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.
Love Me For A Reason
Johnny Bristol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You bend and you fold me, anyway you please
It must be easy for you, the loving things that you do
But just a pastime for you, I could never be
And I never know, girl
If I should stay or go
'Cos the games that you play
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Kisses and caresses, are only minor tests, babe
Of love lead to stresses, between a woman and a man
So if love everlasting, isn't what you're asking
I'll have to pass, girl, I'm proud to take a stand
I can't continue guessing
Because it's only messing
With my pride and my mind
So write down this time to time
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
I'm just a little old-fashioned
It's take more than physical attraction
My initial reaction is honey give me love
Not a facsimile of
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love (love me, love me)
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
In Johnny Bristol's song Love Me For A Reason, the singer is clearly being controlled by his lover but is unsure about the sincerity and authenticity of her love. He is worried that she might be playing games with him, causing him stress and confusion. The lyrics plead with her not to love him just for fun but to let the reason be love, indicating a desire for a deeper and more genuine connection. He believes that kisses and caresses are only minor tests of love and if true love is not what she's asking for, he'd rather pass.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the need for true love, not just physical attraction or momentary fun. He is old-fashioned and desires a sincere, long-lasting relationship where love, not games or physicality, is the foundation. He concludes by asking her not to love him for fun but to love him for a reason, with the reason being love itself.
Overall, the song reflects themes of love, authenticity, and sincerity. It emphasizes the importance of a true connection based on mutual love and respect, rather than superficiality and games. It conveys a message that temporary enjoyment cannot compare to the joy that comes with genuine and lasting love.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl when you hold me, how you control me
When you hold me, I feel completely under your spell
You bend and you fold me, anyway you please
You have the power to shape me into whatever you want
It must be easy for you, the loving things that you do
It seems effortless for you to show me love and affection
But just a pastime for you, I could never be
But I know I'll never hold your true affections and commitment
And I never know, girl
I'm always left unsure
If I should stay or go
Whether to continue trying to win your love or give up
'Cos the games that you play
Your manipulative behavior
Keep driving me away
Pushes me further from wanting to be with you
Don't love me for fun, girl
Don't just love me to pass the time
Let me be the one, girl
Let me be the one you truly love
Love me for a reason
Love me with a deeper purpose
Let the reason be love
Let the reason for your love be genuine affection
Kisses and caresses, are only minor tests, babe
Physical intimacy is not the only measure of a solid relationship
Of love lead to stresses, between a woman and a man
In fact, these things can often cause tension between partners
So if love everlasting, isn't what you're asking
If you're not looking for a long-term commitment, then
I'll have to pass, girl, I'm proud to take a stand
I cannot compromise my values or desires
I can't continue guessing
I can't keep trying to figure out your true feelings
Because it's only messing
It's only causing confusion and emotional turmoil for me
With my pride and my mind
Damaging my self-esteem and mental well-being
So write down this time to time
I need you to be clear and honest with me
I'm just a little old-fashioned
I have traditional values and beliefs
It's take more than physical attraction
I need more than just a physical connection
My initial reaction is honey give me love
My initial desire is for genuine love and affection
Not a facsimile of
Not just a shallow imitation of love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Jones Jr., Johnny Bristol, Wade Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Teresa
on Hang On In There Baby
Omg the sexiest song ever written