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.
Les Fleurs
Minnie Riperton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will a lady pin me in her hair?
Will a child find me by a stream?
Kiss my petals and weave me through a dream
For all of these simple things and much more a flower was born
It blooms to spread love and joy faith and hope to people forlorn
If he looks within he finds beauty and power
Ring all the bells, sing and tell the people everywhere that the flower has come
Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness and rejoice for the darkness is gone
Throw off your fears let your heart beat freely at the sign that a new time is born
The lyrics to Minnie Riperton's song "Les Fleur" express a deep sense of longing to be a part of nature and to emanate love and joy to those who may find and cherish the singer, who is presented as the anthropomorphized flower. The opening stanza inquires if anyone will take on the role of the flower’s caretaker, affirming that the flower wishes to be discovered and celebrated by someone. The singer then proceeds to explain that a flower’s purpose is to inspire positivity and meaning in people’s lives: "It blooms to spread love and joy faith and hope to people forlorn." The song transcends the flower’s physical existence to highlight the innate beauty and power that exists within all of us, whether or not we are in touch with our own inner world.
The song also encourages people to spread the message of positivity and new beginnings, urging the listeners to ring bells, spread the word, and acknowledge the arrival of the flower, which symbolizes hope and a rebirth of spirit. The lyrics are both reflective and encouraging, sounding an optimistic note for the future, full of possibilities, and dreams. The overall message of the song is a call for hope and joy in people’s lives, even in the face of misunderstanding and hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Will somebody wear me to the fair?
Is there someone who would adorn themselves with me and proudly display me at a festive gathering?
Will a lady pin me in her hair?
Is there a woman who would delicately fasten me to her tresses and let me accentuate her beauty?
Will a child find me by a stream?
Is there an innocent soul who would pluck me from a waterside and marvel at my charm?
Kiss my petals and weave me through a dream
Add me to your subconscious wanderings, where I will be kissed and entwined amongst your fantasies.
For all of these simple things and much more a flower was born
A flower's purpose is to bring joy to people through beauty and simplicity, and so much more.
It blooms to spread love and joy faith and hope to people forlorn
A flower's blossoms radiate feelings of love, happiness, trust and optimism to those who are lost or despondent.
Inside every man lives the seed of a flower
Each individual possesses a kernel of beauty and happiness within themselves.
If he looks within he finds beauty and power
If one accesses and nurtures their inner beauty, they will discover their true strengths and capabilities.
Ring all the bells, sing and tell the people everywhere that the flower has come
Alert the masses with festive sounds and fervent songs that the time of joy and positivity is here.
Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness and rejoice for the darkness is gone
Illuminate the sky with your expressions of gratitude and jubilation, for the times of sorrow and despair are no more.
Throw off your fears let your heart beat freely at the sign that a new time is born
Discard your anxieties and allow your soul to feel unencumbered, as a new era of hope and possibility has emerged.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard Rudolph, Charles Stepney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thetina8889
Will somebody wear me to the fair?
(To the morning, sing a lovely flower)
Will a lady pin me in her hair?
Will a child find me by a stream?
Kiss my petals and weave me through a dream
For all of these simple things and much more a flower was born
It blooms to spread love and joy faith and hope to people forlorn
Inside every man lives the seed of a flower
If he looks within he finds beauty and power
Ring all the bells sing and tell the people that be everywhere that the flower has come
Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness and rejoice for the darkness is gone
Throw off your fears let your heart beat freely at the sign that a new time is born <3
@shasha-muse6054
I literally stopped still in my tracks
When I heard this in a commercial.
I couldn't believe they were playing this. I've been listening to this for a while now. It sounds so heavenly.
My favorite from this album is "only when I'm dreaming".
So much effort was put into this project. I remember Charles Stepney from earth wind and fire but had no idea he was involved with Minnie and Richard.
Radio stations run "LOVING YOU"
in the ground, and while it's a lovely song it was never really one of my favorites. I guess because they played it so much. And I was pretty young when it came out.
But I've been discovering more and more of her work and I could just kick myself for not delving into her music sooner.
Thank goodness for you tube.
My Minnie is in constant rotation on a daily basis.
What a "musical darling" she was.
Peace and love.🎶🎶🎶
@kimjameson7979
I sat next to Minnie on a flight to Chicago, back in the early 70s and she confided she was uncomfortable flying. We talked easily throughout the flight and she didn't realize the flight was over until we touched down. As we were disembarking, she thanked me for making her feel at ease and surprised me with a kiss on the cheek. Truly, I was Kissed By An Angel and her gesture stands as a memorable highlight in my 77 years on this planet. RIP Minnie, you are missed by many, including myself.
@elysehfm8797
Wow. Good memory.
@elysehfm8797
I wonder if Maya or Marc Rudolph would appreciate your story. It might be one they've never heard.
@ColemanJRimer
That's awesome. I'm pretty peanut butter and jealous of ya :)
@joshlockie9285
Nice
@drehayes5590
Her daughter and husband is a edomite but she was an isrealite
@luisg.407
Don't hate people that got here cause of a movie. Be happy they were enlightened to hear great music.
@robertfrost8264
I've forgot I had this on an old playlist. Glad the movie reminded me. I was immediately grooving when it came on!
@zuridiem7170
I agree, Luis... It took a movie to introduce them to "real" music. That's perfectly okay.
@LivingGoldenTravel
I concur. I'm so glad that this beautiful song is being discovered by a new generation. RIP Minnie Riperton. Gone WAAAY too soon.