Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, New York, USA in 1944. As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer Macbeth The Great, Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City. The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drums for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.
At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte. The friend got the gig, and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals. When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late for a rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play, and wound up getting the job.
Thus began a 10 year stint with Belafonte that schooled MacDonald in the music business. It also introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, and the two began writing together to fill time on the road.
At one point, young MacDonald had the nerve to tell Harry Belafonte that despite all the gold records on the wall, Belafonte didn't really know what Calypso was. Belafonte said "Fine kid - if you know so much because your father was a Calypso singer, then you write me a song."
MacDonald delivered an album of songs: 1966's critically-acclaimed Calypso Carnival.
At 27, MacDonald, Bill Salter and William Eaton started their own publishing company, Antisia Music. Everyone told him he was crazy, but Ralph was determined to do it on his own. The partners opened a modest office in New York City and kept the door locked. When asked why, MacDonald explained that it was a publishing company, and that songs were meant to go out the door, not in. He gave himself two years to get the company going.
One year and eleven months later and wondering if Antisia Music would survive, Ralph happened to begin working with Roberta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called "Where Is The Love," and in a studio session, he pitched it to Roberta. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donny Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music.
From there the success kept on coming. Ralph began recording with legends like James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana Ross and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington, Jr. hit "Mr. Magic" and Antisia Music placed a song called "Calypso Breakdown" on the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. That album went on to sell 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys of his own, as a performer and a producer. Riding high on the disco craze, Ralph released two albums of his own, gaining commercial success and international recognition.
In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington, Jr.'s classic album Winelight. Among the MacDonald compositions were hits like "Winelight," "In The Name Of Love," and a song destined to become an American standard: "Just The Two Of Us." That song alone has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith's 1999 adaptation of the song.
In recent years MacDonald spent his time writing and recording for Antisia Publishing when he wasn't out on the road touring with Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band. He also released albums of smooth, percussive jazz and pop. Firmly established as a successful songwriter, a legendary percussion player, and an international star, it would seem that the kid from Harlem who dreamed of nothing more than achieving what his father had succeeded in a big way.
At 12:50 AM on Sunday, December 18, 2011, MacDonald died of lung cancer. His wife, Grace and their daughter, Nefra-Ann survive him.
In The Name Of Love
Ralph MacDonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the name of love, in the name of love
For the sake of silly passion make a game of love
In the name of love, in the name of love
Jumping up and down on your emotions
Just another way to break your heart
And it really makes you wonder what became of love
They make all the sacrifices for the sake of love
What they make of love, is old heartbreak of love
When there ain't no giving in the give and take of love
Put the blame on love, in the name of love
Jumping up and down on your emotions
Just another way to break your heart
Oh there really ain't no feeling quite the same as love
In the name of love
People try to create feelings just the same as love
And they do it in the name of love, in the name of love
For the sake of foolish passion make a game of love
And they do it in the name of love, do it in the name of love
Coming up and down with real devotion, oh
There's a better way to win my heart
And there really ain't no feeling quite the same as love
Not in the name of love
(I know) I know
(Heavy when you feel it) When you feel it
(Can't let go)
Can't let go (name of love)
(I know) I know
(When you've get to have it) When you've get to have it
(Can't say no) You just can't say no
(In the name of love)
(I know) I know
(Heavy when you feel it) When you feel it
(Can't let go)
(in the name of love)
(I know) I believe
(When you've get to have it)
(Can't say no) When you've get to have it, you can't say no
(In the name of love)
(I know) I know
(Heavy when you feel it) When you feel it
(Can't let go)
You just can't let go (in the name of love)
The song talks about how people create feelings that they claim to be just as powerful as love, but in reality, they are just a cheap imitation. The meaning behind the lyrics lies in the idea that these people use love as an excuse to engage in meaningless and frivolous activities. They make love seem like a game, jumping up and down on their emotions and treating their partner's feelings as if they were disposable. The song highlights that these actions lead to heartbreak and confusion, leaving one to wonder if love has lost its true meaning.
Throughout the song, the lyrics repeat the phrase "in the name of love," indicating that these actions are being taken under the guise of something noble and pure. The song describes how people make sacrifices for the sake of love, but in reality, it only leads to heartbreak and disappointment. The chorus emphasizes that there is no feeling quite the same as love, and people shouldn't try to imitate or replicate it.
The song concludes by acknowledging that when it comes to love, it is heavy and real, and once you feel it, you cannot let it go. There is no substitute for love, and people can't justify their actions under the pretense of "in the name of love."
Overall, the lyrics of "In the Name of Love" implore people to respect the true essence of love and not use it as a justification for frivolous activities or a means to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
People try to create feelings just the same as love
Individuals attempt to replicate the sensation of love
In the name of love, in the name of love
They justify their actions under the guise of love
For the sake of silly passion make a game of love
In pursuit of trifling emotions, they turn love into a game
Jumping up and down on your emotions
They carelessly manipulate your feelings
Just another way to break your heart
It's a familiar tactic that results in heartbreak
And it really makes you wonder what became of love
This makes you question the true nature of love
They make all the sacrifices for the sake of love
They are willing to make great sacrifices in the name of love
What they make of love, is old heartbreak of love
Their efforts result only in love's previous heartbreak
When there ain't no giving in the give and take of love
Love requires mutual effort, and without it, there's nothing left
Put the blame on love, in the name of love
They unfairly assign love all the blame for their actions
Coming up and down with real devotion, oh
To truly show affection, one must be consistent
There's a better way to win my heart
Winning someone's heart is a complex process with a better method
And there really ain't no feeling quite the same as love
Love is a unique experience that cannot be replicated
Not in the name of love
But not under the guise of love
I know
I acknowledge
(Heavy when you feel it) When you feel it
(Emotionally powerful when you experience it) When you experience it
Can't let go
Cannot give up
(name of love)
(under the justification of love)
(When you've got to have it)
(When one feels they must have it)
(Can't say no) You just can't say no
(Cannot refuse) One simply cannot say no
Lyrics © BLEUNIG MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bill Withers, Ralph Macdonald, William Salter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@techpilgrim6577
Where are we as the human race when this song only has about 6000 views? I fear for our survival.
@nyentichu9088
Kind of amazing folks don't listen to good music anymore
@ivanmay7890
RIP Bill Withers and Ralph MacDonald
@frankbossert4050
Rest peacefully mr withers. Loved your smooth sound. And nice horn work by mr mcdonald as well.
@samucarosa7626
Meus ouvidos, meu coração, espírito e alma. Se tornaram escravo dessa magnífica canção!
@nigelsamerson6393
Clean quiet and timeless I really feel at peace with this song rest in paradise Ralph
@marekbo2088
and Bill
@mikeewell469
He simplifies all of us who's been in love, one the greatest. Jumping up and down on your emotions
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1984 {October 21st} there were three records on Billboard's Top 100 chart with 'In The Name of Love' in their titles...
"(Pride) In The Name of Love" by U2 was at position #85, "(What) In The Name of Love" by Naked Eyes was at #97, and "In The Name of Love" by Ralph MacDonald with Bill Withers was at position #98...
Two weeks earlier "In The Name of Love" by Ralph MacDonald with Bill Withers" would peak at #58 for one week on the Top 100...
@makotoyamanoi
Happy to see this song hits 5000+