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.
The Heart Is Not So Smart
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know that fallin? for the girl is not so wise
But every time your mind wants you to stay away
Your heart just looks the other way
Oh, oh, she's all that you want now
Oh, oh, she's nothin? you need
Oh, oh, but there you go, blame it all on love
But the heart is not so smart
Can't always trust it, no
The heart is not so smart
Goes where it should not go
Always seems to find
Its way to trouble, no
The heart is not so smart
Oh, no, oh, no
The heart?s been broken
It?s been bruised and it's been burned
So after that you think a lesson might be learned
But it keeps fallin' for the same lines every time
Sometimes the heart can be so blind
Oh, oh, and when you discover
Oh, oh, she's tellin? you lies
Oh, oh, well, don't you know
That the heart is always last to realize
Because the heart is not so smart
Can't always trust it, no
The heart is not so smart
Goes where it should not go
Always seems to find
Its way to trouble, no
The heart is not so smart
Oh, no
Oh, they say trust your emotions
Oh, oh, your feelings inside
Oh, oh, but when it comes to love
Sometimes it's better that the heart is not your guide
Because the heart is not so smart
The heart is not so smart
The heart is not so smart
Can't always trust it, no
The heart is not so smart
Goes where it should not go
Always seems to find
Its way to trouble, no
The heart is not so smart
The heart is not so smart
Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
The heart is not so smart
No, no, no, no
The heart is not so smart
Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
The heart is not so smart, no, no
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa
The heart is not so smart
You can't always trust it, no
The heart is not so smart
No, no, no, no
The heart is not so smart
Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
The heart is not so smart, no, no
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, whoa
The heart is not so smart
Can't always trust it, no
The heart is not so smart
No, no, no, no
The heart is not so smart
Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
The heart is not so smart
In El DeBarge's "Heart in 2," the singer addresses the issue of falling for someone that may not be good for you. He acknowledges that although his mind knows better, his heart can't help but look the other way. He warns against always trusting the heart, which can lead one down paths that are not wise.
The chorus emphasizes that the heart may be what one wants, but not always what one needs. The heart can be misleading and blind, leading to trouble and heartbreak. The bridge suggests that although it may be common advice to trust one's emotions in matters of love, it may actually be better to not let the heart be the sole guide.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about not always trusting one's own feelings and emotions, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
You know that she is just a heartbreak in disguise
You are aware that the girl you are after is just going to hurt you in the end, even though she doesn't show it yet
You know that fallin' for the girl is not so wise
You understand that pursuing the girl is not a smart decision, but you can't help yourself
But every time your mind wants you to stay away
Your mind tells you to stay away from the girl, but your heart overrides your logic
Your heart just looks the other way
Your heart ignores the warning signs and chooses to follow its desire
Oh, oh, she's all that you want now
You are currently consumed with the girl and everything you desire is centered around her
Oh, oh, she's nothin' you need
Even though you want the girl desperately, deep down you know that she is not what you need in your life
Oh, oh, but there you go, blame it all on love
You attribute all of your poor decisions and actions related to the girl to the powerful emotion of love
You know you should know better
You are aware that you should not pursue the girl, but you can't help yourself
But the heart is not so smart
Your heart is not intelligent and can make poor decisions
Can't always trust it, no
You cannot always rely on your heart to make good choices
Goes where it should not go
Your heart can lead you down the wrong path and into trouble
The heart's been broken
Your heart has been damaged in the past due to love and heartbreak
It's been bruised and it's been burned
Your heart has suffered pain and injury due to romantic experiences
So after that you think a lesson might be learned
You would expect to have learned a lesson from your previous heartbreak, but your heart continues to lead you into unhealthy relationships
But it keeps fallin' for the same lines every time
Despite past negative experiences, your heart falls for similar traps and patterns when it comes to relationships
Sometimes the heart can be so blind
Your heart can ignore warning signs and signals that suggest a toxic or unhealthy relationship
Oh, oh, and when you discover
When you finally uncover or realize the truth
Oh, oh, she's tellin' you lies
You discover that the girl has been dishonest with you
Oh, oh, well, don't you know
You should know already
That the heart is always last to realize
The heart is the last to acknowledge or accept negative truths about a person or relationship
Oh, they say trust your emotions
It is often said to rely on your emotions and feelings
Oh, oh, your feelings inside
Your internal feelings and emotions
Oh, oh, but when it comes to love
However, in the context of romance and love
Sometimes it's better that the heart is not your guide
In some situations, following your heart can be detrimental, and it may be best to make decisions based on logic and not emotions
Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
A vocalization with no meaning
No, no, no, no
A repetition with no new meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIANE WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind