Taylor began his recording career with 1983's GT, a solid pop/soul album that featured the mid-tempo cut "Just What I Had In Mind." While the album was not a hit, Taylor showed his talent as both a songwriter and producer, and was soon finding work writing for such artists as Anita Baker ("Good Love"), the Whispers ("Just Gets Better With Time") and Carl Anderson ("I'm No Stranger"). It was five years before he would release his sophomore disc, Compassion, on Virgin Records. It again failed to reach a large audience, and the experience convinced Taylor to pursue his recording career as an independent recording artist -- long before the emergence of the internet allowed independents to reach new levels of acceptance.
Over the next decade and a half Taylor created the template for a successful independent singing career through his half dozen releases on his Morning Crew Records. He also continued writing for other great artists, including Lalah Hathaway, Vanessa Williams and Grover Washington, Jr.
Known primarily for writing songs of love and relationships, Taylor departed from that mold with his 2006 release Retro Blackness, his most socially charged release that examines African American culture. As Taylor put it, the disc is a "soulful music celebration and heartfelt contemplation of a people and a culture."
By Chris Rizik
Check here: http://www.thesoulofamsterdam.com/gary-taylor-biography-discography.htm and http://www.soultracks.com/gary_taylor.htm
Take Control
Gary Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where I am safe
from all the complications
love forever puts me through
Nowhere do I run because my heart
is so connected
to this thing in life I've somehow
grown accustomed to
to have the things I want
but many times I end up
on forbidden paths
It's you I need to show me where to go
and what to do
because it feels like my direction
will never last
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
take control of my mind (honey)
Take control
teach me how to love you right
Walk me beyond the walls that serve
as my protection,
open up my eyes to see
the love in you
Let me learn to grow
within the arms of your affection,
show me how to do the things that lovers do
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
take control of my mind (honey)
Take control
teach me how to love you right
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
take control of my mind (honey)
Take control
teach me how to love you right
If it feels like what I ask of you
is just a bit too much,
please understand just what I'm going through
For the first time in my life
I admit to giving up,
and I'm so afraid of losing you
Walk me beyond the walls that serve
as my protection,
open up my eyes to see
the love in you
Let me learn to grow
within the arms of your affection,
show me how to do the things that lovers do
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
take control of my mind (honey)
Take control
teach me how to love you right
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
take control of my mind (sugar)
Take control
teach me how to love you right
Take control
take control of my heart (baby)
Take control
show me how to get it started
Take control
Gary Taylor's song "Take Control" is about a person's desire to have someone guide and teach them to love properly. The lyrics reveal the struggle of the singer to navigate the complexity of love, with all the complications it presents, and the desire to find a safe space. The singer reveals a readiness to hand over control and be led by the person they love. The phrase "take control" is repeated throughout the lyrics as an appeal to the loved one to take charge and guide, not just their heart but their mind as well. The song touches on vulnerability and the fear of losing the loved one, but at the same time, it also expresses hope for the future. The singer expresses the willingness to surrender control over their heart, mind, and love life to the loved one, in anticipation of a better love experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep inside my mind there lies a place
There's a part of my mind that's safe and sheltered
where I am safe
A place where I feel secure
from all the complications
Free from the complexities of love
love forever puts me through
The challenges that come with love
Nowhere do I run because my heart
I can't escape because my heart is tied to love
is so connected
My heart is firmly attached to love
to this thing in life I've somehow
This aspect of life that I've become accustomed to
grown accustomed to
I'm used to the ups and downs of love
Doors are always opening for me
Opportunities frequently present themselves
to have the things I want
To get what I desire
but many times I end up
Though often I find myself
on forbidden paths
Straying down the wrong path
It's you I need to show me where to go
I require your guidance and direction
and what to do
To show me the right way and actions to take
because it feels like my direction
It seems like I'm going nowhere
will never last
And that my path is temporary
Take control
You take charge
take control of my heart (baby)
Direct and guide my emotional feelings
Take control
You take charge
show me how to get it started
Help me begin this journey
Take control
You take charge
take control of my mind (honey)
Guide and direct my thoughts
Take control
You take charge
teach me how to love you right
Show me the proper way to love you
Walk me beyond the walls that serve
Lead me beyond my protections
as my protection,
That safeguard me from hurt and pain
open up my eyes to see
Let me see clearly
the love in you
The love that you possess
Let me learn to grow
Help me develop
within the arms of your affection,
In your loving embrace
show me how to do the things that lovers do
Teach me how to love someone the right way
If it feels like what I ask of you
If what I'm asking is too much
is just a bit too much,
If it seems unachievable
please understand just what I'm going through
Please sympathize with my struggles
For the first time in my life
This is the first time ever
I admit to giving up,
I confess that I'm quitting
and I'm so afraid of losing you
I fear losing your love and support
sugar
Affectionate term of address
Contributed by Alexandra E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.