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."
Stand Back
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were like a star in my night
Reaching down to rescue me
You took me on a flight
Then you tried to put your change on me
Tellin' me what I shouldn't do
Shadowing my every move
Stand back
Give me room to move in
If you want my time
Ooh, you better stand back
Better keep your distance
Can you read my mind'
Treat me like a lady is
But don't you cramp my style
I've got to live my own life too
To make it worth my while
When I step out in the evening
I can't tell you when I'll return
I'm the pilot of my destiny
It's something you've got to know
So stand back
Give me room to move in
If you want my time
Ooh, you better stand back
Better keep your distance
Can you read my mind'
I'm not saying, I don't need your love
Keep me satisfied, yeah
I'm just like any other girl
I can share my heart only if you treat me right
Whoa, oh, yeah
My love, ooh
Oh, oh, oh
Stand back
Give me room to move in
If you want my time
You better stand back
Oh, better keep your distance
Can you read my mind, ooh
(Stand back)
Give me room to move in, oh, oh,
If you want my time, oh, oh, oh, oh
(Stand back)
Better keep your distance
Can you read my mind' Ooh, ooh, oh
Why don't you
(Stand back)
Give me room to move in
If you want my time, oh, oh, oh
(Stand back)
Better keep your distance, oh
Can you read my mind, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Stand back)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh
(Stand back)
Ooh, ho, oh
(Stand back)
Oh, ooh, oh, ooh
(Stand back)
Ooh, ooh, oh, hoo
(Stand back)
Oh, hoo, hoo, oh, oh, ooh, ooh
(Stand back)
Oh, ho, hoo, oh, ho, hoo
(Stand back)
Oh, ho, ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo, oh, ooh
(Stand back)
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, ooh, oh
Why don't you stand back
In "Stand Back," Stephanie Mills's speaker is addressing a lover who started as a rescuer but has now become controlling. The song's opening lines recount the lover's initial charm and attraction: "When I first met you, baby / You were like a star in my night / Reaching down to rescue me / You took me on a flight." However, the lover's rescue attempts have turned into attempts to control the singer, telling her what she can and can't do and "shadowing [her] every move." The singer is imploring the lover to step back and give her space and independence, singing, "Stand back / Give me room to move in / If you want my time / Ooh, you better stand back / Better keep your distance / Can you read my mind?" The singer is not rejecting love altogether, but she needs to be treated like a lady with respect for her autonomy: "Treat me like a lady is / But don't you cramp my style / I've got to live my own life too / To make it worth my while."
The message of the song is one of self-respect and the need for boundaries even in a romantic relationship. The singer wants to be loved, but not at the expense of her own sense of self and agency. The repeated refrain of "Stand back" reinforces this message, making it clear that the singer is not going to be pushed around or controlled.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met you, baby
When I first met you, you were like a shining star in my world and I felt that you came to rescue me from my darkness.
You were like a star in my night
You appeared like a shining light in my dark world and brought happiness to my life.
Reaching down to rescue me
You came to help me when I was in need and brought light to my dark world.
You took me on a flight
You took me on a journey of love and adventure.
Then you tried to put your change on me
Then you tried to control me by making me change my behavior and attitude to suit your preferences.
Tellin' me what I shouldn't do
You tried to dictate what I can and cannot do, limiting my freedom and independence.
Shadowing my every move
You followed me around and monitored my every action, never letting me be free and independent.
I can't escape from you
I cannot get away from your controlling and suffocating influence on my life.
Stand back
Give me space and freedom to be myself.
Give me room to move in
Don't restrict or limit my actions and thoughts.
If you want my time
If you want me to be a part of your life and spend time with you.
Better keep your distance
Stay away and respect my space and independence.
Can you read my mind'
Do you understand my need for freedom and respect for my independence?
Treat me like a lady is
Treat me with respect and dignity as a woman.
But don't you cramp my style
Don't restrict or limit my ability to be myself and pursue my own interests.
I've got to live my own life too
I have my own hopes, dreams and goals, and I need to pursue them to find fulfilment and happiness.
To make it worth my while
To make my life meaningful and fulfilling, I must be free to be myself and pursue my own interests.
When I step out in the evening
When I go out and pursue my own interests and hobbies outside of our relationship.
I can't tell you when I'll return
I cannot promise when I will come back, as I need to be free and independent to pursue my own interests and passion.
I'm the pilot of my destiny
I am in charge of my own life and my own destiny, and must be free to chart my own course in life.
It's something you've got to know
This is something you need to understand and respect if we are going to maintain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
I'm not saying, I don't need your love
I still value and appreciate your love and support, but I need you to respect my need for freedom and independence.
Keep me satisfied, yeah
Make sure that you respect my independence and need for freedom if you want to keep me happy and satisfied in our relationship.
I'm just like any other girl
I am a woman with my own dreams, hopes and desires, and I need to be respected and treated with dignity and respect.
I can share my heart only if you treat me right
I can share my love and heart with you, but only if you treat me with respect and allow me to be myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL ALLEN STURKEN, EVAN A. ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1986 {January 25th} Stephanie Mills performed "Stand Back" on the nationally syndicated television program, 'Solid Gold'...
At the time "Stand Back" was at #27 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, three weeks later it would peaked at #15 {for 1 week} and it spent a total of fourteen weeks on the Hot R&B Singles chart...
Between 1979 and 1993 the Brooklyn, NY native had thirty-three records on the Hot R&B Singles chart, eleven made the Top 10 with five reaching #1, "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love" {1986}, "I Feel Good All Over" {1987}, "(You're Puttin'} A Rush On Me" {1989}, "Something In The Way" {1989}, and "Home" {1989}...
Stephanie Dorthea Mills will celebrate her 62nd birthday in two months on March 22nd, 2019...
swartstudio
Such a great pop song brought to an entirely new level with Stephanie's vocals. OUTSTANDING.
jzk1990
This is a bop! I love a good soulful pop song!
Rashy
Me too!
Robert Cummings
Stephanie Mills still has the BEST voice is music and I love it 2 death! STAND BACK and learn U all from the master!
Frank Lofaro Jr.
She is sooooooooooooooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! And talented!
Mozella Tarver
She's a great singer a good mother and beautiful person in.
Stephen Murathe
Absolutely good lady with good music.
golden azzaro
I finf this song so damn electrifying !!!...the tempo..drumms and percussion go so hand in hand....and the cut of back up singers sounds so fine !!!...plus ths sax....Climaxxxx !!!even today 2017 still makes you feel it !!!
laminage
It makes me so angry that her, Evelyn Champagne King and Stacy Lattisaw couldn't get on American Top 40 Radio. I often wonder how Cherelle felt when Robert Palmer's Version of "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" was a bigger version than hers. Also in the UK a lot of Boy Band/Girl Group Icons cover obscure R & B Songs like Everybody Dance, and Chain Reaction. Nile Rogers is all but forgotten in The US but in England, he's a Legend working with David Bowie and Duran Duran after Andy Taylor & Roger Taylor left. Even now his music is synonymous. They played "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross when Two Characters on The UK Soap Opera Coronation Street David & Shona got married. We are Family was played on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 during the Live Shows and Girls Aloud who were created would sing Le Freak in Concert, and none of them were even born.