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."
Reach Out And Touch
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you'll see
It's something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch somebody's hand
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Stephanie Mills's "Reach Out and Touch" is a call to action for people to make the world a better place by reaching out and helping others. The song emphasizes the importance of kindness, empathy, and compassion for lifting others up and creating positive change in the world. The lyrics act as a reminder that a simple act of kindness, like offering a listening ear or a helping hand, can make a significant difference in someone's life. The song urges listeners to take the initiative to make a positive impact on the world and to start by reaching out and touching somebody's hand.
The song stresses that people have the power to change things if they start giving. The lyrics emphasize the message that even small acts of kindness and encouragement can be powerful catalysts for positive change. The line, "Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who's lost the way" highlights the importance of taking care of others, especially those who may be struggling or feeling lost. Another line, "Remember his shoes could fit your feet," suggests that there is a common humanity amongst us all and that we should always be willing to lend a helping hand to others, regardless of who they are or what they're going through.
Overall, the song encourages us to put aside our own problems and reach out to help others. It advocates for a world where kindness, compassion, and empathy are the norm, and where everyone is willing to do their part to improve the lives of those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach out and touch
Approach someone kindly and compassionately
Somebody's hand
Provide support to someone who needs it
Make this world a better place
Be the change you wish to see in this world
If you can
If you have the means and opportunity to do so
Take a little time out of your busy day
Spare some time from your busy schedule
To give encouragement
Provide uplifting words and support
To someone who's lost the way
To someone who is struggling or feeling lost
Or would I be talking to a stone
Asking without receiving any response
If I asked you
If I requested of you
To share a problem that's not your own
To help someone with their difficulty even if it does not affect you personally
We can change things if we start giving
We can bring positive change to the world if we start making a selfless effort
If you see an old friend on the street
If you encounter a old friend in public
And he's down
If they are feeling down or discouraged
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
Put yourself in their place, as you could be in the same situation
Try a little kindness you'll see
Performing small acts of kindness can have a positive impact
It's something that comes very naturally
It's easy and natural to be kind to others
Why don't you
Asking why someone has not yet made an effort to help others
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Repeating the question to emphasize the importance of helping others
Reach out and touch somebody's hand
Extend a helping hand, offer support and encouragement to someone in need.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sbmwa12
So beautiful!!!! I love Stephanie and always will. That voice is so powerful and the interpretation is awesome!
Yves Davide Mitterand
Beautiful! Stephanie Mills is the best !
Idiosyncratic Paradise
I remember this album! Various female artists !! I wish Spotify had it
Jim Farfaglia
Is this song on one of her CDs? It is absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
Linda Lyte
On this day,Valentines Day,when everyone is , showing and spreading ,Love.....with all the turmoil occurring in the world today....Let us show and spread love.. not only,toward our loved ones....but to others as well!!( Just some food for thought!!) Thank you and God Bless You,for posting this!! Ms.Mills is such a God- gifted,Vocalist!! I'm a fan of hers ....forever!! 2/14/2019 Happy Valentines Day,To All❤️💖💝💞God Bless.Thank you,Ms.Valerie Simpson and the late, Mr.Nick Ashford( May he Rest In Peace) for writing and composing so many beautiful songs( such as This and other ... Classics as well!!)
Likho Bottoman
Wow! Staphanie Mills. What a beautiful rendition! Thank you! BVs also so good at the back there. The pianist holding the song together. Wow. I cannot find this album online on DEEZER 😢😓😟😞💔
Frank Lofaro Jr.
So beautiful. I love her! :-)
James Will
Powerful. Thank U 4 sharing.
Max Hubner
So impressive version..
Antonio ///
Thanx Tygar. I love to hear Steph sing this..