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.
The Whole Town's Laughing At Me
Regina Belle Lyrics
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Fool How'd You Lose Such A Good Thing?
In the lyrics "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me," Regina Belle sings about feeling foolish and ashamed after losing a good thing. The use of the phrase "silly fool" immediately sets the tone of regret and self-blame, suggesting a sense of disbelief and disappointment in oneself for letting something valuable slip away. The idea of the whole town laughing at the singer adds a layer of public humiliation and scrutiny, magnifying the personal shame and regret experienced. This phrase captures the feeling of being the subject of ridicule or gossip in a small community, where everyone seems to know and judge the singer's mistakes.
The repetition of "How'd you lose such a good thing?" in the lyrics highlights the weight of the loss and the inability to comprehend how such a valuable relationship or opportunity was allowed to slip through the singer's fingers. This question reflects on the singer's sense of disbelief and self-criticism, as they struggle to make sense of their own actions and accept the consequences of their mistakes. The use of the word "good" to describe the lost thing emphasizes its positive qualities and the sense of regret for not appreciating it when it was still within reach.
The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and regret, as the singer grapples with the aftermath of their actions and the realization of their own shortcomings. The juxtaposition of the singer's perceived foolishness and the town's laughter creates a powerful image of isolation and shame, as the singer feels like a laughingstock in their own community. This internal struggle is further amplified by the external judgment and mocking laughter from others, reinforcing the sense of loss and regret that permeates the song.
Overall, "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me" delves into themes of regret, self-blame, and public humiliation, painting a poignant picture of personal and social consequences of losing something valuable. Through the lyrics, Regina Belle captures the complex emotions of shame and vulnerability that come with facing one's mistakes and the harsh judgment of others. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of valuing and cherishing what we have before it's too late, and the emotional toll of losing something precious through our own actions.
Line by Line Meaning
The Whole Town's Laughing At Me
Everyone in town is making fun of me
Fool How'd You Lose Such A Good Thing?
Why did you let go of something so valuable, you foolish person?
Writer(s): Marshall Sherman, Wortham Ted
Contributed by Luke O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.