Regina Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey. Her early musical experience was in gospel music. She also studied trombone, tuba and steel drums and graduated from Dwight Morrow High School. In college at Rutgers University, she studied opera and jazz.
She met the Manhattans and began working as their opening act. She even recorded a duet with them, "Where Did We Go Wrong." her hard work earned her a record deal with Columbia Records.
In 1987, she released her album All By Myself which featured the hit single "Show Me The Way" which reached #2 on the R&B charts. In 1989, Belle released her sophomore album, "Stay With Me". Going gold, the album was packed with several strong and catchy songs. "Baby Come To Me", the album's first single, topped the R&B charts at # 1 and was followed by "What Goes Around" which reached #3. The album featured two additional popular singles, "This Is Love" which reached #7 and "Make It Like It Was" which was another #1 single on the R&B charts and #5 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Belle recorded a duet in 1991 with singing superstar Johnny Mathis, "Better Together" which appeared on his album Better Together: The Duet Album. Continuing her success with duets, Belle teamed up with Peabo Bryson for the song "A Whole New World" from the Aladdin Soundtrack. The song went gold and won the Grammy Award in 1993 for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Unfortunately, the duet did not catapult Regina into Pop superstardom as Peabo's duet with Celine Dion, "Beauty and the Beast" did.
During the same year, Belle released her third album, "Passion". Going Gold, the album featured the previously mentioned "A Whole New World", "Dream In Colour and "If I Could" which reached #9 on the R&B charts. Both did well on the A/C chart. A fouth single, "The Deeper I Love" was released but it did not chart.
After a five year hiatus without any original content released, Belle put out the album "Believe in Me" in 1998. If was much more of a commercial Urban contemporary album than any of her other albums. Although the album had two hit singles, the lead single being "I've Had Enough" (it was also remixed into a sizable dance music hit), the album didn't met MCA Records sales goal. She was droped by MCA Record in 1999. In 2001, she released the album "This Is Regina!" which featured the sensual hit single, "Ooh Boy". Another single was not lifted from the album. "This Is Regina!" went Gold.
Belle is still active in the music industry and in 2004, released the album, "Lazy Afternoon". In 2005, she had several successful concerts and apprances singing both new songs and older favourites. Regina Belle is not a well known figure by the Caucasion music audiences but should be since she is one of the highest quality Adult Contemporary/Pop singer to arise in recent times.
in 2008, Belle released her first Gospel album, "Love Forever Shines" on Pendulum Records. The album peaked at #115 on the Billboard 200, #15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #3 Top Gospel Albums chart. The albums' single, "God Is Good" became a hit, peaking at #34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #36 Hot Adult R&B Airplay and #2 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. She continues to tour. She also also become a regular on the Gopsel music circuit since then.
I'll Be Around
Regina Belle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love's last episode
And there's nowhere to go oh no no no
You made your choice and now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key but baby
Whenever you call me
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around
I I knew just what to say
Now I found out today
The words had slipped away
There's always a chance
A tiny spark remains yeah
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again
But I know you know
Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around oh yeah
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be around
I'll be there
I'll be there
I'll be there
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you want me darlin'
Whenever you need me honey
I'll be I'll be around
(I'll be there)
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you want me
I'll be around
Whenever you call me
I'll be there
Whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be around yeah
(I'll be around)
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you want me darlin'
(Come on want me darlin')
Whenever you need me baby
I'll be there
(I'll be around)
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you want me darlin'
(I'll be around baby)
Whenever you need me baby
I'll be there
(I'll be there)
Whenever you call me baby
(Whenever you call me baby)
Whenever you want me darlin'
(Whenever you want me darlin')
Whenever you need me baby
(I'll be there I'll be there)
I'll be there
Whenever you call me baby
(I'll be around)
Whenever you want me darlin'
Whenever you need me baby
I'll be there
The lyrics of Regina Belle's song "I'll Be Around" speak of a love that has come to a crossroads. The singer accepts that her partner has made a decision to move on, but she also acknowledges that a small flicker of hope remains. She pledges to be present for her former lover whenever they call, want or need her, promising that she will always be there for them.
The first verse establishes that this is the end of the relationship, the "fork in the road" that marks "Love's last episode." There is "nowhere to go" for both parties, and the singer laments that it is up to her to "bow out gracefully." In the chorus, Belle reassures her partner that she will be there for them, even though they have chosen to move on. She expresses a willingness to return to the relationship if the "tiny spark" remains, and the "sparks turn into flames."
The third verse finds the singer reflecting on past mistakes, realizing that the right words to save the relationship had "slipped away." Despite this, there is still a chance to rekindle the romance. The chorus repeats, affirming her loyalty and availability whenever her former partner calls, wants, or needs her.
Overall, Regina Belle's "I'll Be Around" presents a bittersweet story of a love that has faded but might still have a chance to reignite. The lyrics speak to the difficulties of moving on and the hope that a relationship that has ended might someday be revived.
Line by Line Meaning
This is our fork in the road
This marks the point in our relationship where we can either go our separate ways or choose to try and make it work.
Love's last episode
This is the final chapter in our love story.
And there's nowhere to go oh no no no
We have reached a dead end and there are no options left.
You made your choice and now it's up to me
You decided to end things and now I have to deal with the consequences.
To bow out gracefully
I will exit the relationship with dignity and respect.
Though you hold the key but baby
You have control over our relationship, but...
Whenever you call me
I will be there for you no matter what.
I'll be there
I will support you through everything.
Whenever you want me
Just say the word and I will be by your side.
Whenever you need me
I will drop everything to be there for you.
I'll be around
I am always available and willing to help.
I knew just what to say
I thought I had all the right answers for our relationship.
Now I found out today
But today I realized...
The words had slipped away
...my words were not enough to fix our problems.
There's always a chance
Despite our difficulties, there is still a glimmer of hope.
A tiny spark remains yeah
There is a small flame of love still present.
And sparks turn into flames
That flame has the potential to ignite and become stronger.
And love can burn once again
Our love can still rekindle and grow.
But I know you know
However, I know that you are aware...
Come on want me darlin'
...and you also want me back in your life.
Whenever you call me baby
No matter what, you can always reach out to me.
Whenever you need me baby
I will be there when you need me.
I'll be there
I will always be there for you.
I'll be around baby
You can always count on me to stick around and help you out.
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you need me, give me a call.
I'll be there
And I'll be there to answer your call.
Whenever you want me darlin'
Whenever you feel alone or need someone to talk to...
I'll be there
...I will come running to be by your side.
I'll be around
I am always available to you.
Whenever you need me baby
No matter when, just let me know and I'll be there.
I'll be there
I am committed to being your support system.
Whenever you call me baby
Whenever you feel like you're drowning and need a lifeline...
I'll be around
...I will be there to throw you a lifeline and bring you back to the surface.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Phil Hurtt, Thom Bell, Thom Randolph Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind