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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Riperton wrote this with her husband, Richard Rudolph. Maya Rudolph of Saturday Night Live is their daughter, and Riperton mentions her in the lyrics. In the end, she sings "Ma-ah-aha-aha-ah-ya." (thanks, Cher - Ny, NY)

Riperton worked with Stevie Wonder as a backup singer, and Stevie produced this track for her. Due to contractual obligations, Wonder's name could not appear on the credits, so he's listed as "Black Bull Productions" (Wonder's zodiac sign is Taurus, thus the bull).

Around 2000, this was featured in 2 commercials that gave it a renewed popularity. It was used in a Burger King commercial as well as a spot for Visa. In the Visa commercial, the guy in charge of music during Pittsburgh Steelers football games tries to buy "Who Let The Dogs Out," but is denied because the music store won't take his check. Since he doesn't have a Visa check card, he is forced to play this during the game, which does not go over well with the players or crowd.

Riperton died of cancer in 1979 at age 31. While this was her only hit, she was held in high regard in the music community.

This was featured in the 1997 movie Vegas Vacation. Vegas superstar Wayne Newton sings it with Beverly D'Angelo at one of his shows. (thanks, Britney - Calabasas, CA)

Eddie Murphy's character sings this in the movie The Nutty Professor. The high-pitched "wailing" part at the end of the chorus is performed by a crude comedian (played by Dave Chapelle), who lets out a cry of pain as he has his fingers crushed in a piano by Murphy, as part of an attempt to shut him up and appease the crowd he has been tormenting with mean jokes at a comedy club. (thanks, Tony - Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia)

Comments:

loving you was also in waiting to exhale,also minnie is refering to her daughter,and maya also means meadow.(flowers)also check out her song lefluer,which means flower in french.minnie loved baby breaths.she wore them in her hair often.
- antonio, macon, ID

What a beautiful song. I wish songs like this could be writin' nowdays Gerry Coyle Derry N'Ireland
- Gerry, Derry N'Ireland, United Kingdom

"Lovin' You" was the fourth single from the PERFECT ANGEL album. The first three ("Reasons", "Take A Little Trip", and "Seeing You This Way") tanked. Richard Rudolph persuaded Epic Records to give the album one more chance by releasing this song. It worked. The song went #1, the album went top 10 and gold.
- John, Nashville, TN

I have to agree with Josef, Corpus Christi, TX, this is one of those songs you either really like or really hate--there is no middle ground here. The high-pitched notes used to unnerve me as much today as they did 33 years ago.
- Tom, Dozier, AL

Minnie was in a group called Rotary Connection in the 60s. They recorded a few albums around 1967-69. "Alladin" was probably their best song.
- Dave, Scottsdale, AZ

The Song itself is NOT about her daugther Maya Rudolph. Minnie Riperton just added that part at the end of the song because it reminded her of when she would sing to Maya at bedtime.
- Lefty_2ndbaseman, Chicago, IL

There is a parody of this song called Buggin' You.'
- Jesse, Haddam, CT

Jack sings it in Will & Grace. Very cute.
- Mylkee, Novi Sad, Serbia

It's sad that she died so young and so soon
- AJ, Cleveland, GA

This song (in general) is one of the most annoying songs I have ever heard. This is not to put down the singer. I just can't take the high pitched lalala and the sexual pornlike singing. I just sounds like a bad 70's porn song.
- Josef, Corpus Christi, TX

This song was used in an episode of South Park, sung by "John Stamos' brother".
- Lyzette, Moorpark, CA

Are you sure that this is about her daughter? As I recall, she mentions something to the effect of "making love to you."
- Chrissy, Billings, MT

An trance/dance instrumental version of this song called LOVIN' YOU (ROB SEARLE CLUB MIX) by VINYL BABY appears on the Japanese arcade game Dance Dance Revolution (on 6th mix (MAX) and Extreme)
- Amanda, Sydney, Australia

Sung by Ray Ramono on Everybody Loves Raymond
- Marcus, Roseville, MN

This was produced by Stevie Wonder.
- Charles, Charlotte, NC