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.
Patience
Noel Gourdin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah!
Gonna tell my story
This isnt me
Gonna take a minute or two
And Imma set you free
I met this girl
What just was her name?
That all the men loved to see
Find the dealer, find his wife
Got me wiped in my eyes
I plan this gonna make her happy
And she would be mine
You can have any guy dowhn on his knees
Travel all around the world by all the fans and dreams
They give up on what she wants
Even supply her dreams
What things you know I want
Youre the only one for me
I cant wait to see your face
But I know I got to be patient
I got to be patient
I dont mind waiting
So I keep on anticipating
But I got to be patient
Got to be patient
Like a child in Christmas morning
Just to know that the next day
Youll be thinking of me
Its you darling
Every dream that I have
And I dont wanna keep on loving you
til youre my better half
You can have any guy dowhn on his knees
Travel all around the world by all the fans and dreams
They give up on what she wants
Even supply her dreams
What things you know I want
Youre the only one for me
I cant wait to see your face
But I know I got to be patient
I got to be patient
I dont mind waiting
So I keep on anticipating
But I got to be patient
Got to be patient
Shes the sweetest little thing
With the heart of gold
The smile is one of the things
That brings the story told
Im so anxoius, honey, doll
Got me marking my calendar
You see Im counting down the days
til I can hold her
I cant wait to see your face
But I know I got to be patient
I got to be patient
I dont mind waiting
So I keep on anticipating
But I got to be patient
Got to be patient
I cant wait to see your face
But I know I got to be patient
I got to be patient
I dont mind waiting
So I keep on anticipating
But I got to be patient
Got to be patient
I got to be patient
The song "Patience" by Noel Gourdin is about a man who has fallen in love with a girl and is willing to wait patiently for her. The song opens with a declaration that the song is going to tell the singer's story, as he is not usually one to open up about himself. He met a girl whose name he doesn't remember, but who had a sexy body that all men loved to see. He decided to make her happy, and in doing so, make her his own. He knows she can have any guy on his knees, but he's willing to go the distance to be with her.
The chorus of the song is about the singer's patience. He knows he has to be patient to win over the girl he loves. He says he doesn't mind waiting and keeps anticipating the moment he will finally get to see her again. The singer compares his patience to that of a child waiting for Christmas morning. He's counting down the days and impatiently marking his calendar until he finally gets to hold her.
Overall, the song is about being willing to wait for someone you truly love, no matter how long it takes. The singer understands that it won't be easy, but he is willing to endure whatever it takes to be with his love.
Line by Line Meaning
Patience
The title of the song that sets the theme and tone of the lyrics.
Yeah!
An exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm.
Gonna tell my story
The singer is going to share his experience, thoughts, and feelings with the listener.
This isnt me
The singer implies that he is stepping out of his comfort zone by sharing his story, which is unlike his usual self.
Gonna take a minute or two
The singer needs some time to tell his story and convey his message.
And Imma set you free
The singer intends to inspire, motivate, and uplift the listener with his story and message.
I met this girl
The singer introduces a character who he is romantically involved with.
What just was her name?
The singer forgot the name of the girl he met, indicating his love for her is based on more than just her name.
Had a sexy body
The singer is attracted to the girl he met because of her physical appearance.
That all the men loved to see
The girl is so physically attractive that all men notice and admire her.
Find the dealer, find his wife
The singer is struggling with addiction, and he has to deal with the dealer and his wife to fulfill his desires.
Got me wiped in my eyes
The singer is crying because of his addiction, which is causing him harm and pain.
I plan this gonna make her happy
The singer believes that his actions, which are the result of his addiction, will make the girl he met happy.
And she would be mine
The singer wants to possess the girl he met by making her happy and keeping her satisfied.
You can have any guy dowhn on his knees
The singer acknowledges that the girl he met is so physically attractive that any man would want to make her happy.
Travel all around the world by all the fans and dreams
The girl can have anything she wants, including travel and fame, because of her beauty and charm.
They give up on what she wants
The men who pursue the girl are willing to give up their own dreams and desires to make her happy.
Even supply her dreams
The men who desire the girl are willing to provide her with anything she needs to achieve her dreams.
What things you know I want
The singer is implying that the girl he met knows exactly what he wants and needs.
Youre the only one for me
The singer believes that the girl he met is the only person who can fulfill his desires and needs.
I cant wait to see your face
The singer is eagerly anticipating seeing the girl he met again.
But I know I got to be patient
The singer acknowledges that he has to wait for the right time to see the girl he met again.
I dont mind waiting
The singer does not find it difficult to wait for the girl he met because he values her so much.
So I keep on anticipating
The singer is looking forward to the moment when he can see the girl he met again.
Got to be patient
The singer reminds himself that he needs to be patient in his pursuit of the girl he met.
Like a child in Christmas morning
The singer is excited and eager about the prospect of being with the girl he met like a child waking up on Christmas morning.
Just to know that the next day
The singer is eagerly anticipating the following day when he can see the girl he met again.
Youll be thinking of me
The singer hopes that the girl he met is also looking forward to seeing him again and also thinking about him.
Its you darling
The singer is confessing his love for the girl he met, referring to her as his darling.
Every dream that I have
The girl the singer met is the subject and motivation of all his dreams.
And I dont wanna keep on loving you til youre my better half
The singer is committed to forming a serious relationship with the girl he met.
Shes the sweetest little thing
The singer sees the girl he met as a small, endearing, and lovable person.
With the heart of gold
The girl he met has a heart full of love, kindness, and compassion.
The smile is one of the things
The singer admires the girl he met's beautiful smile.
That brings the story told
The girl he met's beautiful smile is a significant part of the story of their love.
Im so anxoius, honey, doll
The singer is feeling nervous, anxious, and excited at the same time, referring to the girl he met as honey and doll.
Got me marking my calendar
The singer is marking the days until he can see the girl he met again on his calendar.
You see Im counting down the days
The singer is eagerly waiting for the day when he can see the girl he met again.
til I can hold her
The singer wants to hold the girl he met again, indicating his deep love and affection for her.
Contributed by Maya E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
R Sutton
Love this "feel good" tune....
Cassie ~
My dearest sent this to me today. I'm so in like with this wonderful song!
Faye Prioleau
Love this Song...Great for Hand Dancing!!!
Shavaughn brown
From hearing this song for the first time, I just start liking it Then I saw the video, I started liking it more. I like the best of the song.
Savannah Morris
Love this song
Mickayla Russ
I love this and Noel.
Kimberly Barnes
I can't get this song out of my head. This is a smooth Bop song.
NikkiPerri31
yessss
MrKonyal1
Love this Song ;-)
dovebird22
This one goes!