Tony Rich got his start in the music industry as a staff writer at LaFace Records. While there, Rich penned hits for Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill, TLC and Toni Braxton.
While living in Detroit, Rich started playing in jazz fusion and soul bands and worked with local Detroit songwriters. It was at this time that John Salley, Detroit Pistons player and record producer, encouraged Rich to work with his artists and to even make his own tracks.
Meeting with R&B singer Pebbles, Tony Rich was introduced to her then-husband L.A. Reid. As co-founder of LaFace Records, Reid convinced Rich to move to Atlanta and to begin writing and producing for established acts. One of Rich's first projects was a session with Elton John and Sounds of Blackness for a Curtis Mayfield tribute LP. He then expanded his portfolio to include work with the previously mentioned stars.
In early 1996, Rich made his solo debut with the cd Words and the hit single Nobody Knows, which made it to number 2 on the top 100. Both the album and single went platinum and in 1997, Tony Rich won the Grammy for Best Male R&B album. The album featured two Grammy-nominated singles, Like A Woman and Nobody Knows.
The album was followed up in 1998 by Birdseye which, while critically praised, failed to generate much commercial success. Rich seemingly disappeared from the music world for several years after his album's release.
In 2003, Rich came back on the scene with the album Resurrected. Carrying a very different style this time around, the album featured Rich rocking out on the guitar as well as singing smooth ballads.
In 2006, Rich released a fourth album, Pictures. The album contains snapshots of a relationship, and is far more in the veins of his earlier works.
In 2008, he released his fifth album, Exist through Hidden Beach Recordings. Originally it was set for release on September 16, however it was pushed back to September 23, 2008. The album features download-only single, Part the Waves.
Ghost
The Tony Rich Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm in the air
Do you feel me
When you comb your hair
Can you feel the rain
Hit the side as you walk around
Like an angel's heart
And you know me
Yes you know me
Do I scare you
When I come too close
Does the room you're in come to sudden cloud
I can hear you cry
Like a kid with an injured knee
I can see you pray for me
Before you lay to sleep
Do you know me
You should know me
Bridge
How can you feel alone at night
Even when I'm by your side
Can you hear me laugh in the wind
Does it ease your mind
If you never see me again
I will always be your friend
Like an angel's heart
I'll blend within the wind
Do you see me
Yeah, you should see me
I can fly, I can fly
How high? As high as the wind can fly
Yeah you should know me
Oh! Yeah I'm your ghost
I'm watching over you
Oh! I'm your ghost
If you never let me know
How will I know
How can I be your guide
Are you fearing death or life
Can you make up your mind
Do you know me?
The Tony Rich Project's song "Ghost" is a beautiful and haunting tribute to the power of love beyond death. The song speaks to the connection between two people even when one has passed away. The lyrics start by questioning the nature of the relationship between the two people: "Are you breathing when I'm in the air? Do you feel me when you comb your hair?" The singer is speaking to his loved one as if they are still present, asking if they can sense his presence around them.
The chorus repeats the idea of the singer's eternal presence: "Like an angel's heart, I'll blend within the wind. Do you see me? Yeah, you should see me. I can fly, I can fly. How high? As high as the wind can fly." The strong imagery of the angel's heart hints at the idea that the singer is now a guardian angel, watching over his loved one and keeping them safe.
The verse after the chorus takes a darker turn, with the singer asking if he scares his loved one when he gets too close or if his presence causes sudden changes in the room. But then the tone switches again to one of comfort, with the singer assuring his loved one that he is always there to listen and to watch over them: "If you never see me again, I will always be your friend."
Overall, the song is a beautiful reflection of the power of love to transcend even death. It speaks to the idea that those we love never truly leave us, but that they stay with us in spirit forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you breathin'
Are you aware of my presence?
When I'm in the air
When I'm around but not visible
Do you feel me
Can you sense me?
When you comb your hair
During your daily activities
Can you feel the rain
Can you feel any signs of my presence?
Hit the side as you walk around
During your routine activities
Like an angel's heart
Pure and benevolent
I'll fly high as a hidden cloud
I'll remain unseen but present
And you know me
You are aware of my existence
Yes you know me
You recognize me
Do I scare you
Do I make you uncomfortable?
When I come too close
When my presence is more noticeable
Does the room you're in come to sudden cloud
Do I make everything darker and less clear?
I can hear you cry
I'm present during moments of sadness
Like a kid with an injured knee
In a vulnerable and hurt state
I can see you pray for me
In moments of fear, you think of me
Before you lay to sleep
At night when you're winding down
Do you know me
Do you truly understand me?
You should know me
You have the capacity to understand me
How can you feel alone at night
Even though I'm close by
Even when I'm by your side
When I'm present
Can you hear me laugh in the wind
Can you sense any signs of joy in my presence?
Does it ease your mind
Do I bring you peace?
If you never see me again
In situations where we're separated
I will always be your friend
I'll remain a benevolent presence in your life
I'll blend within the wind
I'll be unseen but present
Do you see me
Can you understand me?
Yeah, you should see me
You can comprehend my existence
I can fly, I can fly
I have the ability to transcend
How high? As high as the wind can fly
To a limitless extent
Oh! Yeah I'm your ghost
I'll be a benevolent spirit
I'm watching over you
I'm here for your protection
If you never let me know
If you don't communicate with me
How will I know
I won't be able to comprehend
How can I be your guide
I won't be able to help you
Are you fearing death or life
What is the root of your fear?
Can you make up your mind
Can you find clarity in your thoughts?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANTONIO DE SHAWN JEFFRIES, ERIKA NURI, ERIKA F NURI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind