In 1998, Stephens album Winner was released on Greensleeves, produced by himself, Frenchie, Danny Brownie and Donovan Germain.
Stephens has sinced then focussed his music on Christian related themes.
In 2006, Stephens was rewarded the Jamaican Governor-General's Achievement Award for contributing to civic, social and recreational projects in and around the parish of Westmoreland.
Ain
Richie Stephens Lyrics
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But I refuse to let you go,
If I have to beg, plead for your sympathy,
I don't mind 'cause you mean that much to me.
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
Please don't leave me girl,
Don't you go,
Please don't leave me, girl,
Don't you go.
Now I've heard a cryin' man
Is half a man with no sense of pride,
But if I have to cry to keep you,
I don't mind weepin' if it'll keep you by my side.
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
Please don't leave me girl,
Don't you go,
Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby,
Please don't leave me, girl,
Don't you go.
If I have to sleep on your doorstep all night and day
Just to keep you from walking away,
Let your friends laugh, even this I can stand,
'cause I wanna keep you any way I can.
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
Please don't leave me girl,
Don't you go,
Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby,
Please don't leave me, girl,
Don't you go.
Now I've got a love so deep in the pit of my heart,
And each day it grows more and more,
I'm not ashamed to call and plead to you, baby,
If pleading keeps you from walking out that door.
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
Please don't leave me girl,
Don't you go,
Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby,
Please don't leave me, girl,
Don't you go.
The song "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by Richie Stephens is a classic example of the soulful ballad. The theme of the song is the singer's refusal to let go of his love interest, despite her wish to leave him. The singer pleads for her sympathy and confesses his deep love in hopes of convincing her to stay. He insists that he would do anything to keep her by his side. The song portrays the singer as vulnerable but so in love that he is willing to humble himself and beg for her to stay.
The chorus, "Ain't too proud to beg and you know it, please don't leave me girl, don't you go. Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby, please don't leave me, girl, don't you go," is the central message of the song. It expresses the singer's willingness to do whatever it takes to hold onto his love interest. The song's lyrics are clear and straightforward. Richie Stephens's vocal delivery is deeply emotive, and the overall production sounds like a genuine plea to the listener.
The song's honesty resonated with many listeners and has been covered by several artists. The Temptations popularized the song in 1966, and it has been covered by famous artists like The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, and The Four Tops. The song's lyrics have become a benchmark for pleading love ballads and have helped cement it as a classic among soul and R&B enthusiasts.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you wanna leave me,
I am aware of the fact that you want to leave me,
But I refuse to let you go,
However, I am not willing to let you go so easily,
If I have to beg, plead for your sympathy,
Even if I have to kneel down to ask for your help,
I don't mind 'cause you mean that much to me.
I don't care about my pride when it comes to you,
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
I am not too proud to beg for your love,
Please don't leave me girl,
Please don't go away from me,
Don't you go,
Please do not leave,
Now I've heard a cryin' man
I've heard that a man who cries
Is half a man with no sense of pride,
Is seen as weak and without any self-respect,
But if I have to cry to keep you,
But if my tears can stop you from leaving me,
I don't mind weepin' if it'll keep you by my side.
Then I don't mind shedding tears if it means you will stay with me.
If I have to sleep on your doorstep all night and day
Even if I have to spend the whole day and night at your doorstep,
Just to keep you from walking away,
That's what I am willing to do to stop you from leaving me,
Let your friends laugh,
Even if your friends laugh at me,
Even this I can stand,
I can bear it,
'cause I wanna keep you any way I can.
Because I want to keep you by my side by any means possible.
Now I've got a love so deep in the pit of my heart,
I have a love that runs so deep in my heart,
And each day it grows more and more,
And every day that love grows stronger,
I'm not ashamed to call and plead to you, baby,
I am not too ashamed to beg and ask for your help,
If pleading keeps you from walking out that door.
As long as it stops you from leaving me.
Ain't too proud to beg and you know it,
I am not ashamed to beg for your love,
Please don't leave me girl,
Please do not leave me,
Don't you go.
Don't leave me behind.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Edward Jr. Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind