For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take my readers back to 1985 and show some love to Cherrelle and her second album, “High Priority.” Reuniting with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the bulk of the album was led by the single “You Look Good To Me”.
The catchy lyrics describe a potent fascination with another person. Cherrelle is mesmerized by the man’s way of walking and talking, which takes away all control. The remainder of the song muses on the significance of both physical attraction and character in a love affair, but ultimately concludes that she is not in love yet and needs to experiment more before settling down.
The next single, “Saturday Love,” is still a personal favorite forty years later—a duet with Alexander O’Neal. The essence of “Saturday Love” is a song about connection. The physical connection between lovers, the emotional connection that bonds them together, and the habit of connection, even when they can’t physically be with each other every day. The lyrics detail a countdown through the week to the day when their love can be celebrated.
“Artificial Heart” was the third single in which Cherrelle explores that cold corner of love where emotion is replaced by habit. Produced by the legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the track features shimmering synths and a quietly haunting groove. Beneath its glossy surface lies a deep pain — the kind that doesn’t scream but instead sighs. Cherrelle’s voice, a blend of silk and sorrow, perfectly captures the moment when a woman realizes that the connection she once cherished has become mechanical.
The final single was a UK-only release titled “Will You Satisfy.” The production snaps with funk and elegance, but it’s her delivery that sells the truth: satisfaction isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. This is Cherrelle telling the listener — and her lover — that real intimacy is about reciprocity. She’s not asking for validation; she’s demanding presence. Every note feels intentional, turning a sensual slow burner into a declaration of self-worth. Long before empowerment anthems became mainstream, Cherrelle was already singing about
While Cherrelle isn’t always mentioned among the other ’80s songstresses, “High Priority” easily avoids the sophomore slump.
Final Grade: B+
“High Priority” 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.