{{for|the Beach Boys song|Friends (Beach Boys album)}} {{Infobox song | name = Meant For You | cover = File:Debra_Laws_-_Meant_For_You_7".jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Debra Laws | album = Very Special | released = 1981 | recorded = | studio = Concorde Recording, Los Angeles | venue = | genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul}} | length = 3:59 | label = Elektra | writer = {{hlist|David Lasley|Roxanne Seeman}} | producer = {{hlist|Hubert Laws|Ronnie Laws}} | prev_title = Be Yourself | prev_year = 1981 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{External music video|1={{YouTube|EESJdStputU|"Meant for You"}}}} }}

"'''Meant for You'''" is a song written by David Lasley and Roxanne Seeman and recorded by American singer Debra Laws. It was released in 1981 as the third single from Laws' ''Very Special'' album by Elektra Records.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meant for You (song by Debra Laws) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|url=https://musicvf.com/song.php?title=Meant+for+You+by+Debra+Laws&id=133644|access-date=2021-06-15|website=musicvf.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT73|title=Billboard Magazine, New Writer Acquisition is Key To Intersong Thrust|date=1982-08-14|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}}</ref> The song was produced by Hubert Laws and Ronnie Laws. “Meant For You” appears in the film ''Fighting Back'' starring Tom Skerritt, Patti LuPone and Michael Sarrazin.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56777-FIGHTING-BACK|access-date=2020-07-11|website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

The song was originally recorded by David Lasley as a 24-track demo during writer recording sessions at A&M Recording Studios while Lasley was under contract to Almo Music. Lasley's version was subsequently released on several compilation albums.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

==Background==

Roxanne Seeman gave Debra Laws “Meant For You” and “All The Things I Love”, both co-written with David Lasley, to try out. The demos were recorded with a full rhythm section and background vocals on a 24-track recorded at A&M Recording Studios.

"Meant For You" and “All The Things I Love” were re-recorded at Concord Recording Center, formerly Scott/Sunstorm and ABC Recording Studios before that, by engineer Gerry Brown.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7yMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT52 |title=Billboard, Studio Track |date=1980-08-02 |publisher= |language=en}}</ref> It was produced by Hubert Laws and Ronnie Laws,<ref>{{Citation|title=Very Special - Debra Laws {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/very-special-mw0000229113|language=en-us|access-date=2020-07-11}}</ref> using a similar arrangement to the demos.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />

==Composition== Seeman developed the lyrical content for the song in a writing session with Lasley in his writer room at the Almo Publishing offices in Hollywood. Lasley then sat at the piano with the lyrics, where he put melody to the words and they developed it into a song.

Cashbox described “Meant for You” as a “Stevie Wonder-influenced groove” thematically “about love and dreams come true.” The song contains chorus vocals, rhythm guitar and strings.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=5 September 1981 |title=Singles Reviews |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1981/CB-1981-09-05.pdf |work=Cashbox Magazine}}</ref>

== Personnel == '''David Lasley version''' {{div col|colwidth=40em}} * David Lasley – lead vocals, background vocals, producer, arranger * Roxanne Seeman – composer * David Benoit – keyboards, producer * Bobby Ray Watson – bass * Marty Walsh – guitar * Gary Ferguson – drums {{div col end}} '''Debra Laws version''' {{div col|colwidth=40em}} * Debra Laws – vocals * Hubert Laws – producer * Ronnie Laws – producer * Nathan East – bass * Bobby Lyle – piano * Roland Bautista – guitar * Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums * David Lasley – background vocals * Arnold McCuller – background vocals * Marlena Jeter – background vocals * Gwen Gwenchee Mathews – background vocals * Gerry Brown – engineer {{div col end}}

==Chart performance==

"Meant For You" peaked at 47 on the Billboard US R&B chart, Hot Soul Singles, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1981-11-07|title=Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2017-07-28}}</ref> The accompanying ''Very Special'' album sold more than 385,000 copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/q5mq/|title=BBC - Music - Review of Debra Laws - Very Special|last=O'Donnell|first=David|access-date=2017-07-28}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" !Chart !Peak<br />position |- |United States ''Billboard R&B'' |align="center"|47 |- |United States ''Record World Black Oriented Singles'' |align="center"|36 |- |United States ''Record World Singles'' |align="center"|126 |} <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/80s/81/Record-World-1981-10-03-OCR-Page-0037.pdf|title=Record World|date=October 3, 1981|pages=37}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/80s/81/Record-World-1981-11-07-OCR-Page-0016.pdf|title=Record World|date=November 7, 1981|pages=16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/80s/81/Record-World-1981-10-17-OCR-Page-0020.pdf|title=Record World|date=October 17, 1981|pages=20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/80s/81/RW-1981-11-07-OCR-Page-0024.pdf|title=Record World|date=November 7, 1981|pages=24}}</ref>

==Critical reception==

“Meant For You” was a recommended pick in Billboard's R&B single reviews in the September 5, 1981 issue.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oiQEAAAAMBAJ&q=meant+for+you+by+debra+laws+++billboard&pg=PT75|title=Billboard Magazine, Top Single Picks|date=1981-09-05|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=meant+for+you+by+debra+laws+++billboard&pg=PT80|title=Billboard Magazine, Singles Artists Soul|date=1981-12-26|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}}</ref>

A review in Cashbox praised Laws’ “pristine vocals” over a groove with “tasty lick rhythm guitar” complemented by “swooning strings” while commending the production by her brothers Hubert and Ronnie for bringing out “her best chops”.<ref name=":5" />

Record World described the song as having a “bouncy” feel with a “neat hook” and “sweet chorus backing”, calling Laws’ vocal “vibrant.”<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 1981 |title=Single Picks |work=Record World}}</ref>

John Hoskins of The Grand Rapids Press called the song “mellow” and said it “stands out” on the album.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoskins |first=John |date=4 July 1981 |title=Party Music At Its Prime |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-record-rack-party/158349044/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=10}}</ref>

==Track listing==

A. Meant For You –⁠ 3:59 B. How Long –⁠ 4:02

==Film==

“Meant For You” appears in the 1982 film ''Fighting Back'', directed by Lewis Teague, starring Tom Skerritt, Patti LuPone and Michael Sarrazin.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Fighting Back (1982)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083936/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|accessdate=2017-07-28}}</ref>

==Compilations and other versions== "Meant For You" was included in a 2005 Warner Special Marketing CD compilation, ''Natural High 4'', of soul songs from the vaults of Atlantic Records, Elektra Records and Warner Bros. Records from 1975 – 1983. Tracks included featured Ben E. King, Aretha Franklin, Staple (band), Chaka Khan, The Meters, Michael Franks (musician), Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '77, and others.

Hal Leonard Corporation printed the single sheet piano music.

The song was released on several compilation albums featuring David Lasley as the artist:

* "Expectations of Love", Expansion Records (2001)<ref name=":4">{{Citation|title=Expectations of Love - David Lasley {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/expectations-of-love-mw0001892913|language=en|access-date=2021-06-15}}</ref> * "Demos" (2003)<ref name=":2">{{Citation|title=Demos - David Lasley {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/demos-mw0000764079|language=en|access-date=2021-06-15}}</ref> * "Now And Again", Noa Noa Music (2006).<ref name=":3">{{Citation|title=Now and Again - David Lasley {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/now-and-again-mw0003430083|language=en|access-date=2021-06-15}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Songs written by Roxanne Seeman Category:Songs written by David Lasley Category:1981 songs Category:1981 singles Category:Elektra Records singles Category:Warner Records singles Category:Soul ballads Category:Rhythm and blues ballads Category:1980s ballads