Born Syreeta Wright in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Syreeta was working in the '60s as a Motown secretary when she was enlisted as a backup singer. Founder Berry Gordy later signed her to the label and she recorded a Brian Holland/Ashford & Simpson tune initially meant for Diana Ross, "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You."
Wright married Stevie Wonder on September 14, 1970, and although they were divorced just 18 months later, their professional collaboration as songwriters spawned a series of hits, including "If You Really Love Me," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" and The Spinners' "It's a Shame."
She released her first Wonder-produced Motown album, the critically acclaimed Syreeta, under the MoWest imprint in 1972. Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta, which musically depicted their relationship from love/marriage to divorce/enduring friendship, was released in 1974. The titles peaked at No. 185 and No. 116, respectively, on Billboard album chart. Her singles include "Spinnin' and Spinnin'" and "Your Kiss Is Sweet."
Her best showing on the chart came with 1980's simply titled Syreeta, released on Motown's Tamla imprint, which reached No. 73. The duet with Billy Preston, "With You I'm Born Again," originally appeared on that year's soundtrack to the Paramount movie Fast Break. The track reached No. 4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart in 1980.
Syreeta recorded her last studio album, The Spell, in 1983. The album was produced by Jermaine Jackson. During this time, Syreeta boasted a résumé that included work with Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Leon Ware and Donald Byrd, among others.
After "The Spell," she kept a relatively low profile. She appeared as guest vocalist on albums by artists such as Kirk Whalum (1989) and Nelson Rangell (1992). In 1994, she re-emerged to tour with the Jesus Christ Superstar cast featuring Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas. She played the role of Mary Magdalene. She also recorded with Michael Bolton. Syreeta spent a lot of time in the United Kingdom in the last 15 years. She recorded some songs that were released in the UK as part of a series of compilations on the Motorcity label. The songs also appeared on a Japanese only CD called With You I'm Born Again.
She died on July 6, 2004 of congestive heart failure, which she acquired as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments she was receiving for an ongoing bout with breast cancer. She was 57 years old.
Her song "Harmour Love" was featured in both the opening and closing credits of the 2005 independent film Junebug, sparking a resurgence in catalog sales of "One to One", as no soundtrack was made available to the film.
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Syreeta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writing love notes are on the wall
Being each other's all and all each day
Love is walking in the rain
So close we felt each other's pain
But now you say that love has died away
Does it mean that we each other
Can't be friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does our love for one another
Have to end
I remember teaching you
On piano 'Tea for Two'
And how playing it wrong
I kissed your hand
But when our love has gone and passed
Why does the good exceed the bad
Well that's one thing I'll never understand
'Cause I remember us at class
You always were the one to pass
And gave me answers right to see me through
But that was more than years ago
And who will love me I don't know
It's sad for sure but true it won't be you
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does it mean that we each other
Can't be friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does our love for one another
Have to end
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does it mean that we each other
Can't be friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does our love for one another
Have to end
The lyrics to Syreeta's "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" describe the aftermath of a romantic relationship that has come to an end. The song touches on the deep intimacy and affection that the two partners once shared, as they reminisce about the small but meaningful moments they used to share together like sneaking kisses in the hall, writing love notes on the wall, and playing piano together. The singer longs for their love to continue in some form, questioning if their love for each other has to fade away just because the romantic aspect has ended. The chorus repeats this sentiment, questioning whether they can still be friends despite their romantic history.
The song speaks to the complex emotions that come with the end of a relationship. The singer still experiences love and affection for their former partner, but is also grappling with the loss of what they once had. They are struggling to understand why things had to end and why the good memories seemingly outweigh the negative aspects of the relationship. The lyrics reflect the universal experience of heartbreak and the desire to hold onto the love and connection that once was.
Overall, Syreeta's "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" is a poignant and emotional reflection on the end of a romantic relationship and the complex feelings that come with it. The lyrics capture the longing and sorrow of lost love, and the hope that the connection between two people can continue in some form even after the romantic aspect has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Sneaking kisses in the hall
We used to secretly exchange kisses while walking through the corridor
Writing love notes are on the wall
We expressed our love by writing notes on the walls for each other to see
Being each other's all and all each day
We were each other's everything and spent every moment together
Love is walking in the rain
We believed love is about sharing intimate moments even in unfavorable weather
So close we felt each other's pain
We shared a deep emotional connection where we could feel the pain of each other
But now you say that love has died away
You claim that our love has no more life in it
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Our romantic relationship has come to an end
Does it mean that we each other
Is it thereby impossible for us to be in each other's company
Can't be friends
Can't we just remain friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Our romantic relationship has come to an end
Does our love for one another
Does this suggest that our affection for each other
Have to end
Should also come to an end
I remember teaching you
I recall being your teacher
On piano 'Tea for Two'
I taught you how to play 'Tea for Two' on the piano
And how playing it wrong
As you played the piece incorrectly
I kissed your hand
I took your hand and kissed it affectionately
But when our love has gone and passed
But now that our love affair is over
Why does the good exceed the bad
Why do the good memories overpower the bad ones
Well that's one thing I'll never understand
I'll never be able to fathom the reason behind it
'Cause I remember us at class
I recollect the time we spent together in class
You always were the one to pass
You were always good in academics and passed with ease
And gave me answers right to see me through
You helped me by providing me with the right answers to pass exams
But that was more than years ago
But that phase of our lives is long gone, over several years back
And who will love me I don't know
As for who will love me now, I'm uncertain
It's sad for sure but true it won't be you
It's depressing, but the truth is that it won't be you who loves me now
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Our romantic relationship has come to an end
Does it mean that we each other
Is it thereby impossible for us to be in each other's company
Can't be friends
Can't we just remain friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Our romantic relationship has come to an end
Does our love for one another
Does this suggest that our affection for each other
Have to end
Should also come to an end
Contributed by Jayce G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Khaos, Jr.
on Happy Birthday to Me
(First Verse)
I'll have my party alone today. Who cares anyway?
I don't need them now
(Second Verse)
Who wants presents with pretty bows? Who likes party clothes?
I don't need them now
(Bridge)
Can't I turn the lights? Can't I cut the cake?
A wish is just a wish; what difference does it make?
(Third Verse)
Now that everyone's gathered here, sing out loud and clear
Cheerful as can be: "Happy birthday" to me!