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."
The Spark Of Creation
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It sounds full of wind and mist, doesn't it
It means other things exist, doesn't it
Beyond, beyond
It says Adam leave your list, doesn't it
Father why does my head feel this joy and this dread
Since the moment I said
Beyond
I've got an itching on the tips of my fingers
I've got a burning in the back of my brain
I've got a hunger burning inside me, cannot be denied
I've got a feeling that the Father who made us
When He was kindling a pulse in my veins
He left a tiny spark of that fire, smoldering inside
The spark of creation is flickering within me
The spark of creation is blazing in my blood
A bit of the fire that lit up the stars and brought life into the mud
The first inspiration, the spark of creation
I see a mountain and I want to climb it
I see a river and I want to leave shore
Where there was nothing let there be something
Something made by me
There's things waiting for me to invent them
There's worlds waiting for me to explore
I am an echo of the eternal cry of
Let there be
The spark of creation burning bright within me
The spark of creation won't let me rest at all
Until I discover or build or uncover, a thing that I can call
My celebration of the spark of creation
The spark of creation, may it burn forever
The spark of creation, I am a keeper of the flame
We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure
Each perfect day the same, endless vacation
Well, that's alright if you're a kind crustacean
But when you're born with an imagination
Sooner of later you're feeling the fire, getting hotter and higher
The spark of creation
In Stephanie Mills's song "The Spark of Creation," the lyrics delve into the concept of something beyond the physical realm, something that signifies the existence of other things. It challenges the traditional understanding of Adam's creation and the curiosity that arises from it. The line "Father, why does my head feel this joy and this dread since the moment I said beyond" suggests a deeper yearning to explore and understand the world beyond what is known and tangible.
The song continues to express this yearning for discovery through vivid imagery. The singer feels an itching on the tips of their fingers, a burning in the back of their brain, and an undeniable hunger inside. This hunger is described as a feeling that the creator, God, left a small spark of divine fire within each individual. This spark is what drives humanity to create, innovate, and explore. It is the source of inspiration and the catalyst for bringing something new into existence.
The lyrics also emphasize the need for individual agency and the power of imagination. The singer sees a mountain and wants to climb it, a river and wants to explore beyond its shores. They long to create something out of nothing, to contribute to the world through their own inventiveness. This echoes the eternal cry of "let there be" and highlights the powerful connection between personal creativity and the divine spark within.
Line by Line Meaning
Beyond, beyond
It conveys the sense of going beyond what is known or expected.
It sounds full of wind and mist, doesn't it
It gives the impression of something mystical or unknown.
It means other things exist, doesn't it
It suggests that there are possibilities beyond what is currently known.
It says Adam leave your list, doesn't it
It implies that one should let go of preconceived notions or limitations.
Father why does my head feel this joy and this dread
The artist questions the conflicting emotions they are experiencing.
Since the moment I said
Since a certain moment or realization.
I've got an itching on the tips of my fingers
There is a strong desire or urge to create.
I've got a burning in the back of my brain
There is a persistent and intense creative drive.
I've got a hunger burning inside me, cannot be denied
There is an insatiable passion and need to create.
I've got a feeling that the Father who made us
There is a belief or intuition about a higher power.
When He was kindling a pulse in my veins
When life was being infused into the singer's being.
He left a tiny spark of that fire, smoldering inside
There is a lingering and powerful creative energy within.
The spark of creation is flickering within me
The source of creative inspiration and potential is present within.
The spark of creation is blazing in my blood
The creative drive is strong and vital.
A bit of the fire that lit up the stars and brought life into the mud
There is a connection to the cosmic force that gave rise to existence.
The first inspiration, the spark of creation
The initial burst of creative inspiration and motivation.
I see a mountain and I want to climb it
The desire to conquer challenges and explore new heights.
I see a river and I want to leave shore
The yearning to journey into the unknown and embrace adventure.
Where there was nothing let there be something
The power to bring about creation and change.
Something made by me
The desire to leave a personal mark on the world through creation.
There's things waiting for me to invent them
The existence of ideas and concepts waiting to be brought to life.
There's worlds waiting for me to explore
The vast realm of possibilities and new experiences awaiting discovery.
I am an echo of the eternal cry of
The singer resonates with the timeless call for creation and growth.
Let there be
The proclamation of bringing something into existence.
The spark of creation burning bright within me
The intense and vibrant presence of creative energy.
The spark of creation won't let me rest at all
The relentless drive to create and innovate.
Until I discover or build or uncover, a thing that I can call
The pursuit of finding or creating something meaningful and significant.
My celebration of the spark of creation
The expression and appreciation of the creative force within.
The spark of creation, may it burn forever
A desire for the eternal presence of creative inspiration.
The spark of creation, I am a keeper of the flame
The sense of responsibility and passion for nurturing creativity.
We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure
The common misconception that all we desire is a life of relaxation.
Each perfect day the same, endless vacation
The idea of monotonous and repetitive existence.
Well, that's alright if you're a kind crustacean
An acknowledgement that such a lifestyle may be suitable for certain creatures.
But when you're born with an imagination
The recognition of having a creative mind.
Sooner of later you're feeling the fire, getting hotter and higher
The gradual intensification of the creative drive and passion.
The spark of creation
The driving force and inspiration for creation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN LAWRENCE SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raja Ahmed Saeed
Beyond, beyond
It sounds full of wind and mist, doesn't it
It means other things exist, doesn't it
Beyond, beyond
It says Adam leave your list, doesn't it
Father why does my head feel this joy and this dread
Since the moment I said
Beyond
I've got an itching on the tips of my fingers
I've got a burning in the back of my brain
I've got a hunger burning inside me, cannot be denied
I've got a feeling that the Father who made us
When He was kindling a pulse in my veins
He left a tiny spark of that fire, smoldering inside
The spark of creation is flickering within me
The spark of creation is blazing in my blood
A bit of the fire that lit up the stars and brought life into the mud
The first inspiration, the spark of creation
I see a mountain and I want to climb it
I see a river and I want to leave shore
Where there was nothing let there be something
Something made by me
There's things waiting for me to invent them
There's worlds waiting for me to explore
I am an echo of the eternal cry of
Let there be
The spark of creation burning bright within me
The spark of creation won't let me rest at all
Until I discover or build or uncover, a thing that I can call
My celebration of the spark of creation
The spark of creation, may it burn forever
The spark of creation, I am a keeper of the flame
We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure
Each perfect day the same, endless vacation
Well, that's alright if you're a kind crustacean
But when you're born with an imagination
Sooner of later you're feeling the fire, getting hotter and higher
The spark of creation
nostalgik._
Please give credit if you post my videos on IG, Facebook, and Twitter. Took me years to find them, especially this one.
MrBarrywes
I wish she would sing one of these songs live again
nostalgik._
@MrBarrywes That would be great! ☺️ Or play the role again, like she did The Wiz.
MrBarrywes
This is were her versatility shows. You really hear bway in her here. You don't think of the r &b in her she really doesn't do any runs. She just sings the hell out of it with passion and an incredible beautiful voice with power. I love this. I'm not sure if her regular crowd would appreciate it. I'm not sure.
Brack Thomas Fischer
@nostalgik._ She played Dorothy in The Wiz again recently?!
nostalgik._
@Brack Thomas Fischer 2015’s NBC live action remake of THE WIZ is the most recent stage production Stephanie was featured in.
Milky Blue
The passion she puts into this performance is amazing
Mike Steele
I've waited nearly two decades to see footage of Stephanie in this show! Thank youuuuu!!!!!! Nobody can compare!
nostalgik._
Thank you Mike. Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, nobody can compare. Thanks for watching. :-)
Jai Jones
She has a one of a kind voice...no one can come close...the amazing Stephanie Mills!