaas!!!!
@glennstermania
That's just crazy to have that much talent in one recording studio! Fourplay features Lee Rittenour, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and the legendary Bob James! Whew! Then throw in El DeBarge on vocals. A blessing.
@meghanelaraby277
Don't forget the great Chaka Khan !!