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.
Time Will Reveal
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make you feel secure
Remove all your doubts
So that you'll know for sure that
You're the apple of my eye girl
Fulfillment of my dreams
Time, will show the value
Of just what you mean to me
More precious than diamond rings or
Anything that I can give you
It wouldn't mean a thing
If you didn't have my love beside you
There to guide you through
Well it is good to know you do
I know just how you feel
But this time love's for real
In time it will reveal
That special love that's deep inside of us
Will all reveal in time
I tell you I love you
But you won't believe it's true
More precious than silver
More precious than diamond rings or
Anything that I can give you
It wouldn't mean a thing
If you didn't have my love beside you
There to guide you through
Well it is good to know you do
I know just how you feel
But this time love's for real
In time it will reveal
That special love that's deep inside of us
Will all reveal in time
I know just how you feel
But this time love's for real
In time it will reveal
That special love that's deep inside of us
Will all reveal in time
I know just how you feel
But this time love's for real
In time it will reveal
That special love that's deep inside of us
Will all reveal in time
Oh, that special love in us
Will all reveal in time
So let you're little heart lay down my body
The lyrics of El DeBarge's song Time Will Reveal touch upon the singer's desire to make his partner feel secure and remove any doubts she might have about his love for her. He affirms her as the apple of his eye and the fulfillment of his dreams. He believes that time will show the value of what she means to him and how precious she is to him, more valuable than any material possession he could give her. He wants her to know that his love is there to guide her through any challenges that may come their way.
The singer understands that his partner may be hesitant to believe his love is real. He assures her that his love is genuine and will reveal itself in time. He believes that their special love, which is deep inside each of them, will also be revealed with time. The song concludes with the singer urging his partner to lay down her little heart next to his body, signifying his willingness to protect and care for her.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I do?
How can I reassure you and alleviate any doubts you may have?
To make you feel secure
What actions can I take to make you feel safe and comfortable in our relationship?
Remove all your doubts
I want to eliminate any worries or fears you have about our love.
So that you'll know for sure that
I want you to have complete confidence and certainty in our love.
You're the apple of my eye girl
You are the one I cherish and adore the most.
Fulfillment of my dreams
You make my life complete and bring me genuine happiness and fulfillment.
Time, will show the value
As time goes on, our love will become even more valuable.
Of just what you mean to me
I want you to understand the depth of my love and how essential you are to me.
More precious than silver
Your love and presence is incredibly valuable to me, even more so than material things like silver.
More precious than diamond rings or
Even something as precious as a diamond ring cannot compare to the value I place on our love.
Anything that I can give you
No gift or possession can match the worth of my love and devotion to you.
It wouldn't mean a thing
All of the material things I could give you pale in comparison to the importance of my love.
If you didn't have my love beside you
None of the other gifts or possessions matter unless you have my love in your life.
There to guide you through
I will always be here to support you and help you navigate life's challenges.
Well it is good to know you do
I am grateful to know that you have my love by your side.
I know just how you feel
I understand your doubts and fears and want to reassure you.
But this time love's for real
This love is genuine and authentic, unlike any other love we may have experienced before.
In time it will reveal
As time goes on, the depth and authenticity of our love will become more apparent.
That special love that's deep inside of us
Our love is unique and profound, and comes from the depths of our hearts.
Will all reveal in time
As we continue to grow and love each other, the true nature of our love will become clear.
Oh, that special love in us
Our love is unique and extraordinary.
Will all reveal in time
As time passes, the depth and beauty of our love will become more evident.
So let you're little heart lay down my body
Allow me to comfort and protect you with my love and presence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWARD THEODORE RILEY, CHAUNCEY ANDRE HANNIBAL, ELDRA P. DE BARGE, ETTERLENE JORDAN, BERNARD BELLE, MARK L. MIDDLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind