Riopelle began his music career in the 1960s in Los Angeles working as an independent record producer. He played drums for the The Hollywood Argyles and later signed with Screen Gems as a staff songwriter. At Screen Gems, he wrote and produced, along with Clydie King, a single called "The Thrill is Gone" (not to be confused with the one made famous by B.B. King). This exposure helped Riopelle land staff writer and producer job with Phil Spector and Lester Sills label Philles Records.
Riopelle had his first charting record as producer of "Home of the Brave," which was recorded by Bonnie & The Treasures reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1965. He later produced top 40 singles for The Parade (he was a member) and April Stevens & Nino Tempo. This led to an opportunity to work as an A&M Records producer and a role as a staff writer at Irving Music.
Riopelle produced and wrote for The Parade, Brewer & Shipley, We Five, and Shango. His songs have been covered by Leon Russell, Herb Alpert, Kenny Loggins, Rita Coolidge, Meat Loaf, and others. Jerry also wrote various pieces for Hollywood TV shows and films.
Riopelle had a large and avid fan base in Arizona during the 1970s, highlighted by his annual New Year's Eve performances at Phoenix venue Celebrity Theatre, featuring a revolving stage. Well known national acts opened for Riopelle on these occasions, including The Dixie Dregs and others.
In 2001, Riopelle invented and patented the Beamz device for creating music using lasers.
He died of complications from cancer on December 24, 2018, at the age of 77.
Talk To Me
Jerry Riopelle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just like you want to,
you say to me
just what you need to,
come tell me the truth
when you're most afraid to,
if you ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you.
You ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you, babe.
Don't waste your time
being a lady,
I won't go blind
if you go crazy,
you tell me how you feel
and there's just no need to steal,
you ever stop talking to me,
I'm gonna leave you.
You ever stop talking to me,
I'm gonna leave you.
Don't waste your time
being a lady,
I won't go blind
if you go crazy,
you tell tell me the truth
when you're most afraid to,
if you ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you
You ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you, babe.
You ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you, babe,
baby baby babe
You ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you, babe.
Oh, you ever stop talking to me
I'm gonna leave you, babe.
In Jerry Riopelle's song "Talk to Me," the singer encourages his partner to be open and honest with him, even when it's difficult. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer tells his partner that she talks to him "just like you want to" and says to him "just what you need to." He wants her to continue to communicate with him, even when it's scary, and promises to be supportive and understanding.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of communication in the relationship. The line "if you ever stop talking to me I'm gonna leave you" is repeated several times, reminding the listener of the consequences of shutting down communication. The singer values honesty and wants his partner to feel comfortable expressing herself, even if she feels "most afraid to."
The second verse repeats the message of the first, with the addition of the line "don't waste your time being a lady." This could be seen as a nod to traditional gender roles, suggesting that the singer wants his partner to be herself, rather than trying to fit into societal expectations of how a woman should behave. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus with slightly different wording, adding the word "baby" for emphasis.
Overall, the song is a plea for open communication and honesty in a relationship. The singer wants his partner to feel comfortable sharing her feelings with him, even if they're difficult to express. He emphasizes the importance of continuing to talk to each other to maintain a healthy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk to me just like you want to,
You speak your mind freely around me.
You say to me just what you need to,
You don't hold back in expressing what you want from me.
Come tell me the truth when you're most afraid to,
Confide in me with your deepest fears and secrets.
If you ever stop talking to me I'm gonna leave you.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
Don't waste your time being a lady,
Don't feel the need to act proper or reserved around me.
I won't go blind if you go crazy,
You can be yourself and act wildly without fear of judgement from me.
You tell me how you feel and there's just no need to steal,
Be honest with me about your emotions, and there's no need to hide or cheat in our relationship.
You ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
You ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
You ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you, babe.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
You ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you, babe.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
Baby baby babe,
Affectionate pet names expressing my love for you.
You ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you, babe.
Our relationship depends on honest communication, and if you stop, I will end it.
Oh, you ever stop talking to me, I'm gonna leave you, babe.
The importance of communication cannot be stressed enough in our relationship.
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Naomi Riopelle
on So Young
the correct line is "I'll see love as a dream and I'll never wake up"