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.
Close To You
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I can do baby, safe baby
You say that you need a man in your life
That you can love and trust,
And I'm thinking I know just who you need,
That would be me, I know I can make you happy
Open your eyes and look at me, baby
Girl,
I'm doing all I can do in my power to get close to you
Jumping through hoops and obstacles
Please tell me what I gotta do to,
Get close to you, I'm trying get close to you,
Get close to you safe baby
You're afraid to really open up and let me inside,
From all the hurt you ever felt in your life,
But if you don't try, you never know what we could be,
Take a chance on me, baby.
Girl,I'm doing all I can do in my power to get close to you
Jumping through hoops and obstacles
Please tell me what I gotta do to,
Get close to you, I'm trying get close to you,
Get close to you safe baby
Please don't make me pay, don't make me pay
For mistakes someone else made any longer
I long for the day to hear you say
That you're ready to receive my love
[Chorus: x2]
Hey baby, safe baby
To get close to you, tell me what I gotta do, get close to you,
I'm trying get close to you, get close to you safe baby, oh, hey.
The lyrics to El DeBarge's song "Close To You" express a deep longing to be with someone and the frustration of not being able to break through their emotional barriers. The singer professes his love for the person and insists that he can make them happy if they only give him a chance. The bridge of the song takes a more vulnerable tone and pleads with the person not to make him pay for the mistakes that others have made. Overall, the lyrics convey a desire for deeper intimacy and a willingness to jump through any obstacle to achieve it.
The chorus of "Close To You" hints at a sense of desperation in the singer's quest for the person's love. The use of phrases like "jumping through hoops" and "in my power" conveys a sense of powerlessness in the face of the person's emotional distance. The repetition of the line "safe baby" perhaps suggests that the singer understands the need for the person to feel secure in the relationship, but is frustrated by their reluctance to open up.
The lyrics also touch on themes of trust and vulnerability. The singer addresses the person's fear of opening up and asks them to take a chance on him. The line "If you don't try, you never know what we could be" suggests that the singer believes there is potential for something meaningful if only the person would let their guard down. Ultimately, the lyrics to "Close To You" express a deep yearning for connection and a willingness to face any obstacle to achieve it.
Line by Line Meaning
All I can do baby, to keep close to you baby,
I will do everything possible to remain close to you, baby, and keep you safe.
You say that you need a man in your life
You have expressed your need for a trustworthy man who can love and take care of you.
And I'm thinking I know just who you need, That would be me, I know I can make you happy
I believe that I am the man you need in your life, and I am confident that I can bring you happiness.
Open your eyes and look at me, baby
Take a good look at me, and you will see that I am the man who can offer you love and happiness.
Girl, I'm doing all I can do in my power to get close to you Jumping through hoops and obstacles
I am doing everything in my power, including overcoming obstacles, to get closer to you.
Please tell me what I gotta do to, Get close to you, I'm trying get close to you, Get close to you safe baby
Please communicate to me what I must do to get closer to you, for I am trying to do so without causing you any harm.
You're afraid to really open up and let me inside, From all the hurt you ever felt in your life,
You are scared to let me in because you fear getting hurt again, given the pain you have endured in the past.
But if you don't try, you never know what we could be, Take a chance on me, baby.
However, if you don't take a chance on me, you will never know what we could become together, so please give me a chance to show you my love.
Please don't make me pay, don't make me pay For mistakes someone else made any longer
Please don't hold me liable for the errors committed by someone else in the past.
I long for the day to hear you say That you're ready to receive my love
I anxiously await to hear you express your readiness to accept my love.
To get close to you, tell me what I gotta do, get close to you, I'm trying get close to you, get close to you safe baby, oh, hey.
Please let me know what I should do to get closer to you as I am trying to do so while ensuring that you remain safe and sound.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MICHAEL FLOWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind