Going back a bit, in 2004, Usher released his now Diamond selling "Confessions." That album not only debut at #1 with over a million copies in its first week, the first R&B album to do so, it also produced four consecutive #1 singles including the title track. However, my personal favorite on the album was the sexy and sultry "That's What It's Made For."
I appreciate Usher as an artist because he tells intense, relatable stories through his music and "That's..." is no different. In fact, the tune is very direct in relating that the male/female anatomy is "made" for being intimate. Bed room burner at its best.
Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes
As previously noted, 2005 was a good year in my musical history. Although she had already won the first season of American Idol and had at that point released two albums, it wasn't until I first heard "Behind These Hazel Eyes" that I first paid attention to Kelly Clarkson. Put simply, she woman can sing and these emotive song was everything to me when it was released.
Like many of Kelly's tracks, this was starts off where the songstress has moved on from the fact that her lover has cheated on her. She has moved on, and although the pain remains, "she doesn't cry on the outside anymore." This song was third among of string of hits that made Ms. Clarkson the #1 female artist of 2005.
Like many of Kelly's tracks, this was starts off where the songstress has moved on from the fact that her lover has cheated on her. She has moved on, and although the pain remains, "she doesn't cry on the outside anymore." This song was third among of string of hits that made Ms. Clarkson the #1 female artist of 2005.
Jojo - Leave (Get Out)
I can still remember the summer of 2004 when "Leave" by Jojo came out. I remember wondering who this girl with the loud voice could possibly be. By the end of the summer, she had become the youngest female artist to score a #1 debut pop single.
With a voice (and lyrics) well beyond her age, Jojo delivered a stunning performance where she tells her significant other to "get out" and to "leave." Proving, that everyone hates to be cheated on and that it's even more painful when you're young and feel that you're in love.
With a voice (and lyrics) well beyond her age, Jojo delivered a stunning performance where she tells her significant other to "get out" and to "leave." Proving, that everyone hates to be cheated on and that it's even more painful when you're young and feel that you're in love.
Gwen Stefani - Cool
In early 2005, I truly began to found myself involved and invested in purchasing pop albums. One of the second that I personally purchased was Gwen Stefani's debut album upn the release of fourth single "Cool." With its thumping beat, the love song narrates Gwen's own personal experiences with maintaining a friendship with a former.
Knowingly, Gwen once dated one of her band mates in her group No Doubt. This was a turbulent breakup for the singer, but it now seems that everything is good and their "cool." I personally prefer the No Doubt songstress when she performs laid-back, mellow tracks in the vein of the aforementioned.
Knowingly, Gwen once dated one of her band mates in her group No Doubt. This was a turbulent breakup for the singer, but it now seems that everything is good and their "cool." I personally prefer the No Doubt songstress when she performs laid-back, mellow tracks in the vein of the aforementioned.
Destiny's Child - Bad Habit
In 2004, Destiny's Child returned witht heir final album "Destiny Fulfilled." Included on the album is a song that features solo vocals from the groups, Kelly Rowland. "Bad Habit" is yet another stellar song produced by Brian Michael-Cox and, in my opinion, is one of, if not the best song that Kelly has ever created. Honestly, I think her solo career would skyrocket if she were to create more tracks like that. Amazing.
Avril Lavinge - My Happy Ending
Looking back, I realize now that I was always found of pop/rock music. Second single from Avril Lavigne's second album is a standout cut. Her 4th Pop #1, "My Happy Ending" tells the story of a relationship gone sour, where in the end, the singer doesn't have a happy ending. Instead, the relationship falls apart. Per usual, Avril stuns with her energy and pure emotion that instantly felt throughout the song.
Monica - What Hurts the Most
Monica delivered with her comeback in 2003. Not only did she score a #1 R&B hit with "So Gone" but she always released the classic "U Should've Known Better." However, album track "What's Hurts The Most" is my personal favorite from her album titled "After The Storm."
In the song, Monica finds out the her on-again/off-again lover has moved on and has found someone else. As of the old adage goes, sometimes you just don't know what you have until its gone. "What Hurts The Most" proves this as Monica sings "I thought for sure you'd always wait for me..." Guess not.
In the song, Monica finds out the her on-again/off-again lover has moved on and has found someone else. As of the old adage goes, sometimes you just don't know what you have until its gone. "What Hurts The Most" proves this as Monica sings "I thought for sure you'd always wait for me..." Guess not.
Ginuwine - Our First Born
As usual, Ginuwine delivers a stunning vocal performance on "Our First Born." Simply, he tells through song the overwhelming emotions that he went through we he found out that he was having his first child.
In the ballad he sings "I will always be there for my child cause I love, I love my child. Oh yes I do...as long as I live on this earth, you don't have to worry about thing, oh no no no you don't, do you hear me? I scream these words, I love my child, I love my child with everything in me."
If that doesn't make for a touching listen, I honestly don't know what does.
In the ballad he sings "I will always be there for my child cause I love, I love my child. Oh yes I do...as long as I live on this earth, you don't have to worry about thing, oh no no no you don't, do you hear me? I scream these words, I love my child, I love my child with everything in me."
If that doesn't make for a touching listen, I honestly don't know what does.
Beyonce - Yes/Be With You
Had to do a double take with this one. In 2003, lead singer of Destiny's Child, Beyonce, broke out with her first solo effort. Aside from the four major singles which included the #1s "Crazy In Love" and "Baby Boy" as well as the Top 5 hits "Naughty Girl" and "Me Myself & I" the songstress produced an immensely strong debut.
Two of my favorite cuts from the LP are the Focus produced "Yes" which tells the story of a women scorned the first time she told her lover "no." Doing a complete 180, "Be With You" erases history and sensually tells Beyonce's lover that she'd rather be with him because of all of the positive things he does.
Two of my favorite cuts from the LP are the Focus produced "Yes" which tells the story of a women scorned the first time she told her lover "no." Doing a complete 180, "Be With You" erases history and sensually tells Beyonce's lover that she'd rather be with him because of all of the positive things he does.
Ashanti - Carry On
One thing Ashanti can do, and do well, is write a song about a women scorned. Song, "Carry On" from her sophomore set, "Chapter II" proves just that. Within the song, the metaphors and word play that Ms. Douglass uses to relay her pain is astonishing.
I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of spiting, my life is a storm full of raining and lightning, my insides are bleeding, from all of this screaming, sometimes I just feeling like I'm no longer breathing, I look in your eyes, all I see is a demon, I'm tired of wearing my heart on my sleeves, and I just don't know, why I stay, because day after day, I continue to say...I can't carry on...living life like this."
In the wake of her previous hits "Foolish" and "Rain on Me," Ashanti delivers yet another strong R&B cut that proves why the industry needs her presence despite any other negative assumptions.
I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of spiting, my life is a storm full of raining and lightning, my insides are bleeding, from all of this screaming, sometimes I just feeling like I'm no longer breathing, I look in your eyes, all I see is a demon, I'm tired of wearing my heart on my sleeves, and I just don't know, why I stay, because day after day, I continue to say...I can't carry on...living life like this."
In the wake of her previous hits "Foolish" and "Rain on Me," Ashanti delivers yet another strong R&B cut that proves why the industry needs her presence despite any other negative assumptions.
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