‘Dedicated’ is Renée Geyer’s twenty-second album. And she’s convinced with this record she’s reached a turning point.
“I do rhythm and blues,” Renée explains. “This genre of music picked me. I didn’t pick it. From a very early age I was listening to it on my transistor radio under my pillow. At fourteen or fifteen years of age I knew that this was the music I connected with. With this record I’ve turned some kind of corner where the suit that was bought for me as a young girl, that I knew was a beautiful suit, only just now fits. It just feels right.
“I always try to co-write with different people for every record. My ego as a singer is bigger than my ego as a writer, so it’s always the best songs that make it. When I was offered this new recording deal with EMI I thought what would be great this time would be to do a mixture of existing classics and new songs as well.
“The hard part was finding more classic r&b songs to sing. I’d already picked the main ones that I wanted for ‘Tenderland’ [Renée’s incredibly successful twentieth album, released four years ago] so I really had to search and search carefully for songs that when you hear them they’re known but not obvious soul songs.
“‘Tenderland’ was the first time I finally agreed to do interpretations of existing soul classics. I’ve always dabbled and had the odd one or two on albums, but I’d never before wanted to make a record totally like that. After being asked to for so many years I finally did it when I turned 50. I thought, if ever there was a time to do it, now was the time.
“With this record “Dedicated”, like with ‘Tenderland,’ I wanted to pay homage to the writers of the songs more so than the existing versions of the songs.
“There’s no way that anyone is ever going to recreate an existing gem, but great songs are meant to be re-interpreted time and time again, and to me only a great song can be re-interpreted.
“Even though I’ve become the name that draws the people I’ve always been the singer in a band. Since I was very young I’ve always wanted to play with the best musicians. I’ve always been in that band because they’re a great band. Nothing’s changed on that level.
“Whereas the last two records had a lot of strings [after ‘Tenderland’ Renée released the all-new adventurous ‘Tonight’] there’s no strings on this record, it’s basically the four-piece band, organ-based, so it’s like the classic Al Green line-up of the early 70’s, with horns as the embellishment this time. Also, thanks to my co-producer/engineer Adam Rhodes, I’ve discovered a microphone that actually reproduces my voice in the truest way, picking up all the timbers of my tone, as it would sound to someone listening right next to me.
Today, listening to Renée Geyer we’re experiencing much more than a great voice and song interpreter at the microphone, in front of her band. Over the course of her incredible career Renée has also discovered and refined other talents. She’s become an arranger, imagining what goes where and how for the best result. And she co-produces her albums now.
“I’m completely hands on with my records,” she confesses.
“I'm in love with this record. I have to admit it. This time, I really am. Normally, I’m over it by the time, through the process of recording and then mixing and mastering, we've heard everything a million times over and over again. It's kind of like when couples fall in 'love/lust', get married...and then the 'lust' part of the relationship fades. This album sounds and feels as fresh as ever....every time I hear it (thanks in no small part to the incredible musicians appearing on it.) I'm still in 'lust/love'. End of story.”
Ed Nimmervoll
Renée Geyer Fast Facts
• Born 11 Sept 1953, in Melbourne
• Joined her first band, Dry Red, in Sydney 1970
• Renée’s first album was self-titled, and was released in July 1972
• Her third album ‘Moving Along’ was recorded in America
• Renée’s 1981 hit ‘Say I Love You’also reached #1. in New Zealand where she retains a strong following
• During the 1980’s and 1990’s Renée spent many years between America and Australia and sang with artists including Sting, Chaka Kan, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown
• ‘Dedicated’ is Renée’s 22nd album
• Renée is one of the very few Australian artists that has had records in the Australian charts every decade since the 1970’s.
• In 2005, Renée was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame
Sweet Love
Renee Geyer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you just wont co-operate
Now i dont wanna segregate
cause i just wanna stimulate
ey baby i will give you love
love...
sweet love
listen
but you just do what you wanna do
why is love such a lousy game
yeah
when im wild you wont retain
love is all i have to give
sweet love
love
oh baby love
love love
love hey baby ill give you love
sweet sweet love
yeah
love love
sweet love
come on now baby
love
In Renee Geyer's song "Sweet Love," the lyrics express a desire for intimacy and connection with another person. The singer asserts their willingness to give love and pleads with their partner to reciprocate. The opening lines "I just wanna populate / But you just won't co-operate" suggest an urge to create life, but the partner's lack of cooperation prevents it. The singer's desires are not simply physical, however, as they go on to say, "Now I don't wanna segregate / 'cause I just wanna stimulate." The use of these words implies that the singer wants something more than just sex, they want to be mentally and emotionally stimulated by their partner as well. The repeated refrain of "sweet love" underscores this desire for a deep, fulfilling connection.
The lyrics then shift to a sense of frustration as the singer laments their inability to reach their partner: "I been trying to get to you / But you just do what you wanna do / Why is love such a lousy game / When I'm wild you won't retain." This suggests a feeling of being held back or rejected by the partner, despite the singer's efforts to connect. This is further emphasized by the line "Love is all I have to give," which suggests that the singer has little else to offer and is hoping for reciprocity from their partner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sweet Love" express a desire for physical, emotional, and intellectual connection, while also expressing frustration with the obstacles that prevent it. The repeated use of "sweet love" emphasizes the singer's belief that true intimacy is not just physical, but involves a deep emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna populate
I desire to be fruitful and multiply
But you just won't co-operate
However, you refuse to collaborate with me
Now I don't wanna segregate
I am not interested in separating myself from you
Cause I just wanna stimulate
Instead, I hope to excite and inspire you
Hey baby I will give you love
My dear, I am willing to offer you my affection
Love... sweet love
Love, the feeling of intense connection and devotion
Listen, I've been trying to get to you
Pay attention, I have been attempting to reach your heart
But you just do what you wanna do
However, you choose to act according to your own desires
Why is love such a lousy game, yeah
Why does love feel like an unpleasant, unfair competition?
When I'm wild you won't retain
Even though I may be passionate, you do not hold onto my affection
Love is all I have to give
My love is the most valuable gift I can offer
Sweet love
Intense, caring affection
Love, oh baby love
Love, my dear, is what I feel for you
Love, love, love
Love, love, love - it's all about love
Hey baby I'll give you love
My dear, I am willing to offer you my affection
Sweet sweet love
Intense, caring affection
Yeah love, love
Yes, love is a wonderful thing
Sweet love
Intense, caring affection
Come on now baby
Let's come together, my dear
Love
Intense, caring affection
Writer(s): Malcolm Wayne Logan, Renee Rebecca Geyer, Barry John Sullivan, Mark Joseph Punch, Gregory Allen Tell
Contributed by Cooper R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SimonHunt999
Vocals – Renee Geyer
Bass – Barry Sullivan
Drums – Greg Tell
Flute – Tony Buchanan
Guitar – Mark Punch
Keyboards – Mal Logan
Percussion – Greg Tell
Producer – Ern Rose, Renee Geyer Band
Saxophone – Tony Buchanan
Trumpet – Russell Smith
@raymondclayton1059
Great song. Been jamming to this tune for years. Wish I could find it on a jukebox to turn my friends on.
@JoeInGeneral
RIP beautiful lady and thank you for the music...
@allenmarinovic3831
R.I.P. to this legend of Australian music
@clash1129
Another Chopper Movie fan who became a Renee Geyer fan...... made 3 kids to this track! Why this song hasn’t caught on with more period piece sound tracks is beyond me. I bump this out the car often in the hood and have all my niggas playing it too! What a great Song
@mindfulness1118
R.I.P Renee.
Thanks for the memories. ❣️
@carl478
If I didn't love chopper enough...now I'm in love with the soundtrack!
@user-bl9rl1co6q
She got that Soul. 💯😜🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@ParisRicardo1
I have a near mint vinyl copy of this rare gem. Just wish I had her ultra rare solo LP, aswell. Found the record on a charity shop randomly for 5 pounds only.. On RCA/Mushroom records label, 1975. bargain !
@drakestar13
chopper the movie brought me here!!
@9InchPapi
drakestar13 me too