Luther Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American singer,… Read Full Bio ↴Luther Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Throughout his career, Vandross was an in-demand background vocalist for several different artists including Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, and Donna Summer. He later became a lead singer of the group Change, which released its gold-certified debut album, The Glow of Love, in 1980 on Warner/RFC Records. After Vandross left the group, he was signed to Epic Records as a solo artist and released his debut solo album, Never Too Much, in 1981.

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.

See Me
Luther Vandross Lyrics

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Yesterday was the first time
That I didn't hear from you
Almost felt like the world had ended
What was I to do?

'Cause you're the one for me
And only you can be my love fantasy
You lift me up higher, you're who I desire

I just love what you do to me
Don't, don't leave me waiting too long
Come by and

See me
You need love, baby
I need love, baby
See me
Hurry baby

I can't hide my emotions
It never turns out right
And without you there was no-one
To get me through the night
Well, I had never cried so much
For anybody else's touch
I even scared myself
And what a way to spend my time
Hopin' for even one line
From you and no-one else

I really need you here with me
See, all these lonely nights keep
Messin' with my mind
I'm so satisfied I asked you to come on by 'cause
I know soon you'll be by my side
And, oh you won't keep me waiting too long
When you come by to

See me
You need love, baby
I need love, baby
See me
Hurry baby

Come to me, girl
My whole world is empty and sad without you
Come make me better

You need love, baby
I need love, baby, baby
You need love, baby
I need love, baby, baby
See me

You're the one for me
And only you can be my love fantasy
You lift me up higher, you're who I desire
I just love what you do to me
Don't, don't leave me waiting too long
Come by and

See me
See
See me
Need love, baby
I need love, baby
See me
You need love, baby

See me
See me

Overall Meaning

Luther Vandross's "See Me" is a lamentation of separation between lovers. The song's opening verse presents the singer's despair in not hearing from their lover for the first time. They feel lost and hopeless without the presence of their love interest. The chorus then implores the lover to come back and see them. The verse following the chorus expands on the singer's distress and how nobody other than their lover could make it better. The song then builds up to the climax where the singer passionately asks their lover to come and be with them again.

The song is a classic soul ballad that bears the hallmark of Vandross's signature style - a mix of emotional lyrics and powerful vocals. The overall theme of the song is that of love and the difficulties it presents in life. The singer is shown to be vulnerable and weakened without their lover - a common trope that is found in many soulful ballads.

The song has a deeper meaning than just being a love song. It also delves into the themes of loneliness, separation, and how love can make one feel complete. The desperation in the singer's voice and the lyrics is relatable to anyone who has ever longed for someone's company.

Line by Line Meaning

Yesterday was the first time
The day before today was the initial instance

That I didn't hear from you
When I did not receive any communication from you

Almost felt like the world had ended
It appeared as if the universe had come to a stop

What was I to do?
What actions were expected of me?

'Cause you're the one for me
The reason is that you are the one I yearn for

And only you can be my love fantasy
You are the solitary one who can meet my idealistic love expectations

You lift me up higher, you're who I desire
You elevate my moods, you are the one I want

I just love what you do to me
My utmost admiration comes from how you make me feel

Don't, don't leave me waiting too long
Please, do not make me endure a prolonged waiting period

Come by and See me
Take the time and visit me

You need love, baby
You require affection, dear

I need love, baby
I long for love, dear

Hurry baby
Please, make it quick, dear

I can't hide my emotions
It is impossible to conceal my sentiments

It never turns out right
It frequently ends unfavorably

Without you, there was no-one
No individual could ever replace you

To get me through the night
To take me through the night of loneliness

Well, I had never cried so much
In the past, I have never gone through so many tears

For anybody else's touch
Because of someone else's embrace

I even scared myself
I caused even myself to feel frightened

And what a way to spend my time
What a tragic way to use my time up

Hopin' for even one line
Yearning for just a single word

From you and no-one else
Coming from no one but you

I really need you here with me
It is imperative that you be present with me

See, all these lonely nights keep Messin' with my mind
All these isolated nights keep disrupting my thoughts

I'm so satisfied I asked you to come on by
I am overly delighted that I requested your presence

'cause I know soon you'll be by my side
Because I recognize that soon you will be beside me

And, oh you won't keep me waiting too long
And, oh, you will not make me wait for too long

When you come by to See me
When you visit me

Come to me, girl
Approach me, dear

My whole world is empty and sad without you
In your absence, my whole existence is hollow and sorrowful

Come make me better
Visit me and heal me

See
Visit

You're the one for me
You are the one I adore

And only you can be my love fantasy
You alone are capable of satisfying my romantic illusions

You lift me up higher, you're who I desire
You elevate me and you are the one I want

I just love what you do to me
I simply cherish the way you make me feel

Don't, don't leave me waiting too long
Please, do not make me wait too long

Come by and See me
Drop by and visit me

Need love, baby
Seeking love, dear

See me
Visit me

You need love, baby
You long for harboring affection, dear

See me
Visit me

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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