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Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday : New Kids On The Block, Valentine Girl

Due to Valentine’s Day, February is sometimes known as the month of love. I wanted to try something unique for every Slow Jam Saturday this month by featuring every song and having the word Valentine in the title. First is the sentimental bop “Valentine Girl” from New Kids on The Block.

The year was 1990, and five guys from Dorchester were Pop Music Royalty. Their third album, Step By Step, sold like gangbusters, and their second major concert tour broke records. The B-side to their hit single “Step By Step” was the “Valentine Girl” ballad written and produced by their mentor Maurice Starr. Jordan Knight’s smooth falsetto starts the song before Danny Wood comes in with a robust baritone to lead the song.

Wood and Knight’s voices blend beautifully throughout the song as they sing Star’s lyrics, revealing deep affection and admiration for a woman. The lyrics describe the woman’s eyes sparkling brighter than any star in the sky. Wood uses a Valentine’s Day card to convey their feelings, emphasizing that it’s just one way of expressing their emotions.

Knight’s chorus of the song “Valentine Girl” is particularly noteworthy. The singer’s smooth vocals express a deep commitment toward a woman, urging her to become their “Valentine girl.” The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer’s longing for a long-lasting connection with this person, promising to give them their heart forever. This repetition emphasizes the depth of his feelings and the desire for the woman to be a part of their life.

In the second verse, Wood acknowledges that sending flowers is insufficient compared to being physically present with this person. Despite the recent meeting, the singer declares that they are already everything to them, highlighting the strength of their emotional attachment.

I didn’t get a chance to see the New Kids live during their prime. Still, I can imagine that this was a massive song in the nineties for female fans in the audience as it captures the excitement, tenderness, and sense of deep connection that can accompany falling in love for the first time.

Final Grade: B+

“Valentine Girl” is available on all streaming platforms.

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