Many artists have been declared “before their time” however with the album title After My Time, Noel pays homage to the soul stars of generations past that have paved the way for him to express himself through the “most relevant music” in his life. While he’d fit perfectly in the old-school soul genre, he has crafted an album that also proves him to be a unique new-generation artist with undeniable staying power.
As a kid growing up just outside of Boston in Brockton, Massachusetts, the 26-year-old musician soaked up the sounds of his father’s music collection, which consisted of plenty of old soul favorites like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Tyrone Davis and Teddy Pendergrass. Noel realized his true passion for making music in high school and set out on the beaten path to a professional career by writing and producing songs and performing at clubs and showcases in and around the Boston area. During this time, he partnered with Larry “Lucky” Fernandes, a music executive also from the Boston area and head of Stalin Entertainment. Having grown up with Noel, Fernandes watched him develop into a promising musician and when he felt the time was right, he introduced the aspiring singer to fellow producer/artist Tommy Olivera and songwriter Balewa Muhammad of the Trakaddix production team.
Olivera had a wide range of industry contacts, among them former Naughty By Nature DJ / producer Kay-Gee, best known for his production work for Jaheim, Zhané and Next. Declaring him the “new-age Sam Cooke,” Kay-Gee brought Noel into the studio to record “Family Reunion” for the soundtrack to the 2004 film The Cookout. A number of industry players bore witness to the formation of Noel’s career, as he also found himself in the studio with hit-making producers such as Mike City and Dr. Dre along the way. After taking meetings with various labels, Noel’s camp ultimately settled at Epic and set to work on presenting to the world who they already knew to be R&B’s next superstar.
With his father’s two-hour Maxell soul tapes as their soundtrack, each year, Noel and his family made the long car trips to his grandparents’ home just outside Biloxi, Mississippi. There, he spent his summers soaking up the environment that would serve not only as a rural refuge, but the foundation for his manhood. It was here that the city boy learned of a world outside of Boston. He lived and breathed the stories of his predecessors’ struggles through the civil rights movement and the oppression synonymous with the South. The memories of Sunday mornings at church, fish fries and backseat make-out sessions were created and each summer, Noel nourished his existence with the growth and renewal he gained there, much like that offered through the time-honored Southern tradition of river baptisms.
It’s no wonder that Noel is already winning music fans over with his debut single, aptly titled “The River.” Kay-Gee produced the feel-good track in the tradition of an old-soul ballad, which harks back to the all-encompassing elements of love, family and summers in Mississippi. Noel recalls of writing the song, “My grandfather had just died and I was thinking about him, and in the Deep South, the river represents something spiritual.” He attributes the song’s popularity to its applicable theme. “I think there’s something in the record a lot of people can hold and grasp and relate to. It seems like people from 15 on up to 50 years old can grab something from this record.”
Along with his production team Trakaddix, Noel Gourdin co-wrote much of the album, which also boasts a formidable list of collaborators, including Raphael Saadiq, Vidal & Dre, The Black Beatles and Eddie F. Grown-and-sexy but edgy enough to appeal to the younger crowd, the disc offers up the melodic sounds reminiscent of pioneering soul imprints like Motown, Stax and Philly International, while incorporating the beat-driven hip-hop rhythms that are a constant on today’s music charts.
Some of these gems include “Reach,” on which Noel flexes his falsetto muscles while addressing the notion of giving a 100 percent to a relationship. “Sorry I Led You On,” is about the harsh realities of a man growing out of love. Noel lets his lover down easy on the track produced by Soundz (Usher). Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse) works his magic on “Open.” Borrowing from the late B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya,” the tastefully seductive track hears Noel give praise to that special woman who arouses his sensual side. The typical male-female roles are switched on “One Love,” a groove-driven track on which Noel looks to take a relationship to the next level. The downside of love is represented on tracks like “Too Late,” where he campaigns to save a union he fears is already doomed; And Trakaddix’s own “Hurts Like Hell” hears the artist brokenhearted but bitter and resigned to move on. Hip-hop is infused again on the latter track, nodding to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Lyrics to Go.”
