As Beyoncé continues to break records and entertain fans with her Cowboy Carter Tour, I wanted to give “Queen B” some recognition for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. Since she has been in the music industry for nearly three decades, I had many songs to choose from. However, I decided to go back to 2003 and highlight her duet with Bilal, “Everything I Do,” from the soundtrack of “The Fighting Temptations.”
Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis along with their frequent collaborator Big Jim Wright, “Everything I Do” is a ballad that perfectly blends Beyoncé’s mezzo-soprano with Bilal’s ethereal falsetto. As music fans already know, Jam & Lewis know how to get the best out of artists when it comes to romantic duets.
“Everything I Do” transcends a mere request between individuals; it more closely resembles an exchange of vows. This song encapsulates the mutual commitment of two people promising to be there for one another. They convey their readiness to listen and make sacrifices for their loved ones. In essence, “Everything I Do” exemplifies a profound understanding of love and devotion, highlighting the maturity inherent in such relationships.
The vocal interplay between Beyoncé and Bilal is truly captivating, as each artist infuses their distinct styles into the collaboration, creating a seamless blend. Instead of vying for the spotlight, they complement each other’s sound gracefully. Beyoncé’s tone shines with a polished clarity, exuding confidence and sophistication, while Bilal introduces a rich, gritty texture that evokes the depths of spiritual gospel music.
Although it seems unlikely that we will ever experience this song performed live or witness another collaboration between these two remarkable artists, twenty-two years later, “Everything I Do” remains a hidden gem that continues to resonate. This intimate and soulful dialogue reveals the profound connection between two artistic hearts.
Final Grade: B+
“Everything I Do” is available on all streaming platforms.
As the King of Pop’s biopic continues to perform well at the box office, I wanted to revisit one of Michael Jackson’s overlooked solo albums, “Forever, Michael”, released in 1975, for my first Second Listen Sunday of 2026.
As Joe prepares for his upcoming Tiny Desk performance, it’s a fitting time to revisit “U Should Know Me,” one of the hidden gems in his catalog. This song, which he wrote and produced himself, first appeared in 1998 on the soundtrack for “Caught Up”, a hood drama starring Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.
As fans look forward to his upcoming co-headlining “Nights Like This” tour with Akon, Ne-Yo is smoothly transitioning into country music while still maintaining his R&B roots with his latest single, “Ms. Tundra.” This infectious track is the third release from his forthcoming tenth studio album, “Highway 79,” set for release on July 10 via Compound Entertainment.