During my Air Force enlistment in the United Kingdom, I enjoyed discovering new artists in my leisure time. Lyfe Jennings, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, was one such artist. Mr. Jennings first came to my attention with his platinum-selling debut Lyfe 268‒192. I recall being so impressed with the album that I called my mom back in the States and told her she needed to run out and purchase a copy.
Two years later, his sophomore album, The Phoenix, featured the hit singles “S.E.X.” and “Let’s Stay Together.” Additionally, Jennings dabbled a bit in the gospel and rock genres. While popular opinion would have me highlight “Let’s Stay Together,” I chose to go with the album’s closing track, “I’ll Always Love You. “ At the time of the song’s release, I was known as the Slow Jam King on my duty station, so the minute I heard the track, I put it on my mix CDs for fellow Airmen to share with their potential love interest.
Lyfe wisely avoids covering the Taylor Dayne song of the same name, and Jennings gets sentimental on the track. Lyfe has always had a grit in his singing voice that gives his lyrics an extra layer. “I’ll Always Love You” is a heartfelt ballad that expresses enduring love and commitment. The song lyrics convey a message of unwavering affection and the promise always to hold someone dear, regardless of the circumstances.
In the song, Lyfe sings about a steadfast and unchanging love. He assures his partner that his love for them will endure no matter what challenges they face or how much time passes. It’s a powerful declaration of eternal love, emphasizing the depth and permanence of his feelings.
“I’ll Always Love You” encapsulates the essence of a profound, unconditional love that transcends the ups and downs of life. It highlights the significance of loyalty, devotion, and the enduring connection between two individuals, even in the face of adversity. While the song was never a single, it’s still one of the top ballads in the singer’s catalog.
Final Grade : A
“I’ll Always Love You” from The Phoenix is available on all streaming. platforms
Growing up in the nineties, movies aimed at a melanin audience often featured soundtracks that had to be just as flavorful as the films themselves. This week, for Slow Jam Saturday, I want to take a trip back to 1993 and highlight one of the slow jams from the soundtrack of “Menace II Society”.
Last week marked two significant anniversaries for one of the greatest artists of all time, Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson. It’s only fitting that I show him some love for Second Listen Sunday. The first anniversary was on the 21st, commemorating nine years since his passing. The second anniversary was on the 22nd, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his seventh studio album, “Around the World in a Day.”
One of my most significant decisions late last year was to pledge to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. At the time of this writing, I am in Atlantic City for my fraternity’s Regional Conference, where I will represent my chapter, Beta Alpha Omega. In that regard, I believe the perfect song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is “The Best Man I Can Be.”