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.
Love Me in a Special Way
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your sinchues charm
Yet you looked so alarmed
As I walked on by
In awesome wonder
You had to know why I did not respond to carry on
Love me in a special way
Love me now
Love me in a special way
What more can I say
Love me now (love me now)
'Cause I'm special
Not the average kind
Who'd accept any line
That sounds good
So reach into your chain of thoughts
Try to find something new
Because what worked for you so well before
For me it just wont do
Love me in a special way
What more can I say
Love me now
Love me in a special way
What more can I say
Love me now (love me now)
So reach into your chain of thoughts
Try to find something new
What works so well with you before
For me it just wont do
So reach into your chain of thoughts
Try to find something new
What works so well with you before
For me it just wont do
The lyrics of El DeBarge's Love Me in a Special Way speak to the desire for a deeper and more meaningful love. The opening lines convey the singer's initial attraction to the subject – their charm and overall demeanor. However, despite this initial attraction, the singer remains distant from the subject's advances. The lines "As I walked on by, In awesome wonder, You had to know why I did not respond to carry on" suggest a sort of hesitation or uncertainty on the part of the singer. This hesitation is due to the fact that the singer requires a love that is more than just surface-level attraction and pick-up lines.
The chorus explicitly communicates this demand for a deeper connection with the phrase "Love me in a special way, what more can I say, love me now." This plea for a special kind of love speaks to a longing for devotion and commitment from the subject. The following lines, "‘Cause I'm special, Not the average kind, Who'd accept any line, That sounds good," further emphasize this demand, again reiterating that the singer is not willing to settle for an average or superficial love. The final lines of the song, "So reach into your chain of thoughts, Try to find something new, What works so well with you before, For me, it just won't do," serve as a warning to the subject, advising them to reconsider their tactics if they hope to win the singer's love.
Overall, Love Me in a Special Way is a plea for a love that is different from the norm – a love that goes beyond surface-level attraction and takes the time to develop a deeper connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You know you had me
You know you had my attention
With your sinchues charm
With your smooth, sophisticated charm
Yet you looked so alarmed
But you appeared surprised
As I walked on by
As I passed you
In awesome wonder
In genuine amazement
You had to know why I did not respond to carry on
You wanted to know why I didn't react to your advances
Love me in a special way
Express your love uniquely
What more can I say
What else should I express
Love me now
Love me immediately
Cause I'm special
Because I am unique
Not the average kind
Not the typical person
Who'd accept any line
Who would fall for any smooth talk
That sounds good
That sounds appealing
So reach into your chain of thoughts
So dig deeper into your mind
Try to find something new
Try to discover something different
Because what worked for you so well before
Because what succeeded for you previously
For me it just wont do
Does not appeal to me
So reach into your chain of thoughts
So dig deeper into your mind
Try to find something new
Try to discover something different
What works so well with you before
What succeeded for you previously
For me it just wont do
Does not appeal to me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eldra Debarge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tattoogirl2860
NONE of today's singers, male or female, come close to matching the vocal talent & soulfulness of El DeBarge. Years later this song is still 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@lashawntillery9328
Facts!
@alexreel6423
I absolutely love him! All that he's been through, but when you're chosen and blessed by God, you will prevail
@Elwrt455
That piano intro and later the cymbal roll -- masterpiece
@mysticakhenaton1701
An El Debarge Music Production.
@lauriecooper297
Absolutely!!
@kevinmcdonald6979
I listen to the 1st 55 seconds...takes you away.
@curtismoore7738
2023 WHERES ALL MY PEOPLES WHO NEEDS TO BE LOVED IN A SPECIAL WAY STILL LISTENING
@TracyAllenVideos
Funny how songs hit a different chord when you listen to it almost 40 years later. And especially understanding that his family was going through some things that I never knew about back then. 💐 to you, Mr. El DeBarge ❤️
@DarrylBishopDJFlavaz
No how many times I hear that Harmonica solo, and the bridge that transitions to the harmonious chorus...it still gives me chills and reminds me of a simpler time in life