In 2006, Beyonce released her sophomore set "B'Day." To this day, it baffles me who choose her first couple of singles from the album. "Deja Vu" was nowhere near as good as album track "Upgrade U" and "Ring The Alarm" was subpar to stronger album tracks such as "Get Me Bodied."
However, I did originally note that "Irreplaceable" was the strongest song on the album and quite possible the best song that B' had ever recorded. Of course, the song became her fourth #1 single, was the #1 song of 2007, and reigned for an amazing 10 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100. I mean, even as a third single, it was no-brainer that this was the standout cut.
Toni Braxton - Sposed To Be
Released in 2005, Toni Braxton's "Libra" remains one of my Top 5 albums of that year. Notably, the album track "Sposed To Be" reminds me of my first Christmas living in D.C. when I began my colllege tours. My older cousin's fiance absolutely loved this song because it remind her of him. Essentially, the song tells that her man is perfect for her. I was once told that true love comes when you can look past someone's flaws and accept them for the person that they truly are. I honestly believe that because that is how love is "Sposed to Be."
Nivea - Complicated
Complicated by Nivea, written and produced by her then husband The-Dream is a song that means everything to me. Every time I hear this track, I can't help but cry because it reminds me of the time when my only sister was born (I was 8 years old) and the two most important people in my love (my grandmother and great-grandmother) passed away within a year of each. Since then, I have felt that my purpose on this Earth, has been to do whatever I can for my sister, as my grandparents did for me. Although this particular song, focuses on finding a lover, I interpret the song as finding the person whom I care the most about.
One day you're
Standin' in the middle of the road
And you don't know where you're goin'
All of a sudden your whole life changed
And life finally gives you somethin' back
It's been a mean world without you
(Sis) I love you, I love you.
Standin' in the middle of the road
And you don't know where you're goin'
All of a sudden your whole life changed
And life finally gives you somethin' back
It's been a mean world without you
(Sis) I love you, I love you.
Nickelback - Photograph
Funny. The first time that I really heard this song was late 2006, as I neared my high school graduation. "Photograph" was a #2 hit for Canadian rock back Nickelback. The hook of the song goes "every memory of looking out the backdoor, I have the photo album spread out on my bed room floor, it's hard to say it, it's time to say it, goodbye, goodbye" making "Photographs" not only one of the bands best, but a poignant song that is sure to resonate with audiences for a very long time.
Mary J. Blige - Ain't Really Love
I must admit, that Mary has sort of decline in recent years. However, as per usual, she always shines on tales of a women scorned. "Ain't Really Love" personifies the notion that being in even an emotionally abusive relationship is not really love. Produced and written by Brian Michael-Cox, the ballad finds Mary going in on her significant other.
The best line, hands down, finds Mary snapping back when her significant other says "you'd never have these problems from a white chick." Mary quickly notes that he took her "to the level of some bull shit" with that statement. I died of happiness when I first heard that because it's just such a powerful notion.
However, Mary goes further my relaying the universal notion that "I know I love you but I love myself too." In life and love, sometimes, we as humans, just have to put ourselves first because their will be many times when no one else will.
The best line, hands down, finds Mary snapping back when her significant other says "you'd never have these problems from a white chick." Mary quickly notes that he took her "to the level of some bull shit" with that statement. I died of happiness when I first heard that because it's just such a powerful notion.
However, Mary goes further my relaying the universal notion that "I know I love you but I love myself too." In life and love, sometimes, we as humans, just have to put ourselves first because their will be many times when no one else will.
Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
It wouldn't be right if I didn't review my favorite artist of all-time. In 2005, Mariah Carey returned with "The Emancipation of Mimi," the #1 selling album of the year and scorend three Top 2 hits. One of those was the monster #1, and eventual, #1 song of the decade "We Belong Together."
Co-writing and co-producing the song with long-time friend Jermaine Dupri, Mariah crafted a simple ballad in the vein of many of their earlier collaborations such as 1995's "Always Be My Baby." Like the aforementioned song (also a #1 hit), "We Belong Together" finds Mariah crooning that no matter what, she knows that her and her lover belong together forever.
Unlike many Mariah songs, Ms. Carey remains vocally in control throughout the majority of the song. That is, until the last chorus where belts "when you left I lost a part of me, it's still so hard to believe, come back baby please, cause we belong together, whom I going to lean on when times get rough, whose gone talk to me til the sun comes up, who's gon' take your places, there's nobody better, we belong together!" Classic.
Co-writing and co-producing the song with long-time friend Jermaine Dupri, Mariah crafted a simple ballad in the vein of many of their earlier collaborations such as 1995's "Always Be My Baby." Like the aforementioned song (also a #1 hit), "We Belong Together" finds Mariah crooning that no matter what, she knows that her and her lover belong together forever.
Unlike many Mariah songs, Ms. Carey remains vocally in control throughout the majority of the song. That is, until the last chorus where belts "when you left I lost a part of me, it's still so hard to believe, come back baby please, cause we belong together, whom I going to lean on when times get rough, whose gone talk to me til the sun comes up, who's gon' take your places, there's nobody better, we belong together!" Classic.
Keyshia Cole - Love, I Thought You Had My Back
One of my favorite new artists to emerge in the 2000's was Keyshia Cole. SHe brought a refreshing and energy that modern R&B music had been missing for a long time. Although her first two singles weren't major hits, her label supported the singer and hellped both her third and fourth singles go Top 10 on the R&B charts.
Although a little too hood (with all the rent-a-rappers) for my tastes, the album did produce a number of soulful jams. Notable, "Love, I Thought You Had My Back" remains my favorite Keyshia track to date. The songs sings that she didn't think that love would hurt her again, after all that she'd been through. However, yet again, she's been knocked down by the pain that often comes with "loving" someone else.
Luckily, Keyshia doesn't stay down and rises to admit that relationships may come and go, but she is sure that there is someone out that will truly love her one day. She subsequently set herself up for a strong career singer black women scorned power ballads.
Although a little too hood (with all the rent-a-rappers) for my tastes, the album did produce a number of soulful jams. Notable, "Love, I Thought You Had My Back" remains my favorite Keyshia track to date. The songs sings that she didn't think that love would hurt her again, after all that she'd been through. However, yet again, she's been knocked down by the pain that often comes with "loving" someone else.
Luckily, Keyshia doesn't stay down and rises to admit that relationships may come and go, but she is sure that there is someone out that will truly love her one day. She subsequently set herself up for a strong career singer black women scorned power ballads.
Ginuwine - Betta Half
Although I wasn't particularly pleased with Ginuwine's 2005 CD, the album did have a couple of notable gems. One in particular, Betta Half, is another testament to his vocal talent and ability to emote. Honestly, no review can show how strong this song is so I'll just leave you with the lyrics to chorus and let you feel for yourself.
"It hurts me, just to know you're hurting, and it kills me, just to know you're sad, you're all I need, you're more than just a friend to me, you're everything, cause you're my better half..." - Betta Half.
"It hurts me, just to know you're hurting, and it kills me, just to know you're sad, you're all I need, you're more than just a friend to me, you're everything, cause you're my better half..." - Betta Half.
Chris Brown - Ya Man Ain't Me
I've been going back in forth lately with my posts, but that just how my iTunes journey is flowing. In 2005, Chris Brown hit that scene with his #1 hit "Run It." In late October, his label released snippets to a few of his album tracks. One that caught my attention immediately was "Ya Man Ain't Me." I literally played that snippet at least one hundred times over the next month.
Upon hearing the full version, after buying the album, I knew that Chris Brown had the potential to be a star. As straight forward as any song title can be, Chris Brown tells his love interest that "Ya (her) man at him (me)." As a 16 year old, no one could tell me anything with that song dropped.
Upon hearing the full version, after buying the album, I knew that Chris Brown had the potential to be a star. As straight forward as any song title can be, Chris Brown tells his love interest that "Ya (her) man at him (me)." As a 16 year old, no one could tell me anything with that song dropped.
Carrie Underwood - Wasted
All these post about POP music, brings me to another musical revelation. In 2006, Carrie Underwood scorned a huge crossover hit with "Before He Cheats." Although that song was good and initially got me interested in the 4th American Idol winner, it was her fourth single "Wasted" from her debut album "Some Hearts" that caught my attention.
Hook heavy, "Wasted" illustrates a battered women and an alcoholic man who come to the realization that they don't want to "let all these years go by wasted." Lyrics such as "I don't want to keep on wishing, missing, the still of the morning, the color of the night" truly tug at my heart because this was a point in my life where I found myself at a crossroads.
I had to make the personal choice to leave home and attend a college far away from home. This song, like many others, inspired me not to waste any more time and to follow my dreams because that's the only way to live in this world. To this day, "Wasted" remains my favorite song by the beautiful and talented Carrie Underwood.
Hook heavy, "Wasted" illustrates a battered women and an alcoholic man who come to the realization that they don't want to "let all these years go by wasted." Lyrics such as "I don't want to keep on wishing, missing, the still of the morning, the color of the night" truly tug at my heart because this was a point in my life where I found myself at a crossroads.
I had to make the personal choice to leave home and attend a college far away from home. This song, like many others, inspired me not to waste any more time and to follow my dreams because that's the only way to live in this world. To this day, "Wasted" remains my favorite song by the beautiful and talented Carrie Underwood.
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