Maze are a soul / quiet storm band, also known alternately as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Frankie Beverly and Maze, was established in San Francisco, California in the early 1970s.
The band can be considered as the project formerly known as The Butlers, and later Raw Soul, with member Frankie Beverly being songwriter, record producer, arranger, singer, keyboardist and guitarist.
The Philadelphia born Beverly started the group as Raw Soul in 1970. They recorded a couple of singles on the small Gregar label, but without any major hits. With a few personnel changes, a relocation from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in 1971, and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, the group became an immediate success. Gaye took the group on the road with him as one of his opening acts, and in 1976, he suggested that they changed their name from Raw Soul to Maze.
Maze signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1976, and released their debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, in 1977. From that album, the hit singles included "Happy Feelin's", "While I'm Alone", and "Lady of Magic", ultimately giving them their first gold record and earning Maze a devoted following. They also had success with the albums Golden Time of Day (1978), Inspiration (1979) and Joy and Pain (1980).
Their next recording was Live in New Orleans, three quarters of which was recorded at the Saenger Theatre, on November 14–15, 1980. Three of those songs got into the US R&B chart, including "Running Away", "Before I Let Go", and "We Need Love To Live". By that time, the band had both a reputation in America and also enjoyed a following in the United Kingdom with promotional support from the British DJ Robbie Vincent. In May 1985, Maze sold out eight nights at the Hammersmith Odeon.
The group released their next album, Can't Stop the Love in March 1985, which featured the group's first number one R&B hit "Back In Stride." The Top 5 follow-up, "Too Many Games" was also featured on this album. The latter single also became the band's biggest hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 36 on the charts.
In 1989, they signed with Warner Bros. and released the hit album Silky Soul, plus Back to Basics in 1993, and released the live DVD recording at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1994. The two albums also attained gold disc status. They had another number one R&B success with "Can't Get Over You".
In October 2004, "Twilight" appeared in the video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station, Bounce FM .
In 2009, a tribute to the hits of Maze was released. Called Silky Soul Music: An All Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, it included modern stars performing Maze's biggest hits with Maze acting as the backing band.
On September 2, 2011, their percussionist and background singer, McKinley "Bug" Williams, died of an apparent heart attack at a hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Maze continues to tour around the United States as well as Europe to this day. Every year they are the closing act for the Essence Music Festival.
I Wanna Be with You
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you
I've tried to forget you with all my might
But you really got a hold on me
I've been good I've been good to you
You got me hangin' around
Waiting for your call
Talking about it doesn't do a thing at all
I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Don't want to tie you up
It wouldn't mean to much
If you don't feel the same
And I get so excited
At the mention of your name
I'm just a fool for you
And how I should take heed
I can't help myself
Your the only one I need
I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Together forever
There's just no place I'd rather be
I want to be with you
I just want to be with you
Want to be with you
I just want to be with you
The song "I Wanna Be With You" by Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly is a declaration of love from a man to a woman, revealing his intense desire to be close to her. He has attempted to move on without her, but finds himself still caught up in the love they once shared. He acknowledges that he has been good to her and wants to continue to be by her side. He waits for her call and longs for her company. The lyrics suggest that he is willing to make sacrifices for her happiness and that he does not want to tie her down if she does not feel the same way. Despite this, he reveals that he is in love with her and cannot help himself, as she is the only one he needs.
The chorus repeats multiple times, emphasizing how much the man wants to be with the woman. It feels like he is pleading for her attention and love. The lyrics are simple and direct, expressing a deep desire to be with someone he truly loves. The song has a slow, romantic melody that compliments the lyrics, creating a powerful emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be with you
My desire is to spend time with you
I just want to be with you
I have no ulterior motives or complicated desires, just being with you
Want to be with you
I have a genuine longing to spend time with you
I've tried to forget you with all my might
I've made a conscious effort to remove you from my thoughts and memories
But you really got a hold on me
Despite my efforts, you remain strongly in my mind and emotions
I've been good I've been good to you
I've treated you with kindness and respect
The way that I should be
I've acted appropriately and in a manner that would make you happy
You got me hangin' around
I'm waiting eagerly for you, hoping for your attention
Waiting for your call
I'm waiting for you to contact me
Talking about it doesn't do a thing at all
Discussing my feelings doesn't change the fact that I want to be with you
Don't want to tie you up
I don't want to force you into anything you don't want
It wouldn't mean to much
It's not worth it if it's not something you want too
If you don't feel the same
If your feelings don't align with mine
And I get so excited
Your presence or mere mention of you fills me with joy
At the mention of your name
Your name alone evokes positive emotions in me
I'm just a fool for you
I'm willing to do anything for you without any reservations
And how I should take heed
I should be cautious with my emotions and actions, but I can't resist you
I can't help myself
My emotions and feelings for you are too strong to control
Your the only one I need
You're the only person I want and need in my life
Together forever
I want to spend the rest of my life with you
There's just no place I'd rather be
Being with you is the only place I want to be
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC CARMEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tina Talton
Love Frankie and Maze. This song brings back memories of my college days.
Laura Durham
This song has my heart, there was a guy I eventually lost because he thought I was just playing and didn’t want him, I didn’t at first but later I did and tried to tell him.
Mr KEem
I'm hooked on this song the incredible Maze can't be touched!!!!
Tina Talton
Love this song.
Victor Perez
Yeah!HE WAS DEFINITELY BLESSED WITH HE'S BEAUTIFUL SOUND AND STYLE CAN'T NEVER GET TIRED LISTENING TO THE BEST SOUND EVER BEST BALLARD SOUND!
Celebratingdadat90
Frankie, Frankie, Frankie!!!! Love this jam forever
Karen L. Jones
Funny. this song just ran across my head. Brings back food memories. Thank you , Frankie and Maze!
Tina Thomas
It’s nothing like hearing these songs.... these songs take me back and to another loving WORLD!
Oz Villa
Quality,quality, quality, what a voice, brings back memories. Great song. Thanks for posting.
Deayjay
Such a jam! Thanks for posting!