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.
I'm Ready
Teddy Pendergrass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The smoothness of your skin
I'll kiss your body tenderly
'Cause that's the mood I'm in
'Cause I'm (I'm ready)
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
(Baby, yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love) Well, 'cause I'm ready
(I'm ready) Ah baby
(Yes, I'm ready)
For your love (I'm ready for your love)
(I'm ready) I'm ready
(Baby, yes, I'm ready)
Yes, I'm ready (I'm ready for your love)
The music's playing so easily
The lights are burning low
Come give your sweetest love to me
Come let your feelings flow
'Cause I'm ready
(I'm ready) uh
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love) 'Cause I'm ready
(I'm ready) Well
(Baby, yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)'Cause I'm ready
(I'm ready) Ooh baby
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
For your love (I'm ready)
(Baby, yes, I'm ready)
I'm ready (I'm ready for your love, for your love)
(I'm ready)
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
(I'm ready) I'm
(Baby, yes I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
Now I wanna do sweet things to you
But you know it's getting late
You're acting like you want me to
So please don't make me wait
Now don't you make me wait
'Cause I'm ready
(I'm ready yes, I'm ready) (ready)
(I'm ready for your love) I'm ready
(I'm ready) Hey (baby yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love) Ready for your love
(I'm ready) Yes (yes, I'm ready)
I'm ready (I'm ready for your love)
Ooh, but I'm ready (I'm ready) Ah
(Baby, yes I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
Some of that good loving
For some of that good hugging, uh
I'm ready
Yes, I am
Sho'nuff, I'm ready, yeah
Don't keep me waiting, baby (ready)
(I'm ready) No, don't keep me waiting, honey, uh
'Cause I'm ready (I'm ready) now, baby
For your love (for your love)
For your love (I'm ready)
(Yes, I'm ready)
For your love, baby
I, I'm ready (I'm ready) Now (baby)
(Yes, I'm ready)
Right now (I'm ready) Yeah
For your love (I'm ready) Uh
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love)
For your love (I'm ready)
(Baby, yes I'm ready) For your love, girl
(I'm ready for your love)
For your love (I'm ready)
(Yes I'm ready) Yes, I'm ready
(I'm ready for your love) Woo
(I, I'm ready)
(Baby, yes I'm ready) Woo
(I'm ready for your love) For your love
(I'm ready) I'm ready
(Yes, I'm ready) Ready
(I'm ready for your love)
'Cause I love
I'm ready
Baby, yes I'm ready
The lyrics to Teddy Pendergrass's song "I'm Ready" speak about the singer's desire and readiness for love and intimacy. The song sets a sensual and romantic mood, with Teddy inviting his partner to come close and allowing him to see and appreciate the smoothness of their skin. He promises to kiss their body tenderly, indicating the passion and affection he is feeling in that moment.
The repeated phrase "I'm ready" emphasizes Teddy's eagerness and anticipation for love. He asserts his readiness multiple times throughout the song, expressing his willingness to receive his partner's love and affection. The music playing easy and the lights burning low further enhance the intimate atmosphere, creating a perfect setting for the exchange of love and emotions.
Teddy also expresses his impatience, urging his partner not to make him wait. The sense of urgency in the lyrics suggests his strong desire to engage in intimate activities with his loved one before it gets too late. He acknowledges their apparent willingness and requests not to be kept waiting any longer, implying that he is ready to satisfy their desires and needs.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Ready" portray Teddy Pendergrass's longing for love, his willingness to engage in a passionate relationship, and his excitement at the prospect of experiencing intimacy with his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Come close to me, so I can see
Approach me closely, allowing me to observe
The smoothness of your skin
The softness and silkiness of your skin
I'll kiss your body tenderly
I will gently and affectionately kiss your body
'Cause that's the mood I'm in
Because that is the current state of my emotions
'Cause I'm (I'm ready)
Because I am prepared
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Yes, I am fully prepared
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
(Baby, yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Darling, I am indeed prepared
(I'm ready for your love) Well, 'cause I'm ready
Well, because I am truly ready for your love
(I'm ready) Ah baby
Ah, my beloved, I am ready
(Yes, I'm ready)
Yes, I am ready
For your love (I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to embrace and reciprocate your love
(I'm ready) I'm ready
I am ready
(Baby, yes, I'm ready)
Darling, yes, I am ready
Yes, I'm ready (I'm ready for your love)
Indeed, I am prepared for your love
The music's playing so easily
The music is flowing effortlessly
The lights are burning low
The lights are dimmed
Come give your sweetest love to me
Offer me your most tender and genuine love
Come let your feelings flow
Allow your emotions to pour out
'Cause I'm ready
Because I am prepared
(I'm ready) uh
I am ready, uh
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love) 'Cause I'm ready
Because I am fully prepared for your love
(I'm ready) Well
Well, I am ready
(Baby, yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Darling, yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)'Cause I'm ready
Because I am truly ready for your love
(I'm ready) Ooh baby
Oh, my love, I am ready
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
For your love (I'm ready)
I am prepared for your love
(Baby, yes, I'm ready)
Darling, yes, I am ready
I'm ready (I'm ready for your love, for your love)
I am ready for your love, for your love
(I'm ready)
I am ready
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
(I'm ready) I'm
I am ready, I am
(Baby, yes I'm ready) I'm ready
Darling, yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
Now I wanna do sweet things to you
Now I desire to do affectionate things for you
But you know it's getting late
However, you are aware that it is becoming late
You're acting like you want me to
You are behaving as if you desire me
So please don't make me wait
So, I kindly request you not to delay
Now don't you make me wait
Now, do not keep me waiting
'Cause I'm ready
Because I am prepared
(I'm ready yes, I'm ready) (ready)
I am ready, yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love) I'm ready
I am prepared for your love
(I'm ready) Hey (baby yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
Hey, darling, yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love) Ready for your love
Prepared to embrace and reciprocate your love
(I'm ready) Yes (yes, I'm ready)
Yes, I am ready
I'm ready (I'm ready for your love)
I am ready for your love
Ooh, but I'm ready (I'm ready) Ah
Oh, and I am ready, ah
(Baby, yes I'm ready) I'm ready
Darling, yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
Some of that good loving
A portion of that pleasurable affection
For some of that good hugging, uh
In exchange for some warm and comforting hugs, uh
I'm ready
I am prepared
Yes, I am
Indeed, I am prepared
Sho'nuff, I'm ready, yeah
Without a doubt, I am fully prepared, yeah
Don't keep me waiting, baby (ready)
Do not delay, my dear (ready)
(I'm ready) No, don't keep me waiting, honey, uh
No, do not make me wait, my love, uh
'Cause I'm ready (I'm ready) now, baby
Because I am prepared, now, my love
For your love (for your love)
In readiness for your love
For your love (I'm ready)
In preparation for your love
(Yes, I'm ready)
Yes, I am ready
I'm ready (I'm ready for your love)
I am ready for your love
For your love (I'm ready)
In readiness for your love
(Yes I'm ready) Yes, I'm ready
Yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love) Woo
I am prepared for your love, woo
(I, I'm ready)
I am ready
(Baby, yes I'm ready) Woo
Darling, yes, I am ready, woo
(I'm ready for your love) For your love
In preparation for your love
(I'm ready) I'm ready
I am ready
(Yes, I'm ready) Ready
Yes, I am ready
(I'm ready for your love)
I am prepared to receive your love
'Cause I love
Because I am in love
I'm ready
I am prepared
Baby, yes I'm ready
Darling, yes, I am ready
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Miles Jaye Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimoh Akeem
I appreciate this much
Mr Sid
I'm Ready!