In summing up himself as “city to the heart but southern to the soul,” Noel also sums up his music. “It’s emotional and vulnerable, but still strong and secure.” He is certainly among those rare artists who can walk the fine line between being “what’s hot” and a favorite among more mature listeners. His music can be played at the young people’s party or the family barbeque, much like contemporaries John Legend, D’Angelo and Robin Thicke before him. However, artistically in a class by himself Noel declares, “More than anything, I wanted to make music that was real, relatable and timeless.” And with this first offering destined to become a classic, Noel Gourdin has certainly done just that.
Open
Noel Gourdin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its just eh way she holds my hand
And looks at me
She is my favorite,
And for her I ain't afraid to see
I met a whole lot of dames
But I cant remember there names
They came and went
What you do it to me
[Chorus]
First the guy with the girl,
Then he gives her the world,
Then they fall deep in love
(Baby why cant that be us)
And if you ain't noticed,
I been noticing you, cant you read the signs
I cant even focus,
I been making love to you inside my mind
Cause you got me open
O.P.E.N [Repeats: x3]
Shes got me
O.P.E.N [Repeats: x3]
Shes got me out my mind
Its outrageous
I love the way you take your time on me
Those sexy faces
Ill make it rain
Just to watch you whine slowly, yeah
And your home girls goin' need to help you,
Get that money off of the floor
And I keep it comin' just to show you that I want it
[Chorus]
First the guy with the girl,
Then he gives her the world,
Then they fall deep in love
(Baby why cant that be us)
[Chorus]
Noel Gourdin's song "Open" is a love song about a man who is head over heels for a woman. The lyrics describe his intense feelings and attraction towards her. He can't resist the way she looks at him and holds his hand. He proclaims that she is his favorite woman and he is not afraid to be with her. He has met many women before, but none of them have made an impact on him like she has.
The chorus of the song talks about the man's desire to be with the woman, and his frustration that they are not yet together. He sees other couples falling in love and wonders why that can't be them. He is very clearly infatuated with her, to the point where he can't even focus on anything else. She has him "open" - completely vulnerable and willing to do anything to be with her.
The second verse of the song is all about the man's attraction to the woman's body. He loves the way she takes her time with him and how she makes sexy faces. He is willing to shower her with money just to watch her dance. He also enjoys the attention that other women give him because of his attraction to her. He wants to keep giving her everything she wants to show her how much he wants her.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the intense feelings of infatuation and attraction. It captures the feelings of someone who is completely in love and willing to do anything to be with the person they desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I cant take it,
I am overwhelmed by my emotions.
Its just the way she holds my hand
Her touch affects me deeply.
And looks at me
Her gaze makes me feel special.
She is my favorite,
She is the one I truly love.
And for her I ain't afraid to see
I am willing to face any challenge for her.
I met a whole lot of dames
I have had many romantic encounters.
But I cant remember there names
None of them were memorable to me.
They came and went
Those relationships were fleeting.
Girl it feels just like a movie
My current relationship seems too good to be true.
What you do it to me
She has a profound effect on me.
First the guy with the girl,
The typical romantic story starts with a man and a woman.
Then he gives her the world,
He does everything he can to make her happy.
Then they fall deep in love
They develop a strong emotional connection.
(Baby why cant that be us)
I wish we could have that kind of relationship.
And if you ain't noticed,
If you haven't realized it yet,
I been noticing you, cant you read the signs
I have been showing interest in you, haven't you noticed?
I cant even focus,
I am so distracted by my feelings for you
I been making love to you inside my mind
I have been imagining a romantic relationship with you.
Cause you got me open
You have inspired me to be vulnerable and honest.
O.P.E.N [Repeats: x3]
I am completely open to you.
Shes got me
She has a hold on my heart.
O.P.E.N [Repeats: x3]
I am completely open to love.
Shes got me out my mind
She has driven me crazy with desire.
Its outrageous
My feelings for her are intense and overwhelming.
I love the way you take your time on me
I appreciate the way she shows me affection.
Those sexy faces
I am attracted to her physically.
Ill make it rain
I am willing to spend whatever it takes to be with her.
Just to watch you whine slowly, yeah
I enjoy seeing her dance seductively.
And your home girls goin' need to help you,
I will make it rain so much that her friends will need to help her collect the money.
Get that money off of the floor
I will shower her with money and gifts.
And I keep it comin' just to show you that I want it
I will continue to give her gifts and attention to prove my love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD BUTLER, SALAAM REMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind