Gill, the son of a minister, started singing at age five in a family gospel group called "Wings of Faith". His solo career began in 1983 when his childhood friend, singer Stacy Lattisaw convinced him to record a demo. The demo he recorded fell into the hands of the president of Atlantic Records, and his self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter. Then, Johnny teamed up with Stacy for a duet album, which featured their first together, "Perfect Combination", a second album on Atlantic Records, Chemistry, yielded the song "Half Crazy,".
Gill's big break came in 1987, when he replaced Bobby Brown in New Edition, a 1980s pop group. With Gill as one of the lead singers, the group developed a more mature, adult sound, hitting the charts with songs such as "Can You Stand The Rain," "N.E. Heartbreak," and the Johnny Gill lead "Boys To Men". During a hiatus from New Edition, Johnny embarked on a solo career. The hits from his self entitled 1990 album include "My, My, My," "Rub You the Right Way," "Fairweather Friend" and "Wrap My Body Tight". On this album, Gill played guitar, bass, bongos, and drums in addition to performing his lead and background vocals.
In 1993, Gill released another solo project, Provocative, which included the songs "Quiet Time to Play," "A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction," and a gospel song, "I Know Where I Stand." In 1996, Gill was reunited with his New Edition bandmates, including Brown, as they recorded Home Again together, an album noted for the singles "Hit Me Off" and "Still In Love". Gill also released Let's Get the Mood Right in 1996, which included the title song, "Love In an Elevator," and "Maybe." The following year, he collaborated with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat to form the supergroup LSG (Levert/Sweat/Gill) which resulted in the multi platinum debut album, Levert-Sweat-Gill, and a follow-up album entitled LSG2.
Gill, the only member of New Edition who is not from Boston, was raised in Washington DC where he attended Kimball Elementary and Sousa Junior High. His career dictated that he complete his high school education through the services of a tutor. Johnny had planned to attend college and pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but his career came first.
His latest recording, "You For Me (The Wedding Song)" from the Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack received strong reviews from music critics as well as the general public. As of 2006, he is still performing with the group as well as performing solo as part of the Body and Soul Tour, which includes fellow NE members Bell Biv DeVoe.
At the 2011 BET Awards, he announced that he will be releasing a new album, after a 16 year hiatus.
Because of You
Johnny Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It surrounds me
Everywhere that I go
No matter where you are
Your heart is here with me
I wanna tell you
That I'm with
Though you're not here
I can see that lovely
Smile on your face
And feel thetouch of you
And though I'm missing you
I'll make it through one more day
Because of you
There is nothing
I can't do
And each test
Life puts me through
I'll get by
Because of you
With you on my soul
I am free to try and climb
Every moutain I can find
I have seen love at its best
Because of you
You make love
You take plesure in
Each thing that I do
You give unselfishly
And the gift you
Give is you
I'm gonna dedicate
The rest of my life
Giving back to you
All the trust and faith
That you've given me
I've learned so much from you
To snow my gratitude
I'll be the best for you
I can be
Because of you
There is nothing
I can't do
And each test
Life puts me through
I'll get by
Because of you
With you on my soul
I am free to try and climb
Every moutain i can find
I have seen love at its best
Because of you
The lyrics in Johnny Gill's "Because of You" express the power of love and how it can impact one's life. The love of the individual being referred to in the song is described as surrounding and following the singer wherever they go. The lyrics suggest that even though the person may not be physically present, their memory sustains the singer and gives them strength to persevere through each day. The chorus emphasizes the impact of the person's love, stating that nothing is impossible and no challenge is insurmountable because of their love.
The verses of the song continue to express the emotions of the singer towards their loved one. They describe how the love between them brings joy and pleasure to everyday activities. The singer acknowledges the selflessness of their loved one and the gift of themselves that they give continually. The song indicates a deep desire to reciprocate the love given and a commitment to dedicate the rest of their life to doing so.
Overall, the lyrics in "Because of You" describe a deep love that sustains and strengthens the singer through life's difficulties. It highlights the impact that love can have on an individual and the joy that can come from a selfless and committed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love goes with me
The love between us is so strong that it never leaves me.
It surrounds me
Your love has enveloped me completely.
Everywhere that I go
No matter where I am, your love is always there with me.
No matter where you are
Even if we are apart, your love doesn't fade away.
Your heart is here with me
I feel your love in my heart, and it stays with me wherever I go.
