1. Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Sparkl… Read Full Bio ↴1. Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in while he was working on a male artist in 1989. Sparkle was the first and only successful artist to release an album on Kelly's Rockland label. Sparkle's debut album, the self-titled Sparkle, was released on May 19, 1998. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the R&B charts and was certified Platinum very soon after the release. The album is best known for the single "Be Careful," a 1998 duet with R. Kelly, which made it to two of Billboard's major airplay charts, peaking at No. 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and charted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Airplay for six consecutive weeks, while also reaching No. 7 in the UK.[1]
Despite the success of her debut album, Sparkle and R. Kelly began to have creative differences while working on her second album, which led to her to ask to be released from Rockland/Interscope. She then signed with Motown Records, where she would release her second album Told You So in 2000.

2. A one off disco project who were responsible a self titled album and a single, Disco Madness / Down The Way, both released in 1979.

Straight Up
Sparkle Lyrics

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1 - I'm telling you straight up
I'm loving him
I'm telling you straight up
I think about him

Sitting here wondering how
How I'm gonna let you down
This love affair has lost it's touch somehow

Isn't it funny how some things could change
Don't mean to hurt you, boy
In him is where I found my joy, joy

A.M., I'm taking the red eye
Boy, separate ways is what I feel
It's time I let you know the real

Repeat 1

I'm sorry for all the things I put you through
I didn't mean to waste your time
Just take a look and you will find
The smile is not the same
Baby, don't take it personal
Keep your head about it
This wasn't meant to confess, whoa

A.M. I'm taking the red eye
Boy, separate ways is what I feel
It's time I let you know the real

Repeat 1

All I do
Is think about him
All I do
Is think about him

Repeat 1 until fade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sparkle's song "Straight Up" depict a woman who has realized that she has fallen in love with another man and must let go of her current relationship. She tells her partner straightforwardly that she is in love with someone else and that she has lost the spark in their relationship. The singer expresses regret for hurting her partner but makes it clear that she must follow her heart and pursue her newfound love. She further explains that her smile is not the same, and she can't stop thinking about the new love in her life. In the end, she makes plans to leave and start a new chapter.

The song portrays the emotional struggle of coming to terms with leaving someone behind and following what the heart desires. The lyrics reflect the idea that sometimes love can be complicated and can cause us to hurt others unintentionally. However, it also highlights the importance of being honest and straightforward with our feelings and the people we care about.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm telling you straight up
I'm being honest with you

I'm loving him
I'm in love with him

I'm telling you straight up
I'm still being honest with you

I think about him
He's always on my mind

Sitting here wondering how
I'm wondering how to break the news

How I'm gonna let you down
How to end things with you

This love affair has lost it's touch somehow
Our relationship has lost its spark

Isn't it funny how some things could change
It's strange how feelings can change

Don't mean to hurt you, boy
I don't want to hurt you

In him is where I found my joy, joy
He brings me happiness

A.M., I'm taking the red eye
I'm leaving early in the morning