For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to take my readers on a trip to Canada and highlight Mrs. Deborah Cox and one of her signature songs, “We Can’t Be Friends.” The third single from her third album, “One Wish,” was written by Shep Crawford and Jimmy Russell, with Crawford also serving as the producer. R&B artist RL, from the group Next, joined Cox for this duet.
No matter how old you are, one of the toughest challenges when dealing with a breakup is when the other party still wants to be friends. Whether you’re still heartbroken or feeling a bit resentful, it isn’t easy to navigate a friendship with someone you were once romantically involved with.
RL opens the song as a man who realizes he had a good thing but finds himself putting on a front, pretending that there was nothing special about the relationship. I know I wasn’t the only high school senior who felt the pain in his voice when he sang, “Just months ago I was your man.”
Deborah’s verse captures the awkwardness of still having to be around your ex due to unavoidable connections like shared friends or family ties. Cox’s vocals convey the struggle of being torn and unable to let go, as there are constant reminders of happier times. She has always been a fantastic singer, and her voice flows smoothly over the production.
Naturally, since it was the 1990s, the song features a bridge where both singers showcase their vocal talents. There’s an underlying message that the two may eventually fall into a purely physical relationship, which isn’t suitable for either party. At its core, “We Can’t Be Friends” effectively depicts the challenges and complexities of transitioning from a romantic relationship to a friendship.
Cox and RL’s vocal efforts delve into lingering emotions, the difficulty of letting go, and the ultimate realization that love for your ex can sometimes prevent you from simply being friends.
Final Grade: A
“We Can’t Be Friends” is available on all streaming platforms.
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and