Chart Performance: Pop (#6) & R&B (#2 for 3 weeks); 1997
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Jerome Woods was surrounded by classic soul, from the sounds in his mother’s record collection to the deep musical heritage of nearby Detroit. By high school Jerome was performing in Fire & Ice, an R&B covers band which covered the Midwest. A stint at Alabama’s Oakwood University followed, yet, the siren call of music lured Jerome out to Los Angeles in 1989. Soon he was singing backup for Vesta (Once Bitten Twice Shy, #9 R&B; 1986), and performing at industry talent showcases. Jerome kept singing and knocking on doors until a meeting with two producers brought him to RCA Records. A year later, his debut album, Rome 1, was in the stores. The leadoff single, I Belong To You, went platinum and peaked at #2, right behind I’ll be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. Not bad for the new kid on the block!
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Gerald Baillergeau
- Victor Merritt
Lyrics Written by:
- Jerome Woods
- Gerald Baillergeau
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).
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