Music Mondays: Luther Vandross - Anyone Who Had a Heart.

“Anyone who had a heart/ Would take me in her arms/ And love me too”. I heard those lyrics when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I found an old tape that my Grandparents owned and I was going to put paper inside the wholes at the top and record over it. Y’all remember recording over your parents tapes? I am still paying them back for it. Well, I pushed play and I heard a sweet voice; it was Luther Vandross! It was love at first sound. What touched me as a child were love songs, lyrics of love, pain, longing, yearning, and joy. What I now understand is that is the heart of a romantic. Romantic or The Lover, I was too young to understand this pull on my subconscious, but there I was listening to this sad love song. It reminded me of my personal life. How could my parents say they love me and leave? “You couldn’t really have a heart and hurt me like you hurt me and be so untrue”, as Lutha says. So the longing began. The need to be recused and fantasy flooded my mind of a better day and the perfect love. Love songs allowed me to escape a deeply emotional, scared, sad, and abandoned childhood. Of course I had wonderful Grandparents who raised me and I wouldn’t change my life experience for the world. But that’s not what this is about. This is the truth. My love story, not censored. My love story is a story about pain and redemption; to be whole, broken, and whole again.

To understand the life of the romantic you have to first go into their childhood. You have to look at the lover’s first heart break, the feeling of loss and despair. How could someone who loves love be so sad? It’s the complexity of the romantic. But also a beautiful reflection of life itself! To fully love life we have to learn to embrace both good and bad. To be fulfilled as human beings we must see our dark/shadow and light within ourselves. Being able to accept this paradox is what makes us whole!

When you listen to “Anyone Who Has a Heart” you enter the life of a true romantic. “Knowing I love you so” Luther sings. To still love and commit to a relationship that is damaging to your soul. To be able to let go, a constant struggle for the romantic! The hurt and abandoned that sums up the lyrics at the end of the song, “No one is going to make you feel the way I do”. My goodness… Below is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite singers. Enjoy!

Music Mondays: Whitney Houston - The First Noel and Joy To The World

To share a light and love this Christmas season I wanted to share my favorites from Whitney Houston. The reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. So here are two songs that highlight this blessing! Enjoy...

Music Mondays: Donny Hathaway - This Christmas and The Jackson 5 - Give Love On Christmas Day

In 1991 I discovered records. Now, my Grandmother collected records before I was born and I seen them in our home throughout my childhood. But up until I was 13 I had no desire to listen to records. The Christmas season arrived and my Grandmother went into her collection and played her records. I remember hearing Donny Hathaway for the first time, then she played the Jackson 5 and I was excited to hear Michael Jackson as a kid. When everyone was tired of hearing Christmas songs I would sit in front of the stereo with my Grandfathers headphones on and listen to music over and over. So when I hear The Jackson 5 Christmas or Donny Hathaway my childhood flashes before me. Today I wanted to share my favorite Christmas songs with you. I hope to share a little Holiday cheer! Enjoy….

Music Mondays: The Foreign Exchange - On A Day Like Today

“On A Day Like Today” by Foreign Exchange is close to my heart for several reasons. I won’t bore you with all the reasons, but will share a couple. I have never been in love before. Not the romantic type of love. And at 36 I thought I would be married with children by now. Life does not go as we plan and that’s okay too. If just for today I let go of all my expectations. If I just allow life to unfold as it will. That is scary, I always had a “plan”. But as Phonte sings, "Today I am going to try something new".

For years I have “worked” so hard on trying to have it all together. On my journey I find myself letting go. I finally accepted I won’t have it all together. Pause….breathe….and it’s okay. Perfection only lives in my mind. I wanted the perfect relationship. I wanted to court, get married, THEN move in together (build our own home of course) and have children. It’s okay to have a dream about your ideal relationship, but what I never made room for was life to happen. As Phonte wisely sings, “Get out the way of your happiness/ Let go of all you know is not true”.

“On A Day Like Today” is one of my favorite songs. It is a mid tempo song with an 80’s feel. It a perfect song for a sunny Fall day! And I love how Phonte fades out the song with the lyrics he sings at the start of the song. There is nothing greater than a love song! A song you can jam to and lyrics that can heal a broken Spirit. A healthy love is the goal. I will no longer be obsessed about the process. What I don’t learn while I am single, I will learn God willing when I’m in a relationship. My obsession with trying to have it together was my wall. That wall kept romantic love out of my life that did not meet my high expectations. On a day like today I will change my point of view. Now with a new outlook on life my prayer is that I will find my way to you. Enjoy…

Music Mondays: The Internet - You Don't Even Know ft Tay Walker

To stick with the theme of setting the mood I have another song to add to your catalog. This group is called The Internet. The entire album is filled with songs about love and making love, truly one of my favorite albums of the year.

The sensual ballad “You Don’t Even Know” starts off with the Syd singing, “You’re beautiful, you brighten up my day/ And when your skin touches mine/ I get goose bumps right away”. I swoon every time I hear that line. It is the simple gesture of saying a women is beautiful sometimes is all she needs to hear by the man she adores. That then opens up the door to so much more.

