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: Smokie Norful - I understand

We all have dark days, sometimes more dark days then light. Trying to make since out of the confusion in my life currently, I woke up Friday morning and "I Understand" by Smokie Norful came to me in my spirit. I instantly started singing the lyrics and began to feel healing in my soul. I have the lyrics and the song below. Please brothers and sisters know that you do not suffer alone. God sees all and HE does understand. Yes, it’s tough and I have gone from angry, to sad, to being at peace, to angry again. You do not suffer alone; I am going through it too. How do I seek comfort? Praise God through my confusion, hurt and pain. Be still and listen. And when I don't hear God's voice, I trust HIS plan. What an awesome testimony you will share when it is all over. Be blessed you all and I Love you!

Sometimes I feel like giving up
It seems like my best, just ain't good enough
Lord if you hear me, I am calling you
Do you see, do you care
All about what I'm goin' through

And then HE said, one more day
One more step, See I'm preparing you, for myself
And when you can't hear my voice, please trust my plan
I am the Lord, I see, and yes, I understand

But sometimes I feel like I'm all alone
I'm just like a stranger so far from home
I feel like I've done all that I can do
Please Lord, give me strength, I'm just tryin' to make it through
That's when HE told me

One more step, yeah
Oh my child, I'm preparing you, for myself
And when you can't hear my voice
Please just trust my plan
I am the Lord, I see you, and yes, I understand

HE knows just how much we can bare
And in the time of trouble HE promised
HE would always be there
Oh, I understand
The Lord is telling you, yes I understand
I am the Lord, I see you, and yes, I understand

This is what HE says
I am the Lord I changeth not
I won't forget nor have I forgot
You see everything works according to my plan
I am God, trust me, I got the whole world in my hands

Oh, one more day, yea (One more step)
I'm preparing you, all for myself
I'm getting you ready
(And if you can't hear my voice)
If you can't hear me speaking
Oh, just trust my plan

Yea, I am the Lord, I love you, I see you
And I understand, oh
I am the Lord, I see what you going through
Every problem, every trial, every burden, and every situation
I understand, I won't leave you
Yea Yea Yea, I understand, understand, understand
Thank you Jesus

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?