In late 1982, MSB released what would be their final album for EMI: "You Can't Fight Fashion". The single, "My Town", had made it to 29 on Billboard Magazine's charts, sales were good, and the band was on tour, when EMI stunned the band by offering them an 'extension', rather than a contract renewal with a long-term financial committment. When Michael confidently 'called their bluff', their label pulled the plug, halting promotion and tour-backing immediately.
Although it was a financial blow that staggered the band, they gamely continued performing venues in the Northern Ohio and Midwest circuit, producing two independent releases, 1983's "Inside Moves", and "Fourth And Ten" in 1984 (recorded live at Blossom Music Center--a two nighter that saw the venue's all-time attendance records shattered), before formally disbanding in late 1986, shortly after performing nine 'farewell' concerts at Cleveland's Front Row...
"...We broke up not because we didn't like each other, but because we couldn't survive. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. It was like a group divorce," Michael Stanley would later recall, to Cleveland Magazine in a July, 1994 interview.
"After we did the last show with the band in December, 1987 (the Front Row Club "farewell" shows), I didn't touch a guitar for six months," Michael Stanley said in a 1992 interview, "...I wanted to walk away from it for awhile. I thought, 'Yeah, I'll stop for a little bit, come back and it'll be like turning on the faucet.' It was the total opposite. It was like writer's block for a long, long time."
In late 1991, the 'block' fell away...
Not surprisingly, Michael's 'post-MSB' years found him still working in the Cleveland-area entertainment spotlight: he served as co-host of WJW-Channel 8's "Cleveland Tonight" and "P.M. Magazine", 'til they were canceled, and later as a weekly featured reporter for TV8's "First Look". It was only natural he'd find music calling him again, and he overlapped his television career with a new one in radio broadcasting--as afternoon disc jockey and on-air personality at Cleveland's WNCX 98.5...
Coming Up For Air...
In December, 1991, during a Las Vegas vacation, Michael suffered a heart attack. The near-tragedy resulted in Michael's re-evaluation of his life and career, and, with renewed determination and perspective, he began building a life of balance, exploring new interests while rediscovering old ones. He 'settled in', buying Chagrin Falls acreage, and lent his support to a number of good causes and charitable projects. Former Ohio native and MSB-fan, Razor & Tie Records' Cliff Chenfield, had contacted him, and the 'compilation' release they had discussed, "Right Back At Ya", was released in February, 1992, leading to a following decision to 're-issue' the entire Michael Stanley catalog. Michael remarked, in a 1994 Cleveland Magazine interview, "After a six-year drought, we had eight albums out one year and four the next. I finally got to have a copy of everything we'd done."
In 1993, Michael reunited with Jonah Koslen, Bob Pelander and Jennifer Lee (an area singer whose vocals had contributed to many MSB studio projects and concert appearances) to form The Ghost Poets. With the MSB reissues selling so well, Cliff Chenfield decided to release the group's eponymously-titled "The Ghost Poets" through Razor & Tie Records in 1994. Sales that followed were good, but local airplay was difficult--a Cleveland 'blackout' had resulted, as many radio stations viewed Michael Stanley--WNCX's highly-visible personality--as a competitor. The Ghost Poets continued to perform for a little over a year after the release, when a decision was made to disband the effort, and move on...
Following the quiet disbanding of The Ghost Poets, Michael went into the studio with another set of former MSB bandmates--including Bob Pelander, drummer Tommy Dobeck, bassist Michael Gismondi and guitarist Danny Powers--and recorded his first 'solo' endeavor since 1973's "Friends & Legends".
"Coming Up For Air", a quiet, intensely emotional and introspective album that centered around the title track--Stanley's chilling reliving of his recent heart attack--was released through Intersound Music (now Platinum Entertainment) on February 27, 1996.
"Though declaring a 1994 Blossom 'MSB reunion' concert as the 'final' one, Michael Stanley continued to perform with several long-time friends and former band members in and around the Cleveland area, billed as 'Michael Stanley & Friends'. Not surprisingly, his solo work led him to a decidedly 'acoustic' approach: in April, 1997, a two-nighter at Akron's Tangiers was duly recorded, and released by Razor & Tie Records as "Live In Tangiers: The Acoustic Shows" on June 3, 1998...
The release was received warmly by his fans and new converts alike, and the following 2 years were ones spent engaged in work on his next studio release. On June 6, 2000, of "Eighteen Down": elegantly titled (as an eighteenth album -- nineteen if one includes his debut endeavor with Silk, "Smooth As Raw Silk" -- spanning a musical career of over three decades) and brimming with new songs that both rocked with heartland spirit and embraced an oftimes-reflective maturity. Again, many familiar names joined Michael Stanley in the creation of that effort.
Now, and on "The Ground" with "The Farrago Sessions"...
The following year saw Michael maintaining a busy schedule of work at WNCX, 'Friends' appearances and creative time in the studio mulling his next move. All was right in the world...
September 11, 2001, changed a lot of lives, and Michael was no exception. Tragedy has long inspired art, perhaps as a memorial to loss, grief and change. And, in the process, we are tutored as to what is really 'right in the world', and made stronger by the realization. It was a muse that would lead Stanley to pen new material that reflected this, to cherish family and embrace friends.
