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
Someone Like You
Michael Stanley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
before your eyes
and he took all
your dreams alive
Last stops and all night rides
to that place
where all the lonely hide...
Stop running your heart around
don't let it all get you down...
Don't you know it's so easy--it's so easy
if you're lookin' for a place to run
well, I'm waiting--I'm waiting
I'm waiting to be the one...
I ain't no winner--
I'm no 'miracle-come-true'
but I've waited so long now, baby--
for someone like you...
Someone like you, like you, like you--
--all my life, oh, it's true now, baby...
Wanting
what you can't have
Praying
for what you need
And when you cry out in the night
not knowing what to do
Who's the one--that
shows up to pull you through?
The lyrics of "Someone Like You" by Michael Stanley Band tell the story of someone who has lost the love of their life and is now searching for someone new. The song talks about the pain of losing someone and the struggle to move on, but also offers hope that there is someone out there who is meant for the singer of the song. The first verse talks about how the person's dreams have been taken away by the person they loved, and how they are now left alone, searching for a place to belong. The chorus offers a message of hope, telling the person not to give up on finding love and that the singer is waiting for them to be the one.
The second verse talks about the pain of wanting someone you can't have and the desperation of praying for what you need. The bridge of the song acknowledges that the singer is not perfect and cannot offer miracles, but has been waiting a long time for someone like the singer of the song. The final chorus repeats the message that if the singer is looking for a place to run, the singer is waiting to be the one to offer comfort.
Overall, the lyrics of "Someone Like You" tell a story of loss and hope, offering a message that even though there is pain and heartache, there is still hope for finding love and happiness with someone new.
Line by Line Meaning
Vanished
The person you loved disappeared suddenly from your life
Before your eyes
You witnessed your loved one leaving you
And he took all
He took away all the happiness and hopes of the person he left
Your dreams alive
The dreams and desires that you wanted to achieve while being with him
Last stops and all night rides
You went to distant places to find solitude
To that place where all the lonely hide...
You went to a place where all the people in pain, like you, seek refuge
Stop running your heart around
Stop playing with your own emotions
Don't let it all get you down...
All the pain and sadness should not let you break down completely
Don't you know it's so easy--it's so easy
It's easy to seek solace with someone who understands you
If you're lookin' for a place to run
If you are looking for a place to go after being hurt
Well, I'm waiting--I'm waiting
Someone is waiting for you
I'm waiting to be the one...
That person is waiting to help you through life
I ain't no winner--
Don't expect a perfect life partner
I'm no 'miracle-come-true'
I can't solve all your problems on a whim
But I've waited so long now, baby--
But that person has been waiting for you with all the love
For someone like you...
They have been waiting for someone like you to come along
Someone like you, like you, like you--
Someone who can understand you, love you, and make you happy
--all my life, oh, it's true now, baby...
That person has been waiting for someone like you all their life
Wanting
Desiring someone who can understand the pain you are in
What you can't have
Yearning for someone whom you cannot have back in your life
Praying
Hoping for a miracle to happen and get through the tough times
For what you need
For emotional support and love during difficult times
And when you cry out in the night
When you are most vulnerable and seeking comfort
Not knowing what to do
Feeling clueless about how to move on and overcome the heartbreak
Who's the one--that
Who is the person that
Shows up to pull you through?
Comes to your aid and helps you out of the pain and sadness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN RALEIGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind