Michael began playing piano at the early age of three. His family lived next door to a church and there he spent countless hours learning and practicing the piano. He became inspired to sing when he heard the voice of the late, great Donny Hathaway. Michael began playing the piano and singing in the church choir. Like most great artists, the church is where Michael obtained his skills as a singer and musician.
Michael’s introduction into the world of recording and record production began when his brother-in-law introduced him to DJ Rogers. After a short period of time DJ Rogers noted the talent that Michael had and asked him to join his band. While with the band, Rogers introduce Michael to an array of artists, and taught him how to work with musicians, and how to become a bandleader.
Michael came to the attention of audiences through his participation as a background vocalist on Stevie Wonder's landmark album “Songs In The Key Of Life” in 1976. This open doors, and over the next several years Michael recorded and toured with Natalie Cole and 7thWonder. While constantly working in the studio and developing his skills, Michael drew the attention of veteran and now Grammy Award winning producer Steve Tyrell. Tyrell produced Michael’s first solo album “Come To My World” and negotiated a deal with RCA to sign Michael. The album, spun off two hits,” Feel My Love" and "One Alone”. The next year, Michael worked with producer Webster Lewis and a group of top musicians, including drummer James Gadson, trumpeter Nolan Smith (Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder) and vocalists Gary Taylor, Tawatha Agee, and Fonzi Thorton, “Love Conquers All”, a solid but underappreciated album that squeaked onto the Soul charts but bore no immediate hits, though it had a number of appealing tracks. However, over the next decade one of the album's cuts, the midtempo “Looking Up to You” was sampled in Zhane's “Hey Mr. DJ” and became a much sought-after steppers' classic and created an underground market for “Love Conquers All” that continues to this day. SonyBMG is schedule to release this album in cd form during the first quarter of 2008.
Lewis also produced the third album “On The Line” it was his biggest selling album. It included the dance hit "Tell Me Love" and two excellent other cuts, the midtempo “There's No Easy Way” and the tender ballad “So Close”.
During his illustrious career Michael has played, sung, recorded and toured, with some noted greats that includes: Stevie Wonder, Phoebe Snow, The Winans, The Gipsy Kings, The Gap Band, Jose Feliciano, Jeffrey Osborne, Luther Vandross, Denise Williams, George Duke, Patti Austin, Yarbrough & Peoples, Bobby Womack, Peabo Bryson and of course DJ Rogers and countless others.
The music industry has more than its share of horror stories about bright lights, money, fame, drugs and alcohol. Michael found him self addicted to drugs and alcohol; he lost contact with close friends, business associates, family, and his children. The drugs and alcohol took him to what he calls “the lowest times in his life”. He states that “this period in his life was about “emotional pain”, the greater the pain the more drugs and alcohol I would consume to get rid of the pain.” Homeless and on skid row, it came to him that he needed to go back to his roots, “The Church”. Michael has spent the last ten years of his life telling his story, helping, and showing people that it is never too late. With God in their lives, there is always hope. He now works with various Los Angeles area churches as Minister of Music, and Associate Pastor.
A year ago, bass player Darrel Harris reconnected Michael with and old friend, producer Robby Robinson. During that time Robby was working with an Indie artist, Xia Dove. He invited Michael to Whaletyme studio to play piano on a couple of songs. Robby was so impressed and moved by Michael’s work, in lieu of a couple songs, Michael played on all nine of the songs that Robby produced and they have been jointed at the hip sense.
Presently Michael and Robby are in the studio working on Michael’s new gospel cd entitled “Return”. Michael stated that the title “represents the full circle that he has traveled in his life. “God gave me my gift of music in the church, and here I am back again. God is truly amazing!” Amen. The cd “Return” will be release spring 2008!
Looking Up To You
Michael Wycoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So sweet, got me lookin' up to you
So sweet, got me lookin' up, got me lookin' up to you
First impressions, handed just on how it could be
Often thinking that you could be the love I need
I'm looking forward to that sweet reality ... Oh yeah
I see myself rewarded with the love I need
And I'm believing got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do ... ah yeah
There's a thing never simplified ... oh no
Only mastered by those who take the time
Don't you know good judgement could keep it on your side
The rules are buried emotions often decide
But I'm believing got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do ... ah yeah
So sweet, got me lookin' up, got me lookin' up to you
So sweet, got me lookin' up to you
So sweet, got me lookin' up, got me lookin' up to you
Got me lookin' up to you
You know these times can take you through so many changes
... yes they can
Things you can't figure out sometimes seem the strangest
People doing things no one can explain
I don't know what would do if love wasn't here to keep me sane ... Whoooa
What I believe in's got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do
So sweet ... it's so sweet
Got me looking, got me looking up to you
What I believe in got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do
What I believe in got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling I do
What I believe in got me looking up to you
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling I do
"Looking Up To You" by Michael Wycoff is a love song that expresses the singer's admiration and love for a special someone who has won their heart. The song is a classic R&B slow jam, and the lyrics convey gratitude and appreciation for the blissful feeling of being in love with someone who reciprocates their affection.
The first verse talks about how meeting this person has given the singer hope that they might have found the love they need. The second verse suggests that good judgment and buried emotions are keys to mastering love, and that sometimes love is the only thing that can keep a person sane when everything else seems to be going wrong. The chorus repeats the phrase "So sweet, got me lookin' up, got me lookin' up to you," and the outro reiterates the chorus but with the addition of the lyrics "What I believe in got me looking up to you, What I'm receiving keeps me feeling like I do."
Overall, the lyrics of "Looking Up To You" express a feeling of happiness and contentment that comes with being in love, and they emphasize the importance of believing in love and having faith that it will prevail even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
So sweet, got me lookin' up, got me lookin' up to you
The subject is in awe of the addressee's sweetness and is looking up to them with admiration.
First impressions, handed just on how it could be
The subject's initial opinion of the addressee is based on what they believe could be rather than what they know for sure.
Often thinking that you could be the love I need
The subject frequently considers whether the addressee could be the person they need to fulfill their romantic desires.
I'm looking forward to that sweet reality ... Oh yeah
The subject is eagerly anticipating a potentially romantic relationship with the addressee and is imagining a positive outcome.
I see myself rewarded with the love I need
The subject envisions themselves obtaining the love they require from the addressee and being fulfilled as a result.
And I'm believing got me looking up to you
The subject's belief in the addressee's potential to fulfill their emotional needs has caused them to look up to them with respect and admiration.
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do ... ah yeah
The positive emotional response the subject is receiving from the addressee is allowing them to maintain their admiration and respect.
There's a thing never simplified ... oh no
There is a complex issue at play that is not easily understandable or resolved.
Only mastered by those who take the time
Only those who invest effort and patience into understanding the complex issue can hope to master it.
Don't you know good judgement could keep it on your side
By employing good judgement, one could potentially gain an advantage or favorable outcome in regards to the complex issue.
The rules are buried emotions often decide
The factors that determine the outcome of the complex issue are often deeply-rooted emotions that are not easily observable or quantifiable.
You know these times can take you through so many changes
The subject acknowledges that life can be unpredictable and tumultuous, causing individuals to experience a variety of emotional states.
Things you can't figure out sometimes seem the strangest
Events or experiences that are difficult to comprehend or rationalize can seem bizarre or inexplicable to the subject.
People doing things no one can explain
Individuals may behave in inexplicable ways for reasons that are unknown to the subject.
I don't know what would do if love wasn't here to keep me sane ... Whoooa
The subject relies on love to maintain their emotional stability and does not know how they would cope without it.
So sweet ... it's so sweet
The subject repeats their admiration for the addressee's sweetness.
Got me looking, got me looking up to you
The subject is still in a state of admiration, looking up to the addressee with respect and desire.
What I believe in's got me looking up to you
The subject's belief in the addressee's potential to fulfill their emotional needs has caused them to look up to them with respect and admiration.
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling like I do
The positive emotional response the subject is receiving from the addressee is allowing them to maintain their admiration and respect.
What I believe in got me looking up to you
The subject's belief in the addressee's potential to fulfill their emotional needs has caused them to look up to them with respect and admiration.
What I'm recieving keeps me feeling I do
The positive emotional response the subject is receiving from the addressee is allowing them to maintain their admiration and respect.
Contributed by Max C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shadasparkes9432
Anyone else jamming to this in 2024 ??
@shirleybutler2623
OMG Please don't leave me out 👌🏿 This beautiful classic just moves one's soul in the right direction 😍 ❤️ Great music like this doesn't have a time stamp 🎯 💜 Definitely an certified JAM ‼️💃🏿🕺💃🏿💥💯😘🥳😎🎊🌹💕💋🥰Still listening how January 13 2024🫠🤩
@antuneselias354
Eu, aqui do Brasil. Música maravilhosamente sensacional !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@kredsentertainment9554
💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾
@ced6080
Et moi en France, j'écoute ça en 2024 ;)
@nicholassgouros8612
I AM!!!
@demeriswycoff9223
I Miss my oldest brother but his spirit will always be with me.
I will always love you Michael and you may BIP.
Love Davy Pain ❤
@408mailmaned9
I have their CD and they give him credit. I had to look it up because a lot of that CD was way to familiar sounding when it came out.
@fijitears
RIP
@tangotango168
He will be always with you❤❤ really sorry for you ❤❤