Siedah Garrett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siedah Garrett |
|
|---|---|
Garrett in October 2011
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Deborah Christine Garrett |
| Born | June 24, 1960 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Origin | Compton, California, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts |
|
Siedah Garrett (born June 24, 1960) is an American singer and songwriter. She is famous for writing hit songs and singing backup for some of the biggest stars in music. These artists include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, and Jennifer Hudson.
Garrett co-wrote Michael Jackson's famous song "Man in the Mirror". She also won a Grammy Award for co-writing "Love You I Do" from the movie Dreamgirls.
Contents
Early Life and Name Change
Siedah Garrett was born Deborah Christine Garrett in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the nearby city of Compton. She loved to sing from a young age.
When she was 13, she decided to change her first name. She didn't like that "Deborah" was often shortened to "Debbie" or "DeeDee". She chose the name Siedah, which means "shining and star-like".
As a teenager, Garrett was in a band called Black Velvet & Satin Soul. They performed popular songs in local clubs. Her mother, an interior designer, introduced her to the singer D.J. Rogers. He was so impressed with her voice that he asked her to sing backup on his 1977 album.
Career Beginnings
In the early 1980s, Garrett was part of a funk group called Plush. Soon after, she started her solo career. She had several hit songs, including "Don't Look Any Further" with Dennis Edwards in 1984. Another hit was "Do You Want It Right Now?" from the movie Fast Forward. She also toured and recorded with the famous musician Sergio Mendes.
Working with Michael Jackson
The "Bad" Album
A major moment in Garrett's career came in 1987. She was chosen to work on Michael Jackson's album Bad. She sang a duet with Jackson on the number one hit song, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".
Garrett also co-wrote another number one song from the album, "Man in the Mirror". She wanted to write a song with a powerful message for the world. She sent the song to producer Quincy Jones. Jones liked it so much that he shared it with Jackson, who decided to record it.
Garrett said it was a huge surprise to be asked to sing the duet. She thought she was only there to sing background vocals. When she saw the music sheets with "Michael" and "Siedah" on them, she was thrilled.
Dangerous World Tour
Garrett's work with Jackson continued. She toured with him from 1992 to 1993 on his Dangerous World Tour. During the shows, she sang "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with him. She also co-wrote the song "Keep the Faith" for his Dangerous album.
More Music and Collaborations
Throughout her career, Garrett has worked with many other famous artists.
- Quincy Jones: She co-wrote hit songs for Jones's award-winning 1989 album Back on the Block. These songs included "Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)" and "The Secret Garden".
- Brand New Heavies: In 1996, she joined the band Brand New Heavies. She co-wrote their hit song "Sometimes" and recorded a popular cover of "You've Got A Friend". She left the band in 1998 to focus on songwriting.
- Madonna: Garrett sang backup vocals on Madonna's albums True Blue (1986) and Who's That Girl (1987). In 2004, she toured with Madonna as a backup singer and dancer on The Re-Invention Tour.
Success in Film Music
Garrett has also written many successful songs for movies.
In 2006, she wrote lyrics for two new songs in the movie Dreamgirls. One of these songs, "Love You I Do," earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy Award.
In 2011, she co-wrote four songs for the animated movie Rio. The song "Real In Rio" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
More recently, she was part of the songwriting team for the 2023 movie The Color Purple.
Personal Life
In 2017, while performing at a charity event, Garrett shared that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Awards and Achievements
Siedah Garrett has received many awards for her work as a singer and songwriter.
- Grammy Award: She won in 2008 for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture for "Love You I Do".
- Academy Award Nominations: She has been nominated twice for Best Original Song. The first was for "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls (2007), and the second was for "Real in Rio" from Rio (2012).
- Women Songwriters Hall of Fame: In 2022, she was honored for her amazing contributions to music by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Kiss of Life (1988)
- Siedah (2003)
Notable Singles
- "Don't Look Any Further" (with Dennis Edwards, 1984)
- "Do You Want It Right Now" (1985)
- "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (with Michael Jackson, 1987)
- "Everchanging Times" (1987)
- "K.I.S.S.I.N.G." (1988)
- "Rain Down Love" (with Freemasons, 2007)
See also
In Spanish: Siedah Garrett para niños
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
