Stephanie Mills first came to fame as "the little girl with the big voice" as the star of the hit Broadway play, The Wiz, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic book, The Wizard Of Oz. She had many R&B hits such as "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love," "I Feel Good All Over," "(You're Puttin') A Rush On Me," "Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)" and "Home" along with one certified million selling single, "Never Knew Love Like This Before." In addition, she also had five gold albums: Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin', Sweet Sensation, Stephanie, If I Were Your Woman and Home.
Mills honed her rich vocals singing gospel music at Brooklyn's Cornerstone Baptist Church as a small child. At age 9, she began appearing in the Broadway play Maggie Flynn. She was presented with first prize after winning "The Amateur Hour" talent contest six weeks straight at New York's famed Apollo Theater when she was nine. That success led to her being chosen as the opening act for The Isley Brothers, eventually becoming good friends with lead singer Ronald Isley. Many years later, Isley would manage and later marry singer/songwriter Angela Winbush, who co-wrote one of her number one R&B hits. Mills' début album, Movin' In The Right Direction was recorded for ABC Records in 1974. A year later, she won the role of Dorothy in The Wiz. Her rendition of the beautiful ballad "Home" was a showstopper, mesmerizing audiences nightly for a number of years. The original cast recording of The Wiz was produced by Jerry Wexler and issued by Atlantic Records in spring 1975. Curiously, when The Wiz was made into a full length feature film by Motown Records' film division and Universal Pictures, Diana Ross played the role of Dorothy instead of Mills. The film ended up being a major flop.
Singer Jermaine Jackson referred Mills to Motown head Berry Gordy, who signed her to the label. Her Motown debut was For the First Time, written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, being issued in October 1976. For the First Time is a sweet affair with Mills convincingly covering Bacharach/David standards, most of which were originally recorded by Dionne Warwick. In 1978, she signed to 20th Century Records and was teamed with the hit production duo of James Mtume — later leader of Mtume, who had a gold single with "Juicy Fruit" — and Reggie Lucas. Her first LP for the label, Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin', went gold, going to number 12 R&B and number 22 pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1979 and spawned the singles, "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" and "You Can Get Over." Her next LP, Sweet Sensation (#3 R&B, #16 Pop, spring 1980) yielded "Sweet Sensation," "Never Knew Love Like This Before," and the radio-aired LP track, "Try My Love." Around this time, she briefly married former Soul Train dancer Jeffrey Daniels of the group Shalamar. Next came the LP titled Stephanie in spring 1981, which also was a huge hit, peaking at #3 R&B and #30 Pop. The album included notable songs such as "Two Hearts" — a midtempo duet with Teddy Pendergrass — "Night Games" and the radio-aired LP cut, "Don't Stop Doin' What Cha Do."
In 1981, Mills switched to Neil Bogart's Casablanca Records. Her LPs for the label included Tantalizingly Hot, Merciless and I've Got The Cure. During 1983, she had her own NBC-TV daytime talk show and reprised on role in a Broadway revival of The Wiz. She also signed with MCA Records, where she released her Stephanie Mills album.
The first single from the Stephanie Mills album was "Stand Back," in late 1985, which also included the passionate ballad "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love." "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love" was initially written by Rene Moore and Angela Winbush — best known as the hit singing duo Rene & Angela — as a gospel song and originally was recorded by Alton McClain and Destiny on their self-titled 1978 Polydor LP. The original version is available on Polygram's Power of Love: Best of Soul Essentials Ballads. Because of its massive radio play as an album track, Mills' version of "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love, — produced by Philly Soul keyboardist Ron Kersey — was reissued as an A side holding the #1 R&B spot for two weeks in spring 1986. Its follow-up, "Rising Desire" reached #11 R&B in summer 1986.
Her next LP's title cut was the Clay McMurray/Gloria Jones/Pam Sawyer song, "If I Were Your Woman," originally a 1971 #1 R&B, #9 Pop smash for Gladys Knight and the Pips. Philly-based producer Nick Martinelli gave Mills her second #1 R&B hit with "I Feel Good All Over," written by husband and wife songwriting duo, Gabriel Hardeman and Annette Hardeman. The song held the #1 R&B spot for three weeks in spring 1987. Originally submitted to Mills' fellow MCA labelmate Patti Labelle by the Hardemans, the track was included on Mills' LP If I Were Your Woman, issued June 1987 and peaked at #30 Pop in summer 1987. Paul Laurence produced and co-wrote with Timmy Allen the chugging '"(You're Putting) a Rush On Me" giving the singer her third #1 R&B hit in fall 1987. The single made it to #85 Pop and was followed by "Secret Lady," which landed at #7 R&B in late 1987. Her covers of "If I Were Your Woman" and "Where Is The Love" followed. All were included on her If I Were Your Woman album, which peaked at #1 R&B, #30 Pop in summer 1987. Following these hits, Mills contacted Ronald Isley about working with singer/songwriter/producer Angela Winbush who had hits as half of Rene and Angela and was forging a hit-filled career as a recording artist and producer for the group Body among others. The collaboration between Mills and Winbush resulted in another #1 R&B single, "Something In The Way You Make Me Feel," in summer 1989.
Having starred for five years in the smash Broadway show The Wiz and recorded the song "Home for the play's 1975 original cast soundtrack album, she wanted to record the song again as a posthumous tribute to the play's producer, Ken Harper, and the song's composer, Charlie Smalls. On her new version of "Home," Take 6 sung the background vocals. The song went to #1 R&B in late 1989 and was followed by "Comfort Of A Man" and "Real Love." The Home LP ended up peaking at #5 R&B, #82 Pop in summer 1989. She then recorded a charting single with J.T. Taylor titled "Heart To Heart" in late 1991. Her final MCA album, Something Real included the hit "All Day All Night" and "Never Do Wrong." Following this album, she recorded a gospel album, Personal Inspirations, for Interscope Records and recorded several tracks at Philadelphia International Records with Bunny Sigler among others in the late '90s.
After a hiatus from recording Mills returned with sixteenth album, "Born For This" in 2004. It includes the singles "Can't Let Him Go" and "Healing Time." Mills is currently working on her seventeenth album titled "Breathless." The lead single chosen is a song called, "Yesterday."
Edge of the Razor
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down a back street
Here we go again
We play with fire
We walk the wire
But I know how it ends
You'll run right back to her
Yes, you will
And though tonight is gonna leave me lonelier
I can't help it
Got to live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
It's a blind date with a heartache
Another stolen kiss
By the streetlight
We got all night
To make it worth the risk
In the end
She'll be the one you're with
But tonight we're gonna run like fugitives
I can't help it
Got to live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Oh, live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Oh, live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Edge of the razor
Edge of the razor
Live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
Another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Live fast
Gonna love hard
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
It can't last
But we can't stop
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
The lyrics of Stephanie Mills's song "Edge of the Razor" are about a relationship that is thrilling, dangerous, and doomed to fail. The couple in the song is depicted as being reckless and living for the moment. They go on blind dates, steal kisses under the streetlight, and take chances on a relationship that they know can't last. The singer is aware that the man she's with will eventually go back to his previous partner but can't help falling into the same pattern of behavior over and over again.
The phrase "edge of the razor" is used throughout the song to describe the danger and excitement of their relationship. It implies that one false move could lead to disaster. The singer seems to enjoy living on the edge, even though she knows it's not sustainable. Ultimately, the song is a cautionary tale about the consequences of taking risks and living without regard for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
In the front seat
The singer and their romantic partner are in the front seat of a car.
Down a back street
The car is driving down a quiet, deserted street.
Here we go again
This is a recurring pattern in the singer's relationship.
We play with fire
The artist and their partner engage in risky behavior.
We walk the wire
The relationship is a delicate balancing act.
But I know how it ends
The singer knows that the relationship will ultimately fail.
Come tomorrow
The next day.
You'll run right back to her
The partner will leave the artist and return to their previous lover.
Yes, you will
The artist is certain this will happen.
And though tonight is gonna leave me lonelier
The artist knows they will feel more alone after this encounter.
I can't help it
The singer cannot resist the temptation to be with their partner.
Got to live fast
The artist feels the need to live life to the fullest and take risks.
Gonna love hard
The singer loves their partner deeply.
Take another chance for the thrill of the danger
The singer is willing to take risks for the excitement of the moment.
It can't last
The relationship is not sustainable.
But we can't stop
Despite this, the artist and partner cannot resist each other.
It's another slow dance on the edge of the razor
The relationship is dangerous and could end badly.
It's a blind date with a heartache
The singer is entering this situation without knowing the potential pain that could come from it.
Another stolen kiss
The singer and partner are sneaking around and engaging in secretive behavior.
By the streetlight
The scene is illuminated by a streetlight.
We got all night
The artist and partner have the whole night together.
To make it worth the risk
The artist and partner are determined to make the most of their time together, despite the potential consequences.
In the end
Ultimately.
She'll be the one you're with
The partner will ultimately end up with their previous lover.
But tonight we're gonna run like fugitives
The singer and partner are choosing to enjoy their time together, even if it means running away.
Edge of the razor
The relationship is dangerous and could end badly.
Live fast
To live life to the fullest, taking risks along the way.
Gonna love hard
The artist loves their partner deeply and passionately.
Another slow dance on the edge of the razor
Despite the danger, the artist and partner cannot resist each other, and will continue to take risks for love.
Contributed by Aiden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
booginas
I LOVE this 🎶 & Stephanie. There is nothing this woman can't sang 🎙️!!
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1985 {January 26th} Stephanie Mills performed "Edge of the Razor" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'... It peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Songs chart and reached #47 on Billboard's R&B chart... R.I.P. Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}...
Charlie Gorham
This is one of my favorite Stephanie Mills Songs
Diaval
This song was the last hit I had heard from Stephanie Mills. (I always wondered what happened to her) I always liked her music. She is proof that great things come in small packages. She has a VERY big and beautiful voice and the looks to match. I don't recall if this song was from a movie or not as I believe that is where I heard it first. I ended up picking up a record of the song on special promo label for DJ's. I still have that record, but sadly it isn't the long version as presented here. In fact this is the first time I am hearing the long version.
Noe Montano
@tmontyb100012 love how they didn't respond to this.. lol they have alot to catch up on!
Jérémie
Great guitar work by Paul Jackson Jr......
Spirit Angelfish
She had a ton of hits after this song... In fact the second half of the '80s she had 5 number one R&B hits! More than Whitney Houston during the same time. as a matter of fact.
mooremellow
if i were your woman album blew this away!
tmontyb100012
@jukingeo I'll name them.
1) I've Learned to Respect The Power of Love
2)I Feel Good All Over
3)You're Putting a Rush On Me
4)Something In The Way You Make Me Feel
5)Home
OCGG92841
Great Tune!!!!!