While Chris Brown is currently wowing fans across the country with his current “11:11” tour, for this week’s “Slow Jam Saturday,” I wanted to travel back to 2007 and show some love to “You,” an album track from Breezy’s sophomore album “Exclusive.” Brown had already experienced success with two club hits, “Wall to Wall” and “Kiss Kiss,” while the ballads “With You” and “Take You Down” were slow jam mix CD staples.
However, I’ve always felt that “You” is one of his strongest album tracks. Written by Los da Mystro (who also produced) and The-Dream, “You” is about the singer’s regret and longing for a past relationship. Brown recorded the song on the cusp of turning eighteen, so it’s a fallacy that Brown may have been singing about his last serious relationship before blowing up,
Set to an almost angelic production; the lyrics find Chris reflecting on his previous relationships and comparing them to his one with a particular girl. He admits that none of the other girls can compare to her and even mentions calling another girl by her name. Brown also expresses that he is still affected by the breakup, mentioning that he misses seeing her face in the morning and constantly thinks about her. He acknowledges his mistakes, stating that he was unfaithful in their relationship, and feels guilty for hurting her. Despite his remorse, he knows she may never get over what he put her through.
“You” portrays the conflict that anyone who has ever lost a relationship will relate to, wanting to reconnect with your loss and make amends but realizing it may be too late. Towards the song’s end, Brown acknowledges that he has thought about trying to reconcile with her many times but realizes that the path he is on will only leave him feeling lost and alone. However, he is maturing and content.
“You” successfully explores themes of regret, longing, and the consequences of past actions in a relationship. It showcases Chris Brown’s desire to make things right and his internal struggle to move on from the past. While I doubt the song will ever make its way into any of the set lists, “You” is still one of Breezy favorite ballads.
Final Grade: B+
“You” from “Exclusive” is available on all streaming platforms.
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.