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.
Who's Johnny
El DeBarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she says, "Who is Johnny?"
Games with names that girl is playing
All she says is, "Who is Johnny?"
I try to understand because I'm people too
And playing games is part of human nature
My heart's in overdrive
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And smiled in her special way
"Johnny," she said
"You know I love you"
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And tried to look the other way
Eyes gave her away, all right
She makes sure, I see her teasing
Hear her say, "Who is Johnny?"
There's no way to take this easy
Hear her say, "Who is Johnny?"
I really couldn't help but fall in love with her
Her being there has made my life worth living
I knew it from the start
That I would lose my heart
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And smiled in her special way
"Johnny," she said
"You know I love you"
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And tried to look the other way
Still pretending
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?" oh
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?" oh, no, no, no
I don't believe it
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And tried to look the other way
Eyes gave her away
(Girls like her) are very special
Girls (like her) don't rest
'Til you too are a believer
'Til you too have caught their fever
"Who is Johnny?"
There she goes and knows I'm dying
When she says, "Who is"
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And smiled with some other guy
"Johnny," she said
"I don't remember"
"Who's Johnny?" she said
And turned the other way
Eyes gave her away
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?" she said, "I don't remember"
"Who's Johnny?" she said and turned the other way
Left me standing there
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
Left me standing there
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny? Who's Johnny?"
"Who is Johnny?"
El DeBarge's "Who's Johnny" is a song about a girl who plays games with names, constantly teasing the singer by asking "Who is Johnny?" Throughout the song, the singer tries to understand the girl's behavior, acknowledging that playing games is part of human nature. Despite the girl's teasing, he can't help but fall in love with her, knowing from the start that he would lose his heart. However, in the end, the girl leaves him standing alone while asking "Who's Johnny?" with another guy.
The song is about the complexity and vulnerability of relationships, highlighting how love can often be confusing and misunderstood. The girl's teasing reflects the struggle of trying to figure out someone's intentions, and the singer's willingness to continue loving her even though he doesn't fully understand her behavior shows the power of love.
Overall, "Who's Johnny" is a catchy and upbeat song with a relatable message about the ups and downs of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
There she goes and knows I'm dying
She is aware that her teasing is affecting me deeply
When she says, "Who is Johnny?"
She taunts me by asking about my identity
Games with names that girl is playing
She enjoys playing mind games with me by asking about Johnny
All she says is, "Who is Johnny?"
She keeps repeating the question to mess with my head
I try to understand because I'm people too
I attempt to sympathize with her behavior due to my own experiences with human nature
And playing games is part of human nature
We are all prone to playing games with each other
My heart's in overdrive
My emotions are intense and uncontrollable
It's great to be alive
Despite the emotional turmoil, it's still better to be alive and feel something
"Who's Johnny?" she said
She continues to question my identity
And smiled in her special way
She revels in making me uncomfortable
"Johnny," she said
She pretends to know my name
"You know I love you"
She falsely professes her love for me
"Who's Johnny?" she said
She repeats the question yet again
And tried to look the other way
She attempts to act nonchalant about the whole thing
Eyes gave her away, all right
But her eyes betray her true feelings
She makes sure, I see her teasing
She purposely makes her teasing obvious to me
Hear her say, "Who is Johnny?"
She continues her mind games
There's no way to take this easy
The situation is difficult to handle
I really couldn't help but fall in love with her
Despite the difficult circumstances, I can't help but love her
Her being there has made my life worth living
Her presence in my life gives it meaning and purpose
I knew it from the start
I always knew that she would have an impact on my life
That I would lose my heart
I knew that I would fall in love with her
Girls like her are very special
She is a unique and intriguing person
Girls like her don't rest
She is always active and engaged
Til you too are a believer
She wants to convert others to her way of thinking
Til you too have caught their fever
She wants others to feel the same way she does
When she says, "Who is"
She starts to question my identity again
"Who's Johnny?" she said
She continues to ask about Johnny
And smiled with some other guy
She enjoys flirting with others and making me jealous
"Johnny," she said
She falsely acts like she remembers my name
"I don't remember"
She admits to not knowing my real identity or caring about it
And turned the other way
She avoids me and tries to act like nothing happened
Left me standing there
She abandons me and leaves me to deal with my emotions alone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: INA WOLF, PETER F. WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind