from MIDDLE MAN
Written by Boz Scaggs & David Foster
Boz Scaggs’ Middle Man was another million seller for the veteran, blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter. That great album gave international audiences and radio programmers another tool to discover the outstanding talent of David Foster.
Foster co-wrote and arranged the bulk of Middle Man including the two hit singles, the refined “Jojo” and the rocking “Breakdown Dead Ahead” plus the title track. Another highlight on this now-classic collection was “You Can Have Me Anytime.”
Foster always had a unique knack to tackle a romantic melody and, in this case, here was one of his best examples ever. “You Can Have Me Anytime” was a tender ballad that paired Foster’s magnificent music and brilliant arrangement with Scaggs’ inventive lyrics. “You Can Have Me Anytime” wasn’t your typical love song. The unique craft, the superb crescendo and the fundamental orchestral embellishment was created in collaboration with supreme arranger, Marty Paich (1925-1995). Foster’s and Paich’s elegant touches resulted in a true work of art. Scaggs was vocally in his prime and delivered a subdued yet world-class performance. The musicians on Middle Man were the cream of the L.A. scene of the late seventies. There were some Toto guys that included Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) on drums, David Hungate on bass and Steve Lukather on guitars. Foster’s keyboards including his trademark piano/Fender Rhodes were heard everyplace on this album. The collaboration on “You Can Have Me Anytime” shaped perfect ear-candy. A final mention goes to a vibrant guitar solo on the track played by the legendary Carlos Santana.
Later, a Foster/Scaggs partnership would go on the same romantic path to create the hit ballad, “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me” from the film Urban Cowboy and “The Perfect One,” a lesser-known gem included on the soundtrack of the Two Of A Kind movie. All the aforementioned songs can be found in the archive section of this website.
Listen
- Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
- Keyboards: David Foster
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Bass: David Hungate
- Guitar: Steve Lukather
- Guitar Solo: Carlos Santana
- Strings Arranged by Marty Paich
- Produced by Bill Schnee
Lyrics
Here we are in a room full of strangers
And an open door
Here we are away from all dangers
But that open door is calling out again
Acting like a friend who wants to know
If you might come away
I wonder what you’ll say
You wonder out again
On wings of the night
Once again you’ll take flight
And I don’t hear your voice anymore
Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime
Here we are
Alone in the shadows of our lonely rooms
Here we are
We are hollows, very lonely rooms
Like a faithless child
Frightened of the wild he runs and hides
To keep from being still
We run around until we lose ourselves again
On wings of the night
Once again you’ll take flight
And I don’t hear your voice anymore
Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime
Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime