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.
You Take My Breath Away
Minnie Riperton Lyrics
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A tree, a rock, a cloud, a sky blue day
A bird in flight, the night, the milky way
Beta gammas, silk pajamas, Sunday mornings
You take my breath away
You take it away
Hello, good-bye, a sign that I love you
A runny nose, a rose, the ocean blue
Children playing, people praying,; hallelujah
You take my breath away
You take it away
Sunny days, soft rain falling
Crystal bells I love to hear ring,
Summer days, blue birds calling
Don't look now, but love's around to stay
A tear, a smile, a laugh along the way
The world at dawn, a song, the month of may
Woody herman, ethel merman, stevie wonder
You take my breath away
You take it away
The song "You Take My Breath Away" by Minnie Riperton is a beautiful ode to the little moments in life that take our breath away. From the natural beauty of trees, rocks, clouds, and blue skies, to the wonder of birds in flight and the dazzling Milky Way, the lyrics paint a picture of a world filled with breathtaking moments. The song goes on to describe the simple joys of life, such as Sunday mornings in silk pajamas, runny noses and roses, and children playing. The chorus repeats that these moments take the singer's breath away, acknowledging that it is the wonder and beauty in the world that make life truly magical.
The song's final verses expand upon this theme, describing the beauty of summer days and crystal bells ringing. The lyrics also name-drop some famous musicians of the time, including Woody Herman, Ethel Merman, and Stevie Wonder, suggesting that the beauty of music also has the power to take our breath away. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of all the small, wonderful moments that make life worth living, and a recognition that it is often the most simple things that bring us the greatest joy.
Line by Line Meaning
A tree, a rock, a cloud, a sky blue day
The beauty of nature, with its changing landscapes and vibrant colors, leaves me in awe and takes my breath away
A bird in flight, the night, the milky way
Looking up at the vastness of the universe and the night sky, from the constellations to the stars, inspires me and takes my breath away
Beta gammas, silk pajamas, Sunday mornings
Simple pleasures in life, like lazy Sunday mornings and the comfort of silky pajamas, fill me with contentment and take my breath away
You take my breath away
My feelings of love and admiration for you are incredibly intense and overwhelming, taking my breath away in the best possible way
Hello, good-bye, a sign that I love you
Whether greeting or parting ways, every interaction we share is a testament to my love for you
A runny nose, a rose, the ocean blue
From the mundane moments of daily life, like having a runny nose or stopping to smell the roses, to the majesty of the ocean, everything reminds me of how much I love you
Children playing, people praying,; hallelujah
The beauty of humanity, from the joyful sounds of children playing to the solemn notes of prayer, inspires my gratitude and takes my breath away
Sunny days, soft rain falling
Each day has its own unique beauty, whether it's a bright, sunny day or a gentle rain shower
Crystal bells I love to hear ring
Music has the power to evoke intense emotions within me, and the sound of crystal bells ringing is especially poignant
Summer days, blue birds calling
The light and warmth of summer, combined with the sweet sounds of blue birds calling out, create an atmosphere of pure beauty and joy
Don't look now, but love's around to stay
Love is all around us, even when we're not actively seeking it, and I'm grateful for the enduring love we share
A tear, a smile, a laugh along the way
Life is full of ups and downs, and even in the midst of tears, I can find reasons to smile and laugh thanks to your love and support
The world at dawn, a song, the month of may
Beauty can be found in even the most unexpected moments, like watching the sunrise or hearing a lovely song, and the arrival of spring in May is a special time of renewal
Woody herman, ethel merman, stevie wonder
The talent and creativity of artists like Woody Herman, Ethel Merman, and Stevie Wonder inspire a sense of awe and wonder within me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: RANDY B. WALDMAN, RICHARD RUDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind