They have released 5 albums, with the most current release being White Flags of Winter Chimneys which was released in December 2008.
Biography
The two were childhood friends, both from musical families which often performed together; Wendy's father, Mike Melvoin, was an in-demand session musician and was president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) in the 1980s, while Lisa's father, Gary L. Coleman (not the actor) was also an in-demand session musician for jazz artists.
Although Wendy and Lisa may be better known for being part of The Revolution, their careers began long before joining the group. As a pre-teen, Lisa joined her sister Cole Ynda, brother David Coleman, and Jonathan Melvoin (Wendyβs brother) to form the band βWaldorf Saladβ[1]. In addition to music, Lisa also ventured into acting appearing in βSarah T β Portrait of A Teenage Alcoholicβ a movie starring Linda Blair and released in 1975[2].
Although Wendy mainly plays acoustic and electric guitar, she is also credited with playing bass guitar, harmonica, oud, tamboora, drums, and congas on the βEroicaβ album. In addition, Lisa mainly plays piano and keyboard, however, she is credited with also playing the harmonica, drum, acoustic guitar, harmonium, hurdy gurdy on the βEroicaβ album.
[edit] The Revolution
In 1980, Lisa Coleman replaced Gayle Chapman in Prince's touring band[3]. Coleman was asked to contribute vocals to several tracks over his next few albums. In 1983, Dez Dickerson left the band over religious conflicts. Coleman suggested Melvoin as a replacement. Prince accepted Melvoin into the band as they began to record Purple Rain[4]. The film and album were a phenomenon, turning Prince and the newly named The Revolution into superstars. Prince's personal life also became intertwined with Melvoin's when he began dating her twin sister Susannah.
The team of Coleman and Melvoin worked extremely well together. Prince saw this and tapped their talents for the albums following Purple Rain. Their influence was particularly heard on several tracks on the Parade album, the soundtrack to Prince's film Under the Cherry Moon. In an ironic parallel to the conflicts in the film Purple Rain, the duo felt they were not getting the recognition and credit they deserved despite their growing contributions[5]. During 1986 Wendy and Lisa became increasingly disillusioned with Prince's decision to expand the Revolution with non-musicians, such as Wally Safford and Gregory Allen Brooks, and Prince's increasing machismo that these new members brought with them. Unhappy and vocal about their feelings, they were eventually convinced to remain with the band and to go on tour that year with the "Hit and Run" shows. However, Prince felt spurned and by the end of the tour he had already decided he would dissolve The Revolution once the tour was complete. Hence, by October 1986, Coleman and Melvoin (along with Bobby Z.) were dismissed by Prince, disrupting the Dream Factory project that was already completed and effectively dissolving The Revolution[6].
[edit] Contributions
Prince cultivated a number of artists who were eventually labeled "protΓ©gΓ©s". These artists, often female artists but occasionally bands (like The Family) usually contributed vocals to music that Prince had written music and lyrics for and produced. Because of their sometimes outlandish onstage appearances, the duo of "Wendy and Lisa" (much like Sheila E.) are often miscategorized as being part of Prince's protΓ©gΓ© harem.
However, Melvoin and Coleman (like Sheila E.) were clearly professional musicians in their own right. Regardless of critical assessments of either Wendy and Lisa's or Prince's work, the duo definitely had an influence and impact on Prince's sound. The pop/blue eyed soul/funk hybrid can be heard on Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day and Parade. Their influence is also extremely prominent on a number of unreleased songs recorded together with Prince during 1984, 1985 and 1986, during which they would either co-write material, co-produce and co-compose. Prince would often create the basic tracks and leave it to the female duo to finish, adding their own unique embellishments along the way. Prince's music after their departure became significantly more funk-driven, while their more psychedelic and ethereal style can be heard clearly on their first few albums.
Some believe that Wendy and Lisaβs influence on Princeβs music was substantial and drove some of the most creative music in his career. For example, regarding Lisa, Per Nilsen has stated that βThe increasing complexity of Princeβs music over the years, can to some extent, be traced to Lisaβs influenceβ [82]. In addition, Alex Hahn has stated that the βduoβs departure from Princeβs fold took away an element that would ultimately prove irreplaceableβ [144]. More specifically, Hahn attributes Colemanβs greatest impact on Princeβs music to βher expressive playing, which added an entirely new dimension to his live soundβ [35]. Although not everyone may agree on the magnitude of Wendy and Lisa on Princeβs music, one can not deny their influence on the Around the World in a Day, Parade, and Sign Oβ The Times albums.
[edit] On their own
The next year, the duo released an album simply entitled Wendy and Lisa with Columbia Records. The lead single, "Waterfall" received some airplay, and the music video was played on MTV and VH1. The album was a moderate success, but did not approach the sales figures of The Revolution. The sound was a continuation of the ethereal/dance/R&B fusion that had been the hallmark of their work with Prince; many Prince fans that were more fond of his funkier music did not follow the duo's work. They released a follow up album, Fruit at the Bottom, which although not a commercial success, did receive some critical acclaim.
After a few years, the duo signed with Virgin Records (already their label in Europe) and released Eroica, an album with a more alternative rock feel. They had a minor radio and dance club hit with the single "Strung Out". In 1991, Virgin UK released Re-mix-In-a-Carnation, a selection of club mixes from the first three albums as remixed by producers like The Orb, William Orbit, and Nellee Hooper.
In the mid-Nineties, Wendy and Lisa worked on several movie projects with record producer Trevor Horn, including session work with Seal and vocals on the soundtrack for Toys and their first scoring work, for Dangerous Minds. During this period, they worked to record a full length album under Horn's production, however the project (sometimes mistakenly called Friendly Fire by fans and bootleggers) has never been released.
Feeling confined by the "Wendy and Lisa" moniker, the duo enlisted alternative producer Tchad Blake (Soul Coughing, Cibo Matto) and released a CD in 1998 under the name "Girl Bros". Their sound had begun to evolve on "Eroica" and while Girl Bros was still pop/funk based, it also could be categorized as alternative music. A second Girl Bros. album "White Flags of White Chimneys" is now available to purchase and download at www.wendyandlisa.com prior to a physical release in March 2009.
Wendy and Lisaβs alternative sound (which is a hybrid of funk/jazz/r&b/electronica/classical piano) that was born on βEroicaβ and further developed on βGirl Brosβ is more fully developed on their most recent album release, White Flags of Winter Chimneys. White Flags (released in December 2008) marks Wendy and Lisaβs first album in 10 years and is described by Wendy as βtheir best workβ[7]. The album is a gorgeous kaleidoscope of song-compositions with influences ranging from trance to electronica to 70βs funk and straight up rock and roll.
Unlike their previous albums, White Flags is released completely independently and can only be obtained through their website[8]. The album represents the fruition of their goal to produce an album without the constraints and forced musical direction of a major record label. During interviews, Wendy and Lisa have commented on how they felt pressured by record executives to put out music more reminiscent of Princeβs music and cite their first two albums as examples[9]. However, White Flags of Winter Chimneys represents Wendy and Lisaβs most self-controlled project to date. Similar to their more recent work (βEroicaβ and βGirl Bros"), all music, lyrics, and instruments are written and performed by Wendy and Lisa.
[edit] Other credits
Shortly after the completion of the Parade project, Coleman and Melvoin left the Revolution, and started their own musical duo, Wendy and Lisa (also known as Girl Bros). The duo are also continuing in their successful television-scoring career. Currently, they are in their third season of scoring the NBC-TV hit βHeroes,β and they are taking on the scoring duties for the upcoming βVirtualityβ on Fox and βNurse Jackieβ on Showtime. They have received the prestigious ASCAP award for Composerβs of the Year for their work on Dangerous Minds, the theme to HBOβs Carnivale, Crossing Jordan and Heroes.
[edit] Other projects
* Melvoin and Coleman have made numerous contributions to film scores and to television themes (for example, they wrote theme music and background scores for TV-shows such as Crossing Jordan, Bionic Woman, CarnivΓ le and Heroes). Their latest film score was for Something New, released in February 2006.
* As sessionists and producers, they have also appeared, together or separately, on albums by Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Neil Finn, Joni Mitchell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Michael Penn, Liz Phair, Seal, and Victoria Williams, to name a few. They have been frequent collaborators with k.d. lang, whom they first worked with during Eroica; they have played on all of her subsequent albums. In 2005, Wendy Melvoin produced the first commercial album by The Like.
* Melvoin's brother-in-law Doyle Bramhall II is another frequent collaborator; Wendy and Lisa performed on his first and second albums (producing the first) in addition to performing alongside him on several other artists' sessions. In the summer of 2005, Wendy and Lisa performed live as Pacifico in a supergroup band that also included Bramhall, Susannah Melvoin, drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., and hip hop writer/producer Mike Elizondo Jr. (better known for his work with Eminem and 50 Cent). The set of shows at Hollywood's Largo was marked by special guest performances that included Coleman's sister Cole Ynda, singer Nikka Costa, and Eric Clapton.
* Another supergroup, Funksway, is featured in the 2006 music documentary Before the Music Dies. That incarnation replaces Abe Laboriel Jr. with The Roots' ?uestlove and adds Erykah Badu. In addition to its featured performance in the movie, the group played a live set during the 2006 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas to celebrate the film's world premiere.
* The duo's somewhat erratic relationship with Prince has continued; in 2006, the duo accompanied Prince on-stage during his performance at the 2006 Brit Awards in London, where they performed a medley which opened with "Te Amo Corazon", segued into "Fury" then into "Purple Rain" then ending in Let's Go Crazy. It was the first time in 18 years that the three had played together in front of a live audience (Wendy and Lisa joined Prince onstage for a 1988 stop on the [[Lovesexy]] tour in Minneapolis) (Sheila E. also joined the band on-stage). Prince's 2007 album Planet Earth features appearances by Wendy & Lisa on the songs "The One U Wanna C" and "Lion of Judah." Melvoin accompanied Prince at the 07.07.07 Target Center concert & the 1st Avenue aftershow, in Minneapolis where Prince introduced her as "one of my best friends," as well as exclusive appearances at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel that included Prince's first performance of 1999 since he "retired" it in that year.
* Melvoin played guitar on the song "She's Not Me" on Madonna's 2008 album Hard Candy. Pharrell Williams, the songβs producer, and Madonna simultaneously sing βWendeee!β (a shout out to Melvoin) during the song which is reminiscent of Princeβs βLittle Girl Wendyβs Paradeβ exclaimed by Prince during the song βKissβ.
* Melvoin and Coleman collaborated with Grace Jones for her 2008 album Hurricane. [10]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
* Wendy and Lisa (1987), Columbia Records (UK #84)
* Fruit at the Bottom (1989), Columbia Records (UK #45)
* Eroica (1990), Virgin Records (UK #33)
* Girl Bros. (1998), World Domination - Originally released as The Girl Bros. Re-released as Wendy and Lisa,(1999) Girl Brothers Inc. (self-released)
* White Flags of Winter Chimneys (2008), W. Melvoin/L. Coleman (self-released)
[edit] UK singles
* "Waterfall" (1987) (UK #66)
* "Sideshow" (1988) (UK #49)
* "Are You My Baby?" (1989) (UK #70)
* "Lolly Lolly" (1989) (UK #64)
* "Satisfaction" (1989) (UK #27)
* "Satisfaction" (re-mix) (1989)
* "Waterfall" (re-mix) (1989) (UK #69)
* "Strung Out" (1990) (UK #44)
* "Rainbow Lake" (1990) (UK #70)
* "Don't Try To Tell Me" (1990)
[edit] Compilations
* Re-Mix-In-A-Carnation (1991)
* Are You My Baby (1996)
* Always In My Dreams (2000)
[edit] Contributions to Prince discography
The following songs, which appear on releases by Prince or associates, are registered with ASCAP as partial Wendy & Lisa compositions.
* "17 Days", written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa, Dr. Fink
* "America", written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z.
* "A Million Miles (I Love You)", written by Prince, Lisa
* "Computer Blue", written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa, Dr. Fink, John L. Nelson
* "Mountains" written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa
* "Power Fantastic", written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa
* "Sometimes It Snows In April", written by Prince, Wendy, Lisa
Waterfall
Wendy And Lisa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now your time's at hand
Take heed
'Cause our love has passed
Hot fuse
Can be short or long
The time bomb
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall
Dry land is just a love away
Warm sun and a place to lay
I see your future
The water above you calm and clear
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall
Love lost always makes one sad
You seem
You seem to rise instead
Feel the water, ice cool water
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall, the waterfall
Feel the water, ice cool water
Feel the water, ice cool water
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall
People may come, people may go
Just as long as the water's slow
But watch out when you're
Headed for the waterfall
Waterfall
Waterfall
The song 'Waterfall' by Wendy and Lisa is an emotional ballad that can be interpreted as a warning to take a moment and think before rushing headlong into a new relationship or endeavor. The lyrics are primarily focused on a love that has passed and the singer is warning the listener to be cautious with their own love life. The first verse sets the somber tone with the lyrics, 'Move slow, now your time's at hand. Take heed, cause our love has passed.' The second verse uses the metaphor of a hot fuse to describe how sometimes unpredictable relationships can be. It further warns of the dangers of rushing in, 'People may come, people may go, just as long as the water's slow. But watch out when you're headed for the waterfall.'
The chorus repeats the cautionary advice, 'But watch out when you're headed for the waterfall.' The bridge offers a glimmer of hope for a new love, 'Dry land is just a love away, warm sun and a place to lay. I see your future, the water above you calm and clear.' The final verse takes a more positive turn, declaring, 'Love lost always makes one sad, you seem to rise instead.' The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the title of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Move slow
Take your time
Now your time's at hand
It's time for you to take action
Take heed
Be careful
'Cause our love has passed
Our love is over
Hot fuse
Tempers can flare up easily
Can be short or long
It can happen quickly or slowly over time
The time bomb
The danger is always present
Of your life has come
It's time to face it
People may come, people may go
People enter and exit our lives all the time
Just as long as the water's slow
As long as things are calm
But watch out when you're
Be careful
Headed for the waterfall
When things start to get dangerous
Dry land is just a love away
Happiness is within reach
Warm sun and a place to lay
Comfort and security
I see your future
I predict what will happen
The water above you calm and clear
Things will be peaceful and good
Love lost always makes one sad
Losing love is difficult
You seem
You appear
You seem to rise instead
You're overcoming the sadness
Feel the water, ice cool water
Experience the refreshing water
Waterfall
A powerful force to be reckoned with
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JEFF SCOTT YOUNG, MARIANGELA ASSAD SIMAO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MOBROOKS
Paul Glenn
They both were hot.
I just watched Purple Rain the other day and I realized something that I never noticed as a kid.
Jill and βThe Kidβ (Prince) were screwin!!
Hahahaha
Thatβs why Jill was hating on Apollonia.
Also when Jill told Prince she had something to give him he asked βwhat is it a subpoena?β
That would be for child support.
Thatβs why Jill gave Morris Apolloniaβs number so Morris could get with Apollonia and Apollonia would then leave Prince alone.
Man, the things you pick up on when youβre older.
Haha
@c.r.chandler5905
So who's still rocking this in 2023? I remember being in high school in the 80's listening to Wendy and Lisa when they were with the maestro Prince as a part of The Revolution.
@stephenengstrom5611
How did I miss this song over the years? Sounds like a Prince groove. π
@LoreleiHelekunihi
They both worked with Prince!
@kahowards6713
Not to me..not at all
@daneboca4499
The guitar solo is 100% Prince influenced. But again she played tons of music with him. Legend.
@lorievia-billo3996
Wendy is absolutely stunning!! The first time I saw this video, I couldn't believe how Wendy and Lisa, were so instrumental!! "Prince, you had 2 geniuses, in Wendy and Lisa!!!!π΅ ππΆβΌ
@MaskedMan66
He surrounded himself with brilliant people.
@monroefive-o40
She has a twin sister too. I couldnβt believe there were two of her! Both stunning.
@MaskedMan66
@@monroefive-o40 Only one of her, and one of her twin.
@cheribee968
Both of these women are so talented.
Natural musicians.
Really impressive