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.
Real Love
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bet you dont know bet you dont want to
your first night out (ahhhh) not about to go bad
you look so fine
bet you knew that anyway (iiiiim looking)
so find me (making your) making your love
while the bass goes round
catch you with other man
the partys over now(partys all over)
let me get to you (dont mess with me now)
it'll make you wonder (it'll make you wonder)
ooooo!
whatcha need is a real love baby kinda love wont let you down
everybody wants to work your body
run it down to the core
gotta find you a real baby
better hurry while you still got time
everybody needs a real love baby
(contral) contral thats what you speak of
it all feel down now you looking for a new love (iiiim looking)
looking for love
in all the wrong places
(never going to find it)
you'll never find love
(its truly taken)
its truly taken
wooooo!
never going to work
(never going to work)
never going to make it now(never going to make it)
it only last for a minute
(it only last for a mintue)
then
(then your going to be wishn that you woooo! that you never would have met it.)
oooooowoooo!
repeat chours:
whatcha need is a real love baby
kinda love that wont let you down
everybody wants to work your body
run it down to the core
gotta find you a real love baby
better hurry while you still got time
everybody needs a real love baby
The song "Real Love" by El DeBarge tells the story of a young girl who is going out for the first time and is warned by the singer about the dangers that come with finding love in the wrong places. The lyrics suggest that the girl is looking for a temporary thrill and is not ready for the real, enduring love that the singer is offering. The singer further advises the girl to find someone who will love and respect her for who she is, rather than using her body for pleasure alone.
The lyrics of the song highlight the importance of finding true love and the consequences of looking for it in all the wrong places. The singer's desire to help the girl find the right kind of love is evident throughout the song, as he warns her about the dangers of casual relationships and encourages her to seek something more meaningful. The song emphasizes the idea that true love is a rare and valuable thing, and that it is worth waiting for and fighting for.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little girl whatcha gettn into
Addressing the young woman and wondering what she's up to
bet you dont know bet you dont want to
Assuming she has no idea what she's getting herself into
your first night out (ahhhh) not about to go bad
Assuming it's her first night out and hoping it doesn't turn out badly
you look so fine
Complimenting her appearance
bet you knew that anyway (iiiiim looking)
Assuming she's aware of her good looks and acknowledging that he's interested
so find me (making your) making your love
Asking her to find him and make love with him
while the bass goes round
Referring to the music and atmosphere of the party
catch you with other man
Warning her that he might catch her with another man
whatcha going to do (whatcha going to do)
Asking her what she will do in that situation
the partys over now(partys all over)
The party is coming to an end
let me get to you (dont mess with me now)
Asking her to let him get closer to her, and warning her not to play games or lead him on
it'll make you wonder (it'll make you wonder)
Suggesting that their love-making will leave her wondering about their chemistry, or possibly leave her questioning her choices
ooooo!
A vocal expression of excitement or intensity
whatcha need is a real love baby kinda love wont let you down
Concluding that what she really needs is a real and reliable love
everybody wants to work your body run it down to the core
Arguing that there are many people who would love to use her for sex and pleasure, without a deeper emotional connection
gotta find you a real baby better hurry while you still got time
Encouraging her to find a true partner while she is still young, and before she runs out of time or options
everybody needs a real love baby (contral) contral thats what you speak of
Emphasizing the importance of true love, and that it's what many people are looking for
it all feel down now you looking for a new love (iiiim looking)
Describing the disappointment and heartbreak that can come from failed relationships, and acknowledging his own search for love
looking for love in all the wrong places (never going to find it)
Admitting that he has searched for love in the wrong places and that it's not likely he will find it there
you'll never find love (its truly taken)
Explaining that if you don't look for love in the right way, you'll never find it and someone else could take it before you do
wooooo!
A vocal expression of disappointment or sadness
never going to work (never going to work)
Suggesting that this plan or approach is destined to fail
never going to make it now(never going to make it)
Concluding that he won't make it in love unless he changes his ways
it only last for a minute (it only last for a mintue)
Implying that sex without emotional connection is fleeting and temporary
then(then your going to be wishn that you woooo! that you never would have met it.)
Continuing to emphasize that sexual encounters without love or emotional connection may lead to regret or disappointment
Contributed by Aaron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dog in the City
Who's listening to El in 2020.......OMG..... Love this track.... The 12" Vinyl Version is the best, 9 mins +++
Tone Titan
After all this time, this video is still ON FIRE!
PLANET VELVET, LLC
Love the bridge to this song. Underrated as always, El is STILL the man.
Rob Council
El Debarge! Still got the "Voice!" When this song played, the dance floor was packed! Still "Vibin" this cut in 2020! Let's Get It! Let's Go! 😎
Georgenia Anthony
This was one of my favorite songs from El! And he can dance
Reg Cart
El DeBarge at his best. I loved the Gemini CD....AWESOME!
mzzvaughan
just saw him in concert last week he was amazing. That man has still got it.
LaShea69
I'm so glad that people that know real music still put up old school like this! I'm so appreciative.
Willie Thomas
El is here to teach everyone what extreme talent is, the voice, SOUL, classical, he is the MASTER, like no one else, Years from now El will still relevant to the world when all the famous singers that are very rich just true, El is like famous historical Painters/Artist of the past centuris he will be copied, in a good way, El is timeless.!!!!!!!
Ombreya Renee
I was 18 when this song came out & I still love in 2019. I love you El. 😍😍😍😍😘😘