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.
Rub You The Right Way
Johnny Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can survive, your wish is my command
I'll work hard to fill your needs
Give you lesson on what it is to
(Feel) Feel (good) good baby
Get undressed and slip on this robe
(Re) Re- (lax) lax darlin'
Can you feel, the magic in my hands
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Stroke, applied with tenderness
When I hold, and rub you the right way
A light massage, a soft caress
Whenever I need to rub, I rub her happiness
Customer satisfaction is a guarantee
So for your pleasure, come on over here to please
You, hey
So hold on and throw off that coat
(Show) show (you)
I'll show you pleasure like you've never known
Can you feel, the magic in my hands
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Stroke, applied with tenderness
When I hold, and rub you the right way
Feel, the magic in my hands
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Stroke, applied with tenderness
When I hold, and rub you the right way
Rub-a-dub-dub your love's full of wishes
Palmolive advance, baby do you do dishes?
Slick your body down with oil then kiss your neck
CL Smooth, bound to get wrecked
A magic touch to give the women a rush
And still, Johnny Gill is still too much
Stroke and poke but don't choke, 'cause you got him,
Him on the top and her on the bottoom
Hold you tight and I'll never let you go, then flow
'Cause you see the flow, so ladies, if you're down to play
My boy Johnny gonna rub you the right way
Can you feel, the magic in my hands
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Stroke, applied with tenderness
When I hold, and rub you the right way
Feel, the magic in my hands
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Stroke, applied with tenderness
When I hold, and rub you the right way
Your every wish is my command
So get undressed and
Gonna rub with my magic hands
Give you what you're missin' in a man
Stroke you with a soft caress
Applied with tenderness
Hold on tight and don't let go
The lyrics of Johnny Gill's “Rub You The Right Way” are about a man who promises to give a woman everything she has been missing in a man, from filling her needs to rubbing her the right way. Gill uses sensual imagery to describe his massage techniques, suggesting that he knows how to make a woman feel good. The song is a confident, upbeat R&B tune with lyrics aimed at seduction.
Gill sings about how he will give the woman a lesson in feeling good, how he will apply strokes with tenderness and give her a soft caress. The lyrics also suggest that he is skilled in ensuring the satisfaction of his customer, promising to give her pleasure like she’s never known. The song's chorus repeats the main idea that when Gill touches and rubs the woman the right way, she will feel the magic in his hands.
Overall, the lyrics of “Rub You The Right Way” suggest that Gill is a confident, experienced lover who knows how to make a woman feel good. The song takes a lighthearted approach to seduction, with a catchy melody and playful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
What you've been missin' in a man
Johnny Gill believes that he possesses the qualities that have been absent in your previous partners
I can survive, your wish is my command
Johnny Gill will do anything to please you and fulfill your desires
I'll work hard to fill your needs
Johnny Gill is committed to making sure that you have everything you need to be happy
Give you lesson on what it is to
Johnny Gill will show you what it truly means to
(Feel) Feel (good) good baby
Experience pleasure like never before
Get undressed and slip on this robe
Get comfortable and ready to be pampered by Johnny Gill
(Re) Re- (lax) lax darlin'
Relax and let Johnny Gill take care of you
Just sit back would rather be stroked
Let Johnny Gill take control and give you a sensual massage
Can you feel, the magic in my hands
Johnny Gill's touch is special and will make you feel amazing
When I touch, and rub you the right way
Johnny Gill knows how to touch you in a way that will make you feel incredible
Stroke, applied with tenderness
Johnny Gill's massage technique is gentle and loving
When I hold, and rub you the right way
Johnny Gill knows how to hold you in a way that will heighten your pleasure
A light massage, a soft caress
Johnny Gill's massage style is gentle and soothing
Whenever I need to rub, I rub her happiness
Johnny Gill is dedicated to bringing happiness to your life through his touch
Customer satisfaction is a guarantee
Johnny Gill is confident that you will be fully satisfied with his massage skills
So for your pleasure, come on over here to please
Johnny Gill wants you to come to him so he can give you a pleasurable experience
So hold on and throw off that coat
Get comfortable and ready to receive Johnny Gill's massage
(Show) show (you)
Johnny Gill will show you things you've never experienced before
I'll show you pleasure like you've never known
Johnny Gill will introduce you to new levels of pleasure
Rub-a-dub-dub your love's full of wishes
Your desires are abundant and Johnny Gill is here to fulfill them
Palmolive advance, baby do you do dishes?
Johnny Gill uses Palmolive Advance to massage you and wants to know if you do dishes as a means of getting you closer to him
Slick your body down with oil then kiss your neck
Johnny Gill wants to use oil to massage you and kiss your neck as he does so
CL Smooth, bound to get wrecked
CL Smooth's music will enhance the sensual atmosphere created by Johnny Gill's massage
A magic touch to give the women a rush
Johnny Gill's massage is so amazing that it will give women a sense of euphoria
And still, Johnny Gill is still too much
Johnny Gill's talent is beyond comparison
Stroke and poke but don't choke, 'cause you got him
Johnny Gill's touch can be intense, but he will make sure that you are comfortable and safe
Him on the top and her on the bottom
Johnny Gill is in control and wants to give you a pleasurable experience
Hold you tight and I'll never let you go, then flow
Johnny Gill wants to hold you and never let go while he continues to give you a pleasurable experience
'Cause you see the flow, so ladies, if you're down to play
Johnny Gill's massage is so amazing that it will put you in a trance-like state. If you're ready to experience true pleasure, come to him
My boy Johnny gonna rub you the right way
Johnny Gill is confident that he can give you a massage like no other
Your every wish is my command
Johnny Gill is dedicated to fulfilling your every desire
So get undressed and
Take off your clothes and get ready for Johnny Gill's massage
Gonna rub with my magic hands
Johnny Gill's hands are magical and he will use them to give you an incredible massage
Give you what you're missin' in a man
Johnny Gill can provide what you have been looking for in a partner
Stroke you with a soft caress
Johnny Gill will use a gentle touch to arouse or please you
Applied with tenderness
Johnny Gill's massage technique is gentle and loving
Hold on tight and don't let go
Enjoy the pleasure that Johnny Gill's massage provides and hold onto the sensation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind