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.
MAKE IT WITH YOU
Teddy Pendergrass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Really reaching out for the other side
I may be climbing on rainbows
But, baby here goes
Dreams, they're for those who sleep
Life is for us to keep
And if you're wond'ring what this song is leading to
I really think that we could make it, girl
No, you don't know me well
In ev'ry little thing only time will tell
But you believe the things that I do
And we'll see it through
Life can be short or long
Love can be right or wrong
And if I chose the one I'd like to help me through
I'd like to make it with you
I really think that we could make it, girl
Baby you know that
Dreams, they're for those who sleep
Life is for us to keep
And if I chose the one I'd like to help me through
I'd like to make it with you
I really think that we could make it, girl
The song "Make It With You" by Teddy Pendergrass talks about a hopeful perspective towards love and relationships. The lyrics suggest that one should take risks and reach out for the other side, even if it means climbing on rainbows with uncertainty. The singer acknowledges that dreams are for those who sleep, but life is something that one must hold onto. The lines, "No, you don't know me well, in ev'ry little thing only time will tell," imply that the relationship may be new and unknown, but the singer believes in it. It is said that life and love can be short or long and right or wrong, but the singer chooses to take a chance with the other person because he/she really thinks they could make it together.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "I'd like to make it with you" multiple times, emphasizing the desire to be with the other person. The lyrics show an optimism towards love and how it can help someone get through life's ups and downs. The song's message is to go after what you want in terms of love, even if there is uncertainty, because life is short, and love can be a beautiful and meaningful experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, have you ever tried
Have you ever attempted something outside your comfort zone?
Really reaching out for the other side
Going to great lengths to achieve something you desire?
I may be climbing on rainbows
I may be chasing something that is thought to be unattainable?
But, baby here goes
But, despite the odds, I'm giving it a shot?
Dreams, they're for those who sleep
Dreams are not meant for those who only sleep, but for those who actively pursue them?
Life is for us to keep
Life is precious, and we should cherish and make the most of it?
And if you're wond'ring what this song is leading to
And if you're curious about the purpose of this song?
I want to make it with you
I want to achieve something great with your help and support?
I really think that we could make it, girl
I truly believe that we can achieve our goals together?
No, you don't know me well
You may not know me very well yet?
In ev'ry little thing only time will tell
Only time will reveal everything about me?
But you believe the things that I do
But you trust and have faith in me and my aspirations?
And we'll see it through
And we will persevere until we achieve our common goal?
Life can be short or long
Life is unpredictable and can be either short or long?
Love can be right or wrong
Love can lead us to happiness or heartbreak?
And if I chose the one I'd like to help me through
And if I had to pick someone to accompany me through these ups and downs?
I'd like to make it with you
I would want that someone to be you?
Baby you know that
Baby, you understand that?
Dreams, they're for those who sleep
Dreams are not materialized by being asleep, but by actively pursuing them?
Life is for us to keep
Life is a gift and we ought to cherish it?
And if I chose the one I'd like to help me through
And if I had to pick someone to accompany me through these ups and downs?
I'd like to make it with you
I would want that someone to be you?
I really think that we could make it, girl
I truly believe that we can achieve our goals together?
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Greg Boesenberg
Every time I was in a bad or depressed mood, I would listen to some Teddy and he'd make me feel alright again. R.I.P. teddy.
Lauren Ortiz
Teddy was the only one to remake this classic Bread song and make it smooth, sexy and satisfying ❤️
Maleko M
He was such a gentle giant, and nobody has done music like he used to. Respect.
Traci Robinson
Teddy did a beautiful remake of the Bread classic. Fine
Jay Britt
Teddy made that Ballad into A WEDDING PROPOSAL SONG. Traci, You are so RIGHT...It is Beautiful.
Jan White
Teddy was one of God's special angle whom brought a special joy in my heart may god bless and keep you near always peace
Vert Noskcaj
I love this song. Thank you TP.
jaya34ish
I LOVE Teddy P MUSIC it was/it is TIMELESS. R.I.P.
Trevor Mark
teddy was one of the best
Antonio Sendi
I dedicated for Yara Cristina