Bristol and singing partner Jackey Beavers recorded two singles in 1959 for Anna Records, a label owned by Gwen Gordy (Berry Gordy's sister) and Billy Davis and four 45s for Gwen Gordy and Harvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi label, none of which was a success beyond the Midwestern United States.
Recorded in the early 1960s for Harvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi label in Detroit, Michigan as "Johnny & Jackey". When Tri-Phi was absorbed by Motown in the mid-1960s, Bristol became Fuqua's songwriting and production partner, working on material for Motown artists such as Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell ("If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"), Edwin Starr ("Twenty-Five Miles"), David Ruffin ("My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me"), and others. On his own, Bristol produced hits such as "Someday We'll Be Together" for Diana Ross and the Supremes and "I Don't Want to Do Wrong" and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" for Gladys Knight and the Pips.
When Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1972, Bristol moved over to MGM Records, where he resumed his career as a recording artist. He released several successful R&B hits, among them "You and I" (1974), and "Leave My World" (1975), as well as the top ten pop hit "Hang In There Baby" (1974). Bristol continued his career a a solo artist and an independent producer into the early 1990s. Bristol's last releases were a 12" single in 1991 for Whichway Records, "Come to Me", and an album, Life & Love, released for the Japanese market in 1993. The latter included Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's The Way I Feel About You" as a duet with his daughter, Shanna J. Bristol. The album received a US release three years later under the title Come To Me.
He died at the age of 65 in his home in Michigan in 2004.
Hang on in there baby!
Johnny Bristol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hang on in there baby
Give me love tonight
Don't be afraid baby
You know we can't help but make it oh my love
You know we can't help but make it
Now that we've caressed a kiss so warm and tender
Oh we'll hear the thunder roar, feel the lightning strike
At a point we'll both decide to meet at the same time tonight
Hang on in there baby, hang on in there darling
I'm gonna give you more than you ever dreamed possible
Don't be afraid baby sweet virgin of the world
You know we can't help but make it
Because there's true love between us girl
Hmmm! so let us touch that cloud that everyone dreams of
Oh we're almost there darling truly making love
Hang on in there baby, please don't let me down
Please don't destroy this new joy
What's that now baby, what's that you say
Something's eating at you and it's hard to get away
Oh don't fight it baby just open up the door
Because that's the key to the freedom that we've both been working for
Let it go baby, let it go darling, oh! right there, right there
Baby don't you move it don't you dare
Go baby let it go honey oh right there baby don't you move it anywhere
Give it a stand (x3) up now fashion
Give it a jump (x3) up
Give it a jam (x3) give it a pull
Give me a love (x2) give me a little love
Hang on in there baby, hang on in there darling
Hang on in there now
I'm gonna give you more than you ever dreamed possible
Hang on in there darling
Hang on in there baby hang on in there baby
Please don't let me down hold it down
Please don't destroy this new joy
New joy we've found, new joy we've found
The lyrics to Johnny Bristol's song "Hang on in There Baby" are a celebration of true love and intimacy. The song discusses the anticipation of a sweet moment of surrender with a partner, the excitement of physical intimacy, and the importance of letting go of past hurt and opening oneself up to a new joy. The repeated refrain of "hang on in there baby" emphasizes the idea that true love requires patience, dedication, and resilience.
The song builds with a sense of urgency and excitement, particularly in the lines "Oh we'll hear the thunder roar, feel the lightning strike/At a point we'll both decide to meet at the same time tonight." These lines suggest that the passion and connection between the two lovers is so powerful that it is akin to a natural force like a thunderstorm. The lyrics also allude to the idea that love between two people can unlock a sense of freedom, as seen in the lines "Because that's the key to the freedom that we've both been working for."
Line by Line Meaning
Hmmm! Hmmm! Yeah! Oh! Baby! Hmmm!
The singer expresses his excitement and anticipation for what is about to happen.
Hang on in there baby
Keep going, don't give up in the face of difficulty.
Give me love tonight
The singer is asking for affection in the present moment.
Don't be afraid baby
There is no need to feel scared, everything will be okay.
You know we can't help but make it oh my love
The singer is confident that they will succeed in their pursuit of love.
Now that we've caressed a kiss so warm and tender
After sharing a loving embrace, the singer is excited for what is to come.
I can't wait till we reach that sweet moment of surrender
The singer is eagerly anticipating the moment when they both give themselves to the experience.
Oh we'll hear the thunder roar, feel the lightning strike
The passion between the two lovers is so strong that it feels like a natural disaster is taking place.
At a point we'll both decide to meet at the same time tonight
The lovers will come together in harmony when the time is right.
Hang on in there baby, hang on in there darling
The singer is urging their partner to continue on this journey with them.
I'm gonna give you more than you ever dreamed possible
The singer promises to exceed their partner's expectations.
Don't be afraid baby sweet virgin of the world
The singer reassures their partner that they will be gentle and kind with them.
Because there's true love between us girl
The singer believes that there is a genuine emotional connection between them.
Hmmm! so let us touch that cloud that everyone dreams of
The singer wants to achieve a level of joy and ecstasy that is rare and special.
Oh we're almost there darling truly making love
They are very close to experiencing a profound physical and emotional connection.
Please don't let me down
The singer is asking their partner not to disappoint them.
Please don't destroy this new joy
The singer fears that their newfound happiness may be fleeting.
What's that now baby, what's that you say
The singer is asking their partner what is worrying them.
Something's eating at you and it's hard to get away
Their partner is struggling with something that is causing them distress.
Oh don't fight it baby just open up the door
The singer urges their partner to be vulnerable and share their feelings.
Because that's the key to the freedom that we've both been working for
By opening up, they can both achieve a sense of liberation and release.
Let it go baby, let it go darling, oh! right there, right there
The singer encourages their partner to release their worries and be present in the moment.
Baby don't you move it don't you dare
The singer wants their partner to stay present and not let their worries take over.
Give it a stand (x3) up now fashion
The singer is giving instructions for a dance or sensual movement.
Give it a jump (x3) up
The singer is continuing their instructions for movement.
Give it a jam (x3) give it a pull
The singer is urging their partner to get physical and enjoy themselves.
Give me a love (x2) give me a little love
The singer is asking for affection and intimacy.
Hang on in there baby, hang on in there darling
The singer repeats their earlier plea for their partner to stick with them.
Hang on in there now
They reiterate the need to persevere through any difficulties.
New joy we've found, new joy we've found
The singer is celebrating the happiness they have discovered together.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Bristol
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dorismoore2943
Fantasy Manπβ€
@fredajordan5704
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@SylviaCunningham-pc7gx
Just feel blessed to have experienced the 70s, and still be around π
@terrymelia7959
How true. Only now do we realize how lucky we were to have all this fill our souls.
@davidgoveia8613
Thanks ........Fully Agree
@jackiesharp669
Heck he is handsome. One of my favourite songs and I never knew what he looked like.
@denisethomas4296
ladies age 50 to ill say 65 how many agree that Johnny Bristol was 1 tall brown beautiful man never say n back n the 70s just recently a saw the man behind music n i must say he was georgous. my lord. they dont make them like that anymore
@azraiqbal9245
Totally agree!!
@Suzyfromtheblock
Absolutely I would say that he was charming so unpretentious and an extremely handsome man πππππππ
@themajicman745
He was married to one of Barry Gordy's sisters.