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.
Yes I
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you ready
I don't even know how to love you
Just the way you want me to
But I'm ready to love, yes, I'm ready to love
To fall in love, to fall in love
To fall in love right now
I don't even know how to hold your hand
Just to make you understand
Ooh, but I'm ready to love you, yes, I'm ready to love
To hold your hand make you understand
To hold your hand right now
I don't even know how to kiss your lips
At a moment like this
Ooh, but I'm going to learn how to do
All the things you want me to
Ooh, I'm ready, yes I'm ready
Are your ready, yes I'm ready
To fall in love, to fall in love
To fall in love right now, ooh
Are you ready
Yes I'm ready
Are you ready
Ooh yes, I'm ready
Ooh, to kiss you
To love you
To hold you
Baby I'm ready
Girl I'm so ready, ready, ready, ready, yeah
To love you, to hold you, to squeeze you girl
I don't even know how but I'm willing to learn, baby yeah
Are you ready?
I'm ready, I'm ready
Are you ready
I'm ready
In Jeffrey Osborne's classic track "Yes I'm Ready," he speaks of a lover he feels ill-prepared for in the opening lines, "I don't even know how to love you, Just the way you want me to." He admits his inexperience in love but assures his lover that he is willing and ready to learn, to hold her hand and make her understand, to kiss her lips, and to do all the things she wants him to. The song's message is one of vulnerability and a willingness to learn for the sake of love. Osborne delivers the lyrical content with emotion, creating a sentimental and touching ballad that speaks to audiences.
The song's melody is made up of mellow and soulful guitar and keyboard instrumentals that provide a smooth backdrop for Osborne's vocals. Osborne's voice is incredible, providing his delivery with a dose of emotion that perfectly matches the lyrics' sentiment. The song follows a simple yet effective song structure, leading the listener on a journey through the singer's evolution from being inexperienced in love to being ready to fall in love. Overall, the song is a heartfelt love letter that delivers a tender sentiment to the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Are you ready
Asking if the person is ready for what is to come
I don't even know how to love you
Acknowledging the lack of knowledge and experience in loving the person
Just the way you want me to
Realizing the importance of meeting the person's expectations in love
But I'm ready to love, yes, I'm ready to love
Expressing willingness and readiness to learn and experience love
To fall in love, to fall in love
Desiring to experience and be a part of a romantic relationship
To fall in love right now
Wanting to start the romantic relationship immediately
I don't even know how to hold your hand
Recognizing the lack of knowledge and experience in physical intimacy
Just to make you understand
Emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in physical intimacy
To hold your hand make you understand
Expressing willingness and readiness to learn and experience physical intimacy
To hold your hand right now
Desiring to start physical intimacy immediately
I don't even know how to kiss your lips
Acknowledging the lack of knowledge and experience in kissing
At a moment like this
Referring to the present moment of romantic opportunity
Ooh, but I'm going to learn how to do
Expressing determination and willingness to learn and experience kissing and other expressions of intimacy
All the things you want me to
Acknowledging the importance of meeting the person's expectations in physical intimacy
Ooh, I'm ready, yes I'm ready
Affirming the readiness and eagerness to experience romantic love and physical intimacy
Are your ready, yes I'm ready
Asking if the person is also ready for romantic love and physical intimacy
To fall in love, to fall in love
Reiterating the desire to experience and be a part of a romantic relationship
To fall in love right now, ooh
Reiterating the desire to start the romantic relationship immediately
Ooh yes, I'm ready
Affirming the readiness and eagerness for romantic love and physical intimacy
Ooh, to kiss you
Expressing desire and readiness to experience kissing and other expressions of intimacy
To love you
Desiring to experience romantic love and express love to the person
To hold you
Desiring to experience physical intimacy, such as hugging and cuddling
Baby I'm ready
Reiterating the readiness and willingness to experience romantic love and physical intimacy
Girl I'm so ready, ready, ready, ready, yeah
Reiterating the eagerness and determination to experience romantic love and physical intimacy
To love you, to hold you, to squeeze you girl
Desiring to experience and express physical and emotional intimacy
I don't even know how but I'm willing to learn, baby yeah
Acknowledging the lack of knowledge and experience, but expressing the willingness and eagerness to learn and experience romantic love and physical intimacy
Are you ready?
Asking again if the person is ready for what is to come
I'm ready, I'm ready
Affirming the readiness and eagerness for romantic love and physical intimacy
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BARBARA MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Omen
Not many artist can remake classic songs. But My man Jeffery did his thing on this one👍👍👍
Kelly Hicks
The Omen love
Angela Zee
His voice is heavenly! 🎤🎶💃❤
Landon Rhodes
Never ever get tired of hearing this song ! Especially when one of our all times greats performs it !!!!! Jeffery has one of the most beautiful voices in the world !!!!!! He can really sing some ballads !!!! ❤❤❤
Zina Rhone
Wow! Mr. Osborne...I loved this song since I was a girl <3 my adult heart thanks you for this version.
Penny Lovelace
Love This ❤
Ernestine Hayden
One of my favorites! The challenges and Obstacles one is willing to face all because of the power of love!!
Mauricio Antonio Rojas
Adoro esta canción!!!
Jeff Anderson
This song reminds of time. When you done washed the car let the top back cleaned up and buy some flowers and tell her tonight we hitting the town. Grownfolks style
lblayde
Thx for the idea , its Saturday I'm a do the thang 2021