The tragic 1979 death of 31-year-old Riperton silenced one of soul music's most unique and unforgettable voices - blessed with an angelic five-octave vocal range, she scored her greatest commercial success with the chart-topping pop ballad, "Lovin' You". Riperton was born in Chicago on November 8, 1947. As a young girl, she studied music, drama, and dance at the city's Lincoln Center and later contemplated a career in opera. Her pop career began in 1963 when she joined the local girl group called The Gems (not to be confused with the 60s New York-based girl group Gems, led by Louise Bethune), who were also known at times as The Starlets (1963-1966), signing to the famed Chess label to release a handful of singles as well as lend backing vocals to acts including Fontella Bass, The Dells, and Etta James. After graduating from high school, Riperton went to work at Chess as a receptionist. A year before The Gems' dissolution in 1967, she also signed with the label as a solo act, releasing a single, Lonely Girl, under the alias Andrea Davis (a pseudonym she used in honor of Billy Davis, her mentor at Chess who wrote the song for her).
In 1967, Riperton was installed as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic soul band Rotary Connection, which debuted that year with a self-titled LP on Cadet Concepts. The singles "Amen" and "Lady Jane" found a home on underground FM radio, but the group failed to make much of an impression on mainstream outlets. While still a Connection member, Riperton mounted a solo career. Teaming up with producer/arranger Charles Stepney and her husband/composer Richard Rudolph, she issued her brilliant 1970 debut, Come to My Garden, but again commercial success eluded her. After Rotary Connection dissolved in the wake of 1971's Hey Love, she and Rudolph took a two-year sabbatical in Florida before relocating to Los Angeles, where she sang on Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale and toured as a member of his backing unit Wonderlove.
Wonder agreed to co-produce Riperton's 1974 album Perfect Angel, which included the international blockbuster "Lovin' You". The record made her a household name, although subsequent LPs like 1975's Adventures in Paradise and 1977's Stay in Love failed to repeat its success. By this time, however, commercial woes were the least of Riperton's concerns - diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a mastectomy in 1976, later becoming a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and earning a Society Courage Award from then-President Jimmy Carter. Riperton continued performing despite her declining condition, with 1979's Minnie, the final record completed during her lifetime - but died in Los Angeles on July 12 of that year. Unreleased vocal tracks with new instrumental backing constituted 1980's posthumous collection, Love Lives Forever. - Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
genres: Soul, Pop-Soul, Chicago Soul, Smooth Soul, AM Pop, Uptown Soul.
Come to My Garden
Minnie Riperton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come to my garden let the stars fill your eyes
Come to my garden and walk with me
Come to my garden no more dreams filled with cries
Come to my garden please
I'll take your hand and lead you from these bad times
I'll take your hand and lead you where the truth lies
I'll take you with me now
You know you've lived here all your nights; all your days
You know you've lived here inside my mind
You know you'll stay here for this you've lived all your life
You know you'll stay right here
The lyrics of Minnie Riperton's song "Come to My Garden" represent the invitation to the listener to enter into a new world of possibilities, leaving behind the misery and grief of the past. The first verse, "Come to my garden let the stars fill your eyes," describes an idyllic setting that is both beautiful and peaceful. The singer invites the listener to walk with them through their journey of healing and renewal, away from the sorrows and despair that have plagued them for too long. The refrain emphasizes that the garden is a place where dreams can be realized and there can be an end to tears and sorrow.
The second verse, "I'll take your hand and lead you from these bad times," demonstrates the singer's desire to help the listener escape from their troubles. The singer promises to breathe new life into the listener and guide them towards the truth - this represents the idea of personal transformation and growth. The final verse, "You know you've lived here all your nights; all your days...You know you'll stay here for this you've lived all your life, You know you'll stay right here," celebrates the idea of the listener finding a permanent home in this new garden. The song's lyrics, therefore, offer a positive and hopeful message about finding a place of refuge and restoration in the midst of life's difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to my garden let the stars fill your eyes
Join me in this peaceful place and let the beauty of the night sky inspire and fill your heart.
Come to my garden and walk with me
Embrace the joys of life and come journey with me in this idyllic garden setting.
Come to my garden no more dreams filled with cries
Leave behind the sorrows of your past and bask in the serenity and solace this place provides.
Come to my garden please
I implore you to come take refuge in this calming haven I've cultivated and share in the joy it brings.
I'll take your hand and lead you from these bad times
I offer my love and support to guide you through the hardships of life and accompany you towards a better fate.
I'll take your breath and give you mine
I want to nurture and sustain you in every way possible, exchanging our life forces to merge our beings.
I'll take your hand and lead you where the truth lies
I'll steer you towards the reality that persists beyond the illusions and misconceptions you might hold.
I'll take you with me now
Let's harmoniously unite in this moment and allow our spirits to intertwine.
You know you've lived here all your nights; all your days
Realize that this garden has been waiting for you to discover it, and this place has always been a part of your life's journey.
You know you've lived here inside my mind
My thoughts and imagination have crafted this magical garden, but it is now your reality to savor.
You know you'll stay here for this you've lived all your life
Feel the deep resonance and familiarity with this garden, as if you were meant to find it and dwell here forevermore.
You know you'll stay right here
You know that you belong in this paradise that offers you peace, happiness and fulfillment. You'll always have a home in my garden.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD RUDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sensaye25
There's a certain sincerity missing from music these days, especially R&B. This is one of the greatest albums of all time. Peace.
Leki Jolo
The entire album is a masterpiece. What an album!
Onton
true not a single miss on the album
NeoFunkyman1
One of THE great soul singers mainly remembered for THAT song. Its a shame most people don't know her other timeless work which still sounds fresh and not 40 years old!
Vintage
Right?
Blossom Hicks
With tears falling from my eyes my soul is so touched!
Blossom Hicks
My God all I can say I lived this time when it was music was from the depth of the soul.
Ariadnimusiclover
only angels can sing like that. Thank you God thank you Minnie for the joy!!!!
Lmsggirl Swann
MINNIE'S VOICE WAS 100% PURE💗🕊🌹❣
neil nate nebraska
it's raining.i came to here to enjoy the life that i have in my hands.after so many exausting schedules i found the time to enjoy the silence,the rain,the love,the time,the sun and myself. thank u minnie for the eternal music and the timeless voice.