Lovin' You

Album: Perfect Angel (1974)
Charted: 2 1
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Songfacts®:

  • 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." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    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 two 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. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    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. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tony - Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia
  • The song was covered in 2003 by Marc et Claude, an electronic production duo based in Munchengladbach, Germany. Their techno version reached #37 in the UK.

Comments: 21

  • Harry Anchan from CanadaOne of my all-time favorites, ever. LOVE those birds, too. Released on January 4, 1975 reaching #1 on April 5. Minnie and those birds left us but this gem lives on forever. 45 years later! Proof it is immortal. R.I.P.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenStevie Chick of The Guardian put it nicely when he wrote that "Riperton's effortless vocals not only show off her five-octave range, but also revealed 'the sound of her luxuriating in joy.'"

    Would that we could all "luxuriate in joy" the way she did.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1975 {March 30th} "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton peaked at #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
    "Lovin' You" was the last of twelve consecutive records that reached #1 and stayed in the top spot for only one week...
    Elton John's covered version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" peaked at #1 for two weeks on December 29th, 1974, then the following twelve records peaked at #1 for only one week:
    "Mandy" by Barry Manilow
    "Please Mr. Postman" by The Carpenters
    "Laughter in the Rain" by Neil Sedaka
    "Fire" by Ohio Players
    "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt
    "Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band
    "Best of My Love" by The Eagles
    "Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton-John
    "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers
    "My Eyes Adored You" by Frankie Valli
    "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle
    "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton
    And then it was Elton John who broke the string when his "Philadelphia Freedom" peaked at #1 for two weeks on April 6th, 1975...
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 22nd 1975, Minnie Riperton performed "Lovin' You" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #3 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; the following week it would be at #2, and then on March 30th, 1975 it peaked at #1 for 1 week…
    {See next post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 18th 1975, Minnie Riperton performed "Lovin' You" on the NBC-TV program 'The Midnight Special'...
    Seven months earlier on January 12th, 1975 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #80; and on March 30th, 1975 it peaked at #1 (for 1 week) and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #3 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart and also #3 in Canada...
    And the same show she also performed "Inside My Love", it entered the Top 100 on August 3rd for a 4 week stay, peaking at #76...
    May Ms. Riperton R.I.P. (1947 - 1979).
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxI couldn't stand this song when I was young, but adulthood brought me a new appreciation of it, especially after I found out how young MR had died and that it was a love letter between her and her husband. A line like "Stay with me while we grow old" can't help but strike home when you know that the lady singing it died at 31.
  • Antonio from Macon, Idloving 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.
  • Gerry from Derry N'ireland, United KingdomWhat a beautiful song.
    I wish songs like this could be writin' nowdays
    Gerry Coyle Derry N'Ireland
  • John from Nashville, Tn"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.
  • Tom from Dozier, AlI 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.
  • Dave from Scottsdale, AzMinnie was in a group called Rotary Connection in the 60s. They recorded a few albums around 1967-69. "Alladin" was probably their best song.
  • Lefty_2ndbaseman from Chicago, IlThe 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.
  • Jesse from Haddam, CtThere is a parody of this song called Buggin' You.'
  • Mylkee from Novi Sad, SerbiaJack sings it in Will & Grace. Very cute.
  • Aj from Cleveland, GaIt's sad that she died so young and so soon
  • Josef from Corpus Christi, TxThis 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.
  • Lyzette from Moorpark, CaThis song was used in an episode of South Park, sung by "John Stamos' brother".
  • Chrissy from Billings, MtAre you sure that this is about her daughter? As I recall, she mentions something to the effect of "making love to you."
  • Amanda from Sydney, AustraliaAn 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)
  • Marcus from Roseville, MnSung by Ray Ramono on Everybody Loves Raymond
  • Charles from Charlotte, NcThis was produced by Stevie Wonder.
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