from WORDS AND MUSIC
written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Randy Goodrum
“Who’s Holding Donna Now” was a captivating pop/R&B ballad sung by popular R&B group DeBarge. This smooth composition was co-written by David Foster and Jay Graydon with lyrics by famed singer/songwriter Randy Goodrum. In 1985 under Graydon’s production, “Who’s Holding Donna Now” became a multi-format smash hit when it reached #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #2 on R&B and #1 on Adult Contemporary charts.
The birth of “Who’s Holding Donna Now” is quite interesting. Goodrum was one of the most in-demand songwriters of the eighties. He wrote or co-wrote hit singles for some top acts including Anne Murray, Steve Perry, Chicago, George Benson and Toto. Goodrum even co-wrote with Foster and Jim Vallance Murray’s 1986 #1 country hit, “Now And Forever (You And Me).” Foster and Graydon were writing material to be submitted for Gene Wilder’s wonderful movie, “The Woman In Red.” Their material didn’t impress the movie’s producers so Stevie Wonder eventually got the job and his soundtrack had one of Wonder’s biggest hit singles, “I Just Called To Say I Love You.” When DeBarge started their sessions with Graydon, one of those original Foster/Graydon demos attracted the ear of lead singer El DeBarge. He asked to record that song for the new album. Since the song was only an instrumental, Graydon sent the track to Goodrum to add lyrics and the rest is history.
Both Foster and Goodrum released solo renditions of “Who’s Holding Donna Now.” Foster delivered a tender, piano lead instrumental cover on his 1991 cd “Rechordings.” In 1994, Goodrum included the song on his collection, “Words And Music.” It was a special project for the singer/songwriter who recorded some gems of his songbook in a refined, stripped down, evocative atmosphere. “Who’s Holding Donna Now” was one of the famous songs receiving this interesting re-working together with other pop masterpieces like “You Needed Me,” “20-20,” “Bluer Than Blue,” “Foolish Heart” and “I’ll Be Over You.”
Recently, Goodrum teamed again with Graydon to collaborate on a project called JaR. A fantastic cd titled “Scene 29” saw the light of day in 2008. “Scene 29” was one of the best quality pop affairs heard in recent years. This cd had strong echoes of Steely Dan and was a craft in superior songwriting and production. Graydon and Goodrum are currently working on JaR’s sophomore album that should hopefully be released later this year.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/who_s_holding_donna_now.mp3|titles=Who’s Holding Donna Now|artists=Randy Goodrum]
All Vocals, Keyboards & Programming: Randy Goodrum
Guitar: Mike Landau
Produced by Randy Goodrum
Lyrics
Sometimes a love won’t let go
Hard as I try I know it shows
Everybody’s telling me
You’ll be over her eventually
But how am I supposed to feel so secure?
When I keep wondering who’s holding Donna now
And I keep wondering who’s heart she’s knocking around
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do
To be in his shoes somehow
And I keep wondering who’s holding Donna now
And I keep wondering what magic can be found
To turn me back to the one who’s holding Donna now
The letter started with good-bye
I’ve read it half a million times
Tell me this is just a dream
When I wake up she’ll be here next to me
Tell me it will be just the way it was
Well, I keep wondering who’s holding Donna now
And I keep wondering who’s heart she’s knocking around
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do
To be in his shoes right now
And I keep wondering who’s holding Donna now
And I keep wondering what magic can be found
To turn me back to the one who’s holding Donna now
[break]
Who’s holding Donna now?
I keep wondering who’s heart she’s knocking around
There’s nothing I wouldn’t d do
To be in his shoes right now
And I keep wondering who’s holding Donna now
Oh, Donna, what magic can be found?
To make me be the one who’s holding Donna now
I can’t get Donna off my mind