I wrote a post a while ago on how I hated R&B. I used to feel like it put me to sleep and it was often for the emo. I could barely get through an album in Itunes without having to switch to some upbeat hip hop song with gunshots. Well, maybe not gunshots, but something that energized me or made me feel motivated to go do something other than bag hoes, push rock, or floss my flashiness. But since this past Wednesday, things have changed me. People say that changes don’t happen overnight, however I feel like that’s what happened to me.
I was sitting at work on Wednesday in what proved to be one of the most hectic weeks since I started my new job. My boss suggested that I put on some headphones, block off my calendar, and get some work done in serenity. First off, I’ve never had the opportunity to listen to music at work. It always seemed to be a luxury that others had as their their statuses and away messages listed what songs they were listening to as they waged war against “The Man.” I was beyond excited to finally have this opportunity. After logging into Pandora for the first time in years, I noticed what I previously had set up as my preferred station. After listening to 3 rap songs, I suddenly felt compelled to try something different. I typed in Frankie Beverly. It was like someone whispered to my subconscious and my fingers just did the rest of the work.
2 songs in and I was hooked. I found myself repeatedly hitting the thumbs-up button to his tunes and to some of the other songs that Pandora recommended I give a try. One song in particular got my attention. It was a track by Maze ft. Frankie Beverly called I Wanted to Feel that I’m Wanted” that made me stop what I was doing in MS Excel and just listen.
All I know is
I want to feel that I’m wanted
Oh how I need to feel that I’m neededCan’t you see that I want to
Feel that I’m wanted
Baby I need to
Feel that I’m neededThe same things you want
I want them just like you
The same things you need
You better believe gotta believe
That i want them just like you want to
All the things that you need
Yes i want what you want
All i need is what you need
Yes I love what you love
The same things you need
These lyrics are so incredibly simple, yet so incredibly complex. I took a second to look back at some of my relationship failures and why I was told things didn’t work out. A lot of it came down to my inability to express certain things. I didn’t feel too bad because I know that many men struggle with the exact same thing. And one of the main complaints I here on the internet is that a lot of men don’t know how to communicate their feelings and what they need. I think Maze and Frankie gave a good starting point to address that complaint. Relationships are a give and take type of thing. You can’t demand of someone what you’re not willing to give yourself. If you don’t feel wanted or needed by your significant other, maybe you’re not making him feel that way either. Expressing emotions can be a difficult thing to do to begin with, so what is a man’s motivation to do this if you can’t take the risk and do the same? Thank you Frankie.
Since Wednesday, I’ve listened to a lot of other songs that have made me reflect on different aspects of my life. Much of what I have listened to left me feeling like the author came to the future, jumped in my head, then went back in time to write the song. I can’t believe what I’ve been missing all of these years. But hey, I wrote that post about disliking this type of music over a year ago. Looking back, perhaps I never really gave it a try. So yeah, I’m a bit of a changed man overnight. In those situations where I don’t know how to express myself, at least I have another vehicle to try to get my point across. I still ain’t no emo cat though.
So for today, what songs between the period of 1975 and 1995 do you think best captured the essence of your life or a particular situation that you were going through? Also, have you utilized music as a communication vehicle with your significant others of past and present?
Still not feeling a lot of this contemporary R&B though,
Twitter: @slimjackson Website: www.threewaystotakeit.com
Great post Slim.
I can't really say what songs between 1975 and 1995 would capture the essence of my life because I was never introduced to any R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, or anything like that for that matter until like '97 when Hypnotize by B.I.G. was released. That's when I discovered hip hop music and fell in love with east coast music.
It's taken me a few years to fully grasp all of the great music produced in that genre and I appreciate it so much.
With that said, I can't really just pick any one song. I love it all and there is still more that I need to listen to.
Music Is like my sanctuary that I always retreat to when I need to get away, mentally. I went through alot in my teenage years and Mary J. Blige got me through those rough moments I didn't think I would make it out of. It was like she was seeing things in my life happen and we had never crossed paths.
India.Arie's 3rd album (it's after 95) got me through the death of my Godfather. When I say that was a rough time for me, I mean it. It was like so many pieces of my heart was ripped out. When I listened to Simple Yes, it was like she wrote that song for me. It described many of the emotions & thoughts I was going through/having.
I also felt that some of India's songs and floetry's as well described a man I deeply loved & cared about but unfortunately, that never became a relationship. Jilly from Philly also has a few songs that speak to my soul (especially Celibacy Blues, lol). I also love Musiq, Eric Roberson (his song Pretty Girl seems like it was written for me, it isn't a superficial song at all) and Raheem Devaugh speak to me as well!
I'm glad you are giving music a second chance!
Old school R&B/Soul is where love lives, seriously. Feeling in love, like, or lust? Even heartbroken? I throw on some Stevie, Lutha, Aretha, Marvin, Stylistics, O'Jays, Patti, Gladys, Tempts, the Isley Bros, etc.I like current R&B, too, but there is nothing like the older songs. Even a lot of the 80s and early 90s joints are better than a lot of songs out now.
Music plays a big role in my life as a whole and always finds it's way into my relationships. Before we got together, one of my exes would find a way to play Musiq Soulchild's "Infatueighties" in the background when we were on the phone. It was cute. The song still reminds me of him. During that same relationship I took to playing "Confessions Pt. II" by Usher every day, all day. That song still reminds me of him as well. Go figure.
"Old school R&B/Soul is where love lives, seriously."
absolutely. there really isn't much else to say.
my favorite Lutha song is Wait for Love. have mercy that song sends me!!!!
but I could talk about music all day (check out my blog, shameless plug, lol )
Long ago & so far away
I fell in love with you before the second show… & your guitar & you sound so sweet & clear.OMG!! He mad not have written it but "Superstar" was made for Luther's voice. Whenever I hear it, it takes me back to those simple summer days/nights. Watching the guys play ball, arguing over folks cheating playing spades etc.
After my mom passed last summer we went through her house & I found "albums" that I thought were long gone. Talk about the soundtrack of my life. Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Aretha & there's Prince & Michael, Teena Marie & soundtracks to Dream Girls, The Wiz (the plays) & Saturday Night Fever etc. Music that made you want to laugh, cry, fight or make love… LOL
Sit back, relax & listen…
I find that music, especially music from 60s-as last as 2001 say a lot about me and my relationships. But as far as what song speaks to me, we'll have to go back a couple years and I'll say Etta James "Sunday Kind of Love." I would like a love like Stevie Wonder, "As"…because that's exactly what so many people want and don't know how to convey. I want, I need, someone to love me "as" I evolve, "as" we evolve. I want a giving sort of love….
But anyways, I feel you on the music tip. I haven't used music to communicate what I feel, for music many times communicate to me what I am feeling. I just wrote something about music two days ago….good music will make one think.
Good post 🙂
*e-hugging you* Welcome to my world Slim 🙂
To begin, we'll start with Otis Redding -These arms of Mine"
Sam Cooke…just about anything, his voice alone! He could sing the abc's and I'd be spellbound but "Bridge of Tears" has me feeling some sort of way then he tells me to "Bring it on Home to Me"..then of course "A Change Gone Come."
Carla Thomas- No Time to Lose
Phoebe Snow- Love Makes a Woman
The Temptations' version of Hey Jude
The ChiLites- A Letter to Myself"
The Gap Band- Yearning for your Love
LTD- Love Ballad
Frankie Beverly & Maze – Happy Feelings
I am nothing without music, it speaks when I can't find the right words to say. It gives me joy, it sets the mood, it takes me to a place somewhere inside of me that is like yeeesssssss. When I'm feeling something I can't express it's me an my LP's (yes I still have my parents old record player, nothing beats that *scratch scratch* sound, lol) and it's like all of my words come clearer and make sense. Music helps me communicate and gives me that nudge to release what I need to say.
When I'm feeling angry my song of choice is William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful for What You've Got."
I could go on and on all day about this…you're speaking to my nature Slim, lol. Me and my old soul salute you 🙂
Huge co-sign to Love Ballad by LTD. One of the top five R&B songs ever.
I like e-hugs. They sooth my inner-gangstah.
Good Post!!
Olde school R&B always take me to a good place. Makes me remember mom dukes/ grandma blasting the music on Saturday mornings while they did their cleaning. My mom and her friends use to have Friday night jam/karaoke/fish fry sessions, where they would drink and blast music. I think life was just simpler then. So yes, I am a huge Teddy P, Chi Lites, Temps, etc.
Also, b/c you left the window open to 95, there was some quality music made in the early 90's. R. Kellz, Lutha, and all the boy groups.
Sidenote: Lionel Richie makes the most hilarious videos I've ever seen. You remember Hello? That chick had to be the worst blind person I've ever seen. You mean to tell me that after walking around while doing the acting scene in class she just knew where he seat was? Why is Lionel stalking her? How does she not bump into other dancers at ballet class?
Dancing on the Ceiling? Did you see how Cheech Marin backed up outta that room when he saw all of the nutty white people dancing on the ceilings? You cant create that comedy today.
Also, why didnt he have any black ppl in his videos?
LOL…his (Lionel) stuff with the Commodores, too….just classic.
And All Night Long..? WHAT! Tell me you can't help but move something when you hear that song, lol
A Phi to the homey Lionel Ritchie…
Zoom is my favorite song by the Commodores. good music right there…
Reecie, Zoom just came on, on my Pandora station , lol
Peyso: "Lionel Richie makes the most hilarious videos I’ve ever seen. You remember Hello?"
I like Bill Simmons' (The Sports Guy) comments on Hello. Freaking hilarious!
"Hello" (Lionel Ritchie) — This was the one where Lionel falls for the blind girl who made the bust that looked nothing like him. Remember that one? She told him, "This is what I see when I see you," then she showed him a sculpture of Barry Sanders, who wasn't even famous yet. This video is RIOTOUSLY funny now. It slays me. Absolutely kills me. I wish they had made a deleted scene where Lionel says, "Hey, just so you know, that looks nothing like me — I have swollen lips and horrible gheri-curls!", just for the blind girl's reaction.
DANG!! How could I forget Shalamar and DC Native Stacey Lattisaw!!
You gon have me jammin all day Slim, lol
Yes Stacey Lattisaw! "Let Me Be Your Angel"! that was my song!
And to think she was what like 14/15 years old singing like that!
Simley! Queen! Simley! Queen!
O Damn girl. I am with you on that staci lattimore Let me be your angel movement! People don't know what they are missing.
For all my hip hop heads… its the sample they used for the Nas Stillmatic intro.
Its fun listening to songs that have been sampled than discovering how amazing the orginal was…
Her voice on that song rapes any American Idol contestant.
"Its fun listening to songs that have been sampled than discovering how amazing the orginal was…"
The opposite of that is when you hear some rapper or scratchy-voiced singer ruin a classic original. I don't know who did it, but some rapper completely ruined The Deele's classic "Two Occasions". I still want to choke Plies for sampling Janet's "Come Back to Me". And I'll never forget a few years ago, when I turned on BET because I just wanted to keep up with what new music was out. I was doing something on the computer and I thought it was extremely strange to hear El Debarge's voice from Switch's "I Call Your Name". I looked at the TV in complete horror to see Rich Boy sampled it for "Throw Some D's."
Some songs you just don't mess with.
oooo.
See I wasn't familar with "I called your name" before Rich Boy.
And Polo made a good beat…
I'm sorry for liking that song.
Rich Boy's debut album is actually one of the better southern albums from that period of time due to Polow
In the words of Ghostface Killah on Triumph: I got your whole body numb, blowin like Shalamar in eighty-one!
This is…for the lover in you,
This ring…means I’ll always be true,
This is…how we’ll start love anew,
This time…it’s gonna last forever
LOL Hugh…That's our first dance song!
I love music! music has been an important part of my life all of my life..there has always been a song that has captured what was going on in with me…when I was going thru my divorce. I would listen to "Free Yourself" by Fantasia on a continuous loop…..honestly, that song got me over the hump….when I was in my 20's it was girl groups like TLC and SWV and Jade that got me thru the rough times…in the 90's came Mary J Blige and Jodeci….seems like they could read my mind, too….in the millenium I really got into Erykah Badu and her music spoke to me and my situations…especially "Next Lifetime"….that song right there! Whew!
I do sometimes utilize music to convey a point to my SO's…I will send them lyrics of a particular song…not often but I have done it…I sent my SO the lyrics to Monica and Keisha's song "Trust" about six months ago to let him know how I was feeling about him…if I can't say it myself I use a song…..
I could GO on this topic all day! Good post!
I co-sign the sending songs to the SO. I dont walk around listening for sh!t to send to her but she has been getting a lot of Bruno Mars lately
Yo, I've quietly hummed Next Lifetime to myself a few times when I was sorta single, but not quite, and I'd met someone new and interesting.
next lifetime is so fitting to what I have been going thru right now.
so fitting.
I feel you on sending out lyrics. After breaking up with my ex I sent him the Foreign Exchange's Valediction to explain what I was really feeling
Valediction is my favorite song on LIAB. Its so short I have to play it over and over.
I love that song. I went to a mini concert they had here, and the only time I've ever seen a bunch of black men sing along to a song was when Valediction came on. Brothas were feeling it. lol.
Depends on what I need..
Maze, the supremes, sam cook, marvin gaye etc all take me back to my family. Whenever I miss them I pop in a little "September" and jam away.
I must say though that Mariah Carey (minus this last album) and 90s- early 2000s Mary and Lauryn Hill give me LIFE
Personally, I grew up on gangsta rap. Period, point blank. First album I remember really listening to and feeling was Ready to Die… when I was 11 years old.
As far as classic stuff is concerned, I'm huge into Motown. Motown changed America. More specifically, I love Smokey Robinson, espeically back when he was with the Miracles. Smokey is one of the most underrated R&B artists of all time. First of all, he wrote most of the big Motown hits that you love. Also, Berry gets all the credit for starting Motown, but, Smokey was there from the beginning and was equally important to the labels development. Berry was Dame, Smokey was Hov.
Favorite songs by him, Baby, Baby, You've Really got a Hold On Me, The Tracks of My Tears, Cruisin and Quiet storm.
He's my favorite Motown artist, but, I love them all. From the Supremes (before it was D.Ross started stuntin), to The Four Tops, to The Temptations. Motown is what Bad Boy, Rocafella, Cash Money and all these other labels wish they could have been. Closest thing we've seen to the Motown of the late 50's and early 60's is Def Jam.
"First album I remember really listening to and feeling was Ready to Die" – Me and my pops both listened in awe….
Yo, I don't know any De La Soul songs by heart, and I don't even own a Tribe Called Quest album. All that was soft to me when I was a kid. Nobody in my hood was on that. So, when I say I grew up on gangsta rap, I really mean it.
O man. You are calling the Native Tongue movement soft. See I'm mad at that.. but that is just my own personal hate. I can't even argue b/c back in the day acts like ATCQ didn't spit it like good east coast gangsta. Nas. Biggie. Jay. AZ. Redman. Keith Murray. Wu. Onyx. Naughty (Treach is slept on) these were the best dudes out.
Than puffy brought out shiney suits and that era ended.
That's how I felt when I first heard Straight Outta Compton. EPMD and Eric B & Rakim definitely had classics out, but it was so different. Without question, Dr. Dre is the most influential person in hip-hop history.
