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.
Joyful
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So the symptom of human nature
And things are falling apart they are turning to
Disappointers all there seems lessons for the heart baby
And no I wouldn't trade you for the world
I wanna hit the end before we start girl listen to me
Stop roll me round, settle down you can't erase this,
You got me so I got you,
It's so joyful feeling the pain again
I get myself in trouble whenever I try to resist
I learned to embrace the struggle whether I loose or win
I'm living indeed so joyful to feel the pain and love again
Now here's a message for the young
And restless it might take you some time to really get it
Don't take your baby for granted
Sometimes you gotta give her a lie to get a little bit so
Stop roll me round, settle down
You can't replace what you can never
Hear the sound in your heart,
You better try to win cause you got a lot to loose
So it's really up to you, to appreciate it
It's so joyful feeling the pain again
I get myself in trouble whenever I try to resist
I learned to embrace the struggle whether I loose or win
I'm living indeed so joyful here I go again,
I'm away, but I gotta know the route
So I'm opening out to you, I can feel you now,
And I need you to show me how
I feel just like a flower in the rain
Who waits for the sun to shine again,
But I appreciate you
It's so joyful feeling the pain again
I get myself in trouble whenever I try to resist
I learned to embrace the struggle whether I loose or win
I'm living indeed so joyful to feel the pain and love again
It's so joyful feeling the pain again
I get myself in trouble whenever I try to resist
I learned to embrace the struggle whether I loose or win
I'm living indeed so joyful to feel the pain and love again
Being in love again, oh yeah, I'm living my life again
This time I'm gonna win, this time I'm gonna win
I'm already gonna win, baby
Guess I better leave, tears in my eyes, there's no surprise baby,
Can't shake you baby, guess I better leave, a, baby?
Just better leave, this was supposed to be, don't try to change it
Baby just let it be, yeah baby
Guess I better leave, tears in my eyes, there's no surprise baby,
Can't shake you baby, guess I better leave, a, baby?
Just better leave, this was supposed to be, don't try to change it
Baby just let it be, yeah baby
"Joyful" by El DeBarge is a song about the journey of love and the value of appreciating it. The lyrics suggest that love can be painful and at times difficult to embrace. The song speaks to the listener about the importance of allowing oneself to feel the pain and cherish the love.
The first verse speaks of the challenges that come with human nature and how everything seems to be falling apart. Despite this, the chorus encourages the listener to embrace the struggle because there is joy in feeling the pain and love again. The second verse is directed towards young people who are encouraged not to take their partner for granted and to appreciate the love they have. The bridge talks about being lost and needing someone to show the way, but still finding the joy in the midst of the pain.
Overall, "Joyful" is an uplifting song that encourages the listener to appreciate love even when it is challenging. It teaches that despite the struggles, there is still joy in embracing the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Getting crazy, don't faze me, ask me why and I ask you why not
I'm not bothered by losing control, it's just part of human nature.
So the symptom of human nature
Humans are predisposed to not being in control of everything.
And things are falling apart they are turning to
Life can be chaotic and unpredictable.
Disappointers all there seems lessons for the heart baby
Disappointments often teach us meaningful lessons about love and life.
And no I wouldn't trade you for the world
You mean the world to me and I couldn't bear to lose you.
I wanna hit the end before we start girl listen to me
I want to make the most of our time together and not waste any moment.
Stop roll me round, settle down you can't erase this,
Don't play with my emotions, it's not fair to me.
You got me so I got you,
I rely on you and you can count on me too.
Don't be afraid to lose, appreciate it
Don't be afraid to take risks in love, appreciate the experience no matter the outcome.
It's so joyful feeling the pain again
Experiencing the highs and lows of love brings a profound sense of joy.
I get myself in trouble whenever I try to resist
Trying to resist love or emotions can lead to trouble.
I learned to embrace the struggle whether I loose or win
I've accepted that love is a struggle with ups and downs, and I'm willing to go through it all.
I'm living indeed so joyful to feel the pain and love again
I'm alive and loving every moment, even the tough ones.
Now here's a message for the young
Here's some advice for those who are new to love and relationships.
And restless it might take you some time to really get it
It's okay to be restless and not fully understand love right away.
Don't take your baby for granted
Don't take your partner for granted, cherish them always.
Sometimes you gotta give her a lie to get a little bit so
Sometimes it's necessary to tell white lies in a relationship.
I'm away, but I gotta know the route
I may be physically away, but I need to know the direction of our relationship.
So I'm opening out to you, I can feel you now,
I'm opening up emotionally and can feel our connection strongly.
And I need you to show me how
I'm not sure how to proceed, and I need your guidance.
I feel just like a flower in the rain
I feel vulnerable and exposed to emotions as if in the stormy weather.
Who waits for the sun to shine again,
I'm hopeful that happier times are yet to come.
But I appreciate you
Through all of this, I'm grateful for you and our relationship.
Guess I better leave, tears in my eyes, there's no surprise baby,
Despite my sadness, I know deep down that this is the right thing to do.
Can't shake you baby, guess I better leave, a, baby?
It's hard to let go, but it's time to move on.
Just better leave, this was supposed to be, don't try to change it
It's best to accept what has happened and not try to change the inevitable.
Baby just let it be, yeah baby
It's time to move on and let things be as they are.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELDRA DEBARGE, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind