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.
Dancin
Minnie Riperton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But he wasn't on the phone
I got up and tiptoed down the hall
And tripped into the twilight zone
Everyone there was gettin' down
Dancin' and actin' crazy
Everyone there was carryin' on
Sparkelitas vamped arount the room
Flashin' out with champaigne eyes
G. randini played those eighty-eights
Till ivory tears began to fly
Oh what a party
The baddest jam I'd ever seen
I started shakin'
I had to scream
I woke up and wondered where I'd been
Just a dream I realized
Went downstairs to put some water on
And I could not believe my eyes
Why why !
The song "Dancin' And Actin' Crazy" by Minnie Riperton tells the story of a dream that she had the previous night. In the dream, her baby called her, but when she answered the phone, he wasn't there. She then tiptoed down the hall and found herself in the twilight zone. In this alternate reality, everyone was dancing and acting crazy. Sparkelitas, who was wearing champagne-colored clothes, was dancing around the room, while G. randini played the piano. The party was the "baddest jam" that Riperton had ever seen, and she couldn't help but dance and scream.
The lyrics of "Dancin' And Actin' Crazy" convey the idea of escapism. The dream sequence is a metaphorical representation of a place that is far away from the real world, where people can just let go and be themselves. The lyrics are also suggestive of Riperton's own personality. She was known for being an outgoing and vivacious performer, and her music reflected a deep sense of joy and exuberance.
In terms of the song's production, "Dancin' And Actin' Crazy" boasts a distinctive disco sound that was popular at the time. Riperton's vocals are layered over a pulsing bassline and lively percussion, creating a sense of movement and energy. The piano riffs that run throughout the song add to the frenetic pace of the music, propelling the listener forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Late last night I dreamed my baby called
The singer is recalling a dream they had where their significant other called them.
But he wasn't on the phone
Upon waking up, the singer realizes that their significant other wasn't actually on the phone during the dream.
I got up and tiptoed down the hall
After waking up, the singer went to investigate the source of the dream.
And tripped into the twilight zone
The artist felt disoriented and out of place upon leaving their room.
Everyone there was gettin' down
The dream turned out to be a lively and upbeat party scene.
Dancin' and actin' crazy
The attendees were all dancing energetically and having a wild time.
Sparkelitas vamped arount the room
One of the attendees, named Sparkelitas, was moving around the room with style and flair.
Flashin' out with champaigne eyes
Sparkelitas had a mischievous and playful look in her eyes, likely due to the champagne she was drinking.
G. randini played those eighty-eights
A musician, G. Randini, was playing the piano (referred to as the eighty-eights).
Till ivory tears began to fly
G. Randini was playing the piano so passionately that it seemed like the keys were crying tears.
Oh what a party
The singer is amazed by the atmosphere and energy of the party scene in their dream.
The baddest jam I'd ever seen
The party was the most exciting and memorable experience the artist had ever dreamed of.
I started shakin'
The singer was so overwhelmed with excitement that their body started shaking with energy.
I had to scream
The excitement of the party was so intense that the singer couldn't contain it and had to let out a scream.
I woke up and wondered where I'd been
After the dream ended, the singer felt disoriented and unsure of where they had been.
Just a dream I realized
The artist eventually realizes that the party and everything they experienced was just a dream.
Went downstairs to put some water on
After waking up, the artist went to the kitchen to do a normal task.
And I could not believe my eyes
The singer was surprised to see something unexpected when they left their room.
Why why !
The singer is left wondering why they had such a vivid and strange dream.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: RANDY B WALDMAN, RICHARD J RUDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind