His hit songs include "Never Too Much", "Here and Now", "Any Love", "Power of Love/Love Power", "I Can Make It Better" and "For You to Love". Many of his songs were covers of original music by other artists such as "If This World Were Mine" (duet with Cheryl Lynn), "Since I Lost My Baby", "Superstar" and "Always and Forever". Duets such as "The Closer I Get to You" with Beyoncé, "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey and "The Best Things in Life Are Free" with Janet Jackson were all hit songs in his career.
During his career, Vandross sold over 35 million records worldwide, and received eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four different times. He won a total of four Grammy Awards in 2004 including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for a song recorded not long before his death, "Dance with My Father".
Possessing a tenor vocal range, Vandross was commonly referred to as "The Velvet Voice" in reference to his exceptional vocal talent, and was sometimes called "The Best Voice of a Generation". He was also regarded as the "Pavarotti of Pop" by many critics.
In 2008, Vandross was ranked No. 54 on Rolling Stone Magazine's List of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah Carey stated several times in interviews that standing next to Vandross while recording their duet "Endless Love" was intimidating.
By popular vote, Vandross was inducted into The SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com in December 2012.
Creepin'
Luther Vandross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sayin' you'll stay beside me
Why must it be
You always creep
Into my dreams
On the beach we're sitting
Huggin', squeezin', kissin'
You always creep
Into my dreams
My, my, my dreams
When I'm sleep at night baby
I feel those moments of ecstasy
And when you sleep at night baby
I wonder do I creep into your dreams
Or could it be I sleep alone in my fantasy
Oh, love is so amazing (oh, oh, oh, ah, ah)
Guess you will be stayin'
So let it be
You always creep
Into my sho' nuff dreams
(Creep, creep) (?) time is the right time (right time)
(She creep)
I can see you walking down the street
You don't have to walk to creep into my sho 'nuff dreams
Yeah, dreams, yeah
Every time I close my eyes (she creep)
(She creep, creep, creep, creep)
In Luther Vandross's song "Creepin'", the singer explains how an ex-lover is affecting his life, even when he is sleeping. The singer can hear the ex-lover's voice and can feel her presence in his dreams. They have a history of being physically intimate and continue to be so in the dream world. The singer is confused and frustrated because he cannot seem to shake her from his psyche. He wonders if she is experiencing the same sense of longing. The chorus repeats his frustration with the idea that she is always creeping into his dreams.
The song's lyrics showcase themes of desire, longing, and heartbreak, all emotions that most listeners can relate to. The repetition of the phrase "why must it be" and the use of the word "creep" highlights the singer's desperation to move on and forget about the past, but his subconscious makes that task difficult. Beyond the lyrics, the smooth rhythm and melody of the song capture the dreamy environment that the singer describes.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear you sighin'
I can sense your presence, and it feels like you saying you are staying beside me.
Sayin' you'll stay beside me
You make me feel like you are committed to being with me.
Why must it be
I wonder why every time I reminisce about my dreams, you are always there?
You always creep
You always find a way to sneak and occupy my thoughts, especially when I'm asleep.
Into my dreams
I keep thinking of you even when I'm not consciously thinking of you.
On the beach we're sitting
We are relaxing and having a good time, just enjoying each other's company.
Huggin', squeezin', kissin'
We are showing our love and affection for each other through physical displays like hugging, squeezing, and kissing.
My, my, my dreams
These are the personal dreams I have; that is why they are 'my dreams.'
When I'm sleep at night baby
During my most vulnerable state of sleep, I find myself plunged into euphoria at the thought of you.
I feel those moments of ecstasy
The memories of the times we have spent together linger in my mind, making me feel ecstatic.
And when you sleep at night baby
I wonder if you also dream of me, although I'm not sure if I should hope so or not.
I wonder do I creep into your dreams
I wish I knew if you also have dreams of me, or if I'm always the one distracted.
Or could it be I sleep alone in my fantasy
Perhaps, I'm just the one fantasizing and living in an illusion, yet you are not even aware.
Oh, love is so amazing (oh, oh, oh, ah, ah)
Being in love is a beautiful thing, with its joy and fulfillment that are unexplainable.
Guess you will be stayin'
I'm hopeful that you will stick around and be there for me always.
So let it be
Let our love be meaningful and let it grow.
Into my sho' nuff dreams
You've occupied my mind, and it's undeniable that you always find a way into my dreams.
(Creep, creep) (?) time is the right time (right time)
I'm unsure if you feel the same way or if you will ever have the courage to approach me, but if you do, I know that it will be the right time for us.
(She creep)
It feels like everything you've ever done always adds up, and you always find a way to crawl and take control of my thoughts.
I can see you walking down the street
Even though I'm not consciously thinking about you, one look at you, and all my thoughts are filled up with you.
You don't have to walk to creep into my sho 'nuff dreams
You don't have to be present or physically within my vicinity; my thoughts revolve around you nonetheless.
Every time I close my eyes (she creep)
Whenever I try to get some rest, it feels like you find a way onto my mind, making it impossible to escape from thoughts of you.
(She creep, creep, creep, creep)
Those thoughts accumulate and never seem to go away. You just keep creeping and staying in my thoughts.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carter Tlhabi
on I’ll Get Along Fine
Luther feat Luther vandross. ......I'll get along fine
Carter Tlhabi
on This Strange Feeling
This is out of this planet