His initial rise to stardom occurred under tutelage of producer's Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff on the then CBS subsidiary Philadelphia International in 1970. The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," the two million seller "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and many more. Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched a solo career and released hit singles like "The More I Get the More I Want," "Close the Door," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Turn Off the Lights" and others.
His first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass (1977), followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing (1978), Live! Coast to Coast and Teddy (1979), 1980's TP and the final Philadelphia International Records album It's Time for Love (1981). He also sang a duet with Whitney Houston on "Hold Me," from her self-titled debut album.
Teddy Pendergrass started singing gospel music in Philadelphia churches, becoming an ordained minister at ten years old. While attending public school, he sang in the citywide McIntyre Elementary School Choir and in the All-City Stetson Junior High School Choir. A self-taught drummer, Pendergrass had a teen pop vocal group when he was 15.
By his late teens, Pendergrass was a drummer for local vocal group the Cadillacs. In the late 60s, the Cadillacs merged with another more-established group, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. In 1970, when the Blue Notes broke up, Melvin, now aware of Pendergrass' vocal prowess, asked him to take the lead singer spot. It's no secret that Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff wanted Marvin Junior of the Dells for their Philadelphia International Records roster. Since the Dells were signed to Chess, they were unavailable. When the gruff'n'ready vocals of Pendergrass came their way, they eagerly signed the group.
Beginning with "I Miss You," a steady stream of hit singles flowed from the collaboration of Pendergrass and Gamble & Huff: "If You Don't Know Me By Now," "The Love I Lost," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody" (#1 R&B for two weeks in 1976), and two gold albums, To Be True and Wake Up Everybody.
Unfortunately, the more success the group had, the more friction developed between Melvin and Pendergrass. Despite the revised billing of the group, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Theodore Pendergrass, Pendergrass felt that he wasn't getting enough recognition. Around 1976, Pendergrass left Melvin's Blue Notes and formed his own Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass. Briefly, there was some confusion as to which Blue Notes was which. The resolution came when Pendergrass disbanded his Blue Notes in favor of a solo career and Melvin's group signed a recording contract with Source Records, distributed through ABC Records, scoring a hit with "I Want to Be Your Lover."
Pendergrass signed a new contract with Philadelphia International Records sometime between late 1976 and early 1977. He burst back on the scene with Teddy Pendergrass, a platinum solo debut that included the top-notch singles "I Don't Love You Anymore," "You Can't Hide From Yourself," and "The More I Get the More I Want." Around this time, Pendergrass began to institute his infamous "Ladies Only" concerts. His next three albums went gold or platinum: Life Is a Song Worth Singing, Teddy, and Live! Coast to Coast. The hit single "Close the Door" was used in the film Soup for One, where Pendergrass had a minor role.
The singer received several Grammy nominations during 1977 and 1978, Billboard's 1977 Pop Album New Artist Award, an American Music Award for best R&B performer of 1978, and awards from Ebony magazine and the NAACP. He was also in consideration for the lead in the movie biopic The Otis Redding Story. The '70s ended, but Pendergrass kept racking up the hits. TP, his fifth solo album, went platinum in the summer of 1980 off the singles "Turn Off the Lights," "Come Go With Me," "Shout and Scream," "It's You I Love," and "Can't We Try." It's Time for Love gave Pendergrass another gold album in summer 1981, which included the hit singles "Love TKO" and "I Can't Live Without Your Love." However in the UK chart success was limited to a handful of singles peaking just short of the top 40. Amazingly "Love TKO" failed to even grace the top 100.
A 1982 car accident left Pendergrass paralyzed from the waist down and wheelchair-bound. After almost a year of physical therapy and counseling, Pendergrass returned to the recording scene, signing a contract with Elektra/Asylum in 1983. His ninth solo album, his Elektra/Asylum debut, Love Language went gold the spring of 1984. Philadelphia International issued two albums of unreleased tracks, This One's for You (1982) and Heaven Only Knows (1983). Other albums included Workin' It Back (1985), Joy (1988, whose title track stayed at #1 in the R&B charts for two weeks), and A Little More Magic (1993). The latter half of '90s found Pendergrass recording for the Surefire/Wind Up label. Truly Blessed (the name of an 1991 Elektra album) is the title of the autobiography Pendergrass co-authored with Patricia Romanowski.
Pendergrass passed away at age 59 on January 13, 2010 from complications following surgery for colon cancer.
Come Go with Me
Teddy Pendergrass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you come on over to my place?
Would you come on and go with me?
Would you come on over to my place? Yes
I don't feel like being lonely tonight
You see, I want, I want some company
And you look like you're just my type
You're the kind whose spirits are runnin' free
Let's take a sip of some cold, cold wine
And dance to the music nice and slow
And you won't be under any kind of pressure
You see, we'll just let, we'll just let the evenin' flow
So come on and go with me
Would you come on over to my place?
Would you do that, baby?
Come on and go with me?
Would you come on over to my place? Well?
And you look like you're just bored to death
And you wanna get away
You wanna get away from the noise and the crowd
Let's go somewhere where it's nice and quiet
Where there's nobody, where there's nobody else around
Let's sit down by a cozy lit fire
And we can be each other's company
Now how does that sound to you?
You see, 'cause it sounds so good
It sounds so damn good to me
So, come on
Would you come on over to my place?
Would you do that, baby?
Come on, come on and go with me, that's right
Come on over to my place
How does that idea sound to you?
