No group solidified nineties R&B more than the quartet Boyz II Men. In February 1995, the group was basking in the success of their multiplatinum-selling album II when the third single, “Thank You,” was released. As you know, it’s Slow Jam Saturday, and “Thank You” isn’t exactly a ballad. However, as die-hard Boyz II Men fans know, the EP for “Thank You” featured the ballad “Fallin,” which is this week’s pick for Slow Jam Saturday.
While “Fallin” did appear as a Bonus Track on the initial International pressings of II, most US fans heard the song for the first on the Thank You EP. “Fallin” found Boyz II Men reuniting with R&B superstar Brian McKnight who produced the track and co-wrote it with Brandon Barnes. Boyz II Men’s signature harmonies carry the track over a lush production. The strength of the song for me has always lied in the relatable lyrics. I’m sure anyone who is falling in love for the first time can relate to
“Everytime I think of you
The woman all my life been waiting
There’s nothing that I’d rather do
Than love you endlessly
Don’t know what you see in me
Girl you bring out the best in me
And I realize when I look in your eyes
There’s nothing that I can do
Catch me I’m fallin’
Head over heels in love with you
Oh bless me fallin’
And no one can do
Catch me I’m fallin’
And my heart is like brand new
I’m falling in love, falling in love
With you”
If “Fallin” is an indicator of what Boyz II Men left on the cutting room floor for II (yes, I know that Tim & Bob produced—”Now That We’re Done” and “Can I Touch You”—ended up on 112’s 1996 self-titled debut), I would love to hear the remaining tracks.
Final Grade: A
“Fallin” is available on YouTube
Music producers transitioning to a solo album is common in the music industry. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit Sean Garrett’s solo debut, “Turbo 919,” released in 2008.
If you were to ask most music fans about the R&B song “Fortunate”, they would say the name Maxwell. However, in 2001, another singer named Lathun released a Neo-Soul version of the same title, which serves as this week’s pick for Slow Jam Saturday.
Musician Kem and his sophomore project “Album II” is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday. Arriving in stores on May 17th, 2005, the album came when R&B was still shifting. For the most part, younger singers dominated the market, while older crooners like Anthony Hamilton and Brian McKnight were forced to the Urban A/C demographic.