Pieces of a Dream first started playing throughout the Tri-State area, and were soon featured on Temple University’s pioneering jazz radio station, WRTI-FM. Long before the “Young Lions” era of Wynton Marsalis, Lloyd and Harmon were swinging so hard as teenagers that the great Count Basie once proclaimed them “a tough act to follow.” But it was another jazz legend, the late Grover Washington Jr., the sax man who made Philadelphia his home, who helped Pieces of a Dream become the internationally known stars they are today.
After quickly becoming popular around Philadelphia, the trio landed a spot as the house band for a local television show called City Lights. Their experience widened as they played backup on the broadcasts to a wide variety of artists, and that’s where Washington first heard them. One day while the teenagers were playing at the Bijou (where Grover had recorded his Live at the Bijou album), he sat in with them to play “Mr. Magic.” Soon Washington announced that he was starting a production company and that Pieces of a Dream would be his first act. Lloyd was only a senior in high school when his first record came out.
From 1981 to 1984, Pieces of a Dream built their reputation with three albums on Elektra that would come to define the musical essence of the smooth jazz radio explosion: Pieces of a Dream, We Are One and Imagine This. Those seminal records yielded some of their earliest hits, including “Warm Weather,” “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo.” Soon after completing Joyride, their last effort for Elektra, Pieces of a Dream moved to EMI/Blue Note and went on to record seven more albums. During this period, the group amicably parted ways with long time friend Cedric Napoleon.
In 2001, Pieces of a Dream signed with Heads Up International and celebrated their 25th anniversary with what was undoubtedly their best album in years, Acquainted with the Night. The group’s silver anniversary release featured guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake. Highlights included compositions from Albright and Michael Bearden, along with remakes of “Mahogany” and “Upside Down.” Acquainted with the Night generated two top-five singles on R&R's NAC chart. The follow up album Love's Silhouette also scored top radio chart positioning and Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status. Their April 2004 release, No Assembly Required, is sure to be another hit album in their long and illustrious career.
One of their former singers Norwood Young is now a cast member on the E! Cable channel's TV show High Maintenance 90210.
Addition - May 9,2009
Formed: 1975 in Philadelphia, PA
Styles: Crossover Jazz, Urban, Smooth Jazz
Group Members: Curtis Harmon, Ron Kerber, James K. Lloyd, Cedric A. Napoleon
Biography
Comprised of bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd, Pieces of a Dream were founded in 1975 in Philadelphia when the principal members were all teenagers. Originally somewhat jazz-oriented, Pieces of a Dream have mostly emphasized R&B, although they usually include a few jazz numbers in their performances. Grover Washington, Jr. produced their first three albums (all for Elektra during 1981-1983); they have since recorded for Manhattan and Blue Note. Saxophonist Ron Kerber became a member in the 1990s, preceding the four varied releases that appeared throughout the decade. A collection appeared at the turn of the century, but the band proved to still be going strong with 2001's Acquainted with the Night and 2002's Love's Silhouette. No Assembly Required was released in 2004 on Cleveland's Heads Up label, followed by 2006's Pillow Talk, also on Heads Up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Signed Sealed & Delivered
Pieces Of A Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I'm wondering if your love's still strong
Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!
Then that time I went and said goodbye
Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!
Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
(You got my future in your hands)
Here I am baby
Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
(You got my future in your hands)
I've done a lot of foolish things
That I really didn't mean, didn't I?
Seen a lot of things in this old world
When I touch them, they mean nothing, girl
Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!
Oowee baby, you set my soul on fire
That's why I know you're my heart's only desire
Here I am baby
Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
(You got my future in your hands)
Here I am baby
Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
(You got my future in your hands)
The lyrics of Pieces Of A Dream's song Signed Sealed & Delivered tells the story of a man who has made mistakes in his love life and is trying to win back the love of his life. He acknowledges that he has made foolish decisions and left the one he loves, but now he is back and willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. He admits to being a fool and wonders if the love that they once shared is still strong.
The man is making a plea to his lover, expressing his devotion and commitment to making their love work. He is willing to put his future in her hands because he believes that their love is worth fighting for. He acknowledges that he has seen a lot of things in this world but they mean nothing if he does not have the love and affection of his partner. The repetition of the phrase "signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours" emphasizes the man's dedication to his partner and how he is willing to make their love work.
Overall, the song conveys a message of love, commitment, and the willingness to make things work in a relationship despite the mistakes that have been made.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a fool I went and stayed too long
I made a big mistake by hanging around too long, and now I'm not sure if you still love me like you used to.
Now I'm wondering if your love's still strong
I'm questioning if your feelings for me are still as deep and intense as they used to be.
Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!
I'm submitting myself to you completely, and I'm yours to keep forever.
Then that time I went and said goodbye
I made the mistake of saying goodbye to you in the past.
Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
I've come back to you and I'm not afraid to show my emotions and cry for all the pain I caused you.
Here I am baby, Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
I am yours entirely and completely committed to you.
(You got my future in your hands)
I trust that you will guide my future because my life is in your hands.
I've done a lot of foolish things
I admit to making a lot of mistakes and doing things I'm not proud of.
That I really didn't mean, didn't I?
I'm acknowledging that I wasn't trying to hurt you on purpose but my actions had a negative impact on our relationship.
Seen a lot of things in this old world
I've experienced a lot in life and I have come to realize that nothing compares to the love and connection that we share.
When I touch them, they mean nothing, girl
When I compare all my experiences to my love for you, they all seem insignificant and meaningless.
Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!
I am giving myself to you completely and you can count on me forever.
Oowee baby, you set my soul on fire
You ignite a passion in me that I have never felt before, and I am completely in love with you.
That's why I know you're my heart's only desire
I am confident that you are the only person who can make my heart truly happy, and there is nobody else I desire more than you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind