En Vogue has sold over 28 million albums and singles worldwide. They have won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of 7 VMAs. The group was named the second most successful girl group of the 1990s and the 18th most successful act overall of the 1990s according to Billboard magazine.
Assembled in Oakland, California in July 1989, En Vogue launched with original members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson and Terry Ellis. The inspiration for the group came when production duo of Foster and Mc Elroy envisioned a modern-day girl group in the tradition of the 1950s/1960s female trios. The blueprint was based on the plan of recruiting singers who possessed strong voices, noticeably good looks, and intelligence. Auditions were held in 1988, with Herron, Jones and Robinson making the final cut. Like previous girl groups, En Vogue was originally conceived as a trio, but after hearing Ellis audition, Foster and McElroy decided to create a quartet. At first, they selected the name "For You." They shifted to "Vogue", but ultimately settled on En Vogue, upon learning that another group had already claimed the Vogue moniker.
After forming, the group began working with their producers on their debut album. Recording began in August 1989 and wrapped up in December of the same year. Born to Sing was released on April 3, 1990. The album charted at number twenty-one on the Billboard 200 and number three on Billboard's R&B Albums Chart. The first single, "Hold On," was released to radio in late February 1990 and became a crossover pop hit, reaching number two on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts, and number one on both the R&B singles and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. It later went to #5 in the UK, and became a hit in Europe. The next two singles, "Lies" and "You Don't Have to Worry," each went to number one on the Billboard R&B charts, while the fourth and final single, "Don't Go," charted at number three on the Billboard R&B. The album was later certified platinum by the RIAA.
"Hold On" was awarded a Billboard Music Award for "R&B Single of the Year," a Soul Train Award for "R&B/Urban Contemporary Single of the Year, Group, Band or Duo" and have been nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group". In 1990, En Vogue signed an endorsement deal to appear in a Diet Coke commercial directed by Spike Lee.
En Vogue's second album, Funky Divas, was released in the spring of 1992. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard R&B and ultimately doubled the take of its predecessor, going multi-platinum. The album's first two singles: "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" both went top ten pop, and peaked at number one on the R&B charts. The next single, "Free Your Mind" also went top ten. The final two singles "Give It Up Turn It Loose" and "Love Don't Love You" both were top forty hits.
The album went on to sell more than three million copies, won an American Music Award for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album," and was nominated for five Grammy Awards. The music video for "Free Your Mind" earned the group three MTV Video Music Awards for "Best Choreography," "Best Dance Video," and "Best R&B Video." They were also honored with Soul Train's prestigious "Entertainer of the Year Award." In addition to this, the group were featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Essence among other major publications. Riding high on the success of Funky Divas, a six-song EP entitled Runaway Love was released in the fall of 1993, spawning the hit "Runaway Love."
The group was signed to an endorsement deal with Converse, and were featured as an opening act on Luther Vandross' 1993 tour. Among the numerous countries toured were England, Germany, the Netherlands and France which confirmed the group's live vocal and performing prowess. However, according to an article in Vibe magazine, Vandross (by his own admission in interviews) and his entourage clashed with the members of En Vogue during the tour and he vowed never to work with them again afterwards.
En Vogue also made numerous television appearances on such series as In Living Color, A Different World, Roc and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper (the latter two of which they also sang the show's theme songs.) In 1993, En Vogue were featured vocalists on Salt-N-Pepa's top ten hit "Whatta Man", from Salt-N-Pepa's Very Necessary album. The track also appeared (slightly edited) on En Vogue's Runaway Love EP.
In 1995, En Vogue was amongst numerous female vocalists featured on the song "Freedom" for the soundtrack to Panther. Also in 1995, group member Terry Ellis recorded a solo album entitled Southern Gal, which spun off the top ten R&B single "Where Ever You Are."
In 1996, En Vogue recorded "Don't Let Go (Love)" for the soundtrack to the motion picture Set It Off. Released in the autumn, it became the group's biggest hit to date; the single peaked at number two on the Hot 100, number one on the R&B singles chart, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It, inadvertently, would also be the final En Vogue single to feature Robinson. One of Robinson's final performances with her bandmates came in October of that year, when the group sang the final National Anthem rendition in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, which came in game five of the 1996 World Series.
In response to the large commercial success of "Don't Let Go (Love)", the group steadfastly went to work on its third album. As the album was nearing completion, Robinson chose to leave the group in April 1997 after difficult contractual negotiations reached a stalemate. Despite Robinson's abrupt departure, En Vogue resolved to continue on as a trio (forcing the group to re-record some of the tracks on their forthcoming album that had originally featured her on lead vocals).
EV3, the group's third album, was released in the spring and debuted at number eight on both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard R&B charts. The first single, the Babyface-penned and produced "Whatever" went on to become a top-20 pop hit, a top ten R&B hit, while also peaking at number five on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. On August 26, 1997, the single was certified gold by the RIAA. The follow-up single "Too Gone, Too Long" (which was produced by David Foster and written by Diane Warren) performed more modestly, managing to only peak in the top forty.
Despite its being certified platinum, and the album being nominated for Grammy Award and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, sales of EV3 failed to live up to full commercial expectation. A world tour had been planned, but was canceled due to poor ticket sales. In 1998, En Vogue recorded "No Fool No More" for the soundtrack to the motion picture, Why Do Fools Fall In Love as well as a version of I Want A Monster to Be My Friend for the Elmopalooza special on ABC. The following year, a greatest hits compilation, The Best of En Vogue, was released.
In 2004, En Vogue (now composed of Ellis, Herron and Bennett) released Soul Flower on independent label 33rd Street Records. While the album failed to chart on the Billboard 200, it managed to peak at number forty-seven on the R&B charts. The albums two singles: "Losin' My Mind" and "Ooh Boy", however, failed to chart. Soon after promotion had finished on this album, Maxine Jones returned to En Vogue, turning the group back into a quartet for the first time since 1996. The group teamed with Boyz II Men for select concert dates during the summer of 2004. That same year En Vogue graced the cover of R&B Showcase magazine.
In 2005, after an eight-year absence, Robinson rejoined En Vogue. The original four went on to sign with one of the industry's largest management firms, The Firm Management Group. That September, they joined Salt N Pepa for the girl groups' first-ever joint public performance of their 1994 hit, "Whatta Man" at VH-1's Hip Hop Honors, and briefly toured. They also earned another Grammy nomination for the single "So What the Fuss", which featured Stevie Wonder and Prince (on guitar). The group also appeared in the single's music video. After failing to agree on business terms, Robinson once again chose to defect from En Vogue and Bennett returned. As a result, En Vogue was let go from The Firm. En Vogue continued to perform spot dates in North America with Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones, Cindy Herron and Rhona Bennett. This line-up also saw the group return to Europe and Japan for select concert dates. During this time, En Vogue teamed up with Belgian singer Natalia for a song called "Glamorous" where Rhona Bennett's vocals are featured. The single reached No. 2 in the Belgian charts and was followed by a DVD release of the concert, which went double platinum.
On June 24, 2008, the original lineup of En Vogue appeared on the BET Awards, performing with Alicia Keys, SWV and TLC as a tribute to girl groups of the 1990s. With speculation abuzz, En Vogue received the twenty-eighth highest number of hits on the Rock on the Net website for the month of June 2008. The following month, the group ascended to the twelfth position. As of June 30, Robinson stated via an En Vogue Yahoo! fan site that she had indeed returned to En Vogue. On August 6, the original members appeared on Los Angeles' KTLA television station and announced that they have reunited and would do spot dates around the country during the latter part of 2008. The foursome kicked off the Americana at Brand Concert Series in Glendale, California that same evening. Furthermore, En Vogue performed at the 2009 Essence Music Festival, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. They continue to tour throughout the United States. In October 2010, the band performed their first UK show in 18 years in London.
On September 26, 2011, a new single called "I'll Cry Later" was sent to select urban adult contemporary radio stations. In December 2011, Dawn Robinson left En Vogue once again.
In March 2012, a lawsuit was filed by Wells Fargo Bank against Rufftown, Inc. for breach of contract. On May 8, Cindy Herron announced on their official En Vogue Facebook page that no new album was coming out.[citation needed] En Vogue toured in 2012. In June 2012, Rhona Bennett, who was filling in for Robinson's absence announced on her Facebook page that she was in rehearsals with the group, hinting that she was once again filling in for Robinson.
In August 2012, Maxine Jones, as well as Dawn Robinson, left the group and would begin their own En Vogue with two new members and would be touring, releasing solo albums and potentially another group album. Herron and Ellis would continue to tour as En Vogue with Rhona Bennett. It was also soon announced that the members would take each other to court for use of the En Vogue name; a judge ruled that Herron and Ellis, as holders of the group's LLC, had exclusive rights to the group's name. Herron and Ellis filed suit against Jones and Robinson, demanding $1 million for unauthorized use of the name, though the damages request was ultimately determined to be without merit, as Herron and Ellis could not demonstrate harm done to the company from Jones's use of the name (although Robinson was named in the suit, she was not directly involved in the dispute, as she had surrendered her rights to use the name herself when she departed from the LLC years earlier).
In late 2012, Robinson and Jones announced that they would be starting a new group called "Heirs to the Throne". In 2013, Robinson chose not to begin a new group with Jones and joined the cast of the reality show "R&B Divas: L.A.". In early 2013, Jones began a touring with Alison Carney and Maria Freeman as her new line-up of En Vogue, entitled En Vogue to the Max.
In March 2012, a lawsuit was filed by Wells Fargo Bank against Rufftown, Inc. for breach of contract. On May 8, Cindy Herron announced on their official En Vogue Facebook page that no new album was coming out. En Vogue toured in 2012. In June 2012, Rhona Bennett, who was filling in for Robinson's absence announced on her Facebook page that she was in rehearsals with the group, hinting that she was once again filling in for Robinson.
In July 2014, Pyramid Records announced that En Vogue (Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron-Braggs, Rhona Bennett) will be recording a new studio album. Their first one in almost ten years since their last studio album Soulflower.
Runaway Love
En Vogue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Funky divas, with a cool isle stroll
Sending smooth vibes to all our great fans
It feels good to be grooving again.
Chocolate cream to me baby (so sweet to me)
Like some honey to a honey bee
I am drawn to you baby like a (strong magnet-oh!)
There is no real excuse, for take this abuse
I keep (running back, taking slack-don't know what to say or to do)
It's amazing, but I'm not crazy
I can't win it's a sin, so I feel I have to fight out
[Chorus]
Like a train on open tracks now
It's too hard to turn it back now
Feels good without a doubt yeah
Has to stop before it turns me out.
Oh I'm not qualified (to put up with games with out)
I've been hurt hard lately
(I'm not for being used) no more
Just a little lovin'
It's like a drug and I'm a drug addict
I just don't know why I just can't let go
I can't (walk away, fade away, everyday my love grows and grows)
It's cause of sickness
Or is it weakness should I cope?
Is there hope?
All I know is it's hard to go on.
[Chorus]
(High-h-h-h)Take me
Take me, take me(higher, higher)
(High-h-h-h)Oh, take me
[Chorus]
Oh, just a runaway love
Feel's good without a doubt baby
Has to stop before it turns me out.
En Vogue's Runaway Love is a song that speaks about the power of love and its ability to draw one in like a magnet. The song starts with the Funky Divas expressing their excitement and readiness to groove with their fans. They compare love to chocolate cream and honey, emphasizing its sweetness and irresistible nature. Despite being drawn to this love like a magnet, the singer laments the lack of control and the hardships that come with it. She feels abused and used, yet she keeps returning, unsure of what to do or say. The chorus speaks about the difficulties of stopping this runaway love once it has gotten started, and the need to put a stop to it before it causes any further damage.
The singer seems to be struggling with the idea of letting go of this love that she feels addicted to. She acknowledges that the love is like a drug, and she is just a drug addict. She can't seem to let go of it, and it's causing her pain. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it seems that the idea behind the song is that love can be both sweet and dangerous. It can draw us in, and it can also be hard to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you ready to roll?
Are you prepared to get started?
Funky divas, with a cool isle stroll
We are stylish and confident ladies taking a leisurely walk
Sending smooth vibes to all our great fans
We are conveying our good energy to our loyal supporters
It feels good to be grooving again.
We are happy to be dancing and being entertained once more
Chocolate cream to me baby (so sweet to me)
You are so wonderful and irresistible to me
Like some honey to a honey bee
I am instinctively attracted to you
I am drawn to you baby like a (strong magnet-oh!)
My feelings for you are intense and uncontrolled
Once I'm there, there's no turning back
Once I am invested in this relationship, I cannot go back
There is no real excuse, for take this abuse
There is no valid reason for me to tolerate mistreatment from you
I keep (running back, taking slack-don't know what to say or to do)
I keep returning to you and accepting your disrespect without knowing how to react
It's amazing, but I'm not crazy
My feelings for you are overwhelming, but I am not irrational
I can't win it's a sin, so I feel I have to fight out
I cannot overcome this conflict on my own, and I must resist it
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Like a train on open tracks now
My situation is unstoppable and uncontrollable
It's too hard to turn it back now
It is too challenging to reverse the course of events now
Feels good without a doubt yeah
I am enjoying the situation without any uncertainty
Has to stop before it turns me out.
This situation must come to an end before it has a negative impact on me
Oh I'm not qualified (to put up with games without)
I am not sufficiently experienced or skilled to handle games and dishonesty
I've been hurt hard lately
I have suffered emotional pain recently
(I'm not for being used) no more
I refuse to tolerate being taken advantage of any longer
Just a little lovin'
All I need is a small amount of affection
It's like a drug and I'm a drug addict
My love for you is addictive and overpowering
I just don't know why I just can't let go
I am unsure why I cannot move on from this situation
I can't (walk away, fade away, everyday my love grows and grows)
I cannot end this relationship, and my feelings for you are getting stronger
It's cause of sickness
My obsession with you is unhealthy
Or is it weakness should I cope?
Is it just that I am vulnerable and need to deal with it?
Is there hope?
Can this relationship be salvaged?
All I know is it's hard to go on.
All I know for certain is that it is challenging to continue this way
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
(High-h-h-h)Take me
High pitch sound effect for emphasis
Take me, take me(higher, higher)
Take me to a greater level of happiness and passion
(High-h-h-h)Oh, take me
High pitch sound effect for emphasis
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Oh, just a runaway love
This love is out of control
Feel's good without a doubt baby
Despite the chaos, it feels satisfying
Has to stop before it turns me out.
It must end before it destroys me
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENZIL FOSTER, THOMAS MCELROY, THOMAS DERRICK MC ELROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SnakeyD8468
That chant that starts at 2:56 where Dawn goes higher and higher as they other girls chant: " higher & higher"....is everything!! This might have been my favorite song from them they was unmatched vocally hands down!
@benjaminstarks4071
Agreed...they were awesome...and the way Terry is into it and then we get a side view of Maxine with her fine self!!
@lawrencescott1048
@@benjaminstarks4071 Agreed, but it was Dawn that killed this at 3:32.
@melayahgaither5972
๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ
@oscarl.ramirez7355
Nothing compares to this Band. Best of the 1990's
@DieselPurge
@@lawrencescott1048 Yep, She killed it!
@Antertainment531
They should've never broken up. That's pure unmatched harmony right there. Love EnVogue for life!!!
@ipodee78
2 pennies per album...they couldn't agree on this sad state
@lawrencescott1048
@@ipodee78 Such a contract should have been certified as 'ILLEGAL' by the Better Business Bureau.
@tanyalake9152
@@ipodee78 - Terry was messing with one of the male producers/managers and that was one of the reasons why the group split. Dawn, especially/mostly, wanted all of them to get paid more and the other ladies were too scared to speak up. Heck. If it weren't for the four of them, so-called producers/managers wouldn't have had a wealthy lifestyle. Such a shame, and it's still happening in the music industry.