from TIMELESS (THE CLASSICS)
Written by Sam Cooke
In the early nineties, pop/adult contemporary superstar Michael Bolton was at the peak of his success story. After his 1991 multi-platinum smash cd, Time, Love & Tenderness, Bolton started working on a new project. Eventually released in September 1992, Timeless (The Classics) presented renditions of pop and R&B evergreens by, among others, The Bee Gees, The Beatles, Sam Cooke and The Four Tops. The production was handled by Bolton’s right-hand man, Walter Afanasieff, and David Foster.
Fresh from a Grammy triumph with the remarkable Natalie Cole’s (1950-2015) Unforgettable, Foster crafted six tracks on the album including The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” that became a worldwide smash for Bolton. “To Love Somebody” reached #11 on Billboard’ Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Our previous review of “To Love Somebody” can be found in the archives. Another great song helmed by the Hitman was “Bring It On Home To Me.” This classic soul melody was originally written and performed by the great Sam Cooke (1931-1964). It is this Song of the Week.
“Bring It On Home To Me” was modernized with respect by Foster. He wrote a clever arrangement that made it suitable for Bolton’s pop audience without losing a single inch of its soulful feel. The singing star gave an intense and passionate performance. Bolton showcased his trademark, powerful voice without any over-singing and well supported by a gospel-fueled choir. The backing band included session legends like Greg Phillinganes on piano, Nathan East on bass and John Robinson on drums. A special shout out goes to Michael Thompson who dominated the instrumental track with his masterful guitar licks and bluesy solo. Another shout out goes to Johnny Mandel’s (1925-2020) superb orchestral arrangement. The immaculate production by Foster with Bolton was sonically and musically the best you could get in the nineties. Timeless (The Classics) went on to peak on Billboard’s Top 200 and eventually sold over four million copies in the US alone.
Listen
- Lead Vocals: Michael Bolton
- Drums: John Robinson
- Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson
- Bass: Nathan East
- Piano: Greg Phillinganes
- Organ: Randy Kerber
- Backing Vocals: Carmen Twillie, Janis Liebhart, Monalisa Young, Pat Hawk, Portia Griffin & Vann Johnson
- Orchestral Arrangement by Johnny Mandel
- Produced & Arranged by David Foster & Michael Bolton
Lyrics
If you ever change your mind
About leaving, leaving me behind
Baby, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I know I laughed when I left
But now I know I only hurt myself
Baby, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’ll give you jewelry and money too
That ain’t all, all I’d do for you
If you bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You know I’ll always be your slave
Till I’m buried, buried in my grave
Oh, honey, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah