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.
Out To Punish
Jermaine Stewart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're on punishment
I want to suffer
Hands down!
Shut up!
Where's my whip!
You like my hair, long and fine?
I brush it fifty times
The clothes I wear, latest design
Mm-hmm, fashion redefined
I'm ready now to state my claim
I ain't got no shame
I wonder how you complain
Those pumps are such a pain
Babe, I've seen what you're throwing down
Claim to me why you're hanging around
But obviously, you need to be
You need to be punished!
(Uh! Ow! )
I'm out to punish over you
Gonna find out what a man can do (Hee-ee! )
I'm out to punish all over you
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl)
Yeah
(Yaw, yaw, yaw)
I'm out to punish over you (Hee-ee! )
Gonna find out what a man can do (Yaw, yaw)
I'm out to punish all over you
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl)
Yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
My little flirt, how does it feel
Huh, when it gets so real?
You're just dessert to my ideal
Of a perfect meal, mmm, good!
Babe I've seen what you're throwing down
Claim to me why you're hanging around
But obviously, you need to be punished!
(Uh, uh, uh! Ow! )
I'm out to punish over you
Gonna find out what a man can do (Mm-mmm)
I'm out to punish all over you (Whoo! )
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl)
Ooh, yeah, ha, ha, ha!
I'm out to punish over you
Gonna find out what a man can do (Whoo! )
I'm out to punish all over you
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl)
Oh, yeah, yeah
(Yaw, yaw, yaw, yaw, yaw)
Oh-whoa!
(Brass solo)
Oh, babe, I've seen what you're throwing down
Claim to me why you're hanging around
But obviously, you need to be punished!
(Uh, uh, uh, uh! )
Punish over you
You're about to find out what a man can do
(Yaw, yaw, yaw)
I'm out to punish all over you
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl)
Uh-huh
(Aw, yeah! )
I'm out to punish over you
You're about to find out what a man can do
I'm out to punish all over you
You naughty girl
(You naughty girl) Uh!
You naughty girl!
(Repeat with ad-libs)
Punish, punish, punish
Ah yeah!
Talk to me baby!
Please, do it! Please, do it!
Ah, bring me my blow dryer
My hair's wet
Oh, let me do it for you
Let me blow-dry your hair a bit
Oh, let me do it, yeah!
Ah, you like my perm hair?
Ah, yes I do, baby!
I like it, it's shiny
Uh-huh!
You're on punishment
Uh!
Don't you ever do that again!
I promise, baby, okay?
Don't ever cross me!
Uh-huh!
Brrr!
Uh, it is cold in here!
I'll make it warm, yeah!
Aw, yeah!
Uh, uh, uh, oh, stop!
The song "Out To Punish" by Jermaine Stewart is a song about dominance and submission in a sexual relationship. The lyrics depict a man punishing his partner for their disobedience and infidelity. The song is filled with sexual innuendos and power play. The man refers to his partner as a "naughty girl" and talks about punishing her in a way that is sexually charged.
The lyrics also touch upon the man's obsession with his appearance and fashion. He talks about his hair being brushed fifty times and wearing the latest designer clothes. This adds to his image of being a dominant and confident man who is in control of everything around him.
Overall, the song conveys themes of power play and sexuality in a relationship. It highlights the dynamic of a dominant partner punishing their partner for their indiscretions and asserts the idea that the dominant partner is in control of everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Ow!
Expressing pain or anguish
You're on punishment
You are being punished
I want to suffer
I desire to feel pain
Hands down!
With certainty or indisputably
Oh, let it hurt!
I welcome the pain
Shut up!
Stop talking
Where's my whip!
Asking for a whip
You like my hair, long and fine?
Do you find my long, fine hair attractive?
I brush it fifty times
I groom and take care of my hair
The clothes I wear, latest design
I wear fashionable clothing
Mm-hmm, fashion redefined
Fashion has been revolutionized
I'm ready now to state my claim
I am prepared to assert my position
I ain't got no shame
I feel no guilt or remorse
I wonder how you complain
I am curious about your complaints
Those pumps are such a pain
Those high-heeled shoes are uncomfortable
Babe, I've seen what you're throwing down
I have observed your behavior and attitude
Claim to me why you're hanging around
Explain to me why you are staying here
But obviously, you need to be
Clearly, you require
You need to be punished! (Uh! Ow! )
You deserve to be disciplined
I'm out to punish over you
My motive is to punish you
Gonna find out what a man can do (Hee-ee! )
I will show you what a man is capable of
I'm out to punish all over you
I plan to discipline you completely
You naughty girl (You naughty girl)
You have been misbehaving
My little flirt, how does it feel
My dear flirtatious person, how does it feel
Huh, when it gets so real?
When it becomes intense and realistic?
You're just dessert to my ideal
You are the perfect ending to my perfect 'meal'
Of a perfect meal, mmm, good!
Complimenting the performance of the 'ideal' partner
Please, do it! Please, do it!
Please, do what I ask or request
Ah, bring me my blow dryer
Bring me my hair dryer
My hair's wet
My hair is still damp
Oh, let me do it for you
Allow me to assist you
Let me blow-dry your hair a bit
I will dry your hair for you
Ah, you like my perm hair?
Do you find my permed hair attractive?
Ah, yes I do, baby!
Yes, I find it appealing
You're about to find out what a man can do
You are going to experience what a man can do
Don't ever cross me!
Do not challenge or oppose me
Uh, it is cold in here!
Expressing feeling of coldness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY COHEN, JERMAINE STEWART, NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, PRESTON GLASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind