Last night, the legendary Isley Brothers performed at The Theater at MGM in Oxon Hill, MD, so I felt it was only fitting to highlight one of their later songs that wasn’t in the setlist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I chose is “Secret Lover” from their 2001 album “Eternal.”
With its Hip Hop samples and Ron’s alter ego, “Mr. Biggs,” the group began to reach a new generation of fans. Although a certain unnamed disgraced R&B producer gave the group their biggest hit with “Contagious,” R&B icons including Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dre & Vidal, and Raphael Saadiq also contributed to the album.
“Secret Lover” was written and produced by Steve “Stone” Huff, who was making a name for himself with his work with R&B artist Avant, who also provides backing vocals on this track. The song leans into Ron’s “Mr. Biggs” persona, painting a picture of an established sugar daddy who is a side piece to a younger woman. Ronald Isley’s silky tenor drives the narrative, blending timeless soul with modern sensuality.
The song explores themes of forbidden romance and hidden desire. Its intro establishes a mysterious atmosphere with melodic ad-libs, inviting listeners into a world of secrecy. The first verse conveys anticipation: “I’ve been waiting for you, girl / So much on my mind I wanna do,” alluding to intimate nights of passion. The chorus, led by Avant, uses playful imagery—“My secret lover / My mystery girl / I wanna play hide and seek”—to emphasize discreet encounters.
Subsequent verses build erotic tension through vivid metaphors, such as candlelit shadows, rhythmic movements, and culinary allusions like “This meal is on my plate / I can’t wait to taste.” The bridge and outro evoke privacy and ecstasy, fading with whispers of wind and waves.
While the song wasn’t included in their setlist, it remains a personal favorite and holds up twenty-four years later. It masterfully captures the allure of illicit affairs through evocative lyrics and polished production, solidifying its status as a quintessential slow jam for intimate settings.
Final Grade: B+
“Secret Lover” is available on all streaming platforms.
As a longtime music enthusiast, I’ve often wondered how quickly record labels expect lead singers from groups to release solo albums. This question came to mind recently when my iPod played “So You Like What You See” by Samuelle. Listening to the song, I realized he would be a great choice for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
You know the voice. The moment Michael Marshall starts singing the hook in Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” anyone who grew up in the nineties knows exactly what time it is. However, nearly a decade before that 1995 hip-hop classic, Marshall was already responsible for another instantly recognizable vocal.
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.