In My Write Mind

So I’ve been running down a list of “25 Songs I Couldn’t Do Without.” Dot inspired me. She’s cool like that. LOL See yesterday’s post to get caught up.

And now … the rest.

“Buddy,” De La Soul featuring The Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah and Monie Love — EVERYBODY who’s read my archives should know how much I love this song. And when EJ (who has forgotten about more music than I will ever know) put it on his OSW last year, I swear it was on a continuous loop for the rest of the week. I could listen to this song anytime: during sex, at a funeral, a bah mitzvah, my Uncle Tony’s probation hearing … anytime. That’s how much I love it. I’m STILL waiting for Nikki to do a breakdown of this song in her “Best Collabos Ever” series, but alas … she’s dragging her feet, instead concentrating on creating wonderful templates and shit. Boo. LOL “The best buddy’s in evening wear / Long lovin’ less Tru know (he’s in there) / I feel sorry for those who pay a fare (a fee) word to the D / I don’t beg I just tease my buddy with my right leg / And when it’s ready what’s said is buddy is best in bed …”

“Black Butterfly,” Deniece Williams – I love the entire song, but there’s a verse that comes right before the bridge that goes, “Let the current lift your heard and send it soaring / Write your timeless message clear across the sky / So that all of us can read it and remember when we need it / That a dream conceived in truth can never die.” Lawd, that’s some good writing right there. And Niecey’s vocals to the words penned by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil are both inspiring and powerful. Just love this song.

“Inside Out,” Odyssey — Sure, it’s disco, but still … this is one of those songs that I will dance to no matter what kind of mood I’m in. I usually here it when I go to a spot in Chelsea that’s known for its hip hop Wednesday nights (I know, I know … disco and hip hop, who knew? LOL). It’s a crowd pleaser, for sure. “When you’re lyin’ in her bed / And you’re in her arms instead of mine / As you feel her tightening grip /Like a genie I will slip in your heart … “ Yeah, makes no sense to me, either. Gotta love disco. LOL

“At Last,” Etta James — “I found a dream / That I could speak to / A dream that I could call my own / I found a thrill / To press my cheek to / A thrill that I have never known … “ Shiiii, if you promise me that the woman I marry is like THAT, sign me up right.now.

“I Adore You,” Caron Wheeler – This song wasn’t even an album track, instead a single from the movie soundtrack to “Mo’ Money.” Go figure. Caron’s angelic vocals mixed with the seductive beat makes for great listening. I swear, each time it comes on the Nano, a huge smile comes across my face, like I can’t help but remember someone I’ve adored throughout the years.

“I Like,” Guy — This, to me, is Guy’s best song. I mean like, ever. Sure, they hit it big with their ballads, but I promise you, I skipped those joints every time I played the cassette back in the day, going directly to Side 2, where “I Like” led off. Needless to say, my tape popped from the constant play. And even now, each time it comes on while in shuffle mode, I still rewind it several times before I’ve had my fill. Check out the way Aaron broke down the way he felt: “I like the way you wear your hair / I like the stylish clothes you wear / The way you kiss me, I’ll be warm / Give me all your lovin’ all night long …” Ladies, when a dude makes a song saying that you hypnotize him with your eyes, all the while celebrating the way you wear your hair, please rest assured: He likes you. LOL

“There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” Luther Vandross / Gregory Hines — All I remember is, the first time I heard this song, I was like, “Gregory who? The tap dance dude? He can sing.” LOL Now, each time I hear it, it just calms me. Makes me call somebody I love, remembering that tomorrow is never promised. Especially since both artists have passed away and we’ll never get another duet from them again … well, that is, unless Diddy gets ahold of some of their unreleased stuff. Then, of course, all bets are off. “Ooo love wakes me up everyday /And I thought no one would ever make me feel this way / It fills me up everytime I hear her say / She’s still in love and no one will take her love away …”

“Summertime,” DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince — Yup, had to add it. It’s become a summer anthem of sorts. Can you really get tired of the Kool & The Gang sample from which the song is lifted? Seriously, it puts you in seasonal chill mode, like you can just put it on repeat in the background of a BBQ or at the beach. “Everybody come lookin real fine / fresh from the barber shop or fly from the beauty salon / every moment frontin and maxin / chillin in the car they spent all day waxin / leanin to the side but you can’t speed through / two miles an hour so everybody sees you /there’s an air of love and of happiness / and this is the Fresh Prince’s new defintion of summer madness …” Just coolin’.

