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
Never Ever
Lisa Stansfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you do it, get right down to it
Well, I would for you
I would for you
No, there ain't no maybe, baby
No, no
It's just the truth
Ooh, can't you see
Ooh, baby
We're on the edge of love, love, love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
Don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I'll always be true
When you look into my eyes
Do you see it, do you believe it
Well, I believe in you
I believe in you, hey
Baby, there's no way to disguise
How you feel
'Cause it's the truth, ooh
It's nothing but the truth
Ooh, can't you see
Ooh, baby
We're on the edge of love, love, love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
Ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
I'll always be true
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
Never ever, ever wanna hurt you
Ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
I'll always be true
Ooh, can't you see
Ooh, baby
We're on the edge of love, love, love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
Don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I'll always be true, yeah
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no
Never ever, ever wanna hurt you
Ever wanna, ever wanna
I'll always be true
"Never Ever" by Lisa Stansfield is a song about the depth of love and commitment in a romantic relationship. The lyrics convey the willingness of the singer to do anything for their partner, even if it means taking risks or making difficult decisions. The song captures the essence of a strong and unwavering love.
In the first verse, the singer asks their partner if they would be willing to do something daring or risky if asked to. This could symbolize the level of trust between the couple, as they are willing to take a leap of faith for each other. The phrase "I would for you" emphasizes the devotion and dedication the singer has towards their partner.
The chorus reinforces the idea that the love between the couple is intense and fragile, like being on the edge of a cliff. They ask their partner to hold their hand and jump, indicating a desire to face any challenges together. This reflects a strong belief in the power of their love and a willingness to take risks for the relationship.
The second verse further emphasizes the depth of the singer's feelings. They express their unwavering belief in their partner, highlighting their faith and trust within the relationship. The phrase "It's nothing but the truth" emphasizes the sincerity and genuineness of their emotions.
The repetition in the chorus reinforces the singer's commitment to their partner. They express their desire to never lose the person they love and commit to always being true to them. This repetition emphasizes the importance of loyalty and the singer's determination to protect their relationship.
Overall, "Never Ever" conveys a powerful message about love and commitment. It highlights the willingness of the singer to go to great lengths for their partner and their unwavering belief in the strength of their relationship. The song captures the intensity and fragility of love and emphasizes the importance of trust, loyalty, and facing challenges together.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you, 'jump', baby
If I asked you to take a leap of faith, my love
Would you do it, get right down to it
Would you act without hesitation
Well, I would for you
Because I would do anything for you
I would for you
I would take that leap for you
No, there ain't no maybe, baby
No, there is no uncertainty
No, no
Absolutely not
It's just the truth
It is simply the truth
Ain't nothing but the truth
There is nothing but the truth
Ooh, can't you see
Oh, don't you understand
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
We're on the edge of love, love, love
We are in a vulnerable state of love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
Darling, take my hand and take that leap with me
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no
I never want to, I absolutely do not want to
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
I never want to lose you
Don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I will never want to
I'll always be true
I will always be loyal and honest
When you look into my eyes
When you gaze into my eyes
Do you see it, do you believe it
Do you perceive it, do you have faith in it
Well, I believe in you
Well, I have faith in you
I believe in you, hey
I have strong belief in you, hey
Baby, there's no way to disguise
Darling, there is no way to hide
How you feel
Your true emotions
'Cause it's the truth, ooh
Because it is the undeniable truth
It's nothing but the truth
It is nothing other than the truth
Ooh, can't you see
Oh, don't you see
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
We're on the edge of love, love, love
We are in a vulnerable state of love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
Darling, take my hand and take that leap with me
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I never want to, I absolutely do not want to
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
I never want to lose you
Ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
I will never want to, no, no, no
I'll always be true
I will always be loyal and honest
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
I never want to, no, no, no
Never ever, ever wanna hurt you
I never, ever want to cause you pain
Ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no, no
I will never want to, no, no, no
I'll always be true
I will always be loyal and honest
Ooh, can't you see
Oh, don't you see
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
We're on the edge of love, love, love
We are in a vulnerable state of love
Baby, hold my hand and jump
Darling, take my hand and take that leap with me
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I never want to, I absolutely do not want to
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna lose you
I never want to lose you
Don't ever wanna, ever wanna
I will never want to
I'll always be true, yeah
I will always be loyal and honest, yeah
I don't ever wanna, ever wanna, no, no
I never want to, no, no
Never ever, ever wanna hurt you
I never, ever want to cause you pain
Ever wanna, ever wanna
I will never want to
I'll always be true
I will always be loyal and honest
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lisa Jane Stansfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carsten Frank
WOW! This Lady is still amazing. Years gone by but she is just incredible with her clear voice and rhythm. 💖 I am 55 and danced to her songs in the 80ies, now i have problems with my feet and she is still a whirlwind on stage. Oh my god - i am an old man. But only 5 seconds of her danceable music and my body is 35 years younger. Thanks a lot Lisa! Go for it! 💖💖💖💪👍
Paul van Appeven
👍🏻still got that 80s Vibe. And Yes is still dance. Im 58. Grtz from Belgium 🇧🇪 Lisa is just super.
LISA CASSAR
you can dance ! Thats AMAZING.. i dance while im at wm with the song i can move my body at 59. i feel the aches but i smile & enjoy
Tony Febry
She is 1 of the best British soul singers very underrated but 4 me special x
djjerome
Jesus it looks like she hasn't even aged in 30 years and her voice still sounds incredible.
Raisa Cherry's Universe 🍒
@Hope Will Never Disappoint 😮😮😮😮😮😍😍😍😍😍
DJ Diva Dee
This lady has had me dancing for 26 years or more! Love her
sylvia gayet
Me top❤️
James Wilson
Don't forget myself as well 😁😁😁
Patricio Suarezfaini
Same here !