Once the frontwoman of UK band Blue Zone, which saw modest success with their single "Jackie", she became a major international star beginning with her guest vocal stint on Coldcut's record People Hold On.
Stansfield is probably best known for her first UK #1 single, All Around the World (1989), which also peaked at #3 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the following year. Other worldwide hits from her debut solo album Affection include This is the Right Time (featuring a house music-styled production by Coldcut with Mark Saunders), Live Together, What Did I Do To You? and You Can't Deny It. "All Around the World" was the second song by a white female soloist to hit #1 on the Billboard R&B chart (the first being "Ooo La La La" by Teena Marie in 1988). "You Can't Deny It" also topped that chart. Affection went platinum in the U.S., and sold a total of five million copies worldwide.
In 1990, Stansfield was among a handful of high-profile artists to participate in the Red Hot + Blue charity album, which honored the songwriting career of Cole Porter, and benefitted AIDS research at a time when funding from government agencies was insufficient for those in need. She was given the chance to show her swing and jazz chops on the song "Down in the Depths" (video), which was one of a few throwback renditions to appear on the album. This likely won her the female lead in the independent film Swing (1999), for which soundtrack she also performed most of the songs. Thus began an illustrious and respected tradition of Stansfield offering jazz and torch songs to outside projects (she also sang I've Got the World on a String in the original movie soundtrack of 2003's Mona Lisa Smile).
In 1992, Stansfield won a BRIT Award as best British female solo artist. Her second album Real Love did not quite live up to the success of Affection, despite selling very well. However, it did spawn four Top 40 singles on the European charts: Change, All Woman, Time to Make You Mine and Set Your Loving Free. "Change" has since become one of her signature classics, and still receives regular air-play to this day. "All Woman" became Stansfield's third #1 single on the Billboard R&B chart, and due to the success of that song, the album went gold in the U.S. Filled with pathos and emotion, it is "kitchen sink soul", from the viewpoint of a woman taken for granted. Like "All Around the World", many critics initially believed that it had been performed by a black singer.
Stansfield continued recording disco-influenced soul throughout the 1990s. Her third album So Natural (1993) spawned three Top 40 European singles including the title track So Natural, In All the Right Places and Little Bit of Heaven, but the album was never released in the U.S. She had continued success throughout Europe, but her popularity in America had diminished.
sidenote: "In All The Right Places" was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Indecent Proposal (1993), for which Stansfield was shortlisted as the lead that eventually went to Demi Moore. You can catch her talking about it in this YouTube interview clip (@ 1:30).
Her self-titled fourth album Lisa Stansfield (1997) was a hit in Europe with two Top Ten singles - People Hold On (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Mix) (a re-released dance mix by The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and The Real Thing, and the Top 40 track Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (a remake of the late Barry White's 1973 hit). Upon being released in the U.S., the album scored some mainstream attention, but fared much better in the dance clubs where remixes were very successful; an astonishing four singles - "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up", Never Gonna Fall, I'm Leavin', and "People Hold On" reached #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. It charted modestly, peaking at #30 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #55 on the Billboard 200. Subsequently, The Remix Album was released due to revived interest in Stansfield within the dance community. The music video for "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (video) was an eye-catcher featuring her strolling nude down a city street, acquiring a few items of clothing along the way. VH1 featured the clip and even gave it the Pop-Up Video treatment. During the promotion for the single, Stansfield appeared on the RuPaul Show, but inexplicably, did not sing the song (or any others, for that matter).
Her 2001 album Face Up was less successful, barely charting through a lack of publicity, but featured the singles Let's Just Call It Love and 8-3-1, which found her experimenting with newer styles of R&B such as 2-step while continuing with her established sound. Stansfield's husband, Ian Devaney, delivered an arrangement for the ballad How Could You?, which displayed his love of Burt Bacharach's legacy. Only one single was officially released in the UK.
Following the release of Face Up, a 2-CD greatest hits collection titled Biography: The Greatest Hits was released in 2003, which sold well in the UK and Europe. Stansfield then parted ways with Arista/BMG, ending an 18-year association with the label.
Stansfield signed with ZTT Records from the UK, and her 2004 release The Moment was produced by Trevor Horn, well-known for his work with Seal, Grace Jones, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, among others. The album was distributed in Europe by Edel, featuring the singles Treat Me Like a Woman (released as a double A-side with Easier) and If I Hadn't Got You, a song written by Chris Braide with ex-Squeeze songwriter Chris Difford. The album found her exploring more pop-oriented material, and focusing on lush ballads.
Despite this, as with her previous release, the album and supporting singles were not a success. At the time of the project's release, ZTT was directing large amounts of its resources into re-marketing its back catalogue, and producing the Trevor Horn concert for The Prince's Trust and its accompanying double CD Produced by Trevor Horn. The release of "Treat Me Like a Woman" was twice delayed, and the label eventually paired it with "Easier". While ZTT did erect a billboard to advertise the album in Stansfield's home area of Greater Manchester, print advertising and in-store displays were reportedly absent. Later that year ZTT dropped her from their label.
Stansfield's talents also extended into acting; she starred in the 1999 film Swing with actor Hugo Speer, and recorded covers of swing classics and a few original songs written in the style for the soundtrack. She later appeared on a London stage in The Vagina Monologues. In 2006, she guest-starred in the series Goldplated. In 2007, she starred in an episode of Marple: Ordeal by Innocence, and later joined the cast of The Edge of Love.
On June 2012, Lisa told the UK newspaper, The Sunday Mirror that she's working on her seventh studio album, her first in nine years, and that it is going to be released in spring 2013. Lisa announced in November 2012 that the album will be titled 'Seven'.
Official website: http://www.lisa-stansfield.com
Live Together
Lisa Stansfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is all we need, to be free,
To understand, and find the answer
So let's do it now, let's do it right now
We've got to live together if we're gonna be free
We've got to find the answer right now
We've got to live together
We've got to solve the problem
Together
We've got to live together
Look at me, I'm the honest kind
When I say it, I mean it
I swear I need you all my life
All we need is sympathy, if we want to change our minds
This is no second thought, this is for all times
All my life
This has got to be forever
Whatever
Whatever's come, whatever's been,
It's livin' life for what we see
Promise not to lose our hope
We
We've got to live together if we're gonna be free
We've got to find the answer right now
We've got to live together
We've got to see each other for whatever we are
We've got to solve the problem, right now
We've got to live together
Live together
We're gonna give it all that we got
We'll believe it whether or not
Lovin' ourself and loving our hearts
Love is seein' all that we are
We're gonna do it, do it right now
Love is there, it's showin' us how
We can do it, we can live together
You don't need no reason to hold your head up high
A little pride so you can justify your whole life
This has got to be forever
Whatever
Whatever's come, whatever's been,
Livin' life for what we see
Promise not to lose our hope
We
We've got to live together if we're gonna be free
We've got to find the answer right now
We've got to live together
We've got to see each other for whatever we are
We've got to solve the problem
Together
We've got to live together
We've got to live together if we're gonna be free
We've got to find the answer right now
We've got to live together
We've got to see each other for whatever we are
We've got to solve the problem, right now
We've got to live together
Live together
We're gonna give it all that we got
We'll believe it whether or not
Lovin' ourself and loving our hearts
Love is seein' all that we are
We're gonna do it, do it right now
Love is there, it's showin' us how
We can do it, we can live together
The lyrics of Lisa Stansfield's song "Live Together" highlight the importance of unity and empathy in creating a harmonious society. The spoken introduction emphasizes the urgency of finding answers and understanding one another. The chorus emphasizes the need to "live together" and "see each other for whatever we are," suggesting that acceptance and cooperation are essential for true freedom.
The verses continue this theme, with Stansfield declaring her honesty and need for others. She stresses that all we need is "sympathy" to change our minds and that this is not a fleeting desire, but something we must pledge to ensure will last forever. The repeated message that we must "live together" and "solve the problem" emphasizes that we must work as a collective to overcome any obstacles that come our way.
Overall, the song is a call for unity and cooperation, a message that is particularly relevant in today's divisive world. It suggests that despite our differences, we all share a common goal- the desire for freedom and understanding. By working together and embracing empathy, we can achieve this goal and create a more harmonious world.
Line by Line Meaning
This is all we need, to be free,
Freedom is within reach, and it can be achieved by following a simple formula
To understand, and find the answer
By seeking to comprehend, we can discover solutions to our problems
So let's do it now, let's do it right now
There is no time like the present to take action and implement change
We've got to live together if we're gonna be free
Unity is necessary for freedom to exist
We've got to find the answer right now
Time is of the essence in solving problems and finding solutions
We've got to see each other for whatever we are
Acceptance of individuals despite differences is critical
We've got to solve the problem
Problems cannot be ignored and must be actively addressed
Together
Unity is essential in tackling challenges
Look at me, I'm the honest kind
The artist seeks to establish trust and credibility
When I say it, I mean it
The artist's words are sincere and genuine
I swear I need you all my life
The singer expresses a deep emotional connection and dependency on others
All we need is sympathy, if we want to change our minds
Empathy is crucial for changing perspectives and attitudes
This is no second thought, this is for all times
This is not a passing idea or momentary decision, but a long-term commitment
This has got to be forever
Commitment to unity and freedom should be unwavering
Whatever
No matter what obstacles may arise
Whatever's come, whatever's been,
Regardless of past experiences and events
It's livin' life for what we see
Life should be lived according to what we perceive and believe
Promise not to lose our hope
Optimism and determination are key to achieving success
We're gonna give it all that we got
Dedication and effort are essential in achieving goals
We'll believe it whether or not
Belief in oneself and the cause matters more than external validation
Lovin' ourself and loving our hearts
Self-care and compassion for our own well-being are important
Love is seein' all that we are
Love enables us to see individuals and differences in a positive light
We're gonna do it, do it right now
Action is crucial and should be taken immediately
Love is there, it's showin' us how
The power of love is an effective tool for change
We can do it, we can live together
Unity and togetherness can help us achieve our goals and create a better world
You don't need no reason to hold your head up high
Self-confidence and self-respect are important without having to justify them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY MORRIS, IAN OWEN DEVANEY, LISA JANE STANSFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brentduanefoster
“We’re gonna give it all that we’ve got. We’re believing, whether or not.
Loving ourselves and love in our hearts, love is seeing all that we are.
We’re gonna do it, do it right now. Love is there, it’s showing us how.
We can do it, we can live together.”
Love that part!
@ralfschwolow3113
Es ist schon über 30 Jahre her, mannnn hatten wir "früher" doch eine schöne Musik!
@helenkahajossyova298
One of my all time fav songs👏👏
@1234567robbie
Beautiful voice ❤
@azelms.chazjones8653
The most soulful woman ever!!
@fidellacarrillo3512
Such an amazing song that hits home . Song never gets old . And such an amazing voice !
@ameralbadry6825
It can’t get better, voice, stunning beauty and wonderful music.
@geography27
What a tune. Always enjoyable to listen to. Proper pop music this is. Always liked Lisa Stansfield. We want her back doing this sort of music again! Its been 12 years since (2013) I've heard anything from her!
@peterulbricht4668
The best female voice I 've ever heard.
@brentduanefoster
“We’re gonna give it all that we’ve got. We’re believing, whether or not.
Loving ourselves and love in our hearts, love is seeing all that we are.
We’re gonna do it, do it right now. Love is there, it’s showing us how.
We can do it, we can live together.”
Love that part!
@Toncor12
A true professional in every sense of the word, just stunning :)