The group is well known for its highly diverse musical style (able to play anything from traditional jazz stylings to mainstream R&B and rock-based music to funk grooves and even Latin and Jamaican-based rhythms) and also its captivating live performances.
Discovered and originally signed to Perspective Records by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989 (after being heard at a performance at a club in downtown Minneapolis called First Avenue), their debut album was entitled Meant To Be Mint (released in 1991).
Despite their musical versatility the band attempted to attract New Jack Swing listeners with their dance cut "Are You Free", but it wasn't successful (the song hit #55 on the R&B charts). However, they did enjoy major success with the stunning ballad "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)".
The song stayed on the charts for 34 weeks, hitting the R&B top 5 (#3), and the Pop Top 10 (#6). Forever In Your Eyes was also successful (#7 R&B). Two years later they released their 2nd platinum album, From The Mint Factory (1993). They enjoyed success with the #2 hit "U Send Me Swingin'", while "Someone To Love" and "So Fine" hit the R&B Top 30. 1996 saw the release of "Definition of a Band". The album hit the R&B Top 20. Some successful singles on this album are: "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" (#2 R&B), and "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (#10 R&B). Two years later, The Collection: 1991-1998, a greatest hits compilation, was issued.
After Perspective Records/A&M folded, the group signed with Elektra Records in 1999, releasing their fourth full-length album, Life's Aquarium (#7 R&B). It's main single, If You Love Me, hit the R&B Top 5.
As the 21st Century came around, Mint Condition was the only R&B/Funk band signed to a Major Record Label.
After a six year hiatus, the group resurfaced as a quintet due to former member and keyboard player Keri Lewis leaving the group to produce for other artists, such as his one-time wife, singer Toni Braxton .
During the same year, they released Living The Luxury Brown on their independent label Caged Bird Records. The album hit #1 on the Independent Album Charts. Live From The 9:30 Club, a performance of a concert at the 9:30 club in Washington DC, was issued in 2006.
my dear
Mint Condition Lyrics
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My dear.
My dear.
Baby,
Come closer,
You don't have to be afraid.
I'll be like the gentle evenin' rain,
Lay your head down.
Enjoy the candlelight.
Come and take a trip with me.
If you'll let yourself be free,
You'll fly away...
To a place where the touch equals ecstasy.
Stay with me tonight.
Will you fly away?
Will you fly away with me?
[Chorus]
My dear,
I don't want to be the one...
Don't want to be the one to hurt you.
My dear,
I just want to be the one...
Just want to be the one to love you.
My dear...
Honey,
You feel so good;
Your skin's as soft as virgin silk.
I melt each time I get a whiff,
Of your sweet perfume.
Lay me down.
Let's enjoy the candleight.
No need for us to fantasize.
Don't hold your feelings deep inside.
Just fly away...
To a place where touch equals ecstasy.
Stay with me tonight.
Will you fly away?
Will you fly away with me?
[Chorus]
The song "My Dear" by Mint Condition is a love song that talks about the singer's deep affection for someone they are addressing as "my dear." The song starts with a soft and gentle tone as the singer pleads with the person to come closer, assuring them that they have nothing to fear. The singer promises to be like the gentle evenin' rain as they take the person on a trip where they'll be free and fly away to a place where the touch equals ecstasy. The song's soothing tone and lyrics suggest that the singer sees the person as a safe haven, a place where they can let their guard down and be themselves.
The chorus is where the singer acknowledges their desire to love the person and not hurt them. They do not want to be the one to hurt the person, but they want to be the one to love them. The repeated use of "my dear" is a term of endearment that affirms the singer's deep desire to love and protect the person they are addressing.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the physical pleasure they derive from being with the person, describing their skin as soft as virgin silk and how they melt each time they get a whiff of their sweet perfume. The singer invites the person to lay down with them, enjoy the candlelight, and not hold their feelings deep inside.
Overall, the song is a tender expression of love that seeks to reassure the person that they are loved and cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
My dear.
The singer is addressing their loved one with endearment.
My dear.
The singer repeats their endearing address to their loved one.
My dear.
The singer once again addresses their loved one lovingly.
Baby,
The artist is addressing their loved one with affection.
Come closer,
The artist invites their loved one to move nearer to them.
You don't have to be afraid.
The singer comforts their loved one and tells them not to feel scared.
I'll be like the gentle evenin' rain,
The singer will be as comforting and soft as the gentle rain during the evening.
On your window pain.
The artist will comfort their loved one in their time of need.
Lay your head down.
The artist instructs their loved one to lay their head down, possibly for relaxation.
Enjoy the candlelight.
The artist suggests that they and their loved one enjoy the ambiance created by the light of a candle.
Come and take a trip with me.
The singer invites their loved one on a journey with them.
If you'll let yourself be free,
The artist encourages their loved one to let go and be themselves.
You'll fly away...
The singer suggests that if their loved one embraces freedom, they will feel uplifted.
To a place where the touch equals ecstasy.
The singer refers to a place where touching leads to ultimate ecstasy.
Stay with me tonight.
The singer requests their loved one to stay with them for the night.
Will you fly away?
The artist once again refers to a place where they can be truly free and euphoric.
Will you fly away with me?
The artist invites their loved one to join them on the journey to the euphoric place.
[Chorus]
The singer repeats the refrain of the song.
My dear,
The singer addresses their loved one lovingly.
I don't want to be the one...
The artist does not want to be the cause of hurt to their loved one.
Don't want to be the one to hurt you.
The artist reiterates that they do not wish to cause pain to their loved one.
My dear,
The artist addresses their loved one affectionately.
I just want to be the one...
The singer explains that they only wish to be the one to give love to their loved one.
Just want to be the one to love you.
The artist clarifies their intent to be the one to provide love and affection to their loved one.
My dear...
The singer ends the song addressing their loved one lovingly yet again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, RICKY KINCHEN, TERRY LEWIS, HOMER RODERICK O'DELL, STOKLEY MANDELLA WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind