Justice – D.A.N.C.E

My Comments:

Justice is a French electro-house band, who first rose to prominence in the early to mid- 2000s. D.A.N.C.E. is the second single from † (Cross), their debut album.

D.A.N.C.E might sound familiar even if you haven’t heard of Justice; it was sampled by Swizz Beatz for Jay-Z’s “On to the Next One” and remixed officially and unofficially by many others.

Lyrics:

Do the D.A.N.C.E
1234, fight!
Stick to the B.E.A.T
Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T
Catching all the lights
Just easy as A.B.C
That’s how we make it right

(3 times)

Do the D.A.N.C.E
Stick to the B.E.A.T
Just easy as A.B.C

Do the Dance (Do the Dance)
The way you move is a mystery
Do the dance
You’re always there for music and me

(3 times)

Streaming through the radio
Dancing all around
Spread the word in stereo
At the speed of sound
Do the Dance (Do the Dance)
The way you move is a mystery
Do the dance
You’re always there for music and me

(2 times)

Do the D.A.N.C.E (Do the Dance, Do the Dance)
Stick to the B.E.A.T (Do the Dance, Do the Dance)
You were such a P.Y.T (Do the Dance, Do the Dance)
Just easy as A.B.C (Do the Dance, Do the Dance)

Under the spotlights
Neither black nor white
It doesn’t matter
Do the Dance (do the dance)

As strong as you might
Working day and night
Whatever happens
Do the DANCE (do the dance)

Under the spotlights
Neither black nor white
It doesn’t matter
Do the Dance (do the dance)

As strong as you might
Working day and night
Whatever happens

Do the Dance (Do the Dance)
The way you move is a mystery
Do the Dance
You’re always there for music and me

(2 times)

The way you move is a mystery…

Brownstone – Grapevyne

My Comments:

Classic ’90s R&B. Brownstone was a female R&B trio popular in the United States in the 1990s.  Like other ’90s R&B groups they were known for their strong and soulful vocals. “Grapevyne” is their hit remake of Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”.

Click through to watch.

Lyrics:

I heard it through grapevyne
Boy, you know that I

I heard it through the grapevine
That you ain’t feelin too fine
And I hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do really

Happened on the day I left

Since that day you haven’t been the best

And I hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do

You looked into my eyes
You said to me that night
That you would never cheat on me
Or break my heart

Inside I never knew
Your love was so untrue
I thought that I was your only
Boy, was I wrong, so wrong

Never do something that’ll catch up to ya
You did me wrong and told me lies
Never do something that you’ll live to regret
You hurt me so bad, babe

Deep in my heart I feel sorry for ya
You had to lose a damn good thing
Lovin’ me could have been good
Losing my love was a shame, baby

I heard it through the grapevine
That you ain’t feeling too fine
Hope that you feel much better

Yes, I do (I really, really do, baby) really

Happened on the day I left
Since that day you haven’t been the best
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do

We choose to play love games
We lose, we face the pain
Those lonely nights and that heartache
That empty space

I’ll share with you my dreams
Those precious tender things
Everybody plays a fool
I guess I played my part for you

Never do something that’ll catch up to ya
You did me wrong and told me lies
Never do something that you’ll live to regret
You hurt me so bad, babe

Deep in my heart I feel sorry for ya
You had to lose a damn good thing
Lovin’ me could have been good

Losing my love was a shame

I heard it through the grapevine
That you ain’t feeling too fine
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do (I really, really do, baby) really

Happened on the day I left
Since that day you havent been the best
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do

Oh, boy, you had my faith, you had my trust, you had my love
But now I have to take it back, it didn’t work for us
And all I really needed was your lovin’
Yes, all I really needed was your lovin’

I was your lady and there’s nothing that I would not do
Now here’s a Dear John letter that I’ve written just for you
And all I really needed was your lovin’
Yes, all I really needed was your lovin’, hey…

Never do something that’ll catch up to ya
You did me wrong and told me lies
Never do something that you’ll live to regret
You hurt me so bad, now baby

Deep in my heart I feel sorry for you
You had to lose a damn good thing
Lovin’ me could have been good
Losing my good love was such a shame

I heard it through the grapevine
That you ain’t feelin too fine
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do (I really, really do, baby) really

Happened on the day I left
Since that day you havent been the best
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do

Heard it through, heard it through
I heard it through that grapevyne
Heard it through, heard it through
Grapevyne, grapevyne

Heard it through, heard it through
I heard it through that grapevyne
Hope that you feel much better
Yes, I do

Aaliyah – Don’t Know What To Tell Ya

My Comments:

Today (August 25th) is the 10th anniversary of the death of R&B singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash off the Bahamas at the young age of 22. Aaliyah is remembered for her unique personal style and innovative music videos.

In honor of her death, here is “Don’t Know What to Tell Ya”, with an intro from rapper DMX. The single is from the album I Care 4 U, which was released after she died. This is one of my favorite Aaliyah songs.

Lyrics:

You wanna handcuff me
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You want my intimacy
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You wanna wall around me
I swear I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You want my lock and my key
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)

Incarceration what I’m facin’
When I’m with you
You’re watchin’ my every move
Tryin’ to pick up on some clues
We play twenty questions
Every time I walk in or out the door
What do you bother for (what do you bother for)
Get comfortable with yours

It’s gonna take T-R-U-S-T to keep my L-O-V-E
It’s gonna take T-R-U-S-T to keep my L-O-V-E
Cracking, stressing, and second guessing me
Time and time again
We go from lovers back to friends
Got to put this to an end

You wanna handcuff me
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You want my intimacy
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You wanna wall around me
I swear I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)
You want my lock and my key
But yo I don’t know what to tell ya (don’t know what to tell ya)

No justification for your actions
Should have been somewhere relaxing
Don’t compare me to your last one
I can’t help it she was a fast one
A sassy one, I’m a classy one
I can’t keep them from getting at me hun
Seems like that should make you happy hun

It’s gonna take T-R-U-S-T to keep my L-O-V-E
It’s gonna take T-R-U-S-T to keep my L-O-V-E
Cracking, I can’t deny it why I try to put up with you
These insecurities everyday
Pushing my love away, hey

[Repeat Chorus]

UB40 – Red Red Wine

My Comments:

Remember this one?

This is English reggae band UB-40’s chart-topping cover of “Red Red Wine”. The song was originally song by Neil Diamond, but UB40 (not Bob Marley, as many people believe) put their own spin on it in the early ’80s, turning it into this very memorable classic.

Click through to listen directly on YouTube. And no I am not promoting alcoholism.

Lyrics:

Red, red wine
Goes to my head
Makes me forget that I
Still need her so

Red, red wine
It’s up to you
All I can do I’ve done
memories won’t go
memories won’t go

I just thought that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, now I find
Just one thing makes me forget

(Chorus)

Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don’t let me be in love
It’s tearin’ apart
My blue, blue heart

I just thought that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong now I find
Just one thing makes me forget

Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don’t let me be in love
It’s tearin’ apart
My blue, blue heart

Red red wine you make me feel so fine
You keep me rocking all of the time

Red red wine you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollars when your just in my hand

Red red wine you make me feel so sad
Any time I see you go it makes me feel bad

Red red wine you make me feel so fine
Monkey pack him rizla pon the sweet dep line

Red red wine you give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing mek me do me own thing

Red red wine you know of love
Your kind of loving like a blessing from above

Red red wine I love you right from the start
Right from the start with all of my heart

Red red wine in a 80’s style
Red red wine in a modern beat style, yeah

(Chorus)

Give me little time, help me clear up me mind
Give me little time, help me clear up me mind

Give me Red wine because it make me feel fine
Make me feel fine all of the time

Red red wine you make me feel so fine
Monkey pack him rizla on the sweet dep line

The line broke, the monkey get choke
Burn bad ganja pon him little rowing boat

Red red wine I’m gonna hold to you
Hold on to you cause I know you love true

Red red wine I’m gonna love you till I die
Love you till I die and that`s no lie

Red red wine can’t get you out of mind
Where ever you maybe I’ll surely find
I’ll surely find make no fuss jus’ stick with us.

(Chorus)

Give me little time, help me clear up me mind
Give me little time, help me clear up me mind

Give me Red wine because it make me feel fine
Make me feel fine all of the time

Red red wine you make me feel so fine
Monkey pack him rizla on the sweet dep line,

The line broke, the monkey get choke
Burn bad ganja pon him little rowing boat

Red red wine you really know of love
Your kind of loving like a blessing from above

Red red wine I love you right from the start
Right from the start with all of my heart

Red red wine you give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing mek me do me own thing

Red red wine in a 80’s style
Red red wine in a modern beat style, yeah

Rap, Rock, and Violence

Do rap and rock music really contribute to violence, misogyny, and other ills of society?

The notion that certain genres of music may be linked to societal problems has been a topic of debate for ages. Studies and surveys have been centered on the matter and various groups and people have spoken out against rap and rock music, in particular. Advocates of the music have defended it as a mode of expression and form of storytelling; a depiction of the artists’ lives.

The Lyrics

Rap and rock music’s lyrics, in addition to their music videos, are a main point of debate — many claim they promote violence and other undesirable behaviors and attitudes.

• Rap

Rap has come under scrutiny for lyrics that have been described as overly violent, misogynistic, and homophobic. Life After Death, the third best-selling rap album of all time, and last album of deceased rapper Notorious B.I.G. illustrates such behaviors and attitudes. Its Grammy-nominated single “Hypnotize” contains the following lyrics:

Them niggas ride dicks, Frank White push the sticks
on the Lexus, LX, four and a half
Bulletproof glass tints if I want some ass
Gonna blast squeeze first ask questions last
That’s how most of these so-called gangsters pass
At last, a nigga rappin ’bout blunts and broads
Tits and bras, ménage à trois, sex in expensive cars
I still leave you on the pavement
Condo paid for, no car payment
At my arraignment, note for the plantiff
Your daughter’s tied up in a Brooklyn basement
Face it, not guilty

Such lyrics have pushed people like politician and activist C. Delores Tucker to dedicate their lives to getting them removed from the air. Tucker created petitions, picketed stores that sold such music, and bought stock in music companies so she could protest at meetings. Tucker said of rap lyrics, “You can’t listen to all that language and filth without it affecting you.”

• Rock

Heavy metal has been the most criticized of the subgenres of rock music. It is said to glorify everything from killing, to suicide, to satanism. Judas Priest, an English heavy metal band, was sued in the early 1990s as the cause of one suicide and one attempted suicide. Two families of teenagers who shot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest song “Better By You, Better Than Me” claimed that subliminal messages in the lyrics influenced them to create a suicide pact. The actual lyrics include:

Tell her now I got to go
Guess you’ll have to tell her how I tried
To speak up thoughts I’ve held so inside
Out in the streets and down the shore
Tell her the world’s not much living for
It’s better by you better than me

Guess I’ll have to change my way of living
Don’t wanna really know the way I feel
Guess I’ll learn to fight and kill
They’ll find my blood upon her windowsill
It’s better by you better than me

The suit was eventually dismissed, but the case lives on as an example of the influence of music on behavior.

Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox – Same Script, Different Cast

My Comments:

“Same Script, Different Cast” is a 2000 duet featuring R&B great Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox. It appears on Whitney Houston’s Whitney: The Greatest Hits, but no official video was ever made. It was well-received by R&B fanatics, but surprisingly never too popular on the charts (like the unknown great Deborah Cox, besides her one hit).

This duet is probably not as catchy as “The Boy is Mine”, but it’s more powerful in its message, and even moreso when delivered by powerhouse singers like Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox. If I were Deborah, I’d listen to Whitney!

(Unfortunately it must be played via dailymotion with ads.)

Lyrics:

[Spoken]

Whitney Houston: Um? Hey Deb.
Deborah Cox: Uh, huh?
Whitney: Thank you for being woman enough to come.
Deborah: Whitney, what’s this about?

[/Spoken]

Whitney: I know he’s leaving me for you

Deborah: Who said that? Who told you? That is true

Whitney: What is he tellin’ you? Could it be the same things that he told me?

Deborah: He told me that he loved me

Whitney: I heard that

Deborah: He told me I was beautiful. How did you know? How did you know?

Whitney: ‘Cause I played that scene before

Chorus (Whitney):
This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
Now the roles have changed
And you’re the leading lady in his life

Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause it won’t last
Same script, different cast

Deborah: What you’re saying could be true. But how can I take advice from you?

Whitney:  I’m not hating. But I wish the one before me would have warned me too, babe

Deborah: Don’t say no more. (lalalala)

Whitney: Uncover your ears, girl

Deborah: I’m not listening (lalalala)

Whitney:
But I know you hear me
Maybe my reasons are wrong,
But I know that you believe me

Chorus (Whitney):
This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
Now the roles have changed
And you’re the leading lady in his life

Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause it won’t last
Same script, different cast

Deborah: It’s your fault you didn’t love him enough

Whitney:
That’s the problem
I loved him too much
And when you love him
He becomes unattracted to you

Deborah: Oh no, he’s changed and I’ll prove you wrong

Whitney: No, you won’t

Deborah: So, go away. Leave us the hell alone! He loves me

Whitney: He’ll hurt you

Deborah: He’ll stay with me

Whitney: He’ll leave you

Whitney and Deborah: For sure! For sure!

Chorus (Whitney):
This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
Now the roles have changed
And you’re the leading lady in his life

Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause it won’t last
Same script, different cast

Deborah:
This is a retake of my life
You were his star for many nights
But now the roles have changed
I’m the leading lady in his life

Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause this will last
I’m the future, you’re his past

Whitney:
This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
Now the roles have changed
And you’re the leading lady in his life

Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause it won’t last
Same script, different cast

Whitney and Deborah:
Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned

Whitney: Enjoy it now
Deborah: Just watch us now
Whitney: It won’t last
Deborah: I know it will last
Whitney and Deborah: Same script, different cast

Slash (featuring Myles Kennedy) – Back From Cali

My Comments:

Slash is an English-American rock guitarist and formerly part of the band Guns N’ Roses. “Back from Cali” is the third single from his debut solo album. Myles Kennedy is frontman of the American band Alter Bridge.

I’m so in love with this song — it is the first thing I hear when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I hear when I go to bed at night. And I’m not even from Cali.

Lyrics:

Woke up this morning all alone
I got a ringing in my head
I couldn’t take it anymore today
She left me here for dead
Oh, woah yeah yeah

And it should come as no surprise
I shoulda known it from the start
The lights are faded and I can’t deny
This place ain’t got no heart

Oh, you can’t hear me tonight
You can’t hear me tonight

You’ll have to carry me back from Cali
I’m tired and broken and I lost my way
You’ll have to carry me back to where I belong
You’ll have to carry me back from Cali
I don’t want money I don’t need no fame
You’ll have to carry me back to where I belong

I got to leave this angel city
But I can’t do it by myself
So if you please mama can you save me
Before I blow this life to hell

Ooooooohh
Mama, grab me by the feet and just drag me home

You’ll have to carry me back from Cali
I don’t care if you think I’m to blame
You’ll have to carry me back to where I belong
You’ll have to carry me back from Cali
The angel city where the devils play
You’ll have to carry me back to where I belong

Yeahhhh
You can’t hear me tonight
You can’t hear me tonight
You can’t hear me tonight
You can’t hear me tonight
I’ve lost my way I’m so alone
And all I want is to come home

Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’

My Comments:

Before there was Jon B. and Robin Thicke there was Michael McDonald.

Michael McDonald is an American “blue-eyed soul” singer most popular in the ’80s. He is known for his distinctive voice and numerous guest appearances. “I Keep Forgettin’ ” is his 1982 hit duet with his sister Maureen.

I love Michael’s voice and this song has the perfect production for it. This is the perfect “broken up, but can’t let you go” song. If it sounds familiar, it’s because it’s been sampled on a few later songs.