For those who are single like me this is an exciting time. Now that we are in the Fall season and the weather has gotten cold, it’s time to warm your heart with a new lover. This is what some know as “cuffing season”. This is when a man and a woman spend quality time together, hoping to build something great together. Once you’re blessed to have met that special someone you have to have your theme music! Enjoy…

Music Mondays: TGT - Lessons In Love

I read a quote that said something along the lines of a women's favorite song can tell you what she is feeling. I believe that is true and explains my current favorite song; "Lessons In Love" by TGT. Sensuality is necessary for me in a romantic relationship. I will tell a little secret: When I go out with men their music choice is crucial for me to bond with them. Knowing what to play sets the mood that in itself plays a part of how comfortable I am with a man. Music is extremely sensual and a man playing the right song, I will let my guard down.

"Lessons In Love" lyrics open up with "I hope you like the strong types". I swoon every time I hear Tank sing that line. The song is seductive and expresses the meaning of learning how to please each other through touch. Due to my lack of experience with intimacy a man who is willing to teach me will have my heart!

In August TGT released "Three Kings" and the album is amazing! If you have not heard it yet, you’re missing out. Listen below to "Lessons In Love". Hope you enjoy…

Music Mondays: Zo! - Tell Me Something New feat. Jeanne Jolly

People who are the closet to me know I am a super romantic. Since a little girl, if I had a tough time expressing emotion music did that for me. The perfect lyric would express my deepest sorrow, joy, peace, and a desire just to be loved. That is what Zo's "Tell Me Something New" did for me. My longing to settle down and fall in love is my hearts greatest desire. It is amazing to me how a song can express our deepest desires. In the second verse country, soul singer/songwriter Jeanne Jolly sings "Such a rare and precious find/ To receive this love divine/ And I am yours babe". To hear a man say or feel that way about me would be ‘a dream come’ true. With a soulful melody and deep felt lyrics, this instantly became my favorite song.

Zo! is a soul/jazz artist from Detroit. From top to bottom, "Manmade" is a classic with many hit records written by Foreign Exchange lead singer, Phonte Colemen. Go get this album now; you will be in for a treat!

Enjoy...

Music Mondays: Mary Mary - "Carol of the Bells"

Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season where we are concerned with getting the tree, buying gifts and preparing to travel; we have to stop and remember the reason for this joyous season. The reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The beautiful harmonies of Mary Mary on "Carol of The Bells" does just that! Gospel group Mary Mary adds a soulful melody to this famous Christmas song. Personally one of my favorites on their Christmas album. Add this great Holiday CD to your collection and enjoy with family this Christmas season.

Music Mondays: Ledisi - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

First of all if you have not heard Ledisi's Christmas album you are missing a treat. On Ledisi's "It's Christmas" album she sings some original Holiday songs and also she sings some Holiday favorites. One of the favorites she sings is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" in which Ledisi brings her rich vocals to the track. As soon as the song begins Ledisi starts off with blended, perfect harmonies giving the timeless classic her personal twist. To help you get in the Holiday spirit, here is Ledisi "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Music Mondays: Faith Evans - O Come All The Faithful

Feliz Navidad! Ha, Happy Holiday season to you. Yes, I know we just finished celebrating Thanksgiving; I bet you probably are still finding how many ways you can eat turkey left over’s. You know: turkey salad, turkey soap, turkey sandwich, turkey, turkey, turkey! I have moved on from Thanksgiving wanting to create my own Christmas spirit. Like some of you I live alone, far away from close family. Being away from home can be tough during the holiday season making it that much harder to be in the Holiday spirit. So my mission this year is to create the joy of Christmas by posting a Christmas song every week until the week of Christmas. Please feel free to add a song for me to add to the blog. Is Christmas your favorite holiday too? What special holidays do you celebrate in your home?

Music Mondays: Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B) Feat.Ledisi - Robert Glasper Experiment

You know the feeling, when you hear a good LOVE song as soon as the music begins to play you start smiling? That feeling is what happens to me as soon as “Gonna Be Alright” by The Robert Glasper Experience featuring Ledisi comes on! The band plays this drum kick and then the rest of the music plays for up to 32 seconds and then Ledisi begins to sing. Heaven!! I instantly connect to lyrics, experiencing what the songstress is expressing with words. The lyrics are simple and repeat “Just bring me the sunshine with your smile, and I’ll be okay”. As a hopeful romantic this song does everything for me! Hope you enjoy it the same.

Music Mondays: Ah Yeah feat. Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele

Music Mondays: Robin Thicke-The New Generation

Robin Thicke new release "LOVE and War" hit shelves on December 6, 2011. This album is a soulful and smooth listen. The CD begins with up-tempo songs and then smoothes out towards the end. While there are a few skips on the CD overall it is a great listen and worth the buy. There are several high lights from the album but one song that touched me deeply is "The New Generation". The song is a tribute to our current generation and how we are beginning our own revolution, a revolution of LOVE, peace, and resolution. It is by far one of my favorite songs out currently and after a listen I know it will be yours too! The song has great lyrics, with a catchy tune and live instruments. Check out the entire CD in stores now! Enjoy.

Music Monday: KING-The Story

Yesterday on twitter producer 9th Wonder, Singers Erykah Badu and Lala Hathaway went crazy on twitter giving these girls LOVE. I had to listen to find out what the fuss was about. At first listen I was hooked and have had this song on repeat sense yesterday. Take a listen to three girls based out of LA, they have written and produced their own music. I am a firm believer in supporting the art of music. Please join me! Here is KING "The Story".