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."
Medicine Song
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In stayin' wise to you
Shady walks and midnight stalks
Have showed me what to do
Kept my cool, this ain't no fool
You think you're messin' with
I know how to keep you ?round
You think that they really want just you
(Better think again, better think again)
I'm the only one knows what to do
?Cause you've been bad, baby, oh, so bad, baby
And there's only one thing can be done
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Just a little touch up)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Just a little touch up)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
Every time I think you're mine
You're up to somethin' new
I've done almost everythin'
To try to get to you
All my friends are just dead ends
In helpin? me alone
I just keep on wonderin?
What am I doin? wrong
There is only one thing left to try
(Do it again, do it again)
On this cure I'm sure I can rely
?Cause you've been bad, baby, oh, so bad
And there's only one thing can be done
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Just a little bit touch up)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(Just a little touch up)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Oh, my medicine)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(Mama?s gonna give you some medicine)
?Cause you've been bad, baby
Oh, you've been so bad
And there's only one thing can be done
Take your medicine
(Doctor?s here)
Take your medicine
(The nurse is here)
Take your medicine
(Don?t you wanna get cured?)
Take your medicine
(Take your medicine, baby)
Take your medicine
(Take your medicine, honey)
Take your medicine
(Oh, come on)
Take your medicine
(Go on and take it)
Take your medicine
(Go on and take it)
You gotta take it if you wanna shake it
(Medicine)
You gotta take it if you wanna shake it
(Medicine)
You gotta take it if you wanna shake it
(Medicine)
You gotta take it if you wanna shake it
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Mama?s gonna give you some medicine)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(Hey, I got all the medicine)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Mama?s gonna give you a touch up)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(Come on, baby, take your medicine)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(I got the cure)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(I got the cure)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Mama?s gonna give you some medicine)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(I got the cure)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Oh, take your medicine)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
(I got the cure, you know I do, okay)
You need a little bit of this medicine
(Oh, my medicine)
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
The lyrics of Stephanie Mills's "The Medicine Song" tell the story of a woman who has been hurt and manipulated by a man who is no good for her. She knows he is up to no good and has done everything she can to get his attention and win him over. However, he continues to play games and she is left frustrated and alone. In the chorus of the song, she suggests that the man needs a little bit of her "medicine," which seems to be a euphemism for the love and affection she has to offer. She believes her love is the only cure for what is ailing him, and she is willing to give it to him if he will just accept it.
The verses of the song explain the woman's frustration with the man's behavior. She has seen him up to no good, and she knows that he is not trustworthy, but she can't seem to let go of her feelings for him. She has tried everything to capture his attention, but he continues to play games, leaving her wondering what she is doing wrong. In the end, she decides that the only thing left to try is her love, which she believes is the cure for what is ailing him.
Line by Line Meaning
Danger eyes are no surprise
You have a deceitful look in your eyes, but I am not surprised by that fact.
In stayin' wise to you
I am aware of your lies and tricks and will not be fooled by them.
Shady walks and midnight stalks
Your behavior, like taking walks at night, is suspicious.
Have showed me what to do
Your actions have taught me how to handle you.
Kept my cool, this ain't no fool
I am calm and collected and will not let you trick me.
You think you're messin' with
You believe you are able to deceive me.
I know how to keep you ?round
I know how to prevent you from leaving.
?Cause I know where you been
I am aware of your past behaviors.
You think that they really want just you
You believe that others are interested in you alone.
(Better think again, better think again)
But that is not the case, and you should reconsider your belief.
I'm the only one knows what to do
I am the only one who knows how to handle you and your behavior.
?Cause you've been bad, baby, oh, so bad, baby
You have been behaving poorly and disrespectfully.
And there's only one thing can be done
There is one solution to your problematic behavior.
You need a little bit of this medicine
You need to receive a lesson or punishment for your actions.
(Just a little touch up)
This medicine is just a small reminder of the consequences of your actions.
Mama?s gonna give you some medicine
I will be the one to deliver your punishment or lesson.
Every time I think you're mine
Whenever I think I have control over you,
You're up to somethin' new
You do something that changes the situation.
I've done almost everythin'
I have tried almost everything I can think of.
To try to get to you
To try to understand and handle your behavior.
All my friends are just dead ends
My friends have been unable to help me with you.
In helpin' me alone
They have not been of much use to me in dealing with you.
I just keep on wonderin'
I continue to be uncertain and doubtful about the best approach to handle you.
What am I doin' wrong
I question my approach and actions in dealing with you.
There is only one thing left to try
There is only one solution or approach I have not tried yet.
(Do it again, do it again)
I must try it again to see if it works.
On this cure I'm sure I can rely
I am certain that this approach will work.
Take your medicine
You must face the consequences or punishment for your actions.
(Doctor's here)
I am the one administering the punishment, like a doctor giving medicine to a patient.
(The nurse is here)
I am in charge of the situation and making sure you receive the necessary punishment.
(Don't you wanna get cured?)
Don't you want to learn from your mistakes and change your ways?
You gotta take it if you wanna shake it
You must learn from your mistakes if you want to improve or fix the situation.
(Medicine)
The 'medicine' or punishment I am giving you is meant to teach you a lesson.
(I got the cure)
I have the solution to your problematic behavior.
(Hey, I got all the medicine)
I have everything I need to teach you a lesson and help you change.
(Oh, my medicine)
The punishment or lesson I am giving you is my personal approach.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertgonzales8320
Mama's gonna give you some medicine. Yes maam. Miss Mills vocals are astounding.
@Samiyo
Her vocals are SICK.... The BEST!!!
@clintjohnson1023
Koolson1 they're so sick ,she needs medicine.....i'm sorry i had too
@torresongs2
+clint johnson lol
@bekkiboop100
U got that right!!!! ❤️❤️
@josephscovitch2701
Maybe slick? Huh? Yes.
@pattifanalwayz7388
@clint johnson ha ha good
@christiaandetmers277
There is no better medicine than listening to this music. The eighties were great. Where's the music gone?
@ericbear2514
They ended up being web based today, small chance you would hear them on the radio these days!
@hermanhawkinsjr.122
Christiaan Detmers It went to pot.