Lyrics:

I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore
I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again
I keep forgettin’ how you made that so clear
I keep forgettin’

Every time you’re near
Every time I see your smile
Hear your “hello”
Saying you can only stay a while

Hey, I know that it’s hard for you
To say the things we both know are true
But tell me how come (I)

I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore
I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again
I keep forgettin’ how you made that so clear
I keep forgettin’

Every time I hear
How you never want to live a lie
How it’s gone too far
And you don’t have to tell me why

Why you’re gone and why the game is through
If this is what’s real, if this is what’s true
Tell me how come (I)

I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore
I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again
I keep forgettin’ how you made that so clear
I keep forgettin’

Don’t say that, don’t say that, don’t say that
I know you’re not mine anymore, anyway, anytime
But tell me how come (I)

I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore
I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again
I keep forgettin’ how you made that so clear
I keep forgettin’, baby

I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore
I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again
I keep forgettin’ how you made that so clear
I keep forgettin’

Lenny Kravitz – It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over

My Comments:

Lenny Kravitz is an eclectic American musician whose genre is hard to define, but could best be defined as rock. “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” is the second single from his 1991 album Mama Said.

This is one of my favorite Lenny songs, and one of his as well. He says it has a classic vibe and I agree. It has held up throughout the ages.

Lyrics:

Here we are, still together
We are one…
So much time wasted
Playing games with love

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
But baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over
So many years we’ve tried
To keep our love alive
But baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

How many times
Did we give up
But we always worked things out
And all my doubts and fears
Kept me wondering, yeahhh
If I’d always, always be in love

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
But baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many years we’ve tried
And kept our love alive
‘Cause baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
Baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many years we’ve tried
And kept our love alive
‘Cause baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
Baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many years we’ve tried
to kept our love alive
‘Cause baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over (over, over)

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
Baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

So many years we’ve tried
And kept our love alive
‘Cause baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over (over, over, over)

So many tears I’ve cried
So much pain inside
Baby it ain’t over ’til it’s over

SoKo – I’ll Kill Her

My Comments:

SoKo is a French singer. She hasn’t released an official album yet, but “I’ll Kill Her” is her greatest single to date. This is an acoustic version of the song, which I think is better than the actual, even if she’s not the best singer.

This song describes the thought process of a girl who has been cheated on by a guy she cares about too much. Her passion is tangible.

The lyrics are priceless. Cheating men: take notice.

Lyrics:

So, of course, you were supposed to call me tonight
You were supposed to call me tonight
We would have gone to the cinema
And after, to the restaurant, the one you like in your street

We’d have slept together
Had a nice breakfast together
And a walk in the park together
How beautiful and then

You would have said “I love you”
In the cutest place on earth
Where some butterflies are dancing with the fairies

I would have waited like a week or two
But you never tried to reach me
No, you never called me back

You were dating that bleached blonde girl
And if I find her, I swear, I swear

I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future, she broke my dream
I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future when she took you away

I would have met your friends
We would have had a drink or two
They would have liked me cause
Sometimes I’m funny
I would have met your dad
I would have met your mum
She’d have said, “Please, can you make some beautiful babies?”
So we would have had a boy called Tom, and a girl called Susan
Born in Japan

I thought it was a love story
But you don’t want to get involved
I thought it was a love story
But you’re not ready for that

Me neither. I’ll kill her
She stole my future, she broke my dream
I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future when she took you away

She’s a bitch you know, all she’s got is blondeness
Not even tenderness, yeah she’s clever-less
She’ll dump your ass for a model called Brendan
He will pay for a beautiful surgery, because he’s full of money

I would have waited like a week or two
But you never tried to reach me, no, no
You never called me back

You were dating that bleached blonde girl
And if I find her, I swear, I swear

I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future, she broke my dream
I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future when she took you away

I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future, she broke my dream
I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her
She stole my future when she took you away

(Man I told you… you know, if I find her, I really… I’ll kill her, for real.
I’ll just find something, anything… a gun if I can. Anything.
And I’m strong enough, so I’ll do it. I’ll kill her.)