By now, "Michael Stanley & The Resonators" had become the band's performing moniker, and they were pleasing their loyal MSB fans while winning over new ones, with a set list of old favorites and clever covers interspersed with fresh originals...
Not long after, a gumbo of Cleveland talent began rocking the Northcoast music scene as "The Midlife Chryslers", composed of musical alumni of the Resonators, MSB, The TopKats, My Old School, Jonah Koslen and the Gentleman Rockers, Wish You Were Here and more...
It was during this storm of creative activity that Michael somehow found the time to hit the studio and begin work on "The Ground", released on October 21, 2003. The momentum continued, and an inspired collection of Michael's personal favorites, "The Farrago Sessions", resulted, dropping late summer, 2006. Featuring such gems as "I Wish It Would Rain", a medley-fied pair of classics, "Withi-Tai-To" and "Sweet Jane", and a dozen other goodies, "The Farrago Sessions" is Michael's first-ever "cover" set, but, judging by the favorable response, won't be the last...
Michael continues to man the airwaves as afternoon 'drive-time' personality at Cleveland's popular WNCX, while performing with "The Resonators" and "Midlife Chryslers" throughout Ohio...
The pace shows no signs of letting up...
------------------------------
Michael Stanley passed away on March 4, 2021 - RIP:
https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=michael-stanley-gee&pid=197948363&fhid=10879
Help
Michael Stanley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never needed anybody's help in any way
But now those days are gone, I'm not so self-assured
Now I find I need you back, I've opened up the door
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate your being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please help me?
And now my life has changed in oh, so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then, I feel so insecure
Now I know I need you like I've never done before
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate your being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please help me?
Won't you please help me?
Won't you please help me?
Won't you please help me?
The Michael Stanley Band's "Help" is a song about the importance of asking for help when life becomes difficult. The lyrics start off by describing a time in the singer's life when he felt self-sufficient and did not need anyone's assistance. However, as time went on, he realized that he was not as confident as he once was and that he needed help. The singer asks for someone's help to "get his feet back on the ground" and to combat feelings of insecurity.
The theme of asking for help is universal and relatable. As individuals, we often try to handle everything on our own, but there comes a time when we need to acknowledge that we can't do it alone. It takes courage to ask someone for assistance, and the singer is acknowledging this in the song. The repetition of the plea to help emphasizes the urgency and sincerity of the request.
Overall, "Help" is an emotionally charged song that encourages listeners to seek help when they need it most. It highlights the vulnerability that comes with asking for assistance and the importance of having supportive people in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was younger, so much younger than today
During his youth, the singer was more self-reliant than he is now.
Never needed anybody's help in any way
In the past, the singer prided himself on his independence and didn't require assistance from others.
But now those days are gone, I'm not so self-assured
As he has gotten older, the singer has become less confident in himself and his abilities.
Now I find I need you back, I've opened up the door
The singer realizes that he needs someone else's help and is willing to accept that help.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
The singer is in a low state of mind and is reaching out for assistance.
And I do appreciate your being 'round
The singer is grateful for the support of the person he is addressing.
Help me get my feet back on the ground
The singer wants help in becoming emotionally stable and grounded.
Won't you please help me?
The singer is asking for help in a pleading and heartfelt manner.
And now my life has changed in oh, so many ways
The singer's life has undergone significant changes, making it difficult for him to adjust on his own.
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
Despite wanting to remain independent, the singer's circumstances have made it difficult to maintain his self-reliance.
But every now and then, I feel so insecure
Occasionally, the singer experiences feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Now I know I need you like I've never done before
The singer has reached the realization that he requires outside assistance to move past his current struggles.
Won't you please help me?
The singer reiterates his previous request for help in a vulnerable and sincere manner.
Won't you please help me?
The singer repeats his previous request a final time in hopes of receiving assistance.
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yvonnekennedy6105
I NEVER get tired of his version. Miss Michael 😿😿
@johndonabie5150
A version of this Beatle Classic that I always have loved. RIP Michael Stanley.
@dorischarleston4153
Listening to this song is the best medicine.
@jltrem
RIP Michael Stanley. As a Beatle fan I wasn't big on covers. This was different. It was after hearing it that I learned Lennon originally planned to do the song slow. Some years ago I was in Woodsey's, a music store in Kent, Ohio. A tall man in a black overcoat was standing nearby looking at guitars. When he turned his head toward me I saw that it was Michael Stanley.
@thomasbalas5774
Cool story, I grew up in Fairview Park, loved seeing him in the 70’s
@douglasfulmer2058
I once was able to tell Michael Stanley that this was my favorite Beatles cover of all time
@Nicholai-zf1kc
Rip Michael Stanley! Music icon and Cleveland Legend
@joesmith853
Grew up listening to MSB and WMMS from Akron, Ohio. The best radio station ever, that's why the Rock and Roll Museum is there!
@connieogle4209
Friends and Legends has remained a top favorite L.P. since it was originally released. Thank you Michael, friends and legends. This is pure joy and happiness!!
@danielleblack1316
I read where John overheard Michael in the studio and told him this was how John intended for the song to be sung ❤.