The Gap Band was a funk and soul group, the three-piece being known for hit… Read Full Bio ↴The Gap Band was a funk and soul group, the three-piece being known for hits such as "Outstanding" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me".Their first major hit was a snazzy rnb tune called "Shake". Just prior to the completion of their first major album, bringing them under the wing of Mercury, musician Charlie Wilson ran the song by his brothers Robert and Ronnie, thinking that they might ridicule the lyrics. His brothers loved it though, and the 1979 song ended up being a popular single in numerous clubs, elevating the three of them to national status. As parent album 'The Gap Band' rose up to the #10 slot on the top R&B Albums chart, their critical praise proved that they had earned the spotlight.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Wilson brothers began singing and playing in their father's Pentecostal church, and it was also mandatory they practice their music lessons at home as well. They learned various instruments, which primarily included lots of playing the piano. As much as they despised the lessons at the time, it proved to be a value tool for all three. With Ronnie being the oldest, he established his own band when he was just a fourteen-year-old.

Charlie, a few years younger, joined a rival band a couple of years later. One particular night, the two bands were performing just across the street from one another. Ronnie stopped by to check out Charlie grooving on the organ. While there, Ronnie asked Charlie to join his band for $50 over what he was making. Though Charlie's band-mates doubled his offer, he joined his brother's band as fate would have it

At a gig not too long after the two had joined forces, the group's bass player quit; Ronnie and Charlie summoned their younger brother Robert, barely fourteen himself, to the group to play bass. For a short while, the group performed without a name. Musician Carlton Morales, co-writer of Julian Lennon's pop hit "Vallotte" played with the band shortly after leaving the outfit The Mighty Majors. Finally, the Wilson brothers began calling their outfit the "Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets Band". As such a name proved too long for music posters, the band shortened their name to the "G.A.P. Street Band". Due to a typographical error, the group was actually advertised as "Gap Band" and "The Gap Band". That title stuck.

They performed at various venues around the Tulsa area, including country & western joints, tennis clubs, rock clubs, and wherever else called on their services. However, by the middle of the 70s, Charlie became interested in Los Angeles, California and left Tulsa to explore his possibilities; the country's big cities were in the middle of a soul music boom, and he wanted in.. A short time later, Charlie convinced his brothers to join him. The group floundered about L.A.; hitting and missing on record deals, gigs, and the like, the guys had a lot of talent but needed guidance. Still maintaining their interest in major label work, the group met entertainment businessman Lonnie Simmons through a friend, a musician D.J. Rogers, and their destiny was set. Simmons owned a nightclub called "The Total Experience" on Crenshaw Blvd and a recording studio at the time, and he signed the group to his company, which was called "Total Experience Records". Simmons would later start up a record label, also co-songwriting the Gap Band's tunes at times.

The Top Five single "Shake" followed in 1979, along with "Steppin' Out" (number ten) and "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head)" (number four) in 1980. The latter was inspired at a concert in Pittsburgh where some kids were chanting the groove and the Gap Band picked up on it. In December of 1980, the trio dropped its first number one single with "Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)" and followed it with the Top Five ballad "Yearning for Your Love" (1981).

The group went on to score three more number one songs ("Early in the Morning" and "Outstanding" in 1982 and "All of My Love" in 1989), three more number two songs ("You Dropped a Bomb on Me" in 1982, "Beep a Freak" in 1984, and "Going in Circles" in 1986) and a horde of Top Ten hits. They also did the soundtracks for Leon Isaac Kennedy's Penitentiary III and Keena Ivory Waynans' I'm Gonna Get You Sucker. The group was given only 24 hours notice to complete the title song.

In 1984 Ronnie became a born-again Christian and started pastoring. He joined Melba Moore and David Peaston in the touring play Mama, I'm Sorry. Charlie went through rough times fighting a cocaine addiction until finally rehabilitating a few years later. Charlie has been one of most sought-after vocalists in the music industry. He has worked with Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Eurythmics, Snoop Dogg, and scores of others. The Gap Band has recorded for various labels, including Mercury and Capitol Records. The group remained together for quite song time, enduring the good with the bad, and kept on touring into the new millennium.

The death of Robert Wilson, at the age of 53, on August 15, 2010 changed everything. Mourned by fans of the group across the world, many musicians cited his role in creating the band's funky soul sound. Numerous singles such as "Outstanding" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" remain radio classics to this day.

Love At Your Fingertips
The Gap Band Lyrics

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The time has come for us to stop messin' around
'Cause don't you know that I like havin' you around
In my life
Oh, baby

So many times I want to hold you, oh, so near
I want to say I love you softly in your ear
Oh, baby

Don't keep running

My heart is yearning for your love
'Cause my heart is yearning for your love

You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
I need to have you as my lover and my wife
Oh, baby
Be my lover

So many times I need to have you by my side
To be my friend, my lover and my guide
Oh, baby
Don't keep runnin'

My heart is yearning for your love
My heart is yearning for your love

My heart is yearning for you
Let me inside your love
Whoa...my heart is yearning for you
Let me inside your love
Your only

(Keep runnin')

(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep on runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

Oh, girl

(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep on runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep on runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep on runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep on runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

(Keep runnin')
You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life

Overall Meaning

The Gap Band's song "Yearning For Your Love" is a soulful love song that expresses the desire to have a committed and loving relationship. The singer has grown tired of the uncertainty and inconsistency in his relationship and wants his partner to stop playing games and commit to him fully. The recurring line "my heart is yearning for your love" emphasizes the intensity of his feelings and his longing for a secure and stable relationship.

Throughout the song, the singer expresses his eagerness to express his love to his partner and have them in his life consistently. He wants to be able to whisper "I love you" in their ear and be able to hold them close. The lyrics also express his desire for the relationship to evolve into marriage, wanting his partner to be both his lover and his wife. The repeated urging to "stop running" emphasizes the importance of trust and commitment in a relationship.

Overall, the song is a plea for a committed and secure love that is no longer plagued by inconsistency and uncertainty. It is a powerful expression of the need for trust and stability in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

The time has come for us to stop messin' around
It's time for us to be serious and committed

'Cause don't you know that I like havin' you around
I enjoy your company

In my life
Being in my life is important to me

So many times I want to hold you, oh, so near
I crave physical affection from you

I want to say I love you softly in your ear
I want to express my love for you intimately

Don't keep running
Stop avoiding commitment and intimacy

My heart is yearning for your love
I desire your love and affection deeply

You can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
I need you to be present in my life consistently

I need to have you as my lover and my wife
I want to make a long-term commitment to you

Be my lover
Commit to being my romantic partner

To be my friend, my lover and my guide
I need you to be more than just a lover - I want a deep, meaningful relationship