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.
Broken Dreams
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Torn apart from the seams
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
Oh ahhh Lonely hearts, all alone
Nothing left but a sad, sad song
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
It always starts off so happy
Two angels sent from above
We need to take a second look
At the things we call love
Oh It's a crying shame
Oh it's Always the same
Broken dreams
Broken Hearts, all alone
We got to find a way
Broken Hearts, broken dreams
Torn apart from the seams
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
Lonely hearts, all alone
Nothing left but a sad, sad song
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
Broken Hearts, broken dreams
Torn apart from the seams
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
Lonely hearts, all alone
Nothing left but a sad, sad song
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
Broken Hearts, broken dreams
Torn apart from the seams
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
again
again
someone help me please!
Lonely hearts, all alone
Nothing left but a sad, sad song
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
The lyrics to El DeBarge's song "Broken Dreams" narrate the desolation after a love relationship has ended. The first verse describes the deep pain felt by the singer and how everything now simply reminds him of what he has lost - broken hearts and dreams, and a life that has been torn apart at the seams. He then muses over his desire to see lovers reunited again, probably so that he can believe in love once more.
In the second verse, he talks about how most relationships start off happy with feelings of bliss, but with time, they crumble and fall apart, leaving behind shattered and broken dreams. The singer implores listeners to take a long, hard look at their relationships and the nature of the love that they profess, questioning whether what they have is true love or a mere facade. The singer continues to repeat the refrain, hoping and wishing to see lovers reunited again, rather than allowing their hearts and dreams to be broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken Hearts, broken dreams
The pain from shattered love and hopes is all-consuming.
Torn apart from the seams
The damage of the brokenness is complete, tearing all apart.
Oh, all I want to do is see lovers together again
The singer longs for what was lost and wishes for the magic of love to be restored.
Oh ahhh Lonely hearts, all alone
The loneliness of a broken heart is overwhelming, leaving no remedy for the pain.
Nothing left but a sad, sad song
The disappointing reality is that the only response to the heartache is to write and sing about it.
It always starts off so happy
In the beginning, love is joyous and everything seems perfect.
What could go wrong
Inexperience or naiveté can make one ignorant of the risks and complications that love can bring.
Two angels sent from above
The lovers were once cherished and considered to be perfect for each other.
We need to take a second look
Hindsight reveals that more examination, thought, and effort are needed to make love last.
At the things we call love
We must understand what true love is beyond the simple feelings we attach to it.
Oh It's a crying shame
The tragedy of love's failure is heartbreaking and pitiful.
Oh it's Always the same
The repetition of love's failure is frustratingly constant.
We got to find a way
There is no giving up on love; instead, one must keep looking for the right tools to make it work.
again
The singer repeats the desire for love to be restored.
someone help me please!
The singer is desperate for assistance in fixing the damage that love has caused.
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.