Dre's musical liniage is incomparable. I would agree, for the most part, however, I do think that Jay-Z is in the discussion. Every rapper to come out since 1996 borrows heavily from him as far as flow, delivery, and lyrical content. Besides that, he's much more influential than Dre as far as the culture is concerned.
Also, though he's still relatively knew compared to Dre, when it's all said and done, Kanye will be the most influential Hip-Hop artist of all time. He's already influenced most of the artists to come out since he did. He's, by himself, is responsible for the artistic direction of the second half of Jay's career (everything post blueprint), he made guys like Common and Kweli relevant to the masses while dropping 3 earth shattering, classic projects of his own. And we've only known of him since 2001.
I'm going to have to co-sign that Kanye West comment. While he has become overrated his influence on this culture has been a blessing and the game is so much better now b/c of him.
Look at this whole hipster movement. It can ALL be credited back to one man.
I see this post is going to make the work day very unproductive.
I agree with Jay and Kanye, but they still aren't touching Dre. He absolutely DOMINATED rap in three different eras.
First with NWA. Triple-platinum album in the 80's with no radio single. That was unheard of. For a rap CD to go gold back then was an accomplishment. Artists that worked with Dre: Ice Cube, Eazy E, DOC, JJ Fad.
Then with Death Row. East Coast dominated hip hop, and with one album, the Chronic, Dre completely shifted the balance to the West. Because of Dre, the East coast was so desperate to become the center of rap again they named Biggie the King of NY a few months after his album came out. Really? The state that gave us Rakim, LL, Nas, KRS ONE and Kool G Rap named him that quickly? Simply a stunt to bring prominence back to the East, all because of Dre. Artist that worked with Dre: Snoop Dogg, the Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage, 2Pac.
Then Aftermath. Major comeback after The Firm album and the Aftermath compilation album flopped. Artists that worked with Dre: Eminem, 50 Cent, G Unit, The Game.
No one has that resume.
Now besides Smokey, and besides Hov (who's not really relevant to this conversation I guess), I love Prince.
I think Prince is the single most talented solo artist in the history of recorded music. And I don't mean that hyperbolically, I mean it literally. Prince belongs in the category with historical greats like Mozart, Bach and Miles Davis. I know it sounds crazy but, he really is a once in a century type artist. He has numerous hits he's written for himself, and others, and he's had number albums in each of the past 3 decades, and yeah, he's a little wierd. Prince is your favorite artist's favorite artist.
Too many favorite Prince songs to list but here are a few:
How Come You Don't Call Me (which Alicia re-made)
Kiss (which has no bassline)
Most Beautiful Girl in the World
The whole Purple Rain Album
If I Was Your Girlfriend (Beyonce borrows the bridge from this song on Me and My Girlfriend with Hov)
And of course… Adore – one of the greatest balads of all time.
There are more – the list goes on…
Lastly, I've been to tons of concerts, lots of great artists, but none have come close to what I experienced seeing Prince Live at MSG. He performed for 3 and Half Hours with 2 encores. And the crowd cheered for like 25 minutes for the 2nd one. Seeing Prince perform live is something you need to do before you die.
& you've just inspired me to do such. I <3 Prince. That man is a genius… I heard his performances are off the charts. Like literally… once last year he performed at a Virgin musicstore when they released his new LP. Spur of the moment… I was soooo jealous when a friend told me about it. I mean his music now = classic. Baby Mama… smh. There shouldn't be so much talent in one little person. When he performed purple rain at the superbowl three years ago, in the rain w/ his head scraf on… that was an emo moment for me *sigh* iDie. I just fuxkin die.
You cannot forget "Adore"! That song right there….whew!
YES! Adore is my song. I love it, and hope to one day feel the love that is described in it.
Crazy thing about Adore that most folks don't know is that Prince plays every instrument on that song except for the strings. Drums, electic guitar, bass guitar, horns… all Prince. A genius I tell you.
just behind Stevie in terms of greatest musician of all time.
Stevie help invent new instruments. Stevie found new cords. AND Stevie is BLIND
I think Prince is a great musician, and although in the 80s when him and MJ went back and forth with dropping albums it was entertaining it's important to note a few things.
In terms of music:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Carlos Santana
3. Prince
I don't think anyone in music will argue with this list et all. When Prince came around people compared his mastery of music to that of Jimi Hendrix. Carlos Santana is out of this world, you have to listen to both of these guys full body of work and then make that claim again. I believe that there are few musicians who compare to Prince, but none to Jimi Hendrix.
Even still we've left off some other greats that I would like to enter into the discussion.
1. Herbie Hancock – Headhunters in 1973 changed everything in Jazz. Took us into a new era of jazz and funk.
2. Wynton Marsalis – Just listen to the Mo Better Blues Soundtrack and get you some.
In my house, we listened to everything. In the words of the great rap duo CB4, "I'm bliggity black bliggity black, and I'm blacker than black, and I'm black y'all." Saturday morning cleaning was always about the oldies, the afternoon's were spent listening to jazz while the incense burned and my mother hosted her book club in the living room. We had vinyl, we still do. And at night we danced to:
1. Earth, Wind & Fire
2. Kool & The Gang
3. STEVIE WONDER
Less I hold you too long… these are some other artists that held it DOWN for me and my family at every block party and BBQ
1. Chuck Brown
2. Rare Essence
3. Junkyard Band
You betta say it!!!
excellent comment!
I think growing up in a musically diverse household really shapes you. I love that you mentioned different music for different occasions. I miss vinyl–and I think everyone listened to music to clean up in the 80s–and used that album cover as a dustpan if you couldn't find yours too! lol
Watch this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMg9NHRA1JE
This is Prince paying homage to Hendrix by covering Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower, while simultaneously sh*ting on the Foo Fighters by interpolating there song The Best of You. Prince was upset because the Foo Fighters covered Darling Nikki (from Purple Rain) without permission, so, he took their song, and played it better than they do, while mixing it with a cover of an all time cover song in All Along the Watchtower. The general theory is, the same way Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower was so good it made ppl forget it was a Bob Dylan song, Prince wanted to play a version of "The Best of You" that was so good, it'd make people forget it was a Foo Fighters song.
Prince is the greatest….
best Superbowl Halftime shows ever
1)Prince
2)Bruce Springstein
3)Micheal (i know y'all are black so I will accept MJ being two and Bruce being three)
4)The Who
5)U2
Best Super Bowl performance ever…
Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake.
I like that you brought Hendrix into the conversation. He's oft forgot when people talk about black music. Hedrix is a legend and one of the greatest artists of the past century. He was especially great at taking something he heard and interpreting in a new and revolutinary way. When you listen to Dylan's original All Along the Watchtower (which I love), and then you go listen to Hendrix' version… my god. He took a classic folk song and turned it into a classic rock song. Or you listen to his version of the "Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock… genius. Electic Ladyland is one of the most influential rock albums of all time.
What seperates Prince, for me though, is his ability to fluidly move from genre to genre. Prince can make you a classic, all time great Rock song, with a scorching guitar solo – like Purple Rain, or, he can make you classic all time great Balad, like Adore, or he can do straight pop – club hits like Kiss and When Doves cry. He can also pick up damn near any instrument you can imagine and play it like he played his whole life. Hendrix never strayed too far from blues influenced rock, and he didn't play any instruments besides the electric guitar.
I would say the same thing about Carlos Santana. Santana plays a more Jazz influenced version of rock and and roll electric guitar and while he's great at what he does, and all of his stuff is classic, not in the same league as Prince.
Jimi Hendrix did play all the instruments. He also taught himself how to play all the instruments. He also produced his live shows and his studio material. He literally would sit with the other artists and show them how he wanted each thing played. Also, don't discount what you haven't heard. Jimi played a lot of different genres of music, but you probably haven't heard all of them. As with most people… In my basement, that's what my Dad listened to the most, so i've heard it all and now I hear stuff that my dad hasn't even heard before.
