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.
Think About You
Luther Vandross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like I'm along for the ride, it happened unexpectedly
Promised myself that I wouldn't ever love again
But you make me feel something, my mind's always on you
I was standing in the rain (I thought about you)
I was riding on the train (I thought about you)
Feeling high like I seem to do
Every time I think about you
Had to hold back the tears (I thought about you)
Other girls no more exist
All because I think about you
Nothing seems to help, I don't even know myself
I'm trying not to think of you, but a heart does what it wants to do
Pass you by, see you smile and I must admit I get
So emotional, I think I'm falling for you
Bought a pillow for my room (I thought about you)
Heard Alicia sing a tune (I thought about you)
It sends my rocket to the moon
Every time I think about you
Right from this heart of mine (I thought about you)
I wanted you every time (I thought about you)
What I feel is so divine
And it's all because I think about you
But I'm constantly reminded
Reminded that you're only someone who I'd like to know
You don't know me, you're my private fantasy
You're with me, constantly in my mind
Had a lovely day today (I thought about you)
Wasn't hard to get through (I thought about you)
Seems to happen easily
Every time I think about you
Took a walk with myself (I thought about you)
Wish it could've been with you (I thought about you)
But every star in the sky came out for me
And it's all because I think about you
In the song "Think About You", Luther Vandross sings about the struggle of falling in love unexpectedly and being unable to escape from the constant thoughts of the person he loves. He compares his feelings to being in paradise, but also recognizes that he's too close to the situation and should have stepped away. His thoughts are consumed by this person, and he often feels emotional and gets lost in his own private fantasy. The lyrics indicate that he's constantly reminded that this person is someone he would like to know better and that he would love to be with them. The song ends on a hopeful note where he spends a lovely day and took a walk by himself, yet every star in the sky shone for him because he was thinking about the person he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
So close to paradise, but closer than I should be
I'm in a situation that seems perfect, but too good to be true. It's dangerous, but I can't help but be closer to you.
It's like I'm along for the ride, it happened unexpectedly
I didn't expect to fall for you, but it's happening anyway. It's like I'm not in control, just along for the ride.
Promised myself that I wouldn't ever love again
After a bad experience, I swore never to fall in love again to protect myself from getting hurt.
But you make me feel something, my mind's always on you
Despite my reservations, I can't help but have feelings for you. You're always on my mind, and I can't shake the thought of you.
I was standing in the rain (I thought about you)
Even in the midst of a mundane or unpleasant experience, the thought of you brings me comfort and happiness.
I was riding on the train (I thought about you)
Even when I'm busy or preoccupied, I can't help but think of you and the feelings you evoke in me.
Feeling high like I seem to do
Every time I think about you
Thinking of you gives me a natural high, a rush of happiness and joy that I can't help but feel.
Saw two lovers start to kiss (I thought about you)
Had to hold back the tears (I thought about you)
Other girls no more exist
All because I think about you
The sight of other couples reminds me of you and the feelings you stir in me. No other girls compare to you because you dominate my mind and heart.
Nothing seems to help, I don't even know myself
I'm trying not to think of you, but a heart does what it wants to do
Even when I try to resist my feelings for you or distract myself with other things, my heart knows what it wants and can't help but think of you.
Pass you by, see you smile and I must admit I get
So emotional, I think I'm falling for you
When I see you and your smile, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions. It's a sign that I'm falling deeper in love with you.
Bought a pillow for my room (I thought about you)
Heard Alicia sing a tune (I thought about you)
It sends my rocket to the moon
Every time I think about you
Even the simplest things, like buying a pillow or hearing a song, can trigger thoughts of you and send me soaring with happiness and love.
Right from this heart of mine (I thought about you)
I wanted you every time (I thought about you)
What I feel is so divine
And it's all because I think about you
My heart longs for you, and my desire for you feels pure and heavenly. It's all because my thoughts constantly revolve around you.
But I'm constantly reminded
Reminded that you're only someone who I'd like to know
You don't know me, you're my private fantasy
You're with me, constantly in my mind
Even though we may not have a real connection, I can't help but fantasize about you and imagine what it would be like to be together. You're like a secret indulgence that I can't shake from my thoughts.
Had a lovely day today (I thought about you)
Wasn't hard to get through (I thought about you)
Seems to happen easily
Every time I think about you
Even on an otherwise normal or average day, the mere thought of you makes everything seem brighter and easier to get through. It's effortless for me to think of you and feel happy.
Took a walk with myself (I thought about you)
Wish it could've been with you (I thought about you)
But every star in the sky came out for me
And it's all because I think about you
Even when I'm alone and taking a walk, I can't help but wish you were with me. Despite that, everything around me seems to light up with joy and beauty because of my thoughts of you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES PORTE, LUTHER VANDROSS
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