Jackson was trained as a gospel singer from an early age, singing at the White Rock Baptist Church. There he met Paul Laurence, who would later become his record producer and songwriting partner. After completing school, Jackson joined Laurence's group LJE (Laurence-Jones Ensemble) and played the New York nightclub scene. During the early 1980s, Jackson moved to the West Coast and sang lead with the R&B band 'Mystic Merlin', but soon returned to New York to work with Laurence at the Hush Productions company. He sang on demo recordings of Laurence's compositions, and also served as a backing singer for Melba Moore after she saw his nightclub act.
In 1985, Jackson landed a recording contract with Capitol Records, and issued his debut album, Rock Me Tonight. The Laurence-penned title track stormed the R&B charts, spending six weeks at number one, and made Jackson an instant hit on urban contemporary radio. "You Are My Lady" gave him a second straight R&B chart-topper, and also proved to be his highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 13. With "He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)" and "Love Is Just a Touch Away" also hitting the R&B Top Ten, Rock Me Tonight topped the R&B album chart and went platinum. Jackson issued the follow-up Just Like the First Time 1986, on the heels of a number one R&B duet with Melba Moore, "A Little Bit More" (from her album A Lot of Love). Another platinum seller, Just Like the First Time continued Jackson's dominance of the R&B singles charts; "Tasty Love," "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," and "Jam Tonight" all hit number one, while "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love" went to number two.
The pace of Jackson's success slowed with the 1988 release of Don't Let Love Slip Away, which nonetheless featured another R&B chart-topper in "Hey Lover", plus further hits in "Nice and Slow" and "Crazy (For Me)". The title track of 1990's Do Me Again duplicated that feat, and "Main Course" just missed, topping out at number two. Even so, Jackson's earlier placings in the lower reaches of the Hot 100 had long since disappeared, and some critics charged that his albums were growing too similar to one another. Perhaps it was a lack of distinctiveness in his material that hurt Jackson's chances for a pop breakthrough; whatever the case, 1992's Time for Love failed to duplicate the crossover success Luther Vandross was belatedly enjoying, despite a hit cover of the soul classic "Me and Mrs. Jones."
Seeking a new beginning, Jackson parted ways with Capitol in late 1993, and signed with RCA. His label debut, Here It Is, appeared the following year, with diminished commercial returns -- in part because his straightforward romantic ballad style was increasingly out of step with the sexually explicit, new breed of R&B crooner. Following a Christmas album, Jackson split with RCA and recorded Private Party for the much smaller Street Life imprint in 1995. Several years of silence ensued, until Orpheus issued Life After 30 in late 1999; the equally low-key release Live in Concert followed in 2000. After returning to the charts with It's Your Move in February 2004, Jackson released his tenth studio album, Transitions, in September 2006 under the record label Orpheus Music.
More Than Friends
Freddie Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ayee, Ayee)
we are more
(more than friends)
we are more
love this way again
(we are)
We are more than friends
Finally, you're my lady
Girl you don't know
how you mean the whole world to me
Can't believe that you're my baby
Was longing for you so patiently
Its funny how you when you get what say
Cause when you know your gift
(Is when it comes your way)
ooohh
How you help me get over my pain
Cause your in my life
And we're more than friends
Yes we are
We are more than friends
(we are more)
I'll love this way again
(We are)
So much more than friends
(we are more)
So let this new found love begin
I won' t lie
baby your so special
Girl all I know
Is you put S in my soul
Hear my heart
Beat for two
(pulling me closer)
Closer to you
Was it me or was I just dreaming
There was a time when your were not in my life
(oohh)
How you help me get over my pain
Cause your in my life and we're more than friends
Yes we are
We are more than friends
(we are more)
I'll never love this way again
(never love this way again baby naw)
We are
(So much more than friends)
More than friends
We are more
So let this new found love begin
Know I love You babe
Really gotta have you babe
(ooh baby)
You know I need you babe
Really gotta have you babe
(shooky na)
Know I want you babe
Really gotta have you babe
Know I need You babe
Just you and me
AYYYYYYYEEEEE
Yes we are
We're more (than friends)
We are more
Love this way again (ooo)
(baby baby I)
More than friends
We are more
So let this new found love begin
(I've been longing for you babe)
(I've been longing for you babe you babe)
(yea,yea,yea,yea,yea)
We are
(ayyye baby)
In the song "More Than Friends," Freddie Jackson sings about a romantic relationship between two people who have transitioned from being just friends to something more. He emphasizes the depth of their love by stating that they are more than friends and that this love is something he has been longing for. The lyrics paint a picture of a love-filled with joy and relief as he had been quite patient and longing for this moment.
The first verse starts with the acknowledgment that there is something more between them than just friendship. The chorus, which repeats the words "we are more than friends," emphasizes this point, and Freddie sings about how happy he is to finally have the woman he loves in his life. He sings about how she has helped him heal and move on from his past pain, and how their love has made him whole.
In the second verse, he speaks directly to his lover, calling her "so special" and acknowledging that she has brought light and joy into his life. He talks about how his heart beats for her and how he feels like they are meant to be together. The song concludes with him expressing his love and affection for her, telling her that he needs her, wants her, and really loves her.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes we are
Acknowledging that they are in a relationship
(Ayee, Ayee)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
we are more
Emphasizing the depth of their relationship beyond just being friends
(more than friends)
Repeating the fact that they are more than friends
we are more
Repeating the line to emphasize their relationship's depth
love this way again
Expressing happiness for finding love again
(we are)
Reminding the listener that they are more than friends
We are more than friends
Affirmation of the depth of their relationship
(we are more)
Reiteration of their relationship's depth
Finally, you're my lady
Acknowledging that he finally found his significant other
Girl you don't know
Stating that she doesn't comprehend how important she is to him
how you mean the whole world to me
Expressing the depth of his feelings towards her
Can't believe that you're my baby
Expressing disbelief in finally being in a relationship with her
Was longing for you so patiently
Stating that he waited for her patiently
Its funny how you when you get what say
Expressing that it's amusing how life works out sometimes
Cause when you know your gift
Stating that sometimes things happen as they are supposed to happen
(Is when it comes your way)
Reiterating that things happen as they are meant to happen
ooohh
Adlibs with no significant meaning
How you help me get over my pain
Expressing gratitude for her role in helping him overcome his emotional pain
Cause your in my life
Stating that she is a significant part of his life
And we're more than friends
Reiterating that they are in a romantic relationship
(We are)
Affirmation of their relationship
We are more than friends
Reiteration of the depth of their relationship beyond friendship
(we are more)
Emphasizing the fact that they are more than just friends
I won' t lie
Stating that he will be truthful
baby your so special
Expressing how unique and significant she is to him
Girl all I know
Stating that he is sure of his feelings towards her
Is you put S in my soul
Stating that she brings happiness and fulfillment to his life
Hear my heart
Stating that his feelings come from the heart
Beat for two
Stating that they share strong emotional connection
(pulling me closer)
Expression of a desire to be closer to her
Closer to you
Affirmation of his desire to be close to her
Was it me or was I just dreaming
Expression of disbelief that he is in a relationship with her
There was a time when your were not in my life
Stating that she has a significant impact on his life
(oohh)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
Yes we are
Acknowledging that they are in a relationship
We are more than friends
Reiterating the depth of their relationship
(we are more)
Emphasizing that they are more than just friends
I'll never love this way again
Expressing that he never wants to lose her again
(never love this way again baby naw)
Reiterating that he is committed to the relationship and it means a lot to him
So much more than friends
Reiterating the depth of their relationship
More than friends
Emphasizing the fact that their relationship is deeper than friendship
We are more
Reiterating the depth of their relationship
So let this new found love begin
Expressing happiness and enthusiasm for their new relationship
Know I love You babe
Stating that he loves her
Really gotta have you babe
Stating that he desires to be with her
(ooh baby)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
You know I need you babe
Stating that he needs her in his life
Know I want you babe
Stating that he has a strong desire for her
Just you and me
Affirmation that their relationship is significant
AYYYYYYYEEEEE
Adlibs with no significant meaning
We are more (than friends)
Reiterating that their relationship is deeper than friendship
We are more
Emphasizing the depth of their relationship
Love this way again (ooo)
Affirmation of his happiness for having found love again
(baby baby I)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
More than friends
Emphasizing that their relationship is deeper than friendship
We are more
Reiteration of the depth of their relationship
So let this new found love begin
Reiterating his excitement for their new relationship
(I've been longing for you babe)
Stating that he has been waiting for her
(I've been longing for you babe you babe)
Reiterating that he has been waiting for her
(yea,yea,yea,yea,yea)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
We are
Acknowledging that they are in a relationship
(ayyye baby)
Adlibs with no significant meaning
Writer(s): Darrell C. Spencer Copyright: Stepping Into The Blue Music
Contributed by Addison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.