Billy Griffin - Be With Me (1982)

I heard this song a few years ago on a compilation, and it's become a genre favorite of mine. Allmusic's write-up of the song:

It's very appropriate that Billy Griffin's "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain" was rediscovered as a quiet storm favorite in the '90s. Besides its crisp, sparkling sound and romantic imagery, the enchanting mid-tempo groover's lead vocalist took over the lead vocal chores from Smokey Robinson who was departing the Miracles to concentrate on his duties as a Motown executive and being a better family man. Robinson's 1975 Quiet Storm LP gave birth to both a musical style and much influenced a radio format in both title and tone. For his 1982 Columbia debut album, Be With Me, Griffin was reunited with producer/keyboardist John Barnes. The two had worked on sides for the Miracles, including the City of Angels album, which spawned the number one pop hit "Love Machine." The quiet storm connection is even found in the rain reference in the title. Though "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain" received airplay in some U.S. markets, the single's biggest success came as a Top 30 hit in the U.K. Griffin and Barnes reunited in 1983 for a second Columbia album, Respect, which listed the other quiet storm precursors "Serious"and "Don't Stop Loving Me" and the steppers favorite "So Many Ways." A new Billy Griffin album, Technicolour, was released in 2001.

Oooh, when I saw the title I said I hope this is the song I think it is. I never remember the name of the guy who sings so it always falls off my radar. Love the chorus.

JackieBlue said:

It's catchy for sure.

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Man, I used to hear that on the radio, but never knew who it was! Thanks!!






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