The origins of Fourplay trace back to a recording session where Bob James and Harvey Mason collaborated on James' album. Impressed by their musical chemistry, they decided to form a band and invited Nathan East to join them. Later, guitarist Lee Ritenour became a founding member, but when he departed in 1998, Chuck Loeb replaced him, solidifying the lineup that has remained to this day.
Fourplay released their self-titled debut album in 1991, which quickly gained popularity and achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The album showcased their exceptional musicianship and featured smooth jazz hits like "Max-O-Man" and "After the Dance." This initial success set the stage for a string of highly successful albums, including "Between the Sheets," "Elixir," and "Esprit de Four," which further solidified their reputation as one of the leading contemporary jazz acts.
Over the years, Fourplay has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Chaka Khan, El DeBarge, Anita Baker, and Eric Clapton, among others. Their live performances are known for their captivating energy and virtuosity, captivating audiences with their intricate musical interplay and improvisation.
Fourplay's enduring popularity and success in the contemporary jazz genre can be attributed to their ability to evolve while staying true to their musical roots. Their albums often blend various genres, incorporating elements of jazz, R&B, and pop, appealing to a wide range of listeners.
Tragically, on July 31, 2017, Chuck Loeb passed away after a battle with cancer, leaving a void in the band. In 2019, guitarist and vocalist Larry Carlton joined Fourplay, bringing his own exceptional talent and adding a new chapter to the group's storied history.
With their remarkable musicianship, captivating performances, and a discography spanning over three decades, Fourplay continues to be a beloved and influential force in contemporary jazz, enchanting audiences around the world with their smooth, soulful sound.
How Sweet It Is
Fourplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I close my eyes at night
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Everything was just a bore
All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
The song "How Sweet It Is" by Fourplay is a tribute to the immense love and gratitude one feels for a significant other. The lyrics express the overwhelming feeling of being in love and how it can dramatically improve one's life. The opening two lines set the tone for the rest of the song by expressing how lovely it is to be in love with someone who loves you back. The lines "I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were, I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were" suggest that the singer feels that the person they love is their safe haven.
The following lines, "With sweet love and devotion, deeply touching my emotions," convey that the love shared between the two is pure and true. The singer is extremely grateful for the other person and wants to stop and thank them for making their life so much better. The lines "You were better to me than I've been to myself, for me, there's you and nobody else" explain that the love and support this person has shown the singer is more than they could have ever done for themselves. This suggests that the love is deep, meaningful, and valuable. The chorus of the song leaves no doubt that being loved by this person is one of the sweetest things that has ever happened to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
How sweet it is to be loved by you
Expressing gratitude for the sweet love and affection received from someone special.
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
Feeling vulnerable and wanting someone to hold and comfort when feeling low, and finding them.
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
Finding someone who understands and relates to one's differing moods and emotions.
With sweet love and devotion, deeply touching my emotions
Feeling loved and cared for in a profound, meaningful way that touches one's heart and soul.
I want to stop and thank you baby
Expressing the desire to pause and show appreciation for the love and support received from a significant other.
I close my eyes at night and wonder what would I be without you in my life
Reflecting on how life would be different without the presence of a cherished loved one.
Everything was just a bore, all the things I did seemed I'd done'em before
Feeling uninspired and unfulfilled with life's activities until finding someone to bring excitement and newness.
But you brighten up for me all of my days, with a love so sweet in so many ways
Having one's outlook on life brightened and uplifted by the presence of a loving, caring partner.
You were better to me than I've been to myself, for me, there's you and nobody else
Realizing that one's partner treats them better than they treat themselves and feeling grateful for their love and commitment.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ravioli
I tried to ask my boyfriend the same but he never initiates sex unless I say something.
He will wait until the end of the night when in tired and exhausted and ask "so what do you want to do"
...I don't want to say it all the time, I want him to take control of the situation and just.. do it. But not so late in the day. It leaves me feeling so sad and unwanted all day..
I'll have a shower, shave, use aromatic oil to smell beautiful and desirable.. and then nothing. He doesn't do anything.
I'll dress up to look sexy and even try to tease him, but nothing!
I try so hard. Then he says "I love you"
But I can't bring myself to say it back when I feel so hurt and undesirable and DISGUSTING.
he makes me feel like a sex crazed ogre. I'm not over weight (not that it matters) I look pretty alright, I take care of myself, I smell good and I want to pleasure him.
But it never seems enough. I have cried so many times about it. It hurts me so bad.
I don't know what to do. I just want him to want me.
We were in a LDR for 2.5 years and finally met 5 days ago, so I thought he'd be all over me. I was wrong.
It took him 5 days just to eat me out. And the only reason he did it was because he caught me crying. He asked "what's wrong" I said "you haven't eaten me out yet". In my defense, I brought it up 4 times in the prior days.
Please help ...I feel so disgusting and pathetic.
Mark Rosenfeld
As requested by many! Here's part 2 for you ladies. Enjoy ๐
Theresa Hartley
Where is part one?
Lyn Otto
i got this,anything that you feel comfy with im ur girl,bye the way pull on it for me
Lucia Verity Arden
The best thing that we did, before even having sex, was sexting, and phone sex, because it kind of helped us to know what each other likes, what turns us on, what our fantasies are, also what we are open to trying, and definitely never want to do. It put all the cards on the table. Kept expectations realistic. Iโm not very experienced and this was one of my insecurities, so I started joking about wanting him to be my tutor and teach me how to please him and let me explore his body etc, and me be his student, and he loved that, so that took away my insecurity and made it into a bit of a roll play situation, asking him to be in charge ๐
Ravioli
I tried to ask my boyfriend the same but he never initiates sex unless I say something.
He will wait until the end of the night when in tired and exhausted and ask "so what do you want to do"
...I don't want to say it all the time, I want him to take control of the situation and just.. do it. But not so late in the day. It leaves me feeling so sad and unwanted all day..
I'll have a shower, shave, use aromatic oil to smell beautiful and desirable.. and then nothing. He doesn't do anything.
I'll dress up to look sexy and even try to tease him, but nothing!
I try so hard. Then he says "I love you"
But I can't bring myself to say it back when I feel so hurt and undesirable and DISGUSTING.
he makes me feel like a sex crazed ogre. I'm not over weight (not that it matters) I look pretty alright, I take care of myself, I smell good and I want to pleasure him.
But it never seems enough. I have cried so many times about it. It hurts me so bad.
I don't know what to do. I just want him to want me.
We were in a LDR for 2.5 years and finally met 5 days ago, so I thought he'd be all over me. I was wrong.
It took him 5 days just to eat me out. And the only reason he did it was because he caught me crying. He asked "what's wrong" I said "you haven't eaten me out yet". In my defense, I brought it up 4 times in the prior days.
Please help ...I feel so disgusting and pathetic.
stayhappylittle mermaid
Someday you'll be everything to someone, just be patient.
Pragya Tiwari
Hope so ๐
div
Maybe that's what I needed to hear.
Babylon2060
Facts!
Ms.Cookie
I agree with all of these as this is what I've done for years and it never fails. I learned this through years of living. Would've been good to have you around years ago.