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."
His Name Is Michael
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you remember that guy I've been dating?
Well, he asked me to marry him!
I met a man so handsome
So nice, warm, and kind
And every day my life would open
With love on my mind
[Chorus]
A heart full of love
That is sent from above
His name is Michael
The sun shines so bright
'Cause this love is so right
It comes from Michael
Well that's just great Steph'
But you know what?
Now you don't have to tell me 'bout lovin'
Someone who's good to you
'Cause when he kisses me it's heaven
Now I can't deny what I feel inside
[Chorus]
A heart full of love
That is sent from above
His name is Michael
Coincidentally,
The man that's gonna marry me
His name is Michael
Ooh, ooh
Tears for me
They'll never be
I love his smile so desperately
Whoo hoo, He's Michael
Peggy, does your Michael live on the boulevard?
Yeah. In the penthouse on the corner.
By the way Stephanie, does your Michael drive a red Ferrari?
Yeah.
Peggy, does your Michael have a cabin near the lake?
Ah, do you mean the one where you go skinny dipping under the moonlight?
Peggy, does your Michael have a birthmark on his (both gasp!)
Ooh, that's Michael!
Michael
He's my Michael
The song "His Name is Michael" by Stephanie Mills is a story about a woman who has finally found true love with a man named Michael. The song begins with Stephanie telling her friend Peggy that she has just been proposed to by the man she's been dating for some time. The song then flows into Stephanie's description of her beloved Michael - he's handsome, kind, and warm. She is completely in love with him, and every day is filled with the warmth of his love.
The chorus talks about the heart full of love that comes from Michael, which is sent from above. This love is so right that it shines like the sun. Peggy playfully asks Stephanie about her Michael and whether he lives on the boulevard, drives a red Ferrari or has a cabin near the lake. The song ends with Stephanie affirming her love for Michael, saying that tears will never fall for her, and she loves his smile desperately. The song is an ode to love and the joy and warmth that a true love brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Peggy, I'm so glad you're home
Stephanie is happy her friend Peggy is back home
Can you remember that guy I've been dating?
Stephanie is asking Peggy to recall the man she has been dating
Well, he asked me to marry him!
Stephanie's boyfriend has proposed marriage to her
I met a man so handsome
Stephanie has met a very attractive man
So nice, warm, and kind
The man she met is also very kind and friendly
And every day my life would open
Stephanie looks forward to each day with the man she met
With love on my mind
She is constantly thinking about the love she shares with this man
I've got to tell you now
Stephanie needs to reveal something to Peggy
[Chorus] A heart full of love That is sent from above His name is Michael
Stephanie is in love with Michael
The sun shines so bright 'Cause this love is so right It comes from Michael
Stephanie's love for Michael is so perfect and true that it seems to make the sun shine brighter
Well that's just great Steph'
Peggy is happy for Stephanie
But you know what?
Peggy has something to add to the conversation
Now you don't have to tell me 'bout lovin'
Peggy understands what Stephanie is feeling and doesn't need any more explanation
Someone who's good to you
Peggy knows that Michael is treating Stephanie well
Cause when he kisses me it's heaven
Stephanie's experience with Michael's kisses are amazing
Now I can't deny what I feel inside
Stephanie knows her feelings for Michael are real
[Chorus] A heart full of love That is sent from above His name is Michael
Stephanie confirms her love for Michael
Coincidentally, The man that's gonna marry me His name is Michael
Stephanie reveals that Michael is not just her love, but her future husband
Ooh, ooh Tears for me They'll never be
Stephanie is beyond happy and will never shed a tear over Michael
I love his smile so desperately
Stephanie loves everything about Michael, especially his smile
Whoo hoo, He's Michael
Stephanie can't contain her excitement about Michael
Peggy, does your Michael live on the boulevard?
Peggy and Stephanie ask each other questions about their respective Michaels
By the way Stephanie, does your Michael drive a red Ferrari?
Peggy has a question about Michael's car
Ah, do you mean the one where you go skinny dipping under the moonlight?
Peggy knows which cabin Michael has, and shares some of its secrets
Peggy, does your Michael have a birthmark on his (both gasp!)
They share a moment of humor about Michael's possible birthmark
Ooh, that's Michael! Michael He's my Michael
Stephanie confirms that the birthmark description is accurate and further claims Michael as her own
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL SEMBELLO, STEPHANIE MILLS, CASSANDRA MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lee 276
An un-remembered, and one of the best female duets ever from the 1983 "Merciless" LP. Love this cut - Stephanie is one of the best.
Barbara Swift Coleman
Ooh I love this song! Haven"t heard it in years. So glad I found it here. Thank you so much.
Taylor sara
OMG! I never knew she was talking about Michael Jackson!!! she said she thought she was going to be Ms Michael Jackson, and that she had no idea he was in love with Diana Ross...
monochrome
didn't diana used him thought?
Josephine Dunn-Sproul
I am playing this July 2020, just lost a brother from another mother, a colleague, a confidant..Michael "Mikey Spice" Samuels...Killed 29 July 2020...A heart full of love😢😪😥🙏🙏
Tamya
May he Rest In Peace and fly high, I just lost a close friend a few weeks ago
shades1902
His name is Michael, truly love sent from up above.
Ewa (Wu)
She must love Him very much...to this days.
That’s So Bre
MICHAEL JACKSON 😩😂😂❤️❤️❤️
DJ Gary
She talking about Michael cause Mike was a good kisser according to her soooo I mean shit