As for Santana, listen to Supernatural. He touches in every genre possible and won several Grammy's for this accomplishment.
Prince is a great musician and no one can take that away from him. But in terms of having no one in his league, that's a gross exaggeration and total disrespect to the real trendsetters and progressive artists of the 20th Century.
We might have to take this offline but, I have almost everything Jimi ever recorded and released and none of his stuff strayed too far from Blues inspired Rock and Roll – that is a fact.
And while Santana's supernatural does hit every musical genre, that was not his idea. That was all Clive Davis. Santana himself, when he won the grammy, saying that he owes that entire album to Lauryn Hill because she brought him back from obscurity when she asked him to play on The Miseducation. After that, Clive holla'd at him with the idea to pair him with the best new artists around. Santana's work previously was almost exclusively Jazz inspired Rock and Roll.
Amen. Church. Tabernacle. Synagogue.
Oh. & Kingdom Hall for Prince.
YES, Dr. J!!!! co-sign all of this. And I didn't grow up on Go-Go, but I listen to it now like I was there. lol.
It's great growing up listening to all types of music. My father is big on jazz and the blues. And gospel was definitely on all day on Sundays. I think my dad played out his Mahalia Jackson record.
yo. Dr J. You know you my nig and all. We go back and always see eye to eye.
But Carlos Santana is over rated. We just show him alot of love b/c he is a minority and he had alot of success this past decade.
MARIA MARIAAAA… (Yeah Product G&B Hempstead is in the building. )
But seriously I would put guys like jimmy page. Eric clapton, slash, and Tom Morello before him.
Yo Cheekz… you from the Stead? If so, I am too… say word.
Hell Yeah I am from the Stead!
My crib was in the Uniondale School District but it was in the stead. Right off Jerusalem.
speaking of music I miss those good basement parties ..
That's whats up… I came up on Parkside… Seabury to be exact…
I'm going through the comments to get new tracks before I travel and I just saw you mentioned the Mo Better Blues soundtrack. I LOVE that soundtrack!!!! Love the movie too. It's so relaxing, such great composition and arrangement of the instruments. *starts to warm up to Dr. J a bit more*
I am a music junkie and the time between 75-95 produced some wonders. I can't narrow down one absolute favorite but I that there are so many that shaped the way I feel about certain aspects in my life and a few that when I hear them gives me goosebumps. One song that has gotten tome lately because of a guy that wanted me to move with him was Shai, "Come With Me". That was one of their best songs.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
This makes me smile!!!! you know I'm happy.
between 75 and 95? man that's a lot. but off the top anything by Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. they have vast catalogs that span these years.
my favorite MJ song is Human Nature but after he passed (and I bought a lot of his music to sooth my spirit) I found that "I Wanna Be Where You Are" would touch me in a significant way. so its become one of my favorites by little MJ.
at the tale end of that era I gotta say Mary J. Blige's My Life cd. it.is.everything.
I'm a hip hop girl all the way, but there is nothing like some GOOD funk, pop, and r&b.
My Life is definitely her best album. Mary will never top her first three albums (What's the 411, My Life, Share My World). Never.
Let me stop posting for a while before I have twenty comments before noon.
Mary is pretty awesome too though. I prefer it to Share My World.
I know women like songs for different reasons than men, but "The Love I Never Had" and "No Happy Holidays" are songs that I used to play on repeat!
I started to say her first four albums. Mary was pretty good.
Mary was a really good CD. My fave song… on tha that album is the duet w/ Aretha.
Son, if you walk in the crib, and your S/O is bumping My Life… turn around and leave.
LMAO. like that?!
Can I say that My Sister tortured me with "Share My World"?!!!
She used to run the same tracks over and over… i had to pull her to the side and have a "what your life like" convo with her!!
LOL
Excellent post, btw
Whew lawd, this post just brought a tear to my eye. I wish I was able to stream music at work. I need to bring my iPod in here… maybe that'll help me focus.
Maaaaaaan… so many good songs.
Al Green – Love & Happiness / Something that can make you do wrong, make you do right…
Prince – Purple Rain / I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain.
Babyface – Whip Appeal / Keep on whippin' on me… Work it on me
**Bobby Womack – If You Think You're Lonely Now**
Kci & JoJo – Tell Me It's Real / This feelin that we feel, tell me that its real…
Ok… I'mma stop now b/c I could go on for days. My car stays tuned to the old school/new school R&B XM Station… loves it.
Welcome Slim, welcome 🙂
I loved that Whip Appeal video. I'm going to have to YouTube it now.
Listening to music at work is relaxing, although sometimes I have to catch myself and keep from reminiscing over certain things that happened in my life (both good and bad) when I first heard the songs. I have a 45-hour mix of R&B that I ripped to my computer at work, and put it on shuffle (classic R&B Monday through Friday, hip-hop on Fridays). It’s like my own personal radio station. I have music from the 70’s to the present, from Minnie Riperton and Con Funk Shun to Jill Scott and Ledisi. I was listening to Keith Sweat’s I’ll Give All My Love To You when I opened up the browser and read the post.
Slim, I co-sign on the contemporary R&B. And now that you’ve been introduced to Frankie Beverly, check out Rose Royce.
I can’t list my favorite songs, there are way too many. I was known as the slow song master in my younger days. I once did a top 150 slow jams of all time list. Children were conceived to mixtapes I put together, and I had people of all ages asking me to make CDs for them. I could put together the perfect CD, depending on your relationship stage (FWB, dating, girlfriend, wife). But since you asked about songs that “captured the essence of your life or a particular situation that you were going through”, I’ll stick to that.
BlackStreet: Before I Let You Go
New Edition: Boys To Men
New Edition: If It Isn’t Love
Carl Thomas: I Wish
Troop: Spread My Wings
Anita Baker: Giving You The Best That I Got
Stevie Wonder: My Cherie Amour
Luther Vandross: Here and Now
Jon B: They Don’t Know
Earth Wind & Fire: After the Love Has Gone
Musiq Soulchild: Mary Go Round
Jodeci: My Heart Belongs To You
And much more than I can’t name off the top of my head. I know I’m forgetting someone.
New Edition!! How could I forget my babies! "Can You Stand The Rain"…..
OH!
Shout out to Bobby Brown!
"Roni" *sigh*
🙂
Lmao. You sound like Whitney a few years back w/ that shoutout to Bobby Brown…
Man, my favorite Bobby Brown song – Good Enough…
*singing* If it ain't good enough, good enough baby…. I'll work harder… I'll keep pumping and sweating and… baby I'll do it right, do it right baby… and I will not stop till I know you're hot
^ some of these young boys need to take a hint from Bobby B.
Luther Vandross: Here and Now <– my parents wedding song.
OMG!! Yessssss Queen, Can you Stand the Rain?! Epic. Just Epic.
yeah the entire New Edition catalog (except that One Love cd they did on Bad Boy–even though I do own it).
If it isn't love
NE Heartbreak
Mr. Telephone Man
Count Me Out
Cool it Now
Boys to Men
Can you stand the rain
Home Again
way too many to name. I am a die hard NE Fan. my very first concert I ever went to in life was New Edition. I was about 8 years old. I wore a NE tshirt. LOL
This is why I love you. I should have just said I support your selections.
You hit me hard with Rose Royce!!!
How could I forget about Rose Royce!! Did you see them on Unsung?
Girl YES!! I was like "Oh for real?!"
Pardon of the reason I wrote this was to get new suggestions through people talking about their faves. I like what I'm seeing.lol.
OMG!! This post, and the comments, makes me a very very happy girl. This is my genre, Old school R&B/Classic Soul. Seriously, I listen to this radio station everyday.
Music between 75 and 95. Slim, that is so much music, so I'll just give you a few of my all time favorite artists.
Prince– Everything this man sings makes me warm and tingly inside. He is a musical genious. Gawd, how I love him.
Michael Jackson
Teddy Pendergrass
Marvin Gaye
Al Green
Sam Cooke
Teena Marie
Big Lutha– Here and Now brings tears to my eyes. Who remembers the 227 episode where he sang Here & Now at Rose's wedding? One of my favorite childhood memories.
Maze ft. Frankie Beverly–Southern Girl always puts a smile on my face.
Depressed, cracked our MJB– My Life is the truth!!
New Edition– Can You Stand The Rain? That is the question…
And, i co-sign all of the songs mentioned in the comments above. I love it all. This is by far my favorite genre of music. I could go on for days. But, I gotta work, so peace out homies!!
New Edition– Can You Stand The Rain?
my wedding song. (one of them atleast)
I have been in fist fights over which version is better. The NE one of the BoyzIIMen accapella.
I've been trying to respond to this for the last 3 hours! Grrrr…work! Lol.
So here's my list in no particular order:
Shower Me With Your Love – Surface (I heart Surface)
Adore and If I Were Your Girlfriend – Prince (Price just makes you want to make love.)
Make it Like it Was – Regina Bell
Before I Let You Go – Blackstreet
Super Woman – Karyn White
Anytime – Janet Jackson (does that meet the time requirements?)
Between the Sheets – The Isley Brothers
Something in Your Eyes, When Will I see You Smile, amd Can You Stand the Rain – New Edition
Weakand You're Always on My Mind – SWV
If You Think You’re Lonely Now – Bobby Womack
If You Only Knew – Patti LaBelle
That's it for now. I love love, but I also love a song that describes some of the trials love can present.
that surface song I performed for my friends and teachers in a random daycare talent show. LMAO. I sounded awful but I felt that song! LOLOLOL
LOL!!! I bet you felt it.
I sing Super Woman like I wrote it…but you'd NEVER want to be there with me. 😉
I'm feeling your list.
For Surface, I'm partial to "Happy" because Kool G Rap and Nas sampled it for Fast Life.
I was wondering when Regina Bell, SWV and Karyn White would get a shoutout. My favorite Regina song is "Baby Come To Me".
"Anytime, Anyplace" (R Kelly remix) is one of the best
lovemakingf#$%ing songs ever. Something about that bassline!Technically, "When Will I See You Smile Again" is a Bell Biv Devoe song, but they are part of the New Edition family.
I remember the first time I really realized what Janet meant when she said "Skirt around my Waste, Wall agaisnt my face, I can feel your lips"… Blew my mind…
Most, Janet has a few songs that will blow your mind, but there are no words to describe "Anytime, Anyplace".
In the thundering rain, you stare into my eyes
I can feel your hand moving up my thighs
Skirt around my waist, wall against my face
I can feel your lips
I dont wanna stop just because people walking by watching us
I dont give a damn what they think, I want you NOW
I dont wanna stop just because you feel so good inside of my love
I'm not gonna stop no no no, I want you all I wanna say is
Anytime, anyplace, I don't care who's around
Anytime, Anyplace played during the slowjam set at the end of a house party… good ish!
"Anytime, anyplace. I don't care who's around."
Good choice. I like to end it with Slow Jam by Midnight Star. Send 'em home to:
I was all alone, I was feeling rather low
I needed someone to lift my spirits up
So I dropped in on a dance, just to take a glance
And there this sweet lovely thing was, she was more than enough
I asked her for her hand, said, "Would you like to dance?"
So pleased that I had asked, she quickly took my hand
And we danced and fell in love on a slow jam
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet,
On a slow jam, for my baby and for me
Hugh,
You just just won my <3 by posting those lyrics.
Le sigh…
So FLYY:
Hugh,
You just just won my <3 by posting those lyrics. </i>
That's why I did it!
Great list!
That Bobby Womack goes hard in the paint.
Some more greats…Billy Preston- With you I'm born again
My First Love (original) Renee & Angela Winbush
and speaking of Angelas, we can't forget Angela Bofill.
Oooh..girl! No we cannot forget Angela Bofill….."This Time I'll Be Sweeter"….."Im On Your Side".
We also cannot forget Minner Riperton.."Memory Lane"…"Lovin You"…etc.
Man Slim…
I could go on about music ALL DAY! My parents met when they were both in the Drum & Bugle Corps. My dad was a drummer and my mom was a musical theater major in college… I had no choice but to love music.
I'll just list some songs that my life would not be the same without:
Marvin Gaye – The entire I Want You LP…
Come Live With Me Angel
Soon I'll Be Loving You
I Want You
Since I Had Your Love
Heat Wave – Star of the Story
Stevie Wonder – Visions
Stevie Wonder – To Shy To Say
Stevie Wonder – Superwoman
Deniece Williams – Silly
Curtis Mayfield – Gimme Your Love
Barry White – Playin' Your Game (Skating CLASSIC)
Roy Ayers – She's Gotta Find A Lover
EWF – Keep Your Head To The Sky
Donnie Hathaway – Song For You
The Bee Gees – Love You Inside Out
Isley Brothers – Don't Say Goodnight
Norman Conners – You Are My Starship
The Stylistics – Hurry Up This Way Again
Brother's Johnson – Strawberry Letter 23
Issac Hayes – A Few More Kisses To Go
Lenny Williams – Cause I Love You
…
Slim, you've started something…
I remember when you commented on my Marvin Gaye post…that I want you LP is something serious!!!!
Damn Ms. Cherry, this list is something fierce!
I grew up in a house built on music… my parents met in the Drum & Bugle Corps (100 points to anyone who is familiar).
Slim has me at work doing no work lol…
Now playing:
Major Harris – Love Won't Let Me Wait
up next:
O'Jays – Cry Together
Skyy – Real Love
Next songs in the current playlist:
Atlantic Starr – Send For Me
Jean Carne – I’m Back For More
Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal – I’m Back For More
Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal – Never Knew Love Like This
Cherrelle – Everything I Miss At Home
The Deele – Two Occasions
BBD – When Will I See You Smile Again
BeeGees – Emotions
Bill Withers – Lovely Day
No, I'm not getting any work done!
@hugh jazz i'm digging that playlist! I loved the Cherelle/Alexander duets! I have some of his stuff on 45s!
I'm currently listening to September ~ EWF
some of my faves nobody mentioned are Atlantic Starr. Send for Me, If Your Heart Isn't In it, Always, Secret Lovers….
If I had to list my favorite songs, trust me, Atlantic Starr would be in the top 20. Don't forget "Am I Dreaming".
And cosign to Smiley Face on Angelas Bofill and Winbush.
Xscape did a good cover of Am I Dreaming. They also did a great cover to "Who Can I Run To". yessss. I have been listening to a lot of songs on my ipod that have been neglected lately due to this post. I love music discussions!!!
Xscape did some good covers, but there's nothing like the original by the Jones Girls.
ALWAYS!!! YES!!! I love Atlantic Starr as well. Secret Lovers too…though the concept vexes me. Lol. Is that a word?
Ya'll are killing me! Every song that someone mentions..I youtube it! I'm in the zone today…lol.
This sh*t is great. I have sooooo much material to go through later and build my play list.lol. I'm feeling all this passion about a pleasant subject though!
I was just saying, let me head on over to Youtube! Lol. I love it! The iPod will recieve some updates tonight! 😉
2 Live Crew, revolutionized the House Party, remember when Black people didnt go to the club, we had cookouts and hung out in the house:
Top 4 guaranteed to get it poppin:
We Want Some Pu**y
Me So Horny
Face Down, A*s Up
Pop That C00chie
Yes, vex is a word. And speaking of Atlantic Starr, how did we forget Let's Get Closer?
If you want to know how long our love will last,
This universe will pass, baby!
