Here And Now – Luther Vandross | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#6) & R&B (#1 for 2 weeks); 1989

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

The first Van Dross to appear on record was Patricia, whose tenor graced the Crests‘ classic doo wop disc Sweetest One b/w My Juanita in 1957. Pat’s fledgling career ended a year later when her mom wouldn’t let her tour with the group.

Unfortunately, brother Luther didn’t take her place. He did, however, become an in-demand jingle and session singer. In 1976 Luther – first name only – made his solo chart debut with It’s Good For The Soul – Pt. 1, which reached #28 R&B: his highest charting solo single of the 1970’s.

He also appeared as a backup singer on other artists’ records, including Chic’s early hits. In 1981, the R&B #1 Never Too Much broke him nationally. Luther then waited eight long years for his pop breakthrough: Here And Now.

Composed by Dionne Warwick’s son, David Elliott, Here And Now underwent some in-studio changes courtesy of Luther, and took on a string arrangement crafted by Nat Adderley Jr. The result was a #6 pop smash and a fifth R&B #1 for Luther.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

Lyrics Written by:

  • David L. Elliott
  • Terry Steele
  • Charles White

Awards:

  • “Here and Now” won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1991

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).