1) Enchantment was a d… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Enchantment was a doom/death metal band from Blackpool, United Kingdom. They released only a demo and 1994's full length CD called "Dance the marble naked". The band had a 6 record deal with Century Media and disbanded after one full length album.
2) Enchantment is a funk, soul, R&B band formed in Detroit. Members: Emanuel 'EJ' Johnson, David Banks, Joe 'Jobie' Thomas, Ed 'Mickey' Clanton, Bobby Green. Formed in the late 60s at Detroit's Pershing High School, Enchantment became one of the most enjoyable but underrated groups of the late 70s and early 80s. Consisting of lead singer Emanuel "EJ" Johnson, Bobby Green, Mickey Clanton, Joe Thomas and Dave Banks, Enchantment was for many years a local favorite, playing gigs in the Detroit area while hoping to ultimately score a record contract.
Enchantment had its first big break in 1976, as the group signed with the Roadshow label and recorded a debut album with young producer (and future Motown executive) Michael Stokes. Enchantment was a decent introduction to the group, but most importantly was the first showcase for Enchantment's strong harmonies and the wonderful falsetto lead vocals and songwriting skills of EJ Johnson. Johnson was more influenced by Eddie Kendricks than Philip Bailey, but in an era of falsetto lead vocalists (from Russell Thompkins of the Stylistics to Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites), his ability to both master emotional ballads and attack blistering upbeat tunes moved him to the head of the class. Enchantment's debut album boasted two top ten R&B hits, "Sunshine" and the beautiful ballad, "Gloria," both written by Johnson.
Enchantment's follow up, Once Upon a Dream, was a gem, far surpassing its predecessor. Featuring the crossover ballad "It's You That I Need" and the stepper "If You're Ready," it was, front to back, one of 1978's most listenable LPs and included both more mature group vocals and more elaborate backing work by great local Detroit musicians (including a ripping saxophone solo by Bob Seger sideman Alto Reed). Beyond the LP's hits were a slew of memorable album cuts, including "Silly Love Song" and the swing ballad "Angel In My Life." Unfortunately, while Once Upon A Dream should have thrust the group to A-list status, it became Enchantment's commercial peak. The group followed in 1979 with the solid Journey To the Land of Enchantment, and its hit, "Any Way You Want It," but problems at Roadshow Records began to affect the Enchantment's visibility and active promotion.
1980 brought the downfall of Roadshow and the group's ill-fated move to RCA's fledgling black music division. Soft Lights, Sweet Music was a disappointment, and the group quickly switched to Columbia Records, where they hoped that an affiliation with the world's largest record company would create great opportunities for increased crossover success. Unfortunately, Enchantment was lost in Columbia's monolithic organization and their two albums there died from lack of support. Their final recording, 1983's marvelous Utopia, reunited them with Michael Stokes and was a critical success (and is very much worth searching for), but barely dented the charts.
Enchantment continues to perform in multi-group Soul Music shows. EJ Johnson has also become a popular name in Gospel circles as both a writer and producer. He released his first solo CD, the impressive Totally With Me, in 1999. In 2003, Enchantment released a beautiful single version of "God Bless America" in honor of America's soldiers in Iraq (with proceeds to the United Way). The single found the group in absolutely fantastic vocal form and is worth finding both for the cause and for the quality of the music.
By Chris Rizik
The Touch Of A Crown
Enchantment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No less in pity than in glory
O creatures that are dearest to me...
...put on your crowns
I look into the sky and dream of oceans that are vast
O go to them, it is the vow of mine...
...danger lies ahead
With you my sensual queen of natural conception
Body of heavenly picture and flower
It is you that holds the secret to all our worlds
Of all your pleasures, beauty, that I taste
So true in bondage that I fresh the mind
O free my lungs that others of thought forbid
My soul has but ached,
But still I am all that's left of you
Sit my lover, upon your throne
If chains are of words, my heart is worn
O shall the voices be as pleasing as forever
And forever naked I stand amongst you
The grief that lies bleeding in me
No less in pity than in glory
O creatures that are dearest to me...
...I search in doubt
Honour, honour that I feel
I am no more worthy that I am human
Let your tongue lesh me...
...and rain, yes it shall rain
I am yours forever
The lyrics of Enchantment's song 'The Touch Of A Crown' suggest a deep feeling of sorrow and grief in the singer's heart. The opening lines "The grief that lies bleeding in me, No less in pity than in glory" convey a sense of mixed emotions. The singer is not only feeling sadness but recognizes that there is something admirable about it. There is a sense of resignation and a willingness to embrace the pain that is inherent in life as they call out to "creatures that are dearest" to them to put on their crowns. It is as if they are exhorting those they love to be strong, to rise above their pain and sadness and take control of their lives.
The following lines "I look into the sky and dream of oceans that are vast, O go to them, it is the vow of mine... danger lies ahead" suggest a sense of restlessness and a desire to escape. The singer dreams of vast oceans and urges those they love to explore the world around them. They also recognize that there may be risk involved in this, as indicated by the warning of danger. The lines "With you my sensual queen of natural conception, That your hands find the eiderdown hard, Body of heavenly picture and flower, It is you that holds the secret to all our worlds" suggest that there is someone special in the singer's life who is the key to unlocking their secrets and understanding the world. The interaction with this person brings great pleasure and enjoyment, but it is not without pain and bondage.
Line by Line Meaning
The grief that lies bleeding in me
I am consumed by sorrow and despair
No less in pity than in glory
My pain is both pitiful and powerful
O creatures that are dearest to me...
Oh beloved ones, such as friends or loved ones...
...put on your crowns
...fulfill your potential and achieve greatness
I look into the sky and dream of oceans that are vast
I am inspired by limitless possibilities
O go to them, it is the vow of mine...
I am committed to pursuing greatness and taking risks
...danger lies ahead
...despite the challenges or risks involved
With you my sensual queen of natural conception
By your side, my beloved partner who embodies femininity
That your hands find the eiderdown hard
You hold immense power and are capable of great strength
Body of heavenly picture and flower
You are beautiful and fragile, like a heavenly flower
It is you that holds the secret to all our worlds
You hold knowledge and understanding of the world we share
Of all your pleasures, beauty, that I taste
Of all the things that bring you pleasure, I love your beauty most
So true in bondage that I fresh the mind
Being with you has made me feel alive and invigorated
O free my lungs that others of thought forbid
Help me escape from others' expectations and limitations
My soul has but ached,
My spirit has been weighed down by the pain I carry
But still I am all that's left of you
But I will always cherish and celebrate you, even after you're gone
Sit my lover, upon your throne
I honor and elevate you, my love
If chains are of words, my heart is worn
My heart is heavy with the chains of emotional pain
O shall the voices be as pleasing as forever
May the sound of our voices forever be pleasing to each other
And forever naked I stand amongst you
I am vulnerable and exposed with you, forever
I search in doubt
I am uncertain and full of angst
Honour, honour that I feel
I hold you in high esteem and respect
I am no more worthy that I am human
I am flawed and imperfect, as we all are
Let your tongue lesh me...
Speak truth to me, even if it is painful or difficult
...and rain, yes it shall rain
...through the tears and the pain, life will go on
I am yours forever
I belong to you, now and always
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tasha
on Silly Love Song
Is this song silly love song about a woman or man