In the late 1970s, Skyy signed to Salsoul Records. After several albums that saw moderate success in the R&B market, the group crossed over to the mainstream in a big way with the release of the Skyy Line album in late 1981. Featured on this album was the single "Call Me," which gave the group their first (and only, to date) top 40 hit on the pop charts, peaking at #26 in 1982. It also became the first of several #1 R&B hits for Skyy. Meanwhile, the group continued to record for the Salsoul label up through the release of their 1984 Inner City album (Salsoul would fold in 1985), scoring several additional hits on the R&B chart during that time.
In the mid-1980s, the group signed with Capitol Records and released their next album, From the Left Side in 1986. Apart from the top ten R&B single, "Givin' It (to You)," the album saw limited success, and the group left Capitol soon thereafter.
Things were looking rather bleak for the band by the late 1980s. However, after signing to Atlantic Records, Skyy launched a major comeback in 1989 with the release of their extremely successful Start of a Romance album. This release spun off two consecutive #1 R&B singles, with both the title track ("Start of a Romance") and the Quiet Storm classic, "Real Love" claiming the top spot. "Real Love" also became the group's second and final crossover pop hit peaking at #47 on the Top 50 Billboard charts in early 1990. The first single released from the album, "Love All the Way" had also cracked the R&B top 50. Unfortunately, by the release of the Nearer to You album in 1992, the hits had again dried up, and the band has not released a new studio album since then.
Show Me the Way
Skyy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the hopes that there's a Heaven
And everyday I'm more confused
As the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends
I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Please show me the way
And as I slowly drift to sleep
For a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know that there's peace
In a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news
To find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign
So afraid I just won't know
Show me the way, show me the way
Bring me tonight to the mountain
And take my confusion away
And show me the way
And if I see a light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way
Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
And please show me the way
Every night I say a prayer
In the hopes that there's a Heaven
Skyy's "Show Me the Way" is a contemplative song about losing faith, seeking guidance and finding hope. The lyrics express a deep sense of confusion and disillusionment with the world and the people in it, particularly one's heroes and role models who have fallen short of expectations. The singer of the song is looking for meaning and purpose in life, but is struggling to find it in a world that seems to be filled with hatred and suffering.
The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, is a plea for guidance and direction. The singer asks to be taken to a river and have their illusions washed away, and to be brought to a mountain to have their confusion taken away. These requests are symbolic of a desire to start anew, to be cleansed of past mistakes and misunderstandings, and to have a clear path forward.
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant and touching. The singer acknowledges that there is a certain peace to be found in dreams, even though they may be fleeting and ultimately unattainable. Despite the challenges of the world, the singer remains hopeful and continues to pray for a sign that they are on the right path.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night I say a prayer
Each night, I hope for something greater than this life.
In the hopes that there's a Heaven
I long for an afterlife that makes sense of our pain and loss.
And everyday I'm more confused
Yet every day, I'm more uncertain about my beliefs and this world.
As the saints turn into sinners
Even those whom I once admired disappoint me with their flaws and mistakes.
All the heroes and legends
The people whom I idolized as a child have crumbled into fallible human beings.
I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
The ideals and figures I once held up as perfect have proven to be flawed and mortal.
And I feel this empty place inside
This realization has left me feeling lost and incomplete.
So afraid that I've lost my faith
I fear that I no longer believe in anything that can guide me through this world.
Show me the way, show me the way
I plead for guidance and direction.
Take me tonight to the river
Lead me to a place of spiritual renewal and cleansing.
And wash my illusions away
Help me let go of my false hopes and beliefs that hold me back.
And as I slowly drift to sleep
Sometimes, sleep feels like a temporary escape from my despair.
For a moment dreams are sacred
In my dreams, I find glimpses of beauty and hope.
I close my eyes and know that there's peace
Dreams offer me a brief respite from the chaos and pain of reality.
In a world so filled with hatred
Our world is marked by violence and division.
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news
Every day, I'm confronted with stories of suffering and cruelty.
To find we've so far to go
The problems of our world seem daunting and insurmountable.
And I keep on hoping for a sign
Despite this, I hold onto a glimmer of hope for a better future.
So afraid I just won't know
But I fear that I may never find the answers and guidance that I seek.
Bring me tonight to the mountain
I ask to be taken to a higher place that can offer perspective and clarity.
And take my confusion away
I need help in making sense of my doubts and questions.
And if I see a light, should I believe
If I experience something that seems to defy logic or reason, can I trust it?
Tell me how will I know
I wonder how I can discern what is true and meaningful in this world.
Give me the strength and the courage
I need to be brave enough to face my uncertainties and fears head-on.
To believe that I'll get there someday
I hold onto the hope that, despite my doubts, I can find my way toward something greater.
Writer(s): Peter Kenneth Frampton
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@myraharryson3499
Here in 2024…. Still digging this hit and why not😊❤❤❤💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
@JanaeTurner-j7q
I'm wit you!! 🎶 🎶
@italofiorentino1298
Me to, 🕺💃🕺💃
@eliasconceicao3777
Me toooo
@TernaHemen-fo9up
Lovely song by a formidable and lovely group.
❤❤❤❤❤
@Brianthecitizenjournalist
I wish I could travel back in time.... I miss going out dancing to this record at parties and dancing to the 80's funk. I would have been 15 when this record came out and I STILL have it on vinyl.
@marsjupiter8336
Le temps c'est comme les mailles d'un pull, si on revient au debut, il n'y a plus de fil et si on considère que c'est ce qui arrive au temps alors il n'y a plus de présent enfin ! C'est mon avis !
@JanaeTurner-j7q
❤❤
@dena792
Loving it still years later (Bassline)👍🏼
@geraldobarbosa461
Skyy, was formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1973, when sisters Denise, Delores, and Bonnie Dunning first met musician Solomon Roberts, Jr. The record producer/keyboardist Randy Muller (who was also a member Brass Construction and an arranger for B.T. Express) soon became involved with the project. By 1976, the Skyy lineup of the three Dunning sisters as vocalists, Roberts as the male vocalist/guitarist, Anibal Anthony Sierra on guitars and keyboards, Larry Greenberg on keyboards, Gerald Lebon on bass, and Tommy McConnell on drums had solidified.