Narada's career spans over three decades and is threaded with gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards. He's produced and/or (co) written number one hits by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey ("Vision of Love"), Aretha Franklin ("Freeway of Love"), and Lisa Fischer ("How Can I Ease the Pain"). His proficient drumming skills have made him a first-call session musician playing on countless recording sessions.Walden has played on all kind of sessions from rock, jazz, pop, R&B, to fusion, sharing the recording and concert stage with the likes of John McLaughlin, the Mahavishnu Orchestra (a 21-year-old Narada replaced drumming legend Billy Cobham), and Jeff Beck (his Wired album) to name a small few. His own career as a recording artist is showcased on Rhino's Ecstasy's Dance: The Best of Narada Michael Walden. Walden's eclecticism is threaded throughout his recordings in varying degrees.
In the '80s, he became a Grammy-winning mega-producer: Producer of the Year in 1987, Album of the Year for the 1993 movie soundtrack The Bodyguard (Narada Michael Walden, producer), and the Song of the Year award in 1985 for writing Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love." The song helped the Queen of Soul land her first platinum album. Walden was named one of the Top Ten Producers With the Most Number One Hits by Billboard magazine. Narada produced the Temptations' "Stay," the group's first number one record in 25 years from their platinum-plus Grammy-nominated Phoenix Rising. He also produced tracks for their follow-up album, Ear-Resistable issued by Motown/Universal on May 16, 2000.
Born April 23, 1952, in Kalamazoo, MI, Walden was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy. After college graduation, he trekked to Miami, FL, playing in various rock bands. Signing with Atlantic Records, his début album, Garden of Love Light (1976), included the mid-tempo "Delightful," which charted at 81 R&B in spring 1977. His next LP, I Cry I Smile, boasted the sweet "So Long" and the radio-aired LP tracks the languid "I Need Your Love," the delicious "I Remember," and the charming "Better Man." Even though these top-notch tracks received airplay in Chicago and other markets, other than "Better Man," none were released as singles. Instead, the label picked "Soulbird" and "Manago Bop," which worked well as album tracks, but not singles.
The Awakening proved to be his breakthrough album, going to number 15 R&B in spring 1979 on the strength of the brassy "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)." Awakening radio-aired LP tracks were the airy "Listen to Me" and the jubilant album opener "Love Me Only" (also arranged by Patrick Adams). Awakening also featured top session bassist Keni Burke, formerly of the Five Stairsteps and best known for his own "Risin' to the Top."
His second highest charting single, "I Shoulda Loved Ya," hit number four R&B in late 1979. It was on his The Dance of Life (number nine R&B, late 1979), which included the gentle ballad "Why Did You Turn Me On." "You're #1" and "Summer Lady" were both on his Confidence LP from summer 1982. Walden's cover of the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Reach Out," a huge dance hit, was listed on Looking at You, Looking at Me, which charted in spring 1983. Switching to Warner Bros., his duet with Patti Austin, the Motown-ish pop confection, "Gimme Gimme Gimme," issued as Narada Michael Walden with Patti Austin, went to number 39 R&B in early 1985 and was listed on his The Nature of Things album. His single "Divine Emotions" on the Warner Bros. imprint Reprise Records appeared in the Michael J. Fox movie Bright Lights, Big City. The Divine Emotion LP included the charting mellow single "Wild Thing" and the smooth, chugging, radio-aired LP track "That's the Way That I Feel About Cha." His 1995 Toshiba/EMI album was titled Sending Love to Everyone.
In late 1985, Walden opened Tarpan Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio located near San Francisco. Walden's work appears on releases by Stacy Lattisaw ("Let Be Your Angel") ,Al Green (Your Heart's in Good Hands), Shanice Wilson ("I Love Your Smile," "I Hate to Be Lonely"), Ray Charles, Diana Ross, George Michael, Wild Orchid, Tevin Campbell, Angela Bofill, Diana Ross, MyTown, Steve Winwood, Phaze II, Regina Belle-Passion ("Baby Come to Me"), Andy Vargas, Debelah Morgan, Jai, Jermaine Stewart ("We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off"), Natalie Cole ("Good to Be Back), Clarence Clemons, Puff Johnson, Eddie Murphy ("Put Your Mouth on Me"), and Carl Carlton ("The Bad CC"), among many many others.
Other Narada Michael Walden-related releases are Stacy Lattisaw and Johnny Gill (Perfect Combination), Lisa Fischer (So Intense), and the movie soundtracks to Beverly Hills Cop II, Perfect, Waiting to Exhale, License to Kill, The Bodyguard, Jason's Lyric, 9 1/2 Weeks, Crooklyn, Free Willy, and The Associate.
Reach Out
Narada Michael Walden Lyrics
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Because all of your hope is gone,
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion,
And your world around is crumblin' down;
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I'll be there to always see you through.
When you feel lost and about to give up
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
And you feel the world has grown cold,
And you're drifting out all on your own,
And you need a hand to hold:
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I can tell the way you hang your head,
You're without love and now you're afraid
And through your tears you look around,
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
I know what you're thinkin',
You're alone now, no love of your own,
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
The song "Reach Out" by Narada Michael Walden is a soulful ballad about reaching out to a loved one in times of despair and uncertainty. The lyrics touch upon different themes like hopelessness, confusion, loneliness, and the need for love, comfort, and support.
The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is experiencing a sense of hopelessness and despair due to some personal struggles. The repetition of "reach out" throughout the song represents a call to action, a plea for the person to seek comfort and love from their partner. The singer assures their loved one that they will always be there for them, promising to provide a love that will shelter and see them through difficult times. The song's lyrics suggest that life can be tough and uncertain, but love and support can provide a sense of stability and hope. The song's message is uplifting and encourages the listener to seek help and support when they need it most.
Overall, Narada Michael Walden's "Reach Out" is a powerful and emotional song that explores themes of love, support, hope, and vulnerability. It is an invitation for people to seek help and comfort from their loved ones during times of trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you feel that you can't go on
If you are feeling like you can't continue on with life
Because all of your hope is gone,
Because you've lost all hope for the future
And your life is filled with much confusion
And your life is full of chaos and you don't know what to do
Until happiness is just an illusion,
To the point where happiness feels like a figment of your imagination
And your world around is crumblin' down;
And your world is falling apart around you
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Ask for help and support from someone you trust
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Don't try to go through things alone; I'm here to help
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I'll be there to protect you and provide you with love
I'll be there, with a love that will see you through.
I'll be there to help you get through tough times with my love and support
I'll be there to always see you through.
I'll always be there to help you overcome difficulties
When you feel lost and about to give up
When you feel like you've lost your way and are close to quitting
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
Because you feel like you're not doing enough, and it's not working
And you feel the world has grown cold,
And it seems like everyone and everything around you is indifferent or hostile
And you're drifting out all on your own,
And you're feeling isolated and alone
And you need a hand to hold:
You need someone to be there to support you
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
I'll be there to provide love and comfort to you
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I'll be there to value and support you
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I'll be there to provide love and comfort to you
I can tell the way you hang your head,
I can tell from the way you're holding yourself that you're struggling
You're without love and now you're afraid
You're feeling unloved and that's making you feel scared and alone
And through your tears you look around,
Even though you're upset, you're trying to find something or someone to hold onto
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
But you can't find any peace with what's going on
I know what you're thinkin',
I understand what you're thinking and feeling
You're alone now, no love of your own,
You're feeling alone and like you don't have anyone who cares for you
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
But it's important to ask for help and support from someone who cares for you
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Don't try to go through things alone; I'm here to help
Just look over your shoulder
Just take a moment to realize that there are people around you who care
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
I'll be there to give you the love and support you need to get through tough times
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
You can always count on me to be there for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind