Patti Labelle is one of the true soul/R&B divas of our times. Her distinctive voice reaches the sky with amazing control and unique power. Her successful career has spanned over fifty years and Ms. Labelle’s soprano voice is still as consistent and impressive today as it was in the beginning. The legendary singer crossed paths with David Foster for her 1997 gold-certified release Flame. The Canadian super-producer crafted two ballads on that Grammy-nominated cd. “You Are My Solid Ground” was co-written by Foster with then-wife Linda Thompson.

A past article may be read on “You Are My Solid Ground.” Foster also had a hand in molding a cover of the 1993 #1 Country hit duet from Reba McEntire and Linda Davis entitled “Does He Love You.” Originally written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch and exposing a love triangle, the lyrics of Ms. Labelle’s version of the song went from “does he love you?” to “he doesn’t love you. “For this Song of the Week, attention is focused on Patti Labelle’s “Does He Love You.”
David Foster worked his trademark adult pop magic on this country mainstay exactly like he did on huge hits like “I Swear” and “I Can Love You Like That” for the benefit of All-4-One. Ms. Labelle made “Does He Love You” her own by delivering her signature, exceptional vocal. She approached the tune in a tender, restrained way as the song developed to its exploding, fired-up climax. Ms. Labelle was perfectly supported by the expert hand of the legendary Hitman who provided her an ideal adult contemporary instrumental scenario. The programmed drums, keyboards and synths were pretty typical of Foster’s hit productions from those days and actually complemented the lush string arrangement that raised the level of elegance on this composition.

Ms. Labelle must have loved “Does He Love You” since she included it on her 1998 cd Live! One Night Only under the title “He Doesn’t Love You” noting the little change in the refrain’s lyrics that were present on the Foster-produced version. Live! One Night Only featured many of Ms. Labelle’s classics. The cd also included an energetic remake of the Cheryl Lynn anthem “Got To Be Real” that was hailed as one of the “defining moments in disco.” Co-written by Foster and David Paich and performed with pop/soul diva Mariah Carey, “Got To Be Real” was a shining moment on the Live! One Night Only cd.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Patti Labelle
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

I’ve known about you for a while now,
Then he leaves me he wears a smile no,
As soon as he’s away from me,
In his arms is where you want to be,
But I’m the one he rushes home to,
I’m the one he have his name to,
You never see his face in the early morning light,
I have his morning his babies,
And I’m the only one who has his nights,
Oh he doesn’t love you like he loves me,
Though he might think of you when he’s holding me,
You’re just a part of his fantasies,
He’ll never love you like he’s been loving me,
And when he’s with you he knows he needs me,
And that he wants me and he believes in me,
And when I’m in his arms oh he swears there’s no one else,
If you think he’ll ever leave me you’re just deceiving yourself,
Oh he doesn’t love you like he loves me,
Though he might think of you when he’s holding me,
You’re just a part of his fantasies,
He’ll never love you like he’s been loving me,
Should I loose my temper,
Shouldn’t you be ashamed,
Cause I have nothing to lose,
And you have nothing to gain,
Oh he doesn’t love you like he loves me,
Though he might think of you when he’s holding me,
You’re just a part of his fantasies,
He’ll never love you like he’s been loving me

Patti Labelle is one of the soul divas of our time. Her powerful, pyrotechnic voice has won her legions of fans around the globe. In 1997 she worked on a comeback project, “Flame,” produced by music giants like David Foster, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and the late Arif Mardin. Each legendary music-maker added his unique style to give “Flame” a very current yet classic sound with the elegant, timeless vocal performances of the singer that transcends time and trends. Jam’s & Lewis’ contributions are three pop/dance oriented originals that give a needed spin to the mood of the ballad-dominated album. On the R&B side are a couple of slow jams produced by Gerard Levert while Mardin and Foster lean towards a more elegant and orchestral pop sound. Foster included an original composition, “You Are My Solid Ground,” co-written with Linda Thompson. This sweet love song is tailor-made for Labelle. She delivers an emotional performance over a delicate carpet of keyboards accompanied by a very classic arrangement. The second tune overseen by the Canadian producer is “Does He Love You.” It develops in a traditional pop vein with an interesting Broadway feel. “Flame” is a very pleasant collection. It was certified gold and stands out as one of the best albums of Labelle’s recent years.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/you_are_my_solid_ground.mp3|titles=You are my solid ground|artists=Patti Labelle]

Lead Vocal: Patti Labelle
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

When you’re lying tenderly beside me,
And I feel your breath so soft against my cheek,
All my fears just disappear in darkness,
And I know for sure,
I could never leave,
You are the strength that I’ve found to see,
You life me up when I’m down-loving me,
When I never thought,
That I’d feel my heart come around,
You are my solid ground,
I don’ t need a fairy tale to save me,
I’ve got all the magic I need in your arms,
And I won’t even fly away in madness,
I’ll stay close enough to always feel your warmth,
You are the strength that I’ve found to see,
You lifted me up when I’m down-loving me,
When I never thought that I’d feel my heart come around,
You are my solid ground,
I’m…so in love with you,
You’re everything faithful and true,
I know I could touch every star,
When you’re lifting me and I’m right there where you are,
You are the strength, that I’ve found to see,
You life me up when I’m down…loving me,
When I never thought, that I’d feel my heart come around,
You are my solid ground, you are my solid ground.