Leon Ware (February 16, 1940 - February 23, 2017) was an American musician,… Read Full Bio ↴Leon Ware (February 16, 1940 - February 23, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter and composer. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Besides a solo career as a performer, Ware is best known for producing hits for other artists including I Want You, for his friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye in 1976. He is also is notable for writing the Top 5 R&B single, "I Wanna Be Where You Are", for a young Michael Jackson in 1972, collaborating with Quincy Jones on the Body Heat album, co-writing the R&B hit "Inside My Love" with Minnie Riperton, and working with neo-soul artist Maxwell in the mid-'90s.
Leon Ware started his career as a songwriter in 1967. He co-wrote along with Ivy Hunter and Steve Bowden for The Isley Brothers recording of "Got to Have You Back". In 1971, Leon would collaborate with Ike & Tina Turner, co-writing six songs on their United Artist album called Nuff Said. The album reached the top 40 of the R&B charts and also appeared in the pop charts. Later that year, Ware began collaborating with Arthur "T-Boy" Ross, younger brother of Diana Ross. One of the songs they wrote was 'I Wanna Be Where You Are' recorded by Michael Jackson for his album, Got To Be There. The single reached the runner-up position of the R&B charts and peaked at 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Ware's songwriting success led to a contract as an artist to United Artists, releasing his self-titled debut album.
Ware wrote for numerous artists during this period including Donny Hathaway and The Miracles. In 1974, Quincy Jones booked Ware as songwriter and performer for two songs off Jones' Body Heat album. The song, "If I Ever Lose This Heaven", hit the R&B charts in September of the year and was covered by the Average White Band. Ware worked with Minnie Riperton on Jones' album and collaborated again on Riperton's album, Adventures in Paradise album, composing Riperton's R&B hit, "Inside My Love". Ware and T-Boy Ross worked on demos for Ware's second album, this one to be issued on Motown Records and also for T-Boy Ross to win a deal. One of the demo recordings, "I Want You", was heard by Berry Gordy, who decided the song would be a good fit for Marvin Gaye. Gaye heard the other demos and decided to record much of it on what would be his next album, I Want You. Buoyed by the number-one title track, the album peaked at number-one on the R&B charts and reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 selling over a million copies.
Having given away the material for his album, Ware began again on a solo effort for Motown. The result would be Ware's second album, Musical Massage. Released in September 1976, the album failed to generate similar success and was not properly promoted. Ware continued his songwriting and producing career while also releasing solo albums between 1979 and 2008. During that period, Ware wrote for Teena Marie, Jeffrey Osborne, Loose Ends, James Ingram, Melissa Manchester, Krystol, Bobby Womack and Lulu, co-writing the latter's European hit, "Independence" in 1993. Ware helped to produce singer Maxwell's debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, released in 1996, and considered one of the landmark albums of the neo-soul genre. At the same time of that success, Ware's earlier work became a heavy source of samples in hip-hop music.
As of 2009, Ware was recovering from treatment for prostate cancer, and credited his friend and fellow songwriter Adrienne Anderson with directing him to appropriate medical care.
Ware produced the Shadows In The Street album for the group Shadow, which was released in 1981.
Discography
Studio albums
1972 Leon Ware — — United Artists
1976 Musical Massage — — Motown
1979 Inside Is Love — 62 Fabulous
1981 Rockin' You Eternally — — Elektra
1982 Leon Ware — —
1987 Undercover — — Sling Shot Records
1995 Taste The Love — — Kitchen Records
2001 Candlelight — —
2003 Love's Drippin — —
2004 A Kiss In The Sand — —
2008 Moon Ride — — Stax
Leon Ware started his career as a songwriter in 1967. He co-wrote along with Ivy Hunter and Steve Bowden for The Isley Brothers recording of "Got to Have You Back". In 1971, Leon would collaborate with Ike & Tina Turner, co-writing six songs on their United Artist album called Nuff Said. The album reached the top 40 of the R&B charts and also appeared in the pop charts. Later that year, Ware began collaborating with Arthur "T-Boy" Ross, younger brother of Diana Ross. One of the songs they wrote was 'I Wanna Be Where You Are' recorded by Michael Jackson for his album, Got To Be There. The single reached the runner-up position of the R&B charts and peaked at 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Ware's songwriting success led to a contract as an artist to United Artists, releasing his self-titled debut album.
Ware wrote for numerous artists during this period including Donny Hathaway and The Miracles. In 1974, Quincy Jones booked Ware as songwriter and performer for two songs off Jones' Body Heat album. The song, "If I Ever Lose This Heaven", hit the R&B charts in September of the year and was covered by the Average White Band. Ware worked with Minnie Riperton on Jones' album and collaborated again on Riperton's album, Adventures in Paradise album, composing Riperton's R&B hit, "Inside My Love". Ware and T-Boy Ross worked on demos for Ware's second album, this one to be issued on Motown Records and also for T-Boy Ross to win a deal. One of the demo recordings, "I Want You", was heard by Berry Gordy, who decided the song would be a good fit for Marvin Gaye. Gaye heard the other demos and decided to record much of it on what would be his next album, I Want You. Buoyed by the number-one title track, the album peaked at number-one on the R&B charts and reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 selling over a million copies.
Having given away the material for his album, Ware began again on a solo effort for Motown. The result would be Ware's second album, Musical Massage. Released in September 1976, the album failed to generate similar success and was not properly promoted. Ware continued his songwriting and producing career while also releasing solo albums between 1979 and 2008. During that period, Ware wrote for Teena Marie, Jeffrey Osborne, Loose Ends, James Ingram, Melissa Manchester, Krystol, Bobby Womack and Lulu, co-writing the latter's European hit, "Independence" in 1993. Ware helped to produce singer Maxwell's debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, released in 1996, and considered one of the landmark albums of the neo-soul genre. At the same time of that success, Ware's earlier work became a heavy source of samples in hip-hop music.
As of 2009, Ware was recovering from treatment for prostate cancer, and credited his friend and fellow songwriter Adrienne Anderson with directing him to appropriate medical care.
Ware produced the Shadows In The Street album for the group Shadow, which was released in 1981.
Discography
Studio albums
1972 Leon Ware — — United Artists
1976 Musical Massage — — Motown
1979 Inside Is Love — 62 Fabulous
1981 Rockin' You Eternally — — Elektra
1982 Leon Ware — —
1987 Undercover — — Sling Shot Records
1995 Taste The Love — — Kitchen Records
2001 Candlelight — —
2003 Love's Drippin — —
2004 A Kiss In The Sand — —
2008 Moon Ride — — Stax
Turn Out The Light
Leon Ware Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Turn Out The Light' by these artists:
A.J. Croce Turn Out The Light I put it out on the table You…
A.l.i Here we are sitting so close yet you're turning away Wishing…
alex winters I can't cry I can't complain I thought I told you…
Amy Holland Is this another conspiracy? The ruined stars ganging up on …
Cjbeards Our knives, are sticking through my ribs Ready wait while yo…
Cris Cab I've got a clear mind and a guilty conscience I don't,…
Don.Williams I've been lonesome I've been empty I got an achin'…
Flamingos in the Tree Well I Seem to think of you A lot I guess I′m not…
Harry Nilsson Nilsson Soon you will be sleeping And you'll wake up in …
Lou Reed Lover, lover, why is there light In the itchy, gitchy evenin…
Music Turn out the light Turn out the light Tell me…
Music (the) Turn out the light Turn out the light Tell me…
Nathaniel Street-West Every last word Could have been scorn But you chose to tell…
One More Time Here we are sitting so close yet you're turning away Wishin…
Orleans Now the time has come again when All your work is…
The Macs Holding a dream for a moment it's gone I wish I…
The Music Turn out the light Turn out the light Tell me…
The New Amsterdams I know that it burns like poison in the pill You…
Various Artists Nung una kang nakita ay wala akong nadama hindi ko alam…
Voodoo Radio Get in get out Get on get off Get in get out Get…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Leon Ware:
Are You Ready Can it be I stayed away too long? Did I leave…
Deeper Than Love oraesdongan gidaryeo wasseo naega wonhan neoyeossgie seulpeu…
For the Rainbow I know the sun is shining on you My wish my…
Holiday Everyday is a special day Touched in every special ways Only…
I Wanna Be Where You Are Can it be I stayed away too long? Did I leave…
If I Ever Loose This Heaven If you're foolin', only foolin' All I ask is "Why?"…
Inside My Love Two people, just meeting, barely touching each other Two spi…
Inside Your Love Two people just meeting, not touching eachother Two spirits …
Learning How to Love You Now, you're lying here It's time for lovin' Soft, blue knick…
Let Love In Can you hear the voices calling Calling Let love in - let…
Musical Massage You are a song surrounding me Sweet melody that I see Your…
On The Beach She's something you can't forget She's something you can't f…
Rockin' You Eternally (Hey, don't you know) I'm rockin' you eternally (Everyday, m…
What's Your Name In your eyes I can see the whole world In your…
Why I Came to California Zuma Oh I'd like to walk the beach on Zuma Watching all…
You Are The Way You Are Can it be I stayed away too long? Did I leave…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@JKhanLee
R.I.P. to this severely underrated artist. This cut is probably my favorite from the Musical Massage album.
@andrewclarke8797
Hes definitely not underrated in my book...hes in my top 5. I fell in love with his music on the Marvin Gaye - I want you lp
@Colin32593
Like a vintage wine it just gets better with time.......
@alexchen8565
One of my very favorite songs from my favorite album. I wish I knew all the words.
@pennystockdon501
Thank you Leon for all the memories.....eternally grateful...
@andregoodwin890
The ink pen behind Marvin Gaye!
@lrich65184
One bad ass jam from a true master.
thanks for posting
@marcellaoreilly2730
I think most of his songs are ad lib but he had a beautiful voice and the music is everything ❤
@threeswillis7791
Leon was one of the greatest songwriter of all time. Berry Gordy did him dirty.
@kenny1994sisi
Dope !