(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, En Vogue.
There aren’t many groups burning up the charts nowadays. However, one of the most popular and most successful female groups was En Vogue. The vocal group from Oakland, California was assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. The members were Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson, and Terry Ellis.
Remember when an artist had to know how to “sing” to get a record deal. Let’s take a musical stroll back in time to enjoy good music.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III, who performed under the stage name, Al B.Sure!, turned down a college athletic scholarship to pursue a music career. He first came to the attention of Quincy Jones by winning the Sony Innovators Star Search. In 1988, he released his debut album “In Effect Mode.” It went on to sell over two million copies.
(This is a series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, New Edition.
New Edition is an R & B group that was formed in Boston in 1978. The group consisted of members Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, and Ricky Bell. They have been called the originators of the boy band movement that began in the ’80s and ’90s. Their debut album, “Candy Girl” was released in 1983.
I remember hearing and seeing this group for the first time. When “Candy Girl” came on the radio it felt like they were singing to me. My 14-year-old self fell in love. My best friend, Elaine, and I spent hours perfecting dance steps and singing along. We each picked a favorite as our “boyfriend”. I chose Ronnie. Elaine picked Ralph. I saved my lunch money to buy any teen magazine that had them on the cover. I begged for every album until I got a part-time job and could buy them myself.
New Edition and I grew up together. I was there when Bobby left the group in 1985. I hung in there when Johnny Gill joined the guys in 1988. I supported each of the member’s side projects (BBD (Poison), Bobby (Don’t Be Cruel), and Ralph “Mr. Sensitivity”). I could never get that excited about Johnny although “My, My, My” was a jam. I know some people loved him but I never could.
So here is a musical shout out to the boys from Boston. They captured teen hearts everywhere. And my adult self still has a soft spot for their music.
Where it all began – “Candy Girl”
“Mr. Telephone Man”
“Cool It Now”
“Count Me Out”
“If It Isn’t Love”- I can still do the steps to this one!
“Can You Stand the Rain”
“N.E. Heartbreak”
All grown up – “Still in Love”
“Hit Me Off”
BONUS: I’ve seen them in concert three times and would go again! Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny too!
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. As evidence, I present George Michael.
George Michael rose to fame in the 80s when he formed the pop duo, Wham with childhood friend Andrew Ridgeley. His first solo single, Careless Whisper, appealed to my teenage angst over lost love. I wasn’t the one with “guilty feet” but I just knew in my heart that I would “never dance again.” Here’s to that sad love-sick teenage girl I used to be:
“Careless Whisper”
Of course, George Michael went on to record the classic album, Faith. Here are some of my favorites.
“Faith”
“Father Figure”
“One More Try”
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) w/Arteha Franklin
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Salt ‘n Pepa.
Wherever I drive, my phone is on Google Music or Spotify. Salt ‘n Pepa’s song, “Shake Your Thang” came on and I was insisting transported back to the time of spandex, biker shorts, asymmetrical hair, and door knocker earrings. A time when rap was fun!
Salt ‘n Pepa was formed in 1985 and consisted of three members: Cheryl James (Salt), Sandra Denton (Pepa) and Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella). At the time, rap music was considered a fad and was a male-dominated genre. Then these ladies hit the scene and showed everyone how the ladies could get down.
Their first major hit was “Push It” but here are a few others that I liked.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Full Force.
The Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam post last week got me thinking about the men behind that groups sound. Full Force produced several artists to include Samantha Fox, Bob Dylan, UTFO, ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys.
Their music takes me back to my teenage years of house parties and school “hops”. Jeri curled members are Paul Anthony, Bow-Legged Lou, Shy Shy, B-Fine, Curt-T-T and Baby Gee.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam.
The year was 1985 and I was a high school junior in total like/lust with a neighborhood boy. He was older (I always did like a more mature man) and I was contemplating the question every young girl must decide. When and who should I lose my virginity too?
This boy was in the running but I wasn’t sure. That’s when Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam came on the music scene. Their song “I Wonder If I Take You Home” was my personal anthem. I played this track off there self titled album over and over. I ultimately decided that he wasn’t worth it (Good call on my part!) but I still love this group to this day.
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, DeBarge.
When El DeBarge’s latest song, Second Chance (which is beautiful and prophetic) came across the playlist, I was taken back to a simpler time. Back to middle school when I first heard the group, DeBarge. The year was 1982 and I was just beginning to navigate the boy and girl dynamics. The song, “I Like It” was in heavy rotation on the radio and the lyrics spoke to my 13-year-old heart. A teenage boy would have been wise to repeat these lyrics,
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you for quite a while You’re on my mind every day and every night My every thought is you, the things you do Seems so satisfying to me, I must confess it, girl
I like the way you comb your hair And I like those stylish clothes you wear It’s just the little things you do That show how much you really care
They then followed that hit up with “All This Love”. The DeBarge siblings (Bunny, Mark, Randy, James, and El) made a total of six albums, four on the Motown label, before they ultimately disbanded in 1987. Drug addiction and jail sentences have been documented over the years. But I choose to remember the talented siblings that played on the soundtrack of my teenage loves.
“I Like It”
“Time Will Reveal”
“Rhythm of the Night”
Remember the movie “The Last Dragon”? Whatever happened to Bruce Leroy?
Back in the day, I used to make up stories based on some of my favorite songs. I think I’ll start it up again.
Here’s an oldie to get things started. “Same Script, Different Cast” by Whitney Houston featuring Deborah Cox.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an official video but I found one that was put together on YouTube.
My story:
Monica Taylor sat in the dimly lit bar of the Atlanta restaurant and waited for her guest. Outwardly, she was the picture of a calm and confident woman. Every hair on her short sassy haircut was in place. Her makeup was flawless and highlighted her mocha complexion. She had spent hours picking out the perfect dress; a simple black wrap that hugged her ample curves which she accessorized with silver jewelry and strappy black high heel sandals. Inwardly, her stomach churned and she wondered if she would have the nerve to carry out her mission for the night.
She checked the time on her watch and glanced around the room. If she had any doubts about her appearance, the appreciative looks from the male patrons caused her to sit up straighter and smile. When the offer of a drink came, she politely
declined. She had already purchased a glass of wine and could not afford to get distracted entertaining some man who thought the price of a drink earned him something in return. She no longer had the patience to deal with men. Especially when the one man that she loved took her for granted.
Monica shifted on the stool and took a sip of her drink. She had chosen the perfect perch so she saw the moment her guest entered the foyer. She looked exactly like her picture. Long flowing locks, skin the color of coffee with cream and the height of a model. Well, she didn’t look exactly like the picture Monica saw. The woman had on clothes tonight.
“LaKeisha Johnson.” Monica was by her side in an instance.
“Yes? And you are?”
Monica said her name and waited for the light of recognition to cross the woman’s face. When it came, LaKeisha clutched her purse and took a step back. “Where is Michael?”
“Michael isn’t coming. I thought we needed to talk. Our table is ready.” Monica turned to the maître‘d and indicated that they were ready to be seated.
LaKeisha hesitated. “What is this about?”
“Please,” Monica said. “I will explain everything.”
They followed the hostess to the reserved table. It was a secluded place setting for two located in an alcove that would afford them some privacy from the other diners. The irony of this place wasn’t lost on Monica. Michael had brought her here the night he asked her to move in with him. She thought it would lead to marriage.
It seemed right that it should end here as well.
The waitress appeared as soon as they were seated. Monica requested another drink to replace the one she had abandoned at the bar. LaKeisha declined.
“Are you sure you don’t want a drink?” Monica asked.
“All I want is to know is what is going on here?” LaKeisha sat on the edge of her seat.
Monica shrugged. “Suit yourself then.”
She dismissed the waitress and turned to focus on the woman across the table from her. She studied LaKeisha’s features looking for some flaw but found none. The woman was pretty in that girl next door kind of way. From the research that Monica did on her, she knew that LaKeisha was an accountant with one of the biggest firms in town. She was in her early thirties and didn’t have any children. Michael had a type and she definitely fit the mold. Just like Monica.
The waitress returned with Monica’s drink and she was grateful for something to do with her hands. Now that her replacement was sitting across from her, Monica didn’t know what to say. Her carefully planned speech had abandoned her. Then she realized that LaKeisha was studying her in the same way. She wondered how much the woman knew about her.
LaKeisha broke the silence. “Are you sure that Michael isn’t coming?”
“He isn’t coming.”
“But I got a text from him a couple of hours ago.” LaKeisha dug out her phone. “He said to meet him at 8 ‘o clock.”
Monica knew what the text said. She had composed it herself.
Catching an earlier flight. Boarding plane now. Can’t wait to see you. Meet me at Houston’s at 8. Wear that thing I like. M
Of course her ruse depended on three things. One, that LaKeisha would believe the text was from Michael. Monica knew the last line would sell it. Michael mainly communicated via text messages and that last line was one of his signature sayings. Two, LaKeisha had to believe that Michael couldn’t respond to a reply because he was on the plane. And lastly, Monica had to hope that even if LaKeisha sent a response that it would be generic enough that Michael wouldn’t actually respond for real and unknowingly spoil her plans.
“Michael is still in New York.” Monica stated with certainty. The GPS tracker she had installed on his phone confirmed his location in the 212 area code.
“What are you talking about? This text came from his number. Why would he send me a text saying he was coming back early from the conference.”
“That’s because Michael didn’t send that text. I did.” Monica took a cell phone out of her purse and laid it on the table between them.
“Did you steal his cell phone?”
“I didn’t have too. I cloned it.”
LaKeisha sat back in the chair and her eyebrows furrowed. “Cloned it? How? “
The how wasn’t important. Working as a computer programmer, Monica had picked up some tricks over the years. But Monica was ashamed to admit that she let a man drive her to a crazy place. She had been living in Crazyville for the past few months. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact date that she knew she was losing Michael. It was a gradual sense of knowing that someone you love is shifting away.
Michael became distance and moody. The man she fell in love with was replaced by a stranger that began to treat her like an afterthought. He began to have a lot of reasons to leave the house. The man who loved to have sex most nights was suddenly content to get into bed and turn his back.
Of course Michael wouldn’t talk about what was going on so Monica became a spy. She snooped and electronically stalked the man until she had the answers to the questions that Michael wouldn’t answer. But she didn’t like what it turned her into.
When Michael mentioned that he would be attending the medical conference in New York (the conference she joined him at last year) she knew it was time for a hange.
She moved her things out of their condo and closed their joint account. She was all set to begin her life without him but there was one more thing she had to do.
“I know he’s leaving me for you.”
LaKeisha’s mouth fell open in surprise. Monica coolly sipped her drink and waited for the woman to deny it.
“How do you know that? I mean, who told you?”
“So, it’s true.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes.” LaKeisha tossed her hair over her shoulder. “He plans to tell you soon.”
“I was wondering what he’s telling you. Could it be the same things that he told me?”
LaKeisha did the hair toss again and sat up straighter. If the woman sitting across from her thought she would be intimated then she was mistaken. “He told me that he loved me.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“He told me I was ………”
Monica held up a hand. “Let me guess. He told you that you were beautiful. That he never met a woman like you. That he feels trapped in his current relationship and is waiting for the right time to break the news. He told you that he wanted to be
totally honest with you. He said he wanted you to share his life.”
“How could you know all that? Did you tap his phone too?”
Monica ignored the slight. “I’ve been there. He told me those things too. I was once where you are now. I was the new woman in Michael’s life.”
“Well, if you couldn’t keep him then that’s your fault.”
Monica shook her head. Denial is always the first step toward healing. The truth was that Dr. Michael Anderson was the type of man that women considered a good catch. He was a pediatric surgeon with a charming manner that put children and adults at ease.
And the man looked good. When he smiled at you with those hazel eyes you were hypnotized. Michael was six feet tall with an athletic frame that wore clothes well. He was meticulously groomed from his low cut Caesar haircut and light beard to the manicured nails on his hands.
Those hands.
Monica would miss those “healing hands” along with his sculpted abs. She took another sip of her drink at the thought of those passion filled nights.
“Do you really believe that I couldn’t keep him? You and I aren’t so different. I’m not hating on you, girlfriend but I wish the one before me would have warned me too.”
LaKeisha’s brows furrowed. “The one before you? What are you talking about?”
“Do you know I’ve been with Michael for two years and he has already changed cars four times? The man has a restless spirit and commitment issues. Surely you’ve picked up on that.”
LaKeisha had but she wouldn’t admit that to this woman. “What you’re saying may be true? But how can I take advice from you?”
Monica nodded. She understood the position that LaKeisha was in. Being loved by Michael could blind you to the truth.
The waitress returned to the table. “Are you ladies ready to order?”
“Yes.” Monica was suddenly famished. “I’ll have the thai steak and noodle salad.”
“Nothing for me.” LaKeisha said. She waited for the waitress to leave before she continued. “You know what? Michael has changed now. I’ll prove you wrong. He loves me.”
“He’ll hurt you.”
“Just leave us alone.”
Monica waved her hand. “He’s all yours. Just remember you’ve been warned. Enjoy it now but it won’t last.”
LaKeisha stood. “I’m out of here.”
“Be sure to tell Michael that I’ve moved out.” Monica watched LaKeisha walk away. She was probably calling Michael right now.
Monica leaned back in her chair. It was done. She was finished with that part of her life and she felt free. She picked up her glass and toasted the empty seat across from her. “Same script, different cast.”
In honor of Eight Track /Cassette Tape Day, I’m going to list the albums of my childhood. I’m at the age where I can remember eight-track tapes, but too young to own any. So, this will be a reflection of those cassettes or vinyl albums I owned and enjoyed.
Candy Girl – New Edition
Street Songs – Rick James
Meeting in the Ladies Room – Klymaxx
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
New Edition – New Edition
All for Love – New Edition
Thriller – Michael Jackson
All This Love – Debarge
In A Special Way – Debarge
II – Boyz II Men
Mary Jane Girls – Mary Jane Girls
Rapture – Anita Baker
Before the days of digital downloads, can you name an album you owned on vinyl or cassette?