That's how long, that's how strong, I'll be loving you.
Let's get closer. Closer than close…
I just see so much in you…and I want a better view. I want to look deeper into you..yeah.
Classic!!!
You got me Queen, that's a better line from that song!
For the first time ever I didn't read all the comments before adding my two cents so forgive me if I'm repeating things.
If I'm feeling lovey-dovey I'm all about the old soul – Otis Redding, Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke…all that stuff.
If I'm feeling stabby it's vintage Mobb Deep – Drink Away the Pain soothes my soul like I don't know what.
When I have a broken heart, there's nothing like 70's rock – Janis Joplin, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Journey…Open Arms FTW!
I had a great list put together earlier but I don't remember half of what was on there
-The WHispers- lady, olivia lost& turned out
-The Ojays- Cry together, let me make love to you
-Stylistics- people make the world go round
-Teena Marie- Square biz, lover girl, i need your loving
-Luther- So amazing, a house is not a home, superstar
-Denis Williams- Free, miracle
-Al green- Love& happiness, can't get next to you, let's stay together
-Jodeci- most of their songs
-Shai- if i ever fall in love
-h-town- knockin the boots
-tevin campbell- ready for love, can we talk
-Rick James- ebony eyes, mary jane, super freak
-Cameo- Candy, let it whip
These are a few tracks from my one of my playlist
I love Shai as well. Their accapella version of "If I Ever Fall in Love" is great!
Slim, you should cop the Silky Soul tribute to Maze w/ Frankie Beverly joint. it is really good. another tribute cd with great covers is the Earth, Wind & Fire Interpretations one.
Musiq sang on Reasons (my fave EWF song)…
Did anyone mention DeBarge–All This Love?
Shalamar — Night to Remember
FiveStar — Let Me Be The One
The Original Secret Garden — Al B. Sure!, El DeBarge, James Ingram and Barry White.
Switch — They'll Never Be and I Call Your Name
yes yes yes! (oh and check out my post today on Debarge!)
I loved watching the Soul Train doc and learning about Shalamar–I didn't know they started as soul train dancers… Five Star is a throwback. I have "let me be the one" on 45 (telling my age!)
Speak of Debarge I recently went back and re-discovered Chico's 'No Guarantee' – what a great song… Chico brought light skin back for a minute. I remember chicks in highschool going hard for Chico Debarge…
My college roommate and I went to see Chico in Central Park last summer and he still sounded great! I think we were the only chicks there who knew all the songs lol.
Physical Train my ish!
yeah when it first came out I really liked the remix with Joe because it is faster…but revisiting the original slower version–NICE!!!
and Virgin is another banger…
I just thought of another classic…."Ready or Not" by After 7…Good Googly Moogly!
Youtube that..if you don't know what I'm talkin bout.
yeah I was an After 7 fan because my mama was. I loved Kevon… I also like "in the heat of the moment" I'm about to youtube THAT!
Ready or Not is my JAMMM!! lol.
"Ready or Not. I'll give you everything, and more. All that I've got, I'll give you everything, all that you're looking for."
Yes!
Additions….
Deele — Two Occasions
Ready For The World — Love You Down, Deep Inside Your Love, In My Room. Pretty much everything in their catalog.
Mint Condition
H-Town — Knockin Boots #dontjudgeme
Since most people are just naming their favorite artists and songs, and not songs that "captured the essence of your life or a particular situation that you were going through", how is it that no one mentioned Anita Baker? Or Chaka Khan? Or Donny Hathaway? Or Al Green?
HEATHENS!
I mentioned Al Green way up thread. :-p
I mentioned Donny.
I missed those. When I originally wrote that, I was thinking about Anita, especially considering she just sung the national anthem during game four of the NBA Finals. I just didn't recall seeing Al Green or Donny Hathaway.
You're right! How could I forget Ms. Baker
Sweeeeeeeet Love! and Rapture are my jams
This!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI6eLE8PpzY
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ah…
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ah…
There’ll never be a better love
Never be, be a better love
Said there’ll never be, be a better love
Since we are lyin’ here for
Ah, for the first time, you and I
Show me what you’ll do for me {You’ll do for me}
And then will I
Don’t try to hide your nature
No other girl could never rate ya
And there’ll be a better love
Never be, be a better love (No matter how he kiss you, how we treats you)
Said there’ll never be, be a better love
A-la-la-la-la-la-la
There’ll never be, be, be
La-la-la-la-la-la
Whoa, whoa…
La-la-la-la-la
Whoa, whoa
La-la-la-la-la-la
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ah…
There’ll never be a better love, love, love, love, love
Never be, be a better love (A better love)
Said there’ll never be (A better love), be a better love
Please come over here and let me whisper
Let me whisper something in your ear
I’ll say something good to you
You always wanted to hear
So real
I know you won’t regret it
So good
I know you won’t forget it
There’ll never be a better love, love, love, love, love
Never be, be a better love (No matter how he kiss you, how we treats you)
Said there’ll never be (Yeah), be a better love (For you)
A-la-la-la-la-la-la
There’ll never be, be, be
La-la-la-la-la-la
Whoa, whoa…
La-la-la-la-la
Whoa, whoa
La-la-la-la-la-la
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
There’ll never be
La-la-la-la-la-la
A better love
La-la-la-la-la-la
No matter how he kiss you, how he treats you
I know that there’ll never will be a better love
La-la-la-la-la-la
A better love
La-la-la-la-la-la
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, ah
All this Prince talk and no mention of "I would die for you"
really people?
Also. Single Black Male Dot Org aint got no love for Bob Marley? Where is RCLS when you need him?
In an effort to sleep with NIA (she likes men who listen to more than hip hop) I want to throw out Dave Matthews Band. They were really really really big with the 2520s I went to HS with. Like see them live 3 times a year big.
and Wolfmother. If you have ever seen the Hangover you know Wolfmother. During the blackjack scene they play their song. AWESOME!
I love DMB!!
Crash Into Me is probably one of my faves!! Good job, CHeeKZ. You are getting closer to your prize. 😉
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p77/corypage7/…
The Space Between = Classic Material.
And the kids I went to private school with in high school were big on DMB as well.
Cheekz – where'd you go to high school?
Chaminade. all boys, all 2520.
LuHi…
yeah I know Lutheran!
Y'all always had a heck of a bball team. Really didn't chill with people that went to Lutheran but I always played y'all in a couple of sports.
To pick up girls we would chill with Kellenberg, Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart, and Our Lady of Mercy girls…
maybe St Francis Prep.
basically any school that had a surplus of girls me and the goons were there.
I was definitely gonna put I would die 4 U on my list.. but I had to get purple rain first… I mean… I had to.
WHOA!!!! dave matthews band is one of my favorites.. the alternative scene was BIG when i was in high school and "Crash Into Me" is possibly my favorite song…
i got tickets to see them in July.. and i can't wait!!! even the video for "crash" is beautiful to me..
also.. "lover lay down"
"steady as we go"
" oh"
"where are you going?"
and for something fast, i LOVE "rapunzel.."
I can't think of much to add to the list right now, but may be back later when I have time.
I do want to thank you guys for reminding me of a whole lot of great cuts I'd forgotten about. I'll be getting my money's worth out of my Zune pass today (eff Apple, yeah I said it).
right on the 1995 edge I gotta go with Faith Evans solo debut.
Come Over
Soon As I Get Home
No Other Love
Love Don't Live Here Anymore
You Used to Love Me
bad boy classic…and the samples are crazy…
Never really liked Faith's voice… more annoying than anything else. Like, she could sing, but she was always a little too pitchy for me.
I'm sure someone mentioned Jodeci… I mean, how could you not? Really?
Slim, you have no idea what you started. lol. I need to get lunch before I forget while commenting on this post.