See my car's right outside, we can leave right now
That's if you're ready to go
I know, I know you're just meetin' me
And you see, I'd understand it
I'd understand it if you said no
But don't you do that, baby
Don't you do that, baby (no, not tonight, no)
Don't you do that, baby
No, no, no, no, no (I'm leaving)
Just come on and go with me, that's right (oh, man)
See, I like what I see, I like what I see (I've been watchin' you too)
I gotta have you, baby (I've been checkin' you out all night long)
Alright (that sounds nice)
Anything you wanna do is alright, baby
Just come on, just come on (well, you said your car's right outside?)
Anything you want (right outside?)
Anything you need, it's alright
The lyrics of "Come Go with Me" by Teddy Pendergrass speak of a man's desire to find company for the night. The first stanza shows his eagerness to have someone to be with that evening and how he finds the person in front of him attractive. He wants to spend the night with her, sipping wine and dancing to the music slowly, in a no-pressure situation where they can just enjoy each other's company. In the second stanza, the man invites the person to go somewhere quiet where they can be alone by a cozy, lit fire and continue to get to know each other. He makes it clear that he wants her to come with him and that if she says no, he will understand, but he hopes that won't be the case.
The song is a romantic call to action, with the lyrics inviting a potential partner to come along and spend time together. It reflects the hope and anticipation of finding someone to share moments with, as well as a longing for companionship in times of loneliness. The simple tune and melody, combined with Teddy Pendergrass's smooth voice, make for a sensual and relaxing listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you come on and go with me?
Teddy Pendergrass is asking his potential partner if they would like to accompany him somewhere.
Would you come on over to my place?
He is inviting them to his place for some quality time.
Yes
The potential partner agrees to come over.
I don't feel like being lonely tonight
Teddy Pendergrass expresses his desire to spend time with someone tonight.
You see, I want, I want some company
He elaborates on his desire to have someone with him tonight.
And you look like you're just my type
Teddy Pendergrass finds his potential partner attractive and suitable for him.
See, you're the kind
He explains why he finds them attractive.
You're the kind whose spirits are runnin' free
Teddy Pendergrass finds his potential partner carefree and outgoing.
Let's take a sip of some cold, cold wine
Teddy Pendergrass suggests starting with a glass of wine.
And dance to the music nice and slow
He suggests dancing slowly to the music.
And you won't be under any kind of pressure
Teddy Pendergrass reassures his potential partner that there will be no pressure or expectations.
You see, we'll just let, we'll just let the evenin' flow
He elaborates further on how he wants the night to unfold.
And you look like you're just bored to death
Teddy Pendergrass observes that his partner seems uninterested and wants to get away.
And you wanna get away
He understands his partner's desire to escape from the crowd and noise of their surroundings.
Let's go somewhere where it's nice and quiet
Teddy Pendergrass suggests going to a peaceful and serene location.
Where there's nobody, where there's nobody else around
He describes in detail what kind of place he wants to go to, one without other people around.
Let's sit down by a cozy lit fire
Teddy Pendergrass proposes sitting next to a warm and cozy fire.
And we can be each other's company
He suggests that they enjoy each other's company in this intimate setting.
Now how does that sound to you?
Teddy Pendergrass asks his partner how they feel about this idea.
You see, 'cause it sounds so good
Teddy Pendergrass explains why he likes this idea.
It sounds so damn good to me
He emphasizes how much he likes this idea.
See my car's right outside, we can leave right now
Teddy Pendergrass informs his partner that his car is ready to leave.
That's if you're ready to go
He checks if his partner is also ready to go.
I know, I know you're just meetin' me
Teddy Pendergrass acknowledges that this is their first meeting.
And you see, I'd understand it
He assures his partner that he would understand if they decline his offer.
I'd understand it if you said no
Teddy Pendergrass repeats his statement to emphasize his point.
Don't you do that, baby
He urges his partner to accept his offer.
No, no, no, no, no (I'm leaving)
He expresses disappointment if his partner declines his invitation.
Just come on and go with me, that's right (oh, man)
Teddy Pendergrass tries to convince his partner to go with him.
See, I like what I see, I like what I see (I've been watchin' you too)
He explains why he finds his partner attractive.
I gotta have you, baby (I've been checkin' you out all night long)
Teddy Pendergrass reveals that he has been keeping an eye on his partner all night and is interested in them.
Alright (that sounds nice)
His partner agrees to his offer.
Anything you wanna do is alright, baby
Teddy Pendergrass reinforces the theme of a pressure-free night with his partner.
Just come on, just come on (well, you said your car's right outside?)
He continues to urge his partner to join him.
Anything you want (right outside?)
Teddy Pendergrass gives his partner complete control over their plans for the night.
Anything you need, it's alright
He emphasizes that he wants his partner to be comfortable and happy.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@virginiagoodman9736
My husband woo'ed me with "Teddy" songs in 1977. Now, almost 44 years of marriage, I lost my love on May 2nd. Its still "Teddy" songs that get me through each day. May they both rest in peace
@pabs2020
So sorry for your loss..
@domingofigueroa992
Sorry to hear
@michelebradley7813
Sorry for your loss - hope you're moving through the grieving process w/support & love of family.
@ClintScottFischer
I am SO sorry for your loss. God's blessings 🙌
@tinamarion6564
Ooh Nooooo.
Sorry for the loss Virginia. I know how it feels to loose a LOVED ONE.
May the Almighty God continue to console you and May they R.I.P..🌹🌹 💐 💐
@coreybrewer6278
This is one of the best songs of all-time by the late and great Teddy Pendergrass! R.I.P
@gerardduncan1040
'You say you car is right outside?' .....It's a wrap!!
@dawudabdullaah6977
I crack up every time Teddy hits that "you look so nice, look so sweet...look like you oughta be with me".
@theSHErryexperience
😆