"Here and Now" is a 1989 song by American recording artist Luther Vandross, written by David L. Elliott and Terry Steele. The single is from the compilation album The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love. "Here and Now" became Vandross' fifth single to peak at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles, and his first single to chart in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 6.
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Critical reception
David Giles from Music Week wrote, "Vandross diehards will happily lap this up — it's already put in a showing in the lower reaches of the chart — but this typically dreamy, sensual ballad hardly represents a quantum leap in style for the romantic soul maestro."
Accolades
"Here and Now" won Vandross his first Grammy Award at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in February 1991 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Vandross had been nominated for a Grammy eight times going back to 1982. Upon hearing his name being announced as the winner, a happy and relieved Vandross stood up as did the audience, who gave the singer a standing ovation. Upon him accepting the award at the podium, Vandross resung the words "your love is all I need" from the song's chorus, generating more cheers from the audience.
Popular culture
Vandross performed the song on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
Vandross also performed the song in the two-part "Do Not Pass Go" (season 5) of 227, where he performed during Rose and Warren's wedding ceremony in early 1990.
Renditions
American singer Patti LaBelle recorded a version of the song for the 2005 album So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross.
In 1997, saxophonist Richard Elliot covered the song on the soprano saxophone for his album "Jumpin' Off."
Personnel
Luther Vandross – lead vocals, producer
Nat Adderley Jr. – keyboards, synthesizers, string arrangements
Jason Miles – synthesizer programming
Paul Jackson Jr., Doc Powell – guitar
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Ivan Hampden Jr. – drum overdubs
Cissy Houston, Tawatha Agee, Brenda White, Lisa Fischer, Fonzi Thornton, Paulette McWilliams – background vocals
Joseph Soldo – string contractor
Marcus Miller – producer
Ray Bardani – engineer, mixing