Al Green was already an established force in music when his fifth album, I’m Still in Love with You, hit record stores on October 23, 1972. Green had released Let’s Stay Together earlier that year. However, given the work ethic of soul singers in the seventies, it was common to release two projects in the same year. Green once again collaborated with Willie Mitchell as the sole producer for this album. In addition, it was the second album in Green’s classic period of critically acclaimed albums.
The first single from I’m Still in Love with You was “Look What You Done for Me.” It’s no secret that Mr. Green was a sex symbol and player. However, As I see it with this song, Al is fighting against his alpha male tendencies as he wants to convey to his lady that he is subconsciously/unwittingly committing to her. Green could even put forward his proposal in a careful, sincere manner. He wants the male listeners to know how to express passionate feelings for your lady. When you see, she’s the right one, your emotions for her strip away any cynicism toward love.
“I’m Still in Love with You” was the second single and served as some of what of a precursor to the album’s first single. Al has his lady back, and they have been together for a while now. Maybe they’ve hit a rough patch, but Al is choosing to stay. After being married for fourteen years, hearing a song like “I’m Still in Love with You” is a testament to the power of true love. Naturally, you have ups and downs, but the love for your spouse doesn’t fade away. The song exemplifies that feeling you get when you have a genuine connection that will never fade away. In other words, this is a song of reassurance after years of commitment.
The final single from I’m Still in Love with You was “Love and Happiness.” From a writing standpoint, the song was a reunion, as Green worked with Teenie Hodges again. The duo had previous success with the songs “Take Me to the River,” “Here I Am (Come and Take Me), and ” “Full of Fire.”
In the simplest of terms, the song is about fidelity. However, as I’ve gotten older, I like to think that the song “Love and Happiness” talks about the ups and downs of a relationship with someone. How love can make you do things you would have never done otherwise, and how happiness and love can’t always go hand in hand, though having both can be powerful.
The remainder of the album explores topics Green has touched on before, but the songs never appear repetitive. “Simply Beautiful” is an ode to seduction. “One of These Good Old Days” is about the joys of life, and “I’m Glad You’re Mine” smoothly pays homage to a significant other. Green even puts a nice on two country songs, “For The Good Times” and “Oh, Pretty Woman,” turning them into R&B bops.
When released, the album received universal critical acclaim; fifty years later, I’m Still in Love with You still holds up. Numerous Hip Hop acts have sampled its tracks for their hits, and the messages of love are still relatable.
Final Grade: A
I’m Still in Love with You is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.