Jodeci are pioneers in the merging of hip hop and r&b…they are legends in my mind! Diary of a Mad Band still gets heavy rotation over here…
Mann, I can't even keep up with all this.lol. I feel like I got homework to do tonight. I think I'ma just need people to send me albums…
*nodding* yup
I'll make some links and send you some stuff. it may take awhile, but I'll do it…
I dont know why people who love Jodeci never agree with me about Love U 4 Life. I think its their best song.
"Do you believe in Love and the promise that it gives"
With t boz in the video looking tasty as a snicker!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9PCHWyf0Ac
Aight. I'm done. I just wanna end by saying…
Men who know somn somn about old school soul/R&B = Bomb.Com <– Love riding w/ a dude who really knows his stuff. He can let the music do the talking for him.
Hmmm….
Good post, Slim. If you're ever looking to get that R&B flava w/ a rum punch/Guinness twist, holla atcha boy…
Beres Hammond – Just about anything he's ever recorded, but to name a few
Tempted to Touch (the original and remix w/ Cutty Ranks)
Rockaway
Putting Up A Resistance
Can't Stop A Man (a few sound systems have wicked dubplates of this tune)
They Gonna Talk
No Disturb Sign
Double Trouble
Groovy Little Thing
What One Dance Can Do
She Loves Me Now
Sanchez – Frenzy, Brown Eye Girl, Missing You, I Can't Wait (You Say You Love Me)
Movie Star – The Errol Dunkley Studio One Cut and the remix by Gargamel (FREE BUJU) and Wayne Wonder
Alton Ellis – I'm Just A Guy
Junior Kelly – If Love So Nice
Tony Rebel – Fresh Vegetable
Garnett Silk – Oh me Oh My (another wicked dubplate) and Love Me Baby
Barrington Levy – Too Experienced, Here I Come, She Give Me Love (tufff…But her ex couldn't kiss/He couldn't caress/Due to how him freebase, he didn't have no chest/She have to confess, that I am di best/Cuz ah mi tek di S off of Superman chest!…)
Gregory Isaac – Night Nurse, the original and Lady Saw Remix
Half Pint – Substitute Lover
Chaka Demus and Pliers – Tease Me, She Don't Let Nobody, I Wanna Be Your Man
Cocoa Tea – 18 and Over, I've Lost My Sonia
Peter Tosh – Ketchy Shuby
Anything by Morgan Heritage….just a good vibe
Dawn Penn – You Don't Love Me
Singing Melody – Say What
Delroy Wilson – Pretty Girl
The Honorable Robert Nestor Marley – I Wanna Love You, Turn Your Lights Down Low
Doesnt fit the 75-95 requirement, but There For You by Damian Marley aka Jr. Gong
Many more than this, nuff honorable mentions…but all my island people stand up!
Don't forget Eddie Lovett, Singin' Francine, Baron and Mighty Mighty Sparrow
"Tony Rebel – Fresh Vegetable" The whole riddim though is one of my favorites
Dennis Brown
LOL….I mean…Sparrow is a Calypsonian, but I guess I called for all my island people to stand up (lemme guess, Trinidad?)
"Saltfish" is probably one of his more popular songs, but I find "Sell The P*ssy" highly amusing…
Oh wow …Eugene Wilde- Gotta Get You Home Tonight
That's ^^ 'sposed to be down at the bottom lol
*Swoooon* I don't know what life would be like without choones!! THIS reply is what I was waiting for! Nothing moves me like the old time ragga ragga music….examples: Gregory Isaacs (Love Is Overdue), Charlene Davis (Stealing Love), Beres (Sweet Lies), Eddie Lovette (Gypsy), Cynthia Scholoss (Sad Movies)…Maaaan! I could go on and on!
The older I have gotten the more I have come to appreciate the place that wonderful music can take me! Here’s to you Slim and others for putting a smile on my face, then a furrow in my brow, then a smile again on my face this afternoon!
Thanks!
-PKGM
Can I just mention a few more…..
AL B Sure – Off On Your Own Girl, Nite and Day, If Im Not Your Lover, Secret Garden
Peobo Bryson – Let The Feeling Flow, Feel The Fire, I'm So Into You…
Jeffrey Osborne – We're Going All The Way, On The Wings Of Love….
Carry on.
..one more.
Freddy Jackson.
I'm done. LOL.
Random songs not mentioned:
Anita Baker – Just Because
Changing Faces – Stroke You Up
Isley Brothers – For The Love of You
Guy – Smile
Tevin Campbell – Can We Talk?
LTD – Where Did We Go Wrong?
R Kelly – It Seems Like You’re Ready
Bobby Brown – Rock Wit’cha
Joe – All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do)
Michael Jackson – Lady In My Life
John Legend – Ordinary People
Shante Moore – It’s Alright
Boyz II Men – Please Don’t Go
Eugene Wilde – We’ve Only Just Begun
Ready For The World – Can He Do It (Like This)
Babyface – Never Keeping Secrets
Force MDs – Tender Love
Frankie Beverly & Maze – Before I Let Go
Freddie Jackson – You Are My Lady
George Benson – Breezin’
The Emotions – Don’t Ask My Neighbor
Gerald Levert – Baby Hold Onto Me
Earth Wind & Fire – Love’s Holiday
Con Funk Shun – Straight From The Heart
The System – Don’t Disturb This Groove
Patrice Rushen – When I Found You
Will Downing & Roberta Flack – Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This
Debra Laws – Very Special
Monica – Angel of Mine
Tony Toni Tone – Slow Wine
Minnie Riperton – Inside My Love
Midnight Star – Slow Jam
Maxwell – Fortunate
SOS Band – Tell Me If You Still Care
Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long
Loose Ends – You Can’t Stop The Rain
Lauryn Hill – Sweetest Thing
Larry Graham – One In A Million You
Kut Klose – I Like
Whitney Houston – You Give Good Love
Troop – Sweet November
I'll be back.
HUGH!
I'ma be on youtube all friggin night! LOL
Good Stuff!
I'm with Hugh on this one.
I just want to bring up two:
Roger & Zapp: Be Your man.
and R Kelly: I can't sleep. Remix or original (i think it just makes the Slim Jackson 95 cut off date).
I said I wasn't gon say anything else but that Zapp & Roger… CHeeKZ… smh… oh CHeeKZ….
the I can't sleep baby remix is everything!
eff that, Kells has the best remixes ever. bump n grind remix, 1993, still my absolute favorite. he would create an entire new song…
Will Downing &
Roberta FlackRachelle Ferrell – Nothing Has Ever Felt Like ThisI must have been thinking about "The Closer I Get to You" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
but speaking of Ms Roberta…
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love,
To the dark and the empty skies.
Woooooow!
No need to remove your coat
No need to take off your shoes
Usually you can stay
But not today, not today no
This place is no longer yours
And I left your things right by the door
Please don't be that way
Not today, not today no
Our love is such a rush
But inside it's slowly killing me
Nothing more for me to say
Not today, not today no
So we must say our goodbyes
To all of the pain and the lies
Nothing's been more true
Than these words to you
I've been changed,
and rearranged and,
it's not it was before.
And, when the sunrise
I'll show her why
She can't keep me anymore…
Me anymore
Valediction ~ The Foreign Exchange. great breakup song…
I said I was done but…..GINUWINE…we would be remiss if we forgot him.
"Pony"
"Same Ole G"
"In Those Jeans"
Ginuwine had those jams! Probably the best from that generation (that post R Kelly era).
Don't forget So Anxious, Stingy, and Differences.
Even fast songs like what's so different had a good concept.
So Anxious is still my jam!! lol. Ginuwine definitely had some hits.
yep. I have his greatest hits, if you can believe he actually has one. lol
Naw Reecie they put out greatest hits when successful artist switch label just to make one last dollar off of them.
