After appearing in a school talent show in 1984, Patterson auditioned for the television show Kids Incorporated. Proving to be "a natural," he undoubtedly landed the part and was cast as "The Kid", remaining on the show for a number of years. Onward and upward, Patterson continued to evolve, gaining experience as a backup vocalist for several artists (including Kids co-star Martika). Following his vocal contributions on Colour Club's self-entitled album, as well as writing for other artists (his credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World"), Patterson signed with MCA Records. Collaborating with Keith Crouch and Jamey Jaz, among others, he released his own self-entitled debut in 1997.
Stirring rave reviews, the album launched Patterson into an even larger limelight (with the single "Where You Are" receiving widespread airplay on R&B radio). Patterson, soon after, developed global recognition, as well as a loyal following in the United States and abroad.
Patterson went to work, handcrafting his followup, Love in Stereo, with Jaz and new collaborators such as Van Hunt. When Love in Stereo was released in late 1999, its reviews topped those of its predecessor, slating Patterson as one, of few artists, whose vocal ability was classified as so "distinctive," he need not rely solely on the mainstream music market to gain his footing in the film and music industry, nor afford his music massive, worldwide, international appeal..
Although Patterson's path eventually diverged from MCA's, he remained indispensable amongst industry affiliates, continuing to perform live, working as a session singer, and contributing to both soundtracks (Brown Sugar) and compilation albums (Steve Harvey's Sign of Things to Come), while working on his next album.
After Hours, Patterson's third album, was released internationally early in 2004, again garnering positive reviews. Now, with the conception of his own label, the album released in the United States during late October 2004. Wine & Spirits followed in the Fall of 2007. Wine & Spirits, not only spoke to Patterson's consistency as a versatile, smooth-crooning performer, known for his scintillating, sultry provocative vocal style; but it also, signified, for Patterson, a career of longevity, divinely masterminded from his childhood endeavors to crossing the threshold as a multi-level, music mogul, independently signed, produced and operated. The project further evidenced Patterson's "musical muscularity," spawning itself in such diverse arrangements as the reflective lamentation of "Stars," to the smooth-jazz contours in one of the album's many "feel-good" hits, entitled "Feels Good," to Patterson's resident, high-frequency, timbres, echoing in the uptempo, "Higher Love," which, inevitably, served as the artist's professional and personal testimony of growth, triumph and spiritual ascension.
Patterson's next project, the highly anticipated CD, BLEUPHORIA, is scheduled to drop in the fall of 2010. It is expected to be nothing short of what Patterson's proud fanbase has always enjoyed from him: an astronomical, stellar work of art.
WATER
Rahsaan Patterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drowning me deeper than the sea
Crashing waves
Exuberating
And yet I freeze
This midnight's got me cold
But I don't want it to let go
That I'm drowning in your tears
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh? Oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh? Whoa? Water
Lifesaver please
Is anyone there to sense my need?
Shores I conceive
Are farther away than I believe
This shiver's got me bold
And I don't want it to let go
Because I fear, I fear
That if I drown no one will care
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh? Oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh? Whoa? Water
Change your mind
Change your mind
The lyrics of Rahsaan Patterson's song "Water" paint a vivid and hypnotic picture of someone who's being swallowed by their emotions. The verse "Hypnotic scene, drowning me deeper than the sea, crashing waves exuberating, and yet I freeze" creates a dangerous and alluring atmosphere, where the singer is being pulled into their feelings despite being frozen with fear. The chorus "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh? Whoa? Water" is a startling reminder that water, although necessary for life, can also be incredibly threatening and deadly.
As the song progresses, the singer pleads for a "lifesaver" and to be saved from drowning in their own tears. The line "this shiver's got me bold, and I don't want it to let go because I fear, I fear that if I drown no one will care" speaks to the singer's sense of isolation, despite being surrounded by water. The last line "Change your mind, change your mind" can be interpreted as a plea to someone else to change their mind about the singer, or as a personal plea to the singer themselves to change their patterns of behavior and avoid being overwhelmed by their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Hypnotic scene
The overwhelming and immersive experience of being submerged in water.
Drowning me deeper than the sea
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by emotions that are as deep as the sea.
Crashing waves
Emotions that are intense and unrelenting like waves crashing onto the shore.
Exuberating
Despite the intensity of the emotions, there is excitement and joy in the experience.
And yet I freeze
Despite wanting to immerse oneself in the experience, fear causes hesitation and hesitation leads to freezing.
This midnight's got me cold
The darkness and loneliness of the situation is causing a sense of coldness and sadness.
But I don't want it to let go
Despite the sadness, the person wants to hold on to the emotions that are consuming them.
It's become clear
The person has realized that they are overwhelmed by another person's tears.
That I'm drowning in your tears
The person is so consumed by the other person's emotions that they feel as though they are drowning in their tears.
Lifesaver please
The person is pleading for help and support.
Is anyone there to sense my need?
The person is feeling alone and neglected.
Shores I conceive
The person has an idea of a place where they can be safe and protected.
Are farther away than I believe
Despite having an idea of a safe haven, the person feels as though it is impossible to reach.
This shiver's got me bold
Despite feeling cold and scared, the person is becoming bolder.
And I don't want it to let go
The person wants to cling on to feeling more confident.
Because I fear, I fear
Despite feeling more confident, the person is still afraid.
That if I drown no one will care
The person is afraid of being overwhelmed to the point of drowning and believes that no one will be there to help.
Change your mind
The person is begging the other person to change their behavior or actions.
Change your mind
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the importance of the other person's actions.
Lyrics © CISUM NAASHAR PUBLISHING
Written by: IAN READ, RAHSAAN PATTERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind