Written by Vinnie Barrett & Bobby Eli

“Love Won’t Let Me Wait” is a gorgeous soul ballad co-written in the first half of the seventies by female songwriter/musician Vinnie Barrett and noted songwriter/producer Bobbi Eli. Eli was a founding member of the popular Philly Soul combo, MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother). “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” was originally sung by Major Harris (1947-2012), a former member of The Delfonics, on his 1974 debut solo album My Way.

“Love Won’t Let Me Wait” was the second single released from that vinyl. With its sensual melody and Harris’ silky voice, the song became a smash in 1975 reaching #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and touching the top of the R&B chart. This smooth ballad eventually reached evergreen status with several cover versions by soul stars including the phenomenal Luther Vandross (1951-2005) who sang it on his 1988 album, Any Love.

One of the recent takes on “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” was delivered by UK pop/soul superstar Seal on his 2011 Soul 2 cd. Partially produced by David Foster with additional studio work by another super-producer, Trevor Horn. This rendition of Harris’ hit would have made the late singer proud. Together with Vandross’ version, each rendition stands as one of the best ever made. On Seal’s interpretation, the production was flawless, featuring a gorgeous vocal performance by Seal on top of a sophisticated instrumental track that melts like butter with magnificent strings and horns courtesy of Foster and the legendary Jerry Hey. All the musicians gave great performances with a special mention for Dan Higgins and his beautiful sax solo.

Asked The Hitman to add a few thoughts about Seal and he kindly sent the following words:

   “Seal was truly one of the great studio experiences of my life. So gifted, unique, quirky and soulful. I really consider him a dear friend. His take on our “Soul” and “Soul 2” endeavors created magic on top of already magic songs. “Love Won’t Let Me Wait,”  originally by Major Harris, is just one of many great examples of his ability to make a song his own with that unique blend of r&b, pop and that wonderful “English” take that he puts on everything.”

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Seal
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Keyboards & Synth: Jamie Muhoberac
• Drums: Victor Indrizzo
• Bass & Guitar: Chris Bruce
• Saxophone Solo: Dan Higgins
• Synth, Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag

• Orchestra & Brass Arranged by David Foster & Jerry Hey
• Produced by David Foster & Trevor Horn
• Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

The time is right
You hold me tight
And love is got me high
Please tell me, yes
And don’t say no, honey not tonight
I need to have you next to me
In more ways than one
And I refuse to leave
‘Till I see the morning sun
Creep through your window pane
‘Cause love won’t let me wait
(Not one more minute, baby)
The time is right
Turned down the lights and take my hand
We will take a flight
And spend the night in a wonderland
Now move a little close to me
You owe it to yourself
And I will selfishly
Take a little for myself
And it’s because of you
That love won’t let me wait
(No, listen girl)
I need your love so desperately
And only you can set me free
When I make love to you
We will explode in ecstacy
And I won’t take the blame
‘Cause love won’t let me wait, no
Love won’t let me wait (my temperature’s rising)
Love won’t let me wait (cause your so tantalizing)
(Oh, listen girl)
Love won’t let me wait

written by The Isley Brothers & Chris Jasper

At the beginning of 2011 Seal and David Foster went back into the studio to work on the follow-up to their 2008 hit album, “Soul.” This time the focus was more on the soul classics of the Seventies.

Foster started working on songs like “I’ll Be Around,” “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” and “Let’s Stay Together” doing the arrangements and recording strings and other instruments but eventually they mutually decided to take all the material recorded and handing it off to Trevor Horn to finish the album.
Four of the songs originally crafted by Foster made the final cut on “Soul 2,” when it was released the next November, with additional production work by Horn. “Let’s Stay Together” became the first single off the album and made it to #13 on the adult contemporary chart. “Soul 2” didn’t become a huge seller like its predecessor but made the top ten on Billboard’s top 200 and was #1 on the R&B chart. After a few months after its original release, in January 2012, a deluxe edition of “Soul 2” was made available. The most interesting thing about it, is that it included two bonus tracks, “Ain’t Nothing But A House Party,” produced by Horn and a spectacular rendition of The Isley Brothers’ classic, “For The Love Of You.” The latter was another juicy fruit from the Foster sessions. Listening to that song we can appreciate the superior quality of Foster’s arrangement with a smooth beat, silky strings and especially the “fosterish” trademark break towards the end. Seal’s performance is another top notch affair and the fine overall result make us wonder why it didn’t make the original tracklist of “Soul 2.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/for_the_love_of_you.mp3|titles=For The Love Of You|artists=Seal]

Lead Vocals: Seal
Drums: Ash Soan
Bass: Trevor Horn
Acoustic & Electric Guitar: Phil Palmer
Electric Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr.
David Foster: Keyboards
Julian Hinton: Keyboard & Synths

Produced by David Foster & Trevor Horn
Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

Driftin’ on a memory
Ain’t no place I’d rather be
Then with you, yeah
Lovin’ you, well, well, well

Day will make a way for night
All we’ll need is candle lights
And a song, yeah
Soft and long, well

Glad to be here alone
With a lover unlike no other
Sad to see a new horizon
Slowly comin’ into view, yeah

I wanna be living for the love of you
Ah, yes I am
All that I’m giving is for the love of you
Alright now

Lovely as a ray of sun
That touches me when the mornin’ comes
Feels good to me, yeah
My love and me, well

Smoother than a gentle breeze
Flowin’ through my mind with ease
Soft as can be, well
When you’re lovin’ me
When you’re lovin’ me

Love to be right in the waves
Of your love enchanted with a touch
And it seems to me
We could sail together
In and out of mystery

Well, I wanna be living, for the love of you
Alright now
All that I’m giving, is for the love of you
You got me, girl

I wanna be living, for the love of you
Alright now
All that I’m giving, givin’ is for the love of you
Oh, yes I am

Paradise I have within
Can’t feel insecure again
You’re the key
Well, and this I see
Oh, I see

Now and then I lose my way
Using words that try to say
What I feel, yeah, love is real
Oh, love is real

I might as well sign my name
On a card which could say it better
Time will tell ’cause it seems
That I done just about all that I can do

I know that I’m livin’, for the love of you
Oh, yes I am
I know that I’m livin’, for the love, love of you
Every, everyday I, livin’, for the love of you

I’m living, for the love
Each and every day, oh yes I do
I’m gonna say it one more time

Said, “I’m living, for the love
Each and every day, oh”
Lord, Lord knows I am right, right now
Said that, “I’m livin’ for the love”