In 1972, the Stewart family (which consisted of his parents, Jermaine, his sisters Norma, Sondra, Leandra, and Leanna, and finally his brother Gene) moved to Chicago, Illinois. He took his first steps towards a career in entertainment there. Stints on both American Bandstand and later Soul Train as a dancer helped to fuel his ambition.
Soon, Jermaine became a backup singer and dancer for several artists such as The Chi-Lites, The Staple Singers and Shalamar while recording backup vocals for such artists as Culture Club. He was featured prominently on the group's 1983 album Colour by Numbers and as a result the group used their influence to help him land a solo recording deal with Arista Records.
The 1986 Frantic Romantic album with the hit single "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" quickly went on to become a million seller, and a second single, "Jody" was released, the inspiration of the song being Jody Watley of Shalamar. A modest success, "Jody" reached both the U.K. and U.S. top 50. Another U.K. only single "Don't Ever Leave Me" was released, reaching number 76 on the British charts. The song was a ballad, and indicative of Jermaine's versatility in any musical style.
Jermaine's third album was probably his most successful internationally. Entitled Say It Again, the production was handled largely by André Cymone who had previously worked with Prince and Jody Watley. The result was an almost flawless collection of pop and dance funk tracks, of which almost any song could have been a successful single.
Supported by international live dates with his band, "The Party", the title track became Jermaine's second U.S. top 40 Billboard hit and also reached the R&B top 10. In the U.K., it made it all the way to number 7, helping the album into the top 40.
The next three singles all received the remix treatment from the production company behind such hits as "You Spin Me Round" by Dead Or Alive and Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." "Get Lucky," "Don't Talk Dirty To Me" and "Is It Really Love" found considerable European success, particularly Germany, where "Don't Talk Dirty To Me" was one of the biggest selling records of 1988, making the top 5.
At this point, Jermaine was highly focused on the mainstream pop market. His fourth and final album under his contract with Arista Records, What Becomes a Legend Most?, was filled with radio friendly catchy pop tunes. The first single "Tren De Amor" reached number 76 in the UK charts, while the follow-up, "Every Woman Wants To," didn't fared as well, only making it to number 95. Commercial success eluded this album, and a label change followed.
In 1992, Jermaine teamed up with Chicago producer Jesse Saunders for his last recorded work, an album for Reprise Records. Entitled Set Me Free, the album marked a return to the dance funk style of Say It Again. The title track was released as a single in the U.S., but found little success. The album remains unreleased.
He died in 1997 of liver cancer, caused by AIDS. Ironically, his hit "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" gained popularity as it was referring to the AIDS scare of the 1980s. In 2003, the song was placed by VH1 in its 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders list.
In 2005, a compilation CD celebrating Jermaine's underrated contribution to '80s R&B which included several of his hits and a few previously unreleased tracks was released by BGF Records, an Ohio record label ran by Jermaine's brother.
Jody
Jermaine Stewart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody wants Jo-DAY! Ha!
Everybody wants you, girl
Ha!
Everybody wants you, baby!
Tigers on the left, sharks on the right
Green-eyed devils burning in the night
She don't need protection, she don't have to fight
She just tried to listen, said she might
You can't explain it
Makes you weak, make your body freak, ha!
You can't contain it (No)
What she's got, man, it's much too hot!
Everybody wants a piece of Jody,
Wants a taste of the cake (Yeah)
Everybody wants some of Jody (Jody)
All the love they can take (Oh...)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody (Whoo!)
Wants a taste of the cake (Yeah)
Everybody wants some of Jody (Jody, Jody)
All the love they can take
Ow...Jody!
The way she moves her hips, it cannot be denied
She says she's gonna love you till you're dry
Your world is spinnin' 'round when you close your eyes
You'll think you must be learning how to fly
It must be voodoo
How she got you wild, walking through the fire
When she gets to you
You could lose your mind, 'cause she's so damn fine!
Everybody wants a piece of Jody
Wants a taste of the cake
Everybody wants (yeah) some of Jody (Yeah, oh, Jody)
All the love they can take (Yeah, yeah)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody
Wants a taste of the cake (Mmm-hmm, yeah)
Everybody wants some of Jody (Jody)
All the love they can take (Oh...)
Whoa, yeah!
Jody!
Jody, Jody
(Oh, yaw, yaw, yaw)
Jody, Jody
(Oh, yeah!)
(Hee-ee-ee-ee-ee)
Everybody wants you, baby
Jody, Jody
Work, work! Work, work!
(Jody, Jody)
Work, work! Work, work!
Work, work! Work, work!
(Jody, Jody)
Work, work! Work, work!
Ow!
You can't explain it (No)
Makes you weak, make your body freak, ha!
You can't contain it (No)
What she's got, man, it's much too hot!
Everybody wants a piece of Jody (Jody, baby)
Wants a taste of the cake (oh, yeah)
Everybody wants some of Jody
All the love they can take
(Everybody wants her)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody
Wants a taste of the cake (All they want)
Everybody wants some of Jody
All the love they can take
(Everybody wants)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody
Wants a taste of the cake
(They've got to have)
Everybody wants some of Jody (Yeah, yeah, ooh, Jody)
All the love they can take
(Everybody wants you, baby)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody
Wants a taste of the cake
(Everybody, everyone)
Everybody wants some of Jody (Oh, oh)
All the love they can take
(They want the icing on the cake!)
Everybody wants a piece of Jody (Jody)
Wants a taste of the cake (Oh!)
Everybody wants...
The song Jody by Jermaine Stewart speaks about a woman named Jody, who everyone desperately wants. The lyrics describe how she moves her hips and how her beauty and charm can make a person lose their mind. The song portrays several people fighting for her attention, from tigers on the left to sharks on the right, but Jody doesn't seem to need protection or doesn't have to fight. She just listens and enjoys the attention, making everyone go crazy over her. The lyrics talk about how Jody is far beyond anything anyone has seen or experienced, and the attraction towards her is inexplicable.
Jermaine Stewart uses metaphors throughout the song, describing Jody's beauty and charm in terms of cake, calling her the icing on the cake, and how everyone wants a piece of her. The song talks about how it's impossible to explain what makes Jody so attractive, but there's something about her that makes people weak and unable to contain themselves. The beat and melody of the song match the lyrics, making it a perfect disco dance number.
In summary, the song Jody is about a woman who is desired by everyone, and her charm and beauty make people go crazy for her. The song's lyrics express the inexplicable attraction people have towards her, making it a perfect disco number.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants Jody
Everyone desires to be with Jody
Everybody wants Jo-DAY! Ha!
People want Jody so much that they are excited and enthusiastic about it
Everybody wants you, girl
Everyone wants to be with you, Jody
Tigers on the left, sharks on the right
There are dangerous people around Jody that could hurt her
Green-eyed devils burning in the night
Envious people are lurking around Jody, plotting to harm her
She don't need protection, she don't have to fight
Jody is strong and doesn't require protection or assistance from anyone
She just tried to listen, said she might
Jody is willing to listen to people but hasn't made any promises
You can't explain it
Jody's attractiveness and allure cannot be described
Makes you weak, make your body freak, ha!
Jody's appeal has a physical effect on people and overwhelms them
You can't contain it (No)
Jody's energy and magnetism cannot be controlled
What she's got, man, it's much too hot!
Jody's charm and attractiveness are too intense and desirable
Everybody wants a piece of Jody,
Everyone wants to be with Jody
Wants a taste of the cake (Yeah)
People want to experience everything Jody has to offer
All the love they can take (Oh...)
People want to receive as much love as they can from Jody
The way she moves her hips, it cannot be denied
Jody's motions are so captivating that it's impossible to ignore her
She says she's gonna love you till you're dry
Jody promises to love and fulfill people until they are satisfied
Your world is spinnin' 'round when you close your eyes
Jody's presence and love make people feel dizzy and ecstatic
You'll think you must be learning how to fly
Jody's love is so intense that it feels like you're gaining a new sense or ability
It must be voodoo
Jody's charm and appeal seem like they are the result of supernatural forces
How she got you wild, walking through the fire
Jody has a way of exciting and tempting people, even in dangerous situations
When she gets to you
Jody's influence and appeal are inescapable once you've experienced them
You could lose your mind, 'cause she's so damn fine!
Jody's beauty and attractiveness are so intense that they could drive someone crazy
Everybody wants you, baby
Everyone desires to be with Jody
Work, work! Work, work!
Jody is always attracting people and making them crazy with desire
They've got to have
People feel like they need to be with Jody
They want the icing on the cake!
People want to experience all of Jody's charm, appeal, and love
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
UltraPOPDJ
No matter this man will always be an "R&B Icon" that most will not ever forget! This was another close call, it peaked at #42 on the Hot 100 and #37 on the Sales chart. I guess it was a little too "urban" for Mainstream radio at the time. Nonetheless, this cut was hot!!!
renegade runner
It sure was!
Tazzy Solomayor
still listening in 2019.He made this song about his close friend singer Jody Watley.R.i.p.Jermaine! we love you!
Juan Gomez
Such an incredible artist and such an amazing song, R.I.P Jermaine Stewart
Big Guy’s 45’s
From 1986. Nearly made the Top 40, stalling at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. A pretty good little song.
Michael Williams
I remember seeing him perform this song on "American Bandstand" in July of 1986, along with "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off"!
Erik Stone
I Love This Jermaine Stewart 1986 Music Video, "Jody," Which Became A Top 50 Hit In America.
O'Dowd Fan
A great talent.
Mominator
I heard it on mainstream radio in Houston, Texas when it came out. I liked this song, and it's still a good listen.
Pastor Randy G, Newman
I Always believed he was the most gifted eighties artist, He was a gift from the start, I was not please with the interview on Unsung did with Shalamar no one made mention of him at all the was very wrong, he was a backup singer for three years with them come on lets show some respect for Mr Jermaine Stewart