Evelyn King was born on July 1, 1960, in New York, New York, and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is one of eight children. Her uncle Avon Long had played the part of Sportin' Life in the first Broadway revival of Porgy and Bess and worked with Lena Horne at the Cotton Club. Her father sang back-up for groups at Harlem's Apollo Theater. Her mother managed a group called Quality Red.
King was discovered as a young woman while working with her mother at Philadelphia International Records as an office cleaner. Producer Theodore T. Life overheard her singing in a washroom and began coaching her. She was eventually signed to a production deal with Life's Galaxy Productions and a recording contract with RCA Records.[5]
In 1990, King married smooth jazz guitarist Freddie Fox. In 1997, she lost three family members to various illnesses. In 1987 her daughter Johnniea was born with brain damage and other health problems, dying two years later.[6]
Career
If You Want My Lovin'
Evelyn "Champagne" King Lyrics
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You talk about me all the time
She says you want my lovin'
I'm gonna lay it on the line
You got to give me some emotion
Sweet love and true devotion to win my love
'Cause I've got a premonition
At least I hope that's what you're dreaming of
If you want my lovin'
Gonna give you all my love tonight
If you want my kissin'
Tonight it's all right
It's all right
Tonight is the night
Is the night
Yeah
I never thought somebody
Could turn me inside out again
But when you kiss and hug me
I can't deny, I won't pretend
That I've got my own ambition
And I've made a love decision, it's you I need
Each day my love grows stronger
I can't hold back any longer
You've got to give your love to me
If you want my lovin'
Gonna give you all my love tonight
If you want my kissin'
Tonight it's all right
It's all right
Tonight is the night
Is the night
If you want my lovin'
Gonna give you all my love tonight
If you want my kissin'
Tonight it's all right
It's all right
Tonight is the night
Is the night
Tonight it's all right
It's all right
Tonight is the night
Is the night
Tonight it's all right
It's all right
Tonight is the night
Is the night
In "If You Want My Lovin'" by Evelyn "Champagne" King, she begins by referencing a friend that tells her that the person she's singing to is always talking about her. She emphasizes that she is going to "lay it on the line," meaning that she will be upfront about what she wants from a romantic relationship. The lyrics go on to say that in order to win her love, the person needs to give her "emotion, sweet love and true devotion." It's clear that she has a premonition, or a strong feeling, that she is the person the other party dreams of being with.
As the song progresses, King sings about how surprised she is that someone could turn her "inside out again." She admits that she won't pretend that she doesn't want this person's love and emphasizes that she has made a love decision and the person she needs is the one she is singing to. The lyrics then turn to a more exuberant tone as King proclaims that if the person wants her love, she's going to give it to them all night, signaling a willingness to fully commit to a romantic relationship.
It's clear that King is seeking an emotionally fulfilling relationship full of love and commitment. She is willing to give all of herself to the person she sings to, but expects the same in return. The song ultimately serves as a declaration of love that is passionate and sincere.
Line by Line Meaning
I have a friend who tells me
I heard from a friend that you talk about me all the time
She says you want my lovin'
My friend says you're interested in me romantically
I'm gonna lay it on the line
I'm going to be upfront and honest with you about my feelings
You got to give me some emotion
You need to show me that you have strong feelings for me
Sweet love and true devotion to win my love
Showing me sweetness, love and loyalty will help you win my heart
'Cause I've got a premonition
I have a feeling or foreboding about what might happen
To possess me is your mission
Your goal or objective is to be with me
At least I hope that's what you're dreaming of
I hope this is what you want and are thinking about
If you want my lovin'
If you want to be with me romantically
Gonna give you all my love tonight
I'll give you my full attention and affection tonight
If you want my kissin'
If you want to kiss me romantically
Tonight it's all right
Tonight is the perfect time for us to be together
It's all right
It's okay, everything is good
Tonight is the night
Tonight is the right time for us to be together
I never thought somebody
I never expected someone
Could turn me inside out again
Could make me feel vulnerable and emotional again
But when you kiss and hug me
But when you show me physical affection
I can't deny, I won't pretend
I can't hide my true feelings or pretend to be indifferent
That I've got my own ambition
I have my own goals and aspirations
And I've made a love decision, it's you I need
I've decided to pursue a romantic relationship with you
Each day my love grows stronger
My feelings for you are getting stronger every day
I can't hold back any longer
I can no longer resist my feelings for you
You've got to give your love to me
You need to reciprocate my feelings and show me your love
Tonight it's all right
Tonight is the perfect time for us to be together
It's all right
It's okay, everything is good
Tonight is the night
Tonight is the right time for us to be together
Contributed by Elena C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.