Undoubtedly, one of the most popular shows of the nineties was FOX’S Beverly Hills, 90210. While the show lacked any melanin leads, the producers strove to showcase R&B music on occasion as the show grew in popularity. Artists such as Brian McKnight, Monica, Luther Vandross, and Jade made cameo appearances on the show. Fans will also remember Eric Benet & Tamia’s stunning “Spend My Life With You” performance during the show’s finale, which featured David Silver and Donna Martin’s long-awaited wedding.
R&B also played in the series two released soundtracks. The first soundtrack was released in 1992, during Season 3, and featured the likes of Color Me Badd, Jody Watley, and even Ms. Chaka Khan. Season 5’s soundtrack, released in 1994, highlighted the college years and went deeper into R&B with groups After 7 and Hi-Five contributing songs.
However, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give the elegant Shanice Wilson and her lush ballad “Saving Forever for You” some flowers. Written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, the song was a fantastic choice for the songstress to showcase her coloratura soprano voice to a mainstream audience.
Before the single’s release, Shanice had already released two albums. However, while “I Love Your Smile” from her sophomore album found success on the pop charts, the follow-up singles were negated to the R&B charts.
Released on October 1st, 1992, as the soundtrack’s first single, the first time I recall hearing “Saving Forever for You” wasn’t on the radio. It was during the episode A Presumption of Innocence in a scene where the character of Niki attempts to teach Brandon how to dance, not knowing he has two left feet.
We all know that Diane Warren is one of the all-time great songwriters. Combine that with the heavenly arrangements of David Foster, and you have a sure-fire hit. Wilson was nineteen when the song was released and sang the lyrics beautifully. While she avoids the whistle register, I’ve felt she sang the vocals from the standpoint of a young woman experiencing love for the first time as she enters adulthood.
While some may feel the saccharine lyrics haven’t aged well, thirty-one years later, the song remains my favorite ballad in Shanice’s catalog.
Final Grade: A
“Saving Forever For You” from the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I took a trip back to 2007 and revisited “Don’t Talk Just Listen” from the group B5. Hailing from the Peach State, B5 comprised the Breeding Brothers, Bryan, Carnell, Dustin, Kelly, and Patrick. Initially finding success two years earlier with their cover of The Jackson 5’s “All I Do,” their debut did just enough with their preteen fans to warrant a second album.
With the exception of a few cases, R&B groups experienced a period of stagnation in 2007. While some groups continued to tour and perform their renowned classics, releasing new music was infrequent. To commemorate this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to acknowledge a notable piece from Jagged Edge’s sixth album, “Baby Makin Project,” titled “Whole Town’s Laughing At Me.”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we are taking a trip to the Great Lake State and showing some love to R&B Band Ready for The World and their self-titled debut album. Arriving in stores on May 14, 1985, via MCA Records, the album on which the band produced their first single was “Tonight.”
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