Justin Timberlake - My Love
I can't even attempt to go down music history without mentioning the Timberland produced second album from Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/LoveSounds." One of two albums that completely revolutionized POP music in 2006, "FSLS" was full of progressive material including 4 #1 POP singles. The second of those was "My Love," which featured rapper T.I. There really isn't much to say about a song that, as I said, help changed the sound of POP music for years to come.
Jojo - Let It Rain
Taking it back to another Freshman memory at Howard, Jojo released her sophomore set right around the time of my first homecoming as an undergraduate. I must say that "The Hight Road" was nearly a flawless album. Album tracks "Good Ol," "Anytime," and "Like This" are stunning.
However, it was "Let It Rain" that I became obsessed with. Produced by Norwegian duo Stargate, Jojo proclaims that "When you need someone to set your heart free...I need you show me how love should really be..." Rain is used as a metaphor for love and Jojo finds in necessary for her significant other to let his love rain down and break down all of the barriers that she has put up to protect herself from pain.
However, it was "Let It Rain" that I became obsessed with. Produced by Norwegian duo Stargate, Jojo proclaims that "When you need someone to set your heart free...I need you show me how love should really be..." Rain is used as a metaphor for love and Jojo finds in necessary for her significant other to let his love rain down and break down all of the barriers that she has put up to protect herself from pain.
Jessica Simpson - If You Were Mine/The Lover In Me
After her 2004 smash "With You," I was curious if Jessica Simpson could comeback with as heartfelt. Amazingly, she did, and this was after her divorce! Album track "The Lover In Me" showcased that in order to find love, we often to open ourselves to others and the love that they offer us.
Similarly, "If You Were Mine" goes further by relaying all of the amazing things that she and her significant other could do if they were together. Once we get past to this Euro/Pop phase (which I enjoy) I hope that POP radio can get back to lush POP mid-tempos with true emotion and feeling that Jessica emotes on both of these songs on her album "A Public Affair."
Similarly, "If You Were Mine" goes further by relaying all of the amazing things that she and her significant other could do if they were together. Once we get past to this Euro/Pop phase (which I enjoy) I hope that POP radio can get back to lush POP mid-tempos with true emotion and feeling that Jessica emotes on both of these songs on her album "A Public Affair."
Gwen Stefani - 4 In The Morning
This song got my in a lot of trouble which my friends at Howard. Reminiscent of early hit "Cool," "4 In The Morning" is a lovely allad by Gwen and the video, albeit simple was gorgeous. Unfortunately, I let it slip that I loved her porcelain "white" skin in the music video and my African-American female friends have never let me live that comment down.
Back to the song, Gwen confuses her love to her significant other and notes that even when that fight she stays up until "4 in the morning" crying and thinking about him because she only wants him to come back. Her only condition is that "he has to giver her all of him" because he knows "she gives him all of herself." As previously stated Ms. Stefani shines on her love ballads.
Back to the song, Gwen confuses her love to her significant other and notes that even when that fight she stays up until "4 in the morning" crying and thinking about him because she only wants him to come back. Her only condition is that "he has to giver her all of him" because he knows "she gives him all of herself." As previously stated Ms. Stefani shines on her love ballads.
Fergie - All That I Got
When "The Ducthess" was released, I always wanted "All That I Got" to be the ballad single. However, Fergie's label went with the eventual worldwide #1 smash "Big Girls Don't Cry." Go figure. Anyway, I now am proud that this little ballad remained an album track that I can enjoy and share with all of you.
In the song, Fergie sings. And I mean, Fergie signs. This is definitely one of her best vocal performances and I hope she creates more songs like this on her future albums. She sings "would you love me if I don't work out or if I didn't change my natural hair." Although done before, I feel Fergie because in this world we are often consumed by the superficial. It's refreshing to hear a diva of her stature state that she'd rather strip down and give "all that she's (I) got" and by that she means, the real her, Stacy Ferguson.
The ending note on "Don't let our love end..." Is my favorite part, even though it seems random and out of place. I love it.
In the song, Fergie sings. And I mean, Fergie signs. This is definitely one of her best vocal performances and I hope she creates more songs like this on her future albums. She sings "would you love me if I don't work out or if I didn't change my natural hair." Although done before, I feel Fergie because in this world we are often consumed by the superficial. It's refreshing to hear a diva of her stature state that she'd rather strip down and give "all that she's (I) got" and by that she means, the real her, Stacy Ferguson.
The ending note on "Don't let our love end..." Is my favorite part, even though it seems random and out of place. I love it.
Fantasia - I Feel Beautiful
As you can probably tell, I love inspiring songs. One in particular that struck a chord with me was Fantasia's "I Feel Beautiful" Growing up, I always felt like an outcast and in many ways I still find myself feeling alone. However, this song let's me know that I am beautiful and I won't let anyone tell me any different.
"I feel beautiful, beautiful, I feel beautiful beautiful, you could not crush my soul, crush my soul, nothing you could do to me can take away my right to feel, beautiful beautiful, I was down so low, down so low, but I won't be, won't be broke down anymore, I stand with my head held high, I feel beautiful...got back my pride and took back my life, now I feel beautiful!"
"I feel beautiful, beautiful, I feel beautiful beautiful, you could not crush my soul, crush my soul, nothing you could do to me can take away my right to feel, beautiful beautiful, I was down so low, down so low, but I won't be, won't be broke down anymore, I stand with my head held high, I feel beautiful...got back my pride and took back my life, now I feel beautiful!"
Daughtry - Over You
Third single from Daughtry's debut album was always my favorite track on the LP. With the closing lyric "The day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you!" The song personifies a feeling where in life people hurt each other on a constant basis. Many times, the pain that comes with that hurt is inescapable and impossible to deal with. However, as a 4th place finisher of American Idol (yet 3rd most successful, beating all of the winners except Kelly & Carrie), Daughtry notes that the day will come when we can "put our heart(s) back together" and move on.
Danity Kane - Ride For You
There are some songs that will always have a special place in my heart and DK's "Right For You" is one of them. I will never forget walking around Howard University, my Freshman year, blasting this beautiful song, which is yet another B. Cox production. The vocal harmonies between the five girls were flawless and let me know that "they were by my side." I truly do miss Danity Kane.
Ciara - Promise
I remember first not really liking this song. However, I know feel that even though it may not have successfully crossover like her previous hits, "Promise" is the best song that Ciara has ever and will ever produce. In fact, I remember rooting for it to go #1 on the R&B Charts after Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" was #1 for what seemed like forever.
The lead single from her second album, "Promise" seduces her significant other by saying "there's nothing (I) she won't do" and that "she'll give her all to (him)." In fact, she goes on to "promise" that these statements are true. The video also epitomizes the sultry feeling of the song and stands as her best overall single.
The lead single from her second album, "Promise" seduces her significant other by saying "there's nothing (I) she won't do" and that "she'll give her all to (him)." In fact, she goes on to "promise" that these statements are true. The video also epitomizes the sultry feeling of the song and stands as her best overall single.
Christina Milian - Gonna Tell Everybody
Speaking of standout cuts, Christina Milian's "Gonna Tell Everybody" was hands down the best song on her album "So Amazin." Unfortunately, Def Jam records dropped the ball on promotion when the album leaked ahead of schedule. Just take a listen and you'll find that this could have been a major hit for the Cuban songstress.
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