“Soon As I Get Home,” Faith Evans — I was OK with Faith before this song. But to be true, it was this song right here that won me over. I mean, I knew she could sing, but the way she breaks it down on this song … makes me stop what I’m doing to listen. Every.time. “We hold each other tight /I can take away the pain, if you would only let me / Just forget about the past / Cuz I want to make it last, baby I apologize / Cuz boy, I really need you in my life …” Lemme just say something. Those lyrics may seem simplistic to you all, but if a woman … says that … and MEANS it … and you KNOW she means it … shiiiii, you wouldn’t see my ass after work. No O.T. for m.e. I’d be racing to my spot, talkin’ bout soon as I get home. Lawdamercy. Let’s just move on …

“They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),” Pete Rock & CL Smooth — All I have to say about this song is that a few years ago, on a classic R&B station here in New York, one of the morning show hosts played this song back-to-back. Twice. Two times. On.a.classic.R.and.B. station. That’s when you know a hip hop song has reached classic status. And this one has. “I reminisce so you never forget this / The days of wayback, so many bear witness the fitness / Take the first letter out of each word in this joint / Listen close as I prove my point /T to the R-uh-O-Y, how did you and I meet? /In front of Big Lou’s, fighting in the street / But only you saw what took many time to see /I dedicate this to you for believing in me …” Damn. He misses his boy. ‘Nuff respect.

“Isn’t She Lovely,” Stevie Wonder — Father to daughter. Makes me long for the chance to sing about my future daughter like that to everyone who will listen.

“To Zion,” Lauryn Hill – Mother to son. She puts everything into those notes. Every breath. That’s some love for that ass. Zion is truly blessed.

“Don’t Speak,” Leela James — This is a remake of the Gwen Stefani song of the same name. Leela’s voice takes the song to new heights. And please, please, please (in true James Brown begging fashion), if you get a chance to see this young lady perform live, stop what you’re doing and go. Seriously. You will not be disappointed. She puts the soul in soul singer. She’s a throwback (which is a great thing.) When she sings, “You and me / We used to be together / Everyday together always / I really feel / Like I’m losing my best friend / I can’t believe / This could be the end / It looks as though you’re letting go / And if it’s real / Well I don’t want to know …,” with that sultry voice, you feeeeeel her angst. She’s one of my favorite singers. Hands down.

“The Way,” Jill Scott — The album cut of this song is good. But hearing the live version on the Experience CD is like going from good to great. Jill is still the truth. She sings it like she feels it, breaks it down in no uncertain terms. “Woke up this morning with a smile on my face / jumped out of bed, took a shower, dressed, cleaned up my place / Made me some breakfast, toast, 2 scrambled eggs, grits / Grabbed my keys, grabbed my purse, grabbed my jacket / Off to work, beaming all the way down 3rd …” Seeeee? Right there, she broke down her state of mind when waking up, her state of breakfast, her state of bliss … lawd, right there is a song you can see in your mind. You get to know who Jill Scott is with this song. And with all of her songs. That’s why she’s my favorite artist. Descriptive works very well for a writer. She’s descriptive. I lubb her.

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I could go on and on … songs by Mint Condition, Prince, Zhane, New Edition, Floetry, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Busta Rhymes, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Angie Stone didn’t make the list. But I love those songs just the same. Which really COULD mean that the 25 Songs I Couldn’t Do Without MAY turn into a weekly column entitled, ALL THE DAMN SONGS I COULDN’T DO WITHOUT. LOL We’ll see. Don’t wanna overcommit.

This was fun, though. Respect to all those who’ve left comments. Tell me some of the joints that would be on your list when you stop by.

Respect!