Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.
Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight, Aymuk, and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work.
My One and Only Love
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics
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Like an April breeze on the wings of Spring
And you appear in all your splendor
My one and only love
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
In the hush of night while you're in my arms
I feel your lips so warm and tender
The touch of your hand is like heaven
A heaven that I've never known
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own
You fill my aching heart with such desire
Every kiss sets my soul on fire
I give myself in sweet surrender
My one and only love
In this song, Jeffrey Osborne portrays an intense and pure love as he sings about his one and only love. The first stanza sets the tone for the song as he compares the mere thought of his love to an April breeze, which signifies freshness and renewal, and brings joy to his heart like a melody. He then describes his love as being full of splendor, which suggests that his lover is a source of admiration and inspiration to him.
The second stanza describes the magical moments he shares with his lover in the quiet of the night. It is a time where they are both enveloped in each other's embrace while the shadows of the night spread their mystic charms. Osborne’s sensory imagery of feeling his lover's warm and tender lips and the touch of her hand being akin to heaven, adds to the emotional depth of the song. The final stanza talks about the intense passion he feels for his lover, his heart aches with desire and every kiss sets his soul on fire. He then gives himself in sweet surrender to his one and only love.
In summary, the song portrays the beauty of finding that one true love that fills one's heart with an abundance of love and warmth, and makes everything else fade into insignificance. Osborne's lyrics are deeply emotional and create vivid imagery, that wholly captures the feeling of being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
The very thought of you makes my heart sing
Thinking of you fills me with immense joy and happiness.
Like an April breeze on the wings of Spring
Your presence is refreshing and invigorating like the spring breeze.
And you appear in all your splendor
When you are around, you radiate beauty and grace.
My one and only love
You are the only one I love and cherish in this world.
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
As darkness falls, it creates an enchanting atmosphere.
In the hush of night while you're in my arms
In the quiet of the night, I hold you in my embrace.
I feel your lips so warm and tender
Your soft and warm lips make me feel loved and cherished.
My one and only love
You are the only one I love and cherish in this world.
The touch of your hand is like heaven
When you touch me, it feels like I have entered paradise.
A heaven that I've never known
The ecstasy and bliss that your touch brings is beyond any experiences I've had before.
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Your cheeks turn pink when I speak to you, indicating that you love me.
Tells me that you are my own
Your blushing cheeks tell me that you belong to me.
You fill my aching heart with such desire
Being with you and loving you fills the emptiness in my heart with immense love and passion.
Every kiss sets my soul on fire
When we kiss, it feels like my soul is ignited with a burning desire for you.
I give myself in sweet surrender
I submit myself to you completely, giving you all my love.
My one and only love
You are the only one I love and cherish in this world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy B. Wood, Robert Mellin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind