The late George Michael successfully transitioned from a boy band to a successful soul artist with his debut solo album Faith in 1987. Michael had already scored four successful singles when the fourth single, “One More Try,” hit the airwaves.
The duration of this ballad lasts nearly six minutes. It narrates the story of a young man who is reluctant to initiate or resume a new relationship due to his past emotional wounds. However, towards the end of the song, he succumbs to temptation and sings the title for the only time.
“One More Try” is a song that captures the struggle of letting go of a failing romantic relationship. George, the singer, expresses his feelings of being trapped in a situation that no longer brings him happiness. The lyrics convey his diminishing ability to control the situation. The chorus emphasizes the significance of prioritizing self-preservation over the desire to salvage the relationship. Ultimately, George discloses that he is prepared to move on and possesses the strength of self-love to do so.
Final Grade: A
“One More Try” from Faith 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.