During the '80s, he cut four albums and nine singles that made the R&B charts. His up-tempo tracks could sound something like a more mainstream Prince, though he tread far closer to the urban contemporary mainstream on his ballads.
"The Gigolo" made number five in 1982, and over the next few years he had some up-tempo and ballad follow-ups. "I'm Freaky," which was reminiscent of "Gigolo," was the best of these; "Lovelite" was the most successful.
Urban wedding party-goers are also very familiar with the singer's beautiful remake of Stevie Wonder's classic "You and I'', a frequently requested song at many weddings.
In 2007, he returned with the ballad-heavy F1RST, issued digitally through the Headstorm label with plans for a CD version.
Right From The Start
O'Bryan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oohhh
Ahhhaaa
Now
Im wonderin'
If you know just who you are
You are an angel
Sent from heaven
How I know?
Don't ask me
I don't love for reasons why
I can see
You're so loner
Won't you give my love a try (Give my love a try)
I'll tell you a song either you can hear [?]
All of your night
Whenever you're getting a call and receive
Don't wait too long (Don't wait too long)
What can you lose if you follow your heart
Don't be afraid (Don't be afraid)
It's our side when it's right from the start
I found the sun (Right from the start)
Now, all let ya
You've been my woman just the same
Bring me love, it's forever
Breaking hearts it's now my game (Now my game)
And you in, I will follow
When you need me I'll be there
Honey please
Won't you let me
Let me proof how much I can (Proof how much I can)
I'll tell you a song either you can hear [?]
All of your night
Whenever you're getting a call and receive
Don't wait too long (Don't wait too long)
What can you lose if you follow your heart
Don't be afraid (Don't be afraid)
It's our side when it's right from the start
I found the sun (Right from the start)
It's our side (It's our side)
Baby when it's right from the start (From, from the start)
Uuh baby when it's right from the start
It's our side (It's our side)
Baby when it's right from the start
(From, from the star)
In O'Bryan's song Right From The Start, the singer is expressing his admiration and love for a woman who he sees as an angel sent from heaven to be his shining star. He acknowledges that he doesn't love for reasons why but he can see that she's lonely and encourages her to give his love a chance. He promises to be there for her whenever she needs him and he is willing to prove how much he can love her. The chorus urges her to follow her heart without fear because "it's our side when it's right from the start" and he has found his sun from the beginning.
The song is essentially a declaration of love and encouragement for the woman to take a chance on love with the singer. He sees her as a special person and is willing to be her shining star as the song repeats. The music is a blend of R&B and Funk with smooth and soulful vocals from O'Bryan. The lyrics are simplistic yet effective in conveying the message of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Uuuhuuuh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Oohhh
Expressing admiration for something/someone
Ahhhaaa
Expressing satisfaction or pleasure
Now
Introducing a topic or idea
Im wonderin'
Expressing curiosity or uncertainty
If you know just who you are
Asking whether the person has self-awareness
You are an angel
Complimenting the person on their good qualities
Sent from heaven
Using hyperbole to emphasize the person's goodness
Just to be my shining star (Shining star)
Highlighting the person's importance in the singer's life
How I know?
Rhetorical question indicating that the singer doesn't have a logical reason to love the person
Don't ask me
Implying that the reason for love is beyond explanation
I don't love for reasons why
Explaining that the singer's love is not based on logical reasoning
I can see
Implying that the person has qualities that the singer admires
You're so loner
Suggesting that the person is hesitant to love or be loved
Won't you give my love a try (Give my love a try)
Asking the person to consider accepting the singer's love
I'll tell you a song either you can hear [?]
Offering to share something meaningful with the person
All of your night
Promising to always be there for the person
Whenever you're getting a call and receive
Promising to be available whenever the person needs help
Don't wait too long (Don't wait too long)
Urging the person to take action or make a decision quickly
What can you lose if you follow your heart
Encouraging the person to trust their feelings and take a risk
Don't be afraid (Don't be afraid)
Reassuring the person that everything will be okay
It's our side when it's right from the start
Suggesting that things will work out if they start off on the right foot
I found the sun (Right from the start)
Expressing that the person brings happiness and joy to the singer's life
Now, all let ya
Offering support and commitment to the person
You've been my woman just the same
Acknowledging the importance of the person in the singer's life
Bring me love, it's forever
Expressing the hope that the relationship will be long-lasting and meaningful
Breaking hearts it's now my game (Now my game)
Acknowledging past mistakes and expressing a desire to change for the better
And you in, I will follow
Expressing willingness to support and follow the person's lead
When you need me I'll be there
Promising to always be there for the person
Honey please
Using a term of endearment to express affection
Won't you let me
Asking the person to allow the singer to love them
Let me proof how much I can (Proof how much I can)
Expressing a desire to demonstrate the depth of the singer's love
It's our side (It's our side)
Reiterating the idea that a successful relationship requires both partners to be committed and supportive
Baby when it's right from the start (From, from the start)
Emphasizing the importance of starting a relationship on the right foot
Uuh baby when it's right from the start
Reiterating the idea that starting a relationship off well is crucial
Contributed by Zachary S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.