Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love". Tresvant led the group from 1983 to 1989.
Despite the success of groupmates Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Johnny Gill, Tresvant was cautious about his own solo career. Signing to MCA Records, Tresvant let his apprehension be known in several interviews.
Nevertheless, well-known producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were confident in his abilities after having worked with him on the album Heart Break. They wrote the song "Sensitivity" for him which hit #1 on the R&B charts, #4 on the Hot 100 and it went gold. His self-titled album released shortly after in 1990 and went platinum as well, topping the R&B charts. The album scored two more hits with "Stone Cold Gentleman" reaching #3 on the R&B charts and "Do What I Gotta Do" which reached #2.
Tresvant appeared in the movie House Party 2 in 1991 and the play, "The Man Of Her Dreams" in 2002. In 1993, he released his second album, It's Goin' Down. The album gave Tresvant greater involvement as he produced many of the tracks himself. However, perhaps due to limited promotion, the album failed to perform commercially as well as the debut.
On September 18, 2004, he married Amber Serrano.
Ralph's third solo album, Rizz Wa Faire, was released March 7, 2006. The first single from the album was "My Homegirl".
When I Need Somebody
Ralph Tresvant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Oh, oh)
You're all that's on my mind
Yeah
When looking for real love baby
(Ooh)
No other can do for me
What you do
Shh do do do do do dum
Shh do do do do do dum
Shh do do do do do dum
Shh do do do dum dum dum
Shh do do do do do dum
Shh do do do do do dum
Shh do do do do do dum
(Shh do do do do do dum)
When I need somebody
(Shh do do do do do dum)
(Shh do do do do do dum)
When I need somebody
(Shh do do do dum dum dum)
(Shh do do do do do dum)
When I need somebody
(Shh do do do do do dum)
When I need somebody who loves me
(Listen baby)
Hey
Let me show you girl
That I do appreciate my baby's sweet, sweet love
Take me
Honey I'm all yours
And I'll cooperate my dear
Hold on
'Cause when I really needed love
You were there to fill my heart
And so in return
I offer you my everlasting love
When I need somebody
(I need you)
When I need somebody
(To hug and kiss and love me right)
When I need somebody
(I need you)
When I need somebody (my love) who loves me
(Check it)
Hey girl
Mending a broken heart
Must be a special quality of your sweet touch
'Cause now
I believe in love
You sparked my sensitivity
And I just wanna let you know
Oh, I'm in love with the lady of my dreams
And I do appreciate my dear
The way you're lovin' me
And all I wanna know
Is what I can do
To bring back the love and the happiness
To you
'Cause when I really needed love
You were there to fill my heart
And so in return
I offer you my everlasting love
When I need somebody
(I need you)
When I need somebody
(To hug and kiss and love me right)
When I need somebody
(Somebody, oh, I need you)
When I need somebody (my love) who loves me
(I really need, really need your love)
When I need somebody
(Really need, really need your love)
(Really need, really need your, your love)
When I need somebody
(I really need)
When I need somebody
(Really need your love)
(I really need, really need your love)
When I need somebody who loves me
'Cause baby I know you're gonna be
Somebody
Who's love will always be there for me
Somebody
Hey
(And so)
So in return
(In return baby)
I offer you my everlasting love
(Love)
When I need somebody
(Love)
When I need somebody
(Somebody just like you)
When I need somebody
(Hey baby, I need you)
When I need somebody who loves me
When I need somebody
(Need your love, ooh)
When I need somebody
(Give it to me, hey baby)
When I need somebody
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
When I need somebody who loves me
(I really need, really need your love)
When I need somebody
(I really need, really need your love)
When I need somebody
(I really need, really need your, your love)
When I need somebody
(I really need, really need your love)
When I need somebody
The song "When I Need Somebody" by Ralph Tresvant is a confession of love and appreciation to his partner. The lyrics express how the person is always on his mind and how nobody else can compare when it comes to real love. This is evident in the chorus where he repeatedly sings "when I need somebody who loves me", indicating that he can't think of anyone else but her.
Tresvant further reassures his partner of his love and commitment in the second verse by acknowledging her qualities and how she mended his broken heart. He expresses his willingness to do whatever it takes to bring back the love and happiness to their relationship. The song then ends with a repetition of the chorus and a final affirmation of his love.
Overall, the lyrics of "When I Need Somebody" convey a deep sense of love and appreciation, highlighting the importance of having someone who loves you unconditionally and supports you through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
When I need love baby
In times of need for affection and attachment, you are the only one I can think of.
You're all that's on my mind
Your presence occupies my thoughts entirely.
When looking for real love baby
When seeking genuine, sincere love, I seek only your companionship.
No other can do for me
No individual can fulfill my emotional needs as you can.
Shh do do do do do dum
Instrumental.
When I need somebody who loves me
In moments of necessity for emotional support and attachment, I require somebody who is deeply fond of me.
Hey, let me show you girl
Allow me to demonstrate to you, my dear, how much I am grateful for your affection.
That I do appreciate my baby's sweet, sweet love
I am thankful for the kind and loving nature of my partner.
Take me, honey, I'm all yours
I belong entirely to you, my love.
And I'll cooperate my dear
I will assist you in any way possible, my love.
When I really needed love
In instances where I required emotional intimacy and closeness,
You were there to fill my heart
You were present to satisfy my emotional needs and desires.
And so in return
In exchange for your emotional support,
I offer you my everlasting love
I pledge to love you unconditionally and eternally.
Hey girl, mending a broken heart
Assisting in the healing of a wounded heart,
Must be a special quality of your sweet touch
Is a unique, particular trait of your loving touch.
Now I believe in love
You have rekindled my capacity for romantic attachment and affection.
You sparked my sensitivity
You have awakened my emotional responsiveness.
All I wanna know is what I can do
All I wish to comprehend is what I can do to assist you.
To bring back the love and the happiness to you
To recover the romantic desire and pleasure that we once shared.
Baby I know you're gonna be
I am confident that you will be the one.
Somebody who's love will always be there for me
Somebody whose affection will be constant and unwavering.
So in return
Therefore, in exchange for your unwavering love,
I offer you my everlasting love
I will love you unconditionally and endlessly.
Give it to me, hey baby
Show me your love, my darling.
I really need, really need your love
I have a strong need for your affection and intimacy.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C Johnson
Ralph Tresvant doesn't get the props he so deserves 😕 such an talented man he is 😍😍😍 this my favorite song by him
Tasha Cole
Love this song too! Also, Last Night, Your Touch & of course Sensitivity.
Dana McNair
Mines has always been Sensitivity
coconfa
My fav by him too.
Zakiyyah Carter
He is so underrated I so wish that he would make a comeback I really love his music.
Golden1
This song really takes me back to when the world was a happier place and people actually fell in love.
styles J.
Preach!!
The Cinéfiles Archive
Golden1 I feel you 😭, but I'm holding out hope that there are caring loving brothers out there still - even if they're not glorified in the media anymore
Golden1
So true girl it makes me really sad to see what the world has come to, it also makes me no longer want to open my heart to anyone.
The Cinéfiles Archive
Golden1 that's exactly how I feel when I hear it 😩, so sweet and romantic and you don't see that these days