Get Here

Last updated

"Get Here"
BrendaRussellGet Here-single.jpg
Single by Brenda Russell
from the album Get Here
B-side "Le Restaurant"
ReleasedSeptember 13, 1988
Recorded19851987
Genre
Length4:06
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Brenda Russell
Producer(s) André Fischer, Brenda Russell, Peter O. Ekberg
Brenda Russell singles chronology
"Gravity"
(1988)
"Get Here"
(1988)
"Kiss Me with the Wind"
(1990)

"Get Here" is a pop ballad written by American singer and songwriter Brenda Russell. The title track of her fourth studio album, Get Here (1988), it became a moderate hit on the US Billboard R&B chart after the album's successful first hit, "Piano in the Dark".

Contents

American vocalist Oleta Adams covered and released the song in 1990, reaching the top five in both the US and the UK with her version. Adams's version of "Get Here", co-produced by Roland Orzabal from the band Tears for Fears (for whom she had performed the female vocals on the hit single "Woman in Chains" a year earlier), became her signature song.

Composition and first release

Brenda Russell had written the song while staying at a penthouse in Stockholm: the tune came to her as she viewed some hot air balloons floating over the city, a sight Russell recalls set her "really tripping on how many ways you can get to a person" (the eventual song's lyrics include the line: "You can make it in a big balloon but you'd better make it soon"). Although Russell did not pursue the musical ideas that came to her as her current record label saw her as a dance artist, the song was still in the singer's mind when she woke up the next day: "I don't read or write music [so] it's extraordinary if a song is still in my head that I haven't jotted down or recorded. So if it's still in my head overnight, I think that's something extra special, it's like somebody trying to tell me something." [1] Russell recorded the song as the title cut of her 1988 album from which it was issued as a single – the album's third – reaching number 37 on the US Billboard R&B chart. [2]

Oleta Adams version

"Get Here"
Get Here single.jpg
Single by Oleta Adams
from the album Circle of One
B-side
Released31 December 1990 (UK)
Genre
Length4:37
Label
Songwriter(s) Brenda Russell
Producer(s)
Oleta Adams singles chronology
"Circle of One"
(1990)
"Get Here"
(1990)
"You've Got to Give Me Room"
(1991)
Music video
"Get Here" on YouTube

American singer-songwriter Oleta Adams released her cover of "Get Here" in 1990 by Mercury, taken from her third studio album, Circle of One (1990). It was while Adams was visiting Stockholm, Sweden that she heard Russell's song playing in a record store and was sufficiently impressed with the song to record it for her album. [1]

World events at this time gave the song a resonance as an anthem for the US troops in the Gulf War—underscored by the lyrics "You can reach me by caravan / Cross the desert like an Arab man"—which sent Adams's single into the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1991. [3] [4] [5] The music video for the song was directed by Greg Gold.

Critical reception

"Get Here" received favorable reviews from most music critics. AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as a "gospel-tinged belter". [6] Larry Flick from Billboard remarked that "delicate instrumental arrangement contrasts with Adams' powerful reading of a lovely Brenda Russell composition." [7] The Commercial Appeal named it a "standout" track from the album, declaring it as "magnificent". [8] Karla Peterson from Copley News Service called it "warmhearted". [9] A reviewer from The Daily Telegraph said it is "the Single of the week, the year, the decade..." [10] Ellen Fagg from The Deseret News wrote that the lyrics "are creative and witty and plaintively passionate, a difficult triple combination to score. But the words are great because they're underlined by the rich power of Adams' big voice." [11] James Bernard from Entertainment Weekly viewed it as "an unrushed call to her lover" and noted that the singer's voice "can soar with intensity, hanging onto notes for dear life, or suddenly drop into hushed intimacy." [12]

A reviewer from Los Angeles Times named it "one of the year's most satisfying hit singles." David Quantick from NME wrote, "Oleta is a total groover. This is a huge soft ballad that sounds lots better than Mariah Carey and her lacewanky ilk." [13] Stephen Holden from New York Times declared it as a "ballad of separation and longing", [14] while Philadelphia Daily News noted it as "that come-home-safe song widely connected to our troops in the gulf war." [15] Nick Duerden from Record Mirror wrote, "With few singers capable of matching her eloquent tones (Anita Baker excepted), 'Get Here', a wondrous three-minute love affair with the senses, is destined to scale deserving heights." [16] Caroline Sullivan from Smash Hits labeled it as a "wistful souly ballad" from the former Tears For Fears backing singer. [17] Tonya Pendleton from Vibe called it "anthemic". [18]

Chart performance

"Get Here" reached the top 5 in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the UK, the single peaked at number four on February 17, 1991, after spending seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the top 30 in the Netherlands, peaking at number 27. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Get Here" peaked at number nine in March. Outside Europe, the song peaked at number 27 in Canada and number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Get Here" was directed by Greg Gold. [19] It begins outside a pittoresque red wall with a blue door and window, where Adams slowly appears in front. Then she is seen sitting and playing by a piano. Other scenes shows Adams in a room with blue-green walls and a white window, or she performs while standing in a corner. As the video progresses, Adams is also seen inside the red-walled house. The video concludes with a close-up of the singer as she sings the last lines of the song, while leaning towards one of the blue-green walls. [20]

Track listings

7-inch single, Europe (1990)
No.TitleLength
1."Get Here"4:34
2."I've Got to Sing My Song" (live)4:30
12-inch single, UK (1990)
No.TitleLength
1."Get Here"4:36
2."I've Got to Sing My Song" (live)4:32
3."Birdland"3:13
CD single, Europe (1990)
No.TitleLength
1."Get Here"4:36
2."I've Got to Sing My Song" (live)4:32
3."Birdland"3:13

Charts

Other versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alright (Janet Jackson song)</span> 1990 single by Janet Jackson

"Alright" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Written by Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song was released on March 4, 1990, by A&M Records as the fourth single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. In the United Kingdom, it was issued as the album's fifth single in June 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Will Never Do (Without You)</span> 1990 single by Janet Jackson

"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson and was composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Janet recorded the song for her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was released as the seventh commercial single from the album by A&M Records on October 2, 1990. In 1991 it topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, becoming the fifth number-one hit of her career and the fourth number-one single from Rhythm Nation 1814. On both the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Dance Club Songs charts, the single peaked in the top five. It also peaked within the top 40 in several countries. It is certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of 500,000 units in the US alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Everything I Do) I Do It for You</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. Written by Adams, Michael Kamen, and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the power ballad was the lead single for both the soundtrack album from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Adams's sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). The single was released on June 17, 1991, by A&M and the accompanying music video was directed by Julien Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save the Best for Last</span> 1992 single by Vanessa Williams

"Save the Best for Last" is a song by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams, released in January 1992 as the third single from her second studio album, The Comfort Zone (1991). The song was written by Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman, and Jon Lind. It is a ballad about a young female admirer of a single man who stands by and watches as the object of her desires goes through years of dating, before he finally unexpectedly decides to initiate a relationship with her. The lyrics' redemptive themes resonated with Williams' story, as she had put together a successful music career following her earlier Miss America resignation scandal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since I Don't Have You</span> 1958 song by the Skyliners

"Since I Don't Have You" is a song written and composed by Jackie Taylor, James Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joseph Rock, Joe Verscharen, Lennie Martin, and Wally Lester. It was first a 1958 hit single for the doo-wop group the Skyliners on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music singer Ronnie Milsap had a hit with the song in 1991. American hard rock band Guns N' Roses also had some success in 1994 with their version of the song which reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Baby (Amy Grant song)</span> 1991 single by Amy Grant

"Baby Baby" is a pop song by American recording artist Amy Grant and it was issued as the first single from her eighth studio album, Heart in Motion (1991). The song was written by Grant and Keith Thomas, who also produced it. It was released on January 18, 1991, through A&M Records and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks in April 1991, becoming the first in a string of hits from Heart in Motion. At the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1992, the song received three Grammy Award nominations, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Its music video was directed by D.J. Webster and first aired in March 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Will Lead You Back</span> 1990 single by Taylor Dayne

"Love Will Lead You Back" is a song recorded by American singer Taylor Dayne for her second studio album, Can't Fight Fate (1989). Written by Diane Warren and produced by Ric Wake, the song was released on January 12, 1990, by Arista Records as the second single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Too Sexy</span> 1991 single by Right Said Fred

"I'm Too Sexy" is a song by British pop band Right Said Fred, released in July 1991 by Tug Records as their debut single from their first album, Up (1992). The song was written by band members and brothers Fred Fairbrass and Richard Fairbrass with Rob Manzoli and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, it topped the charts in seven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. James Lebon directed the music video for the song, featuring various clips of models walking on the catwalk. In 2023, Billboard magazine ranked "I'm Too Sexy" among the 500 best pop songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something to Talk About (Bonnie Raitt song)</span> 1991 single by Bonnie Raitt

"Something to Talk About" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Shirley Eikhard and recorded by American singer Bonnie Raitt for her 1991 album Luck of the Draw. It was serviced to US radio on June 3, 1991. Two single versions were released: a 7-inch single with the B-side "One Part Be My Lover" and a 12-inch single with these two songs and "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again". In turn, this song was included on the EP version of Raitt’s 2000 single of "The Fundamental Things" taken from her 1998 album Fundamental. It was also included in 2003’s greatest hits compilation The Best of Bonnie Raitt. Live versions appear on 1995's Road Tested and 2006's Bonnie Raitt and Friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coming Out of the Dark</span> 1991 single by Gloria Estefan

"Coming Out of the Dark" is a song by Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It was released on January 10, 1991, worldwide by Epic Records as the leading and first single from her second album, Into the Light (1991). It was written by Estefan with her husband Emilio Estefan, Jr. and Jon Secada, and produced by Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald. It became the singer's third number one in the United States and second number one in Canada. The song is a soul ballad which includes the use of a choir. Among the voices in the choir are Estefan's colleague, the Cuban singer Jon Secada, and the R&B singer Betty Wright. The song's accompanying music video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.

<i>Circle of One</i> 1990 studio album by Oleta Adams

Circle of One is the third album by American vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Oleta Adams and was released in 1990. Circle of One was Adams' first album to receive wide distribution; her two earlier albums were self-financed and received only local distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me</span> 1974 single by Elton John

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, Caribou (1974), and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There Will Never Be Another Tonight</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"There Will Never Be Another Tonight" is a song written by Bryan Adams, Robert Lange, and Jim Vallance for Adams sixth studio album Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). It was the third single released from the album, in November 1991. The song peaked at number two on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart, number six on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has only appeared on one compilation album released by Adams: Anthology (2005). Starting in 2009, the song is used as the opening theme song for the CBC reality competition, Battle of the Blades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Stop This Thing We Started</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"Can't Stop This Thing We Started" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. The song was written by Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and was released in September 1991 by A&M Records as the second single from Adams' sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart for three non-consecutive weeks. The track received two nominations at the Grammy Awards of 1992 for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance, Solo, winning neither. It served as the 2009 British Columbia Liberal Party campaign theme song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman in Chains</span> 1989 single by Tears for Fears featuring Oleta Adams

"Woman in Chains" is a song by English band Tears for Fears, released as the second single from their third studio album, The Seeds of Love (1989). It has been described as a "feminist anthem". It was an international success, reaching the top 40 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change (Lisa Stansfield song)</span> 1991 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Change" is a song by British singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her second album, Real Love (1991). The song was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released as the lead single on 7 October 1991 by Arista Records. "Change" was remixed by Frankie Knuckles and Driza Bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Motown Song</span> 1991 single by Rod Stewart

"The Motown Song" is a song performed by British singer Rod Stewart featuring American vocal group the Temptations. The song is from Stewart's 16th studio album, Vagabond Heart (1991). It was written by Larry John McNally and was originally recorded by McNally for the soundtrack to the film Quicksilver in 1986. McNally recorded a new version 2015 for the compilation I. C. Independent Celebration, Vol. 1 for the German label Birdstone Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Love (Regina song)</span> 1986 single by Regina

"Baby Love" is a song by American singer Regina. The single hit number one on the dance charts for two weeks in mid-1986. The single crossed over to the pop singles chart, where it peaked at number 10 on US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 30 on the Billboard Soul Singles chart. "Baby Love" would be her only single to chart on both the Pop and Soul Singles charts, but several follow up singles charted on the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Have to Say the Words?</span> 1992 single by Bryan Adams

"Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams from his sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). It was written and produced by Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, with Jim Vallance serving as its co-writer. It was released in July 1992 as the sixth single from the album. "Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a mid-tempo pop rock ballad with guitar riffs and soft synths in its instrumentation, while Adams gives a dramatic vocal delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Greatest Love of All</span> Popular song by Michael Masser and Linda Creed

"The Greatest Love of All" is a song written by Michael Masser, who composed the music, and Linda Creed, who wrote the lyrics. It was originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson, who made the song a substantial hit, peaking at number two on the US Hot Soul Singles chart that year, the first R&B chart top-ten hit for Arista Records. The song was written and recorded to be the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali, and is performed during the opening credits.

References

  1. 1 2 "Songfacts" . Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  2. "Get Here" album, Allmusic.com
  3. Ollison, Rashod (April 24, 2012). "Always Something to Get Over: Oleta Adams Offers a Hug". pilotonline.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  4. Harrington, Richard (March 20, 1991). "GULF WAR SONGS, OUT OF TUNE". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. "In Concert Video: 'Get Here' ~ Oleta Adams is Back + Soon Releasing Two New Songs [WATCH]". Atlanta Daily World. August 9, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  6. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Oleta Adams - Circle of One". AllMusic . Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. Flick, Larry (October 27, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 81. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  8. "Playbook". The Commercial Appeal . August 24, 1990.
  9. Peterson, Karla (January 22, 1994). "Oleta Adams offers antidote to the blues". Oxnard Press-Courier . p. 15. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  10. "A name you will remember" (PDF). Billboard . 1991. p. 2. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  11. Fagg, Ellen (June 22, 1991). "Oleta Adams belts out witty, soulful, lasting music". The Deseret News . Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  12. Bernard, James (April 12, 1991). "Circle of One". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  13. Quantick, David (January 19, 1991). "Singles". NME . p. 19. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  14. Holden, Stephen (March 5, 1991). "Twenty-year struggle yields a hit for Adams". Lawrence Journal-World . Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  15. "Lounge Act To Opening Act, Adams Shines Successful LP, Tour Haven't Changed This Modest Singer". Philadelphia Daily News . August 15, 1991.
  16. Duerden, Nick (January 12, 1991). "The Adams Family". Record Mirror . p. 5. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  17. Sullivan, Caroline (January 9, 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits . No. 316. p. 49. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  18. Pendleton, Tonya (December 1, 1995). "Oleta Adams - Moving On". Vibe . Retrieved March 2, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. "Greg Gold - director, writer, producer". Kinorium.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  20. "Oleta Adams - Get Here (Official Video)". YouTube . Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  21. "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 25 February 1991" . Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  22. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1468." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  23. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1465." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  24. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 10. March 9, 1991. p. 45. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  25. "Oleta Adams – Get Here" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Get Here". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  27. "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 1, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Oleta Adams".
  28. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  29. "Oleta Adams – Get Here" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  30. "Oleta Adams – Get Here". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  31. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  32. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . January 12, 1991. p. xii. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  33. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . March 23, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  34. "Adult Contemporary" . Billboard. February 9, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  35. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" . Billboard. February 16, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  36. "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM . Retrieved March 18, 2019 via Library and Archives Canada.
  37. "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  38. "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
  39. "1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14.
  40. "1991 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  41. "Patti LuPone Live".