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.
Part the Waves
The Tony Rich Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause you take from me
The energy that we manage
From are, pain 'an joy
For all this time
I'm thinkin' I would be over
This madness
I'm thinkin' I love you baby
'Cause I made a choice
And ooh, so what you gonna do?
Baby, once I'm into you
You know you can't resist my love, yeah
So what you gonna say?
Baby, once I part the waves
I'm thinkin' you love me baby
'Cause I, I give to you
The feelin' that you cravin'
For so long, so long without
So much thrush
It's diggin' beneath the surface
And it's real deep, so deep
I'm thinkin' you love me baby
'Cause you are, to breathe with me
And ooh, so what you gonna do?
Baby, once I'm into you
You know you can't resist my love, yeah
So what you gonna say?
Baby, once I part the waves
And ooh, so what you gonna do?
Baby, once I'm into you
You know you can't resist my love, yeah
So what you gonna say?
Baby, once I part the waves
Ooh, so what you gonna do?
Baby, once I'm into you
You know you can't resist my love, yeah
So what you gonna say?
Baby, once I part the waves
The lyrics to The Tony Rich Project's "Part the Waves" seem to be about a burgeoning romantic relationship. The singer seems to be saying that they love the other person because they take energy from them, both the good and the bad, and they have made a choice to be with this person. The chorus suggests that once they're in, the other person won't be able to resist their love, and is also questioning what the other person will do or say once they "part the waves."
It seems that the singer believes that the other person loves them in return because they give them the feeling they've been craving for a long time and can breathe easily with them. The second chorus repeats the same ideas as the first but reinforces the idea that once they're in, there's no turning back.
Overall, the lyrics to "Part the Waves" seem to be about two people who have found something special in each other, and both feel strongly about the connection they have made. While there are some allusions to uncertainty or insecurity, the repeated chorus suggests that both parties are excited to see where this newfound love will lead them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm thinkin' I love you, baby
I am contemplating my love for you, my dear
'Cause you take from me
Because you take something from me
The energy that we manage
The energy that we handle together
From are, pain 'an joy
From our pain and joy
For all this time
For all these times
I'm thinkin' I would be over
I thought I would be past this
This madness
This craziness
And ooh, so what you gonna do?
And oh, what are you going to do?
Baby, once I'm into you
My dear, once I am close to you
You know you can't resist my love, yeah
You know you can't refuse my love, oh yes
So what you gonna say?
So what are you going to say?
Baby, once I part the waves
My dear, once I open up new possibilities for us
I'm thinkin' you love me baby
I believe you love me, my dear
'Cause I, I give to you
Because I give you
The feelin' that you cravin'
The feeling that you crave
For so long, so long without
For so long, without it
So much thrush
So much yearning
It's diggin' beneath the surface
It is digging deep down
And it's real deep, so deep
And it is really deep, so deep
'Cause you are, to breathe with me
Because you are here with me, breathing
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ANTONIO DESHAWN JEFFRIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Maoribrotha
OK. I promise to buy this...because if I do, then it'll support real soul, real R&B and real music! Love this jam....keep it up please...save us from the mediocrity and crassness of popular, urban radio!
@loopba
never stopped following or listening....thanks for sharing your talents...
@SemiRattler
After a few listens, I had to buy the album. This is real music. Thank you.
@brothertimothy3x862
By far the greatest to do it! My fav R&B singer the incomparable #tonyrich
@TheLaylahJames
2023 and still listening 😊
@brothertimothy3x862
Me too! Timeless classics.
@Oreo9702
Travelling Alone is still one of my all time favorite songs. I apologize for 'forgetting' about you. Thanks for the reminder. I just downloaded the album. I won't forget again.
@ronaldpage4379
One of the smoothest cuts in the last decade certainly didn’t get it’s just do this song cuts deep into the soul
@michellekalehzan4677
Love this song forever
@Starrlite77
i didn't know he sang this, i love this song