In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.
He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.
Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.
In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.
After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.
Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.
In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.
Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.
You're the Star of the Show
Syl Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like what you do to me
Ooh baby, yeah now
Driving me crazy
But I love that quality
You're so exciting, so inviting
Girl you really turn me on
Hey babe, don't make me wait too long
'Cause you're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
And I'm gonna shine my light on you
When we're dancing
The music's so much better, uh baby, yeah
Like stars changing, when they're together
You make me feel so good inside
One look at you girl, and I'm satisfied
You got a pretty good love and I can plainly see, you're my superstar
Baby that's what you are!
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
And I'm gonna shine my light on you
Star of the show
Star of the show
And I'm gonna shine my light on you!
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
You're the star of the show
You're the star of the show
Wherever you are, wherever you go
I'm gonna shine my light on you (star of the show)
Syl Johnson's "You're the Star of the Show" is an upbeat love song written by Johnson and Willie Henderson. The song appears on Johnson's 1978 album "Diamond in the Rough." The lyrics are focused entirely on the singer's love interest, praising her for her beauty and charisma, casting her as the star of his world. The song is filled with romantic and flattery language, with Johnson describing his partner as "exciting" and "inviting," "driving him crazy," and having "good love." He also sings of how being together with his partner enhances every experience and casts her as the central figure in his life, the "star of the show." The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the singer's commitment to shine a light on his partner, celebrating her wherever she may be.
When listening to "You're the Star of the Show," it is easy to imagine people dancing together in a crowded club. The song has a bouncing, upbeat vibe, driven by funky bass lines, horn stabs, and Johnson's smooth vocals. Given the focus on his partner's star power, the listener could interpret this song as a tribute to the unique ways in which love can inspire confidence and joy in another person's life. "You're the Star of the Show" is a lovely ode to being in love and feeling like that person is your everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Sexy lady
Addressing a woman as beautiful and attractive
I like what you do to me
Enjoying the actions and behavior of the addressed woman
Ooh baby, yeah now
Expressing pleasure and excitement with the woman
Driving me crazy
Causing strong feelings and emotions
But I love that quality
Appreciating the characteristics and traits of the addressed woman
You're so exciting, so inviting
Emphasizing the allure and appeal of the woman
Girl you really turn me on
Stimulating and arousing strong feelings of attraction
I got a jones for ya, goin' strong for ya
Having a strong desire and passion for the woman
Hey babe, don't make me wait too long
Expressing eagerness and impatience to be with the woman
'Cause you're the star of the show
Assigning a special and important role to the addressed woman
Wherever you are, wherever you go
Affirming the woman's significance and influence
And I'm gonna shine my light on you
Pledging to support and celebrate the addressed woman
When we're dancing
Referring to a specific activity with the woman
The music's so much better, uh baby, yeah
Describing the enjoyment and pleasure derived from a shared experience with the woman
Like stars changing, when they're together
Drawing a comparison of the woman's effect to the transformative nature of stars
You make me feel so good inside
Eliciting positive emotions and feelings from the addressed woman
One look at you girl, and I'm satisfied
Feeling content and fulfilled by the sight of the woman
You got a pretty good love and I can plainly see, you're my superstar
Recognizing the love and affection for the woman, and conferring an esteemed title upon her
And I'm gonna shine my light on you!
Reiterating the commitment to support and celebrate the addressed woman
Writer(s): Syl Johnson, J. Moore
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.