I hope this one was on the greatest hits.. b/c THIS is that good male r&b anthem. Ladies pay attention:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T4ST0ThoiQ
I'm bout to be like Reecie and just start singin isht! lol
Name that tune
"Tried to take control of the love, love took control of me, Cause you to lose all thought, sense of time and have a change of mind
Takin the bumps and bruises of all the things of a two time loser…tryin to hold on, faith is gone, it's just another sad love song"
lol…if y'all could see me now lip synching, y'all would die with laugh
"I think I'd better let it go…"
RIP Teddy P.
Back from lunch, and realized I forgot about my main man….
Terence Trent Darby — Wishing Well, Sign Your Name
Why is my comment in moderation…
let's try again… Terence Trent Darby
*gasp* I can hear Sign Your Name!!
"shhhoooddoo wap wap…shhhoooddoo wap wap…"
LOL…dang what happened to him?
Probably one of my favorite posts ever written, partly b/c Old School R&B & Soul music is so relevant to everyday life. Folks didn't just talk about common themes from today like love, breakups, prenups, etc. Music from an earlier era spoke about the ghetto, death, poverty…real topics.
I just learned of this dude by the name of Gil Scott-Heron. The melody and instruments in his music is something that is lost in today's synthesizers. I'd highly suggest adding him to your Pandora playlist. You'll also hear Donnie Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, etc. His bio is also worth reading.
Glad you finally converted to the soulful side!
(LOVE LOVE LOVE everyone's suggestions as well!)
YES! Gil Scott-Heron!! He came out with a new cd this year.
BTW…if anyone is interested… he's playing in NYC for FREE
http://manhattan.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&z…
"Probably one of my favorite posts ever written, partly b/c Old School R&B & Soul music is so relevant to everyday life. Folks didn’t just talk about common themes from today like love, breakups, prenups, etc. Music from an earlier era spoke about the ghetto, death, poverty…real topics."
Well gee golly willikers!
But yeah, the rest of that snippet I pasted from your comment is something I'm now figuring out. The concept of commercialism has dramatically changed the game. Song topics that were once normal are now considered risky business, but perhaps because music is indeed that—a business.
Gil Scott-Heron is not a game!
I forgot to mention 1 of my favorites of all time:
The Delegations – Oh Honey
http://bit.ly/9k7tfR
Lyrics worth reading and understanding:
When I get lost
Feel I've been crossed
She will be my salvation
When I feel low
I've nowhere to go
She'll be my inspiration
Yeah, when my poor heart
Is breaking apart
She'll put it back together
She ain't the kind
To show off her mind
But talking of love
She's clever, yeah
(Ahh, honey) oh, honey
(Ahh, honey) oh, honey
She rarely spends
Time with her friends
Tells me she's blue without me
When things go wrong
Her faith is strong
I know she'll never doubt me
Yeah, when she arrives
And stands by my side
Makes me so proud to know her
High stepping dames
With high sounding names
There ain't nothing
They could show her, yeah
(Ahh, honey) my honey
(Ahh, honey) honey, honey
Now I just wanna thank you, baby
For giving me a brand new start
I was going down, you saved me
When you let me in
Your loving heart, yeah
(Ahh, honey) talking bout you, honey
(Ahh, honey) honey, yeah
(Ahh, honey) beautiful honey
(Ahh, honey) you make me feel
So proud, so proud, baby
(Ahh, honey) I'm proud
Of my baby, yeah
<3 <3 <3
yo I am just getting home and let me tell you….
you really exposed puffy with that delegation record.
Wow Wow Wow. straight thief.
..we mentioned..ole whinnin' azz Keith Sweat didn't we? He had some hits!
Yep, I just happened to be listening to his whining a$$ when I first read this blog today. He may be whiny, but he had some hits. Right and a Wrong Way to Love Somebody, I'll Give All My Love To You, Nobody, Make it Last Forever, Something Just Ain't Right. Keith definitely makes it into the rotation.
Oh and I forgot the Heptones and John Holt!! Oh man!!! *cool and deadlying at work*
John Holt's version of "If I were a carpenter" is one of my favorites
It should come as no surprise that "Police In Helicopter" is my favorite John Holt tune.
Ya'll gotta forgive me…but, THE EMOTIONS…."Don't Ask My Neighbor", "Rejoice", "Flowers"…..I think I'm really done now…lol.
LOL…none of us die hard music fans are ever done Queen, lol…there's just too much good music we can remember
..So true!
I have to mention The Jones Girl…"I Just Love The Man"…."You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else"
Sister Sledge
"He's The Greatest Dancer" "We Are Family".
..I know we mentioned Stephanie Mills…did we not!?!
Hellz no..if we didn't.
"Home"
"I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love"
"Never Knew Love Like This Before".
Also
Donna Summers…cannot go un-recognized!
I been meaning to type Stephanie Mills-Home all day. I think she injected steroids into her vocal chords for that one.
Did anyone mention Patti?
–If Only You Knew
–if You Asked Me too
–Her version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Don't sleep on "That's The Way Love Goes."
Ooh, baby don't stop, don't stop
Go deeper, baby deeper
It feels so good, I wanna cry.
Miss Jackson was nasty.
I started listing before fully reading what others wrote…
Marvin Gaye-Heavy Love Affair
Sade-Give It Up
Aretha Franklin-I Never Loved A Man…
Anthony Hamilton-Float
D'Angelo-One Mo' Gin
Carla Thomas-Pick Up the Pieces
Al Green-I Can't Get Next to You
Ok, my last comment of the day. This doesn't fit the time range, but it is a must have, if you don't already have it.
Bilal — Soul Sista. The video is hot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT2gINJjdj0
If you don't know, you should really get to know Bilal.
New to the post and site HEY YALL!!!!….just joined today after reading SBM daily for months and ROTFLMBAO at the commentary I could no longer sit idle by the sidelines anymore I'M GOIN IN….
Great Post LUV IT!!!!
tHAnks to those who were given props to my Purple lovin/5 inch heels wearing future husband "Prince"
may I add…
The entire Rave unto the Joy Fantastic Album to this list
"HATE U" -gold experience album
How Deep Is Your Love – The Bee Gees
Saturday Nite Fever Soundtrack…*fuggedabouit*
Thanks for joining in on the discussion (that I was unable to really join today). Out of curiousity, what kept you on the sidelines so long (It was Streetz, huh)?
Gravatar.com (I'm assuming you know why this is here since you've been lurking).
I just wanted there to be 200 comments.
Gravatar.com (I’m assuming you know why this is here since you’ve been lurking). uhhh I assume so that I can put up a pic.. *sideeye* :o)
I'll will definitely look into it.
Rachelle Ferrell, she has such an amazing voice. Her song "Nothing has ever felt like this" with Will Downing gets me everytime…..
I really enjoyed reading the comments today 🙂
Damn!!! I had to come across this post just as I was about to get ready for work!! I will come back with a response tomorrow but- MUSIC IS MY LIFE!!!!! Especially some old school R&B (mostly everything before 2000). Be back with my thoughts later
I was suppose to come back and respond but now that I have the time I just can't. There are so many songs that have inspired me throughout my life that I can't even name a list. But to sum it up thats the reason I have 3 ipods and a MPG, plus Pandora on my phone. I LOVE MUSIC. I am a 80's baby so most of the music I love is everything before 2005 at the lates (and 2005 is a stretch). I just love it!!!
This is my 1st time I've visited right here. I discovered a lot of interesting facts inside your weblog. From the volume of feedback on your posts, I guess I'm not the only one particular! maintain up the spectacular work.
has already been implemented for avionics technicians through NCATT. This gives those of us in the aircraft mainte
Men are always very pleasant and exciting experience for everyone, regardless of age and how young. Many cling to the bare feet are more and more races, when they saw the accident rate has decreased, increased endurance and have more fun.
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say
that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it!
Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice article.