In 1988, Downing finally made his solo debut, releasing the self-titled Will Downing. The album featured a new version of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." The track did not fair well on the R&B charts but it managed to reach #4 on the Dance charts. In the United Kingdom, "A Love Supreme" managed to reach #14 on the singles charts.
Downing has released many albums throughout his career, always on the brink of stardom but never quite making it. In 1989 he released Come Together As One and in '91, Dream Fulfilled. The latter featured the single "I Try" which reached #13 on the R&B charts, Downing's best performance to date.
1993 saw Downing's fourth album release with Love's the Place to Be. In 1995, he released Moods and in 1997, Invitation Only. Continuing his steady stream of releases, 1998 saw Pleasures of the Night, 2000 offered All the Man You Need and in 2002, Sensual Journey.
With so many albums under his belt, Downing never slows down, releasing Emotions in 2003, Christmas, Love and You in 2004 and Soul Symphony in 2005.
While Will Downing has never been a massive celebrity in the United States, he has seen reasonable success in the United Kingdom.
The Nearness Of You
Will Downing Lyrics
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When you and your magic pass by
My heart's in a dither dear
When you're at a distance
But when you are near, oh my
Its not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me,
Its just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation,
Oh no
Its just the nearness of you
When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams
Came true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you.
The lyrics of Will Downing and Gerald Albright's song The Nearness Of You explore the overwhelming effect that the mere presence of someone special can have on one's emotions. The singer expresses how all resistance fades away when the person they are enamored with comes close, and how their heart is filled with excitement and anticipation. The lyrics paint a picture of a person whose heart is entirely consumed by someone who has a magical effect on them, to the point where even the distance from the person causes them to wither away. However, when the person is close, it's like their wildest dreams have come true.
The lyrics go on to explain that it's not just physical closeness that has such an impact, but the sheer presence of this person that ignites a feeling of excitement and anticipation. It's not the things they say or do that create this sensation, but their mere existence. This suggests a deep connection between these two people that goes beyond words or actions, and that the singer is completely captivated by the presence of this person. The song conveys a sense of yearning for this person, and an intense desire to hold them close and bask in their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I just wither and forget all resistance
I become powerless and unable to resist when you pass by with your enchanting charm.
When you and your magic pass by
Your magical aura and presence has a captivating effect on me when you cross my path.
My heart's in a dither dear
My heart beats wildly with excitement and anticipation when I think of you.
When you're at a distance
My feelings for you intensify when you're not near.
But when you are near, oh my
My heart skips a beat and I feel overwhelmed with joy when you are in close proximity.
Its not the pale moon that excites me
I am not moved or thrilled by the appearance of the moon.
That thrills and delights me, Oh no
It's not an external force that brings me joy and pleasure.
Its just the nearness of you
It is your close presence and proximity that fills me with joy and excitement.
It isn't your sweet conversation
Your words and conversation do not bring me the same feeling of bliss and euphoria.
That brings this sensation, Oh no
It's not something you say that makes me feel this way.
Its just the nearness of you
It is your physical presence that affects me so deeply.
When you're in my arms
When I hold you close to my body.
And I feel you so close to me
And I experience the sensation of your body next to mine.
All my wildest dreams
All the things I have ever longed for.
Came true
Have now become a reality.
I need no soft lights to enchant me
I don't need any outside influence.
If you'll only grant me
If you would only give me.
The right
The opportunity.
To hold you ever so tight
To hold you closely and firmly in my arms.
And to feel in the night
And to experience in the darkness of the night.
The nearness of you
Your physical closeness and presence that I crave so deeply.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind