Anita Baker

Released: October 18, 1988

Songwriter: Gerald Levert Marc Gordon Anita Baker

Producer: Michael J. Powell

[Verse 1]
I've always told you
I'd give anything
My baby you've been my best, my only friend
There's nothing like the joy you bring
I wonder what would happen
If you would trust in me
I'd make you believe, I'd make you see
No need to run from me

[Pre-Chorus]
I'd make you feel like never before
Here I stand, heart in hand, help me find the door
Anybody can see, baby, you've been hurt before
Let me heal your pain and you won't ever hurt no more

[Chorus]
Whatever it takes to make you happy, baby
Whatever it takes to make you smile
Whatever it takes to make you feel good, baby
I'll be around

[Verse 2]
One moment spent near you
Rules all my pain
Your miracle soothes me
Your hurricane moves me
I cannot explain
And burdens get heavy
Become too much to bear
Honey, don't you say nothing
Hold on, I'm coming
I want you to know that I'll be there

[Pre-Chorus]
I'll make you feel like never before
Willing and able, baby, open up the door
Everybody can see, baby, you've been hurt before
Let me heal all your pain
Never let you hurt anymore...

[Chorus]
Whatever it takes to make you happy, baby
Whatever it takes to make you smile
Whatever it takes to make you feel good, baby
I'll be around

Anita Baker is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter known for her distinct low contralto vocals. She started out in the band Chapter 8, which had the hit song “I Just Wanna Be Your Girl” that was later sampled by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony for their hit song “1st of tha Month.” “Anita” went on to become a big name in ‘80s R&B alongside “Luther” and “Whitney” as she began to rack up #1 hits.

Her debut album, The Songstress, was released in 1983 on independent label Beverly Glen and featured the hit song “Angel.” She left Beverly Glen and signed with Elektra Records, releasing her second album Rapture in 1986, which went on to sell over 5 million albums and peaked at #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart thanks to the hits “Sweet Love,” “Same Ole Love,” and “Caught Up in the Rapture.”

Her third album, Giving You the Best That I Got, was released in 1988 and hit #1 on the Billboard 200, and the title track hit #1 on both the Billboard R&B and Adult Contemporary Singles charts. Rapture and Giving You the Best That I Got accounted for five of her eight Grammy Awards, with her sixth in that time frame coming from her gospel collaboration with The Winans on the song “Ain’t No Need To Worry” in 1988.

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