I wanna tell you
I'm eager to let you know
That I'm with
I'm thinking about
You tonight
You are always on my mind, especially tonight.
Though you're not here
Even though we're physically apart
I can see that lovely
I can still picture that beautiful
Smile on your face
Smile that you always have on your face.
And feel the touch of you
I can almost feel your physical touch.
And though I'm missing you
Even though I miss you so much
I'll make it through one more day
I know that I can get through another day because of the strength your love gives me.
Because of you
Thanks to your love
There is nothing
I am capable of anything
I can't do
There is no limit to what I can achieve.
And each test
Every challenge
Life puts me through
That life presents me with
I'll get by
I'll make it through
Because of you
Because your love inspires and empowers me.
With you on my soul
Your love is so deeply ingrained in my being that it supports everything I do.
I am free to try and climb
I am encouraged to attempt and overcome
Every mountain I can find
Any obstacle, no matter how large
I have seen love at its best
I have experienced the most profound form of love
Because of you
Because your love has shown me what love should be.
You make love
You embody love itself
You take pleasure in
You delight in and cherish
Each thing that I do
Everything I say or do is important and valued by you.
You give unselfishly
You are incredibly generous
And the gift you
The way you give your love and affection
Give is you
Is the greatest gift of all: yourself.
I'm gonna dedicate
I vow to commit
The rest of my life
The remainder of my existence
Giving back to you
Returning the love and care that you've shown me
All the trust and faith
The confidence and belief
That you've given me
That you've placed in me.
I've learned so much from you
You have taught me so many valuable lessons
To snow my gratitude
To show you how grateful I am
I'll be the best for you
I will strive to be the best partner I can be for you.
I can be
I am capable of being.
Because of you
Because your love has made me a better person.
There is nothing
There is no limit to what
I can't do
I am capable of achieving anything
And each test
Every challenge
Life puts me through
That life presents me with
I'll get by
I'll make it through
Because of you
Because your love inspires and empowers me.
With you on my soul
Your love is so deeply ingrained in my being
I am free to try and climb
I am encouraged to attempt and overcome
Every moutain i can find
Any obstacle, no matter how large
I have seen love at its best
I have experienced the most profound form of love
Because of you
Because your love has shown me what love should be.
Writer(s): Linda Creed, Jon Lind, Dennis Matkovsky, Leslie Hall
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Art Gonzaga
BECAUSE OF YOU
Your love goes with me
it surrounds me
everywhere that i go
no matter where you are
your heart is here with me
I wanna tell you
that i'me with
you tonight
Though you're not here
i can see that lovely
smile on your face
And feel thetouch of you
and though i'm missing you
i'll make it through one more day
Because of you
there is nothing
i can't do
and each test
life puts me through
i'll get by
because of you
with you on my soul
i am free to try and climb
every moutain i can find
i have seen love at its best
because of you
You make love
you take plesure in
each thing that i do
You give unselfishly
and the gift you
give is you
I'm gonna dedicate
the rest of my life
giving back to you
all the trust and faith
that you've given me
I've learned so much from you
to snow my gratitude
i'll be the best for you
i can be
Because of you
there is nothing
i can't do
and each test
life puts me through
i'll get by
because of you
with you on my soul
i am free to try and climb
every moutain i can find
i have seen love at its best
because of you
biggly biggly
Great Johnny Gill. Excellent lyrics. I have seen love at its best. Immortal words. Every mountain I can climb. What is happening to people today? The world is going terribly wrong. Is it because of too many unhappy people. Some set out to gain the whole world, but lost their entire soul. End up loving no one, but themselves.
Mark Jenkins
This man has one of the best voices ever....One of the greats. This is how I would love to sing to my lady...Soulful, passionate and with power.
donuthole4sale
Finding this song was like finding buried treasure!!!! WOW!!!! Just love the piano arrangement!!!
Drew Ferguson
This is Johnny Gill. This man deserves more respect. His voice is truly a gift from God.
Ces Lang
underrated singer.❤️
Judi Jackson
Johnnie gill
tanasha622
Yes he does
Melanated Queen
This song goes to the core of me, his voice is just beautiful.
Patricia Moore
JUST HEARING THIS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THIS SONG MELTS YOUR HEART AND HAVE YOU CRYING. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BALLARD, JOHNNY GILL IS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ARTIST, WHO IS TRULY UNDERRATED.
stonedog23
Underrated by who?