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.
R&B groups were all the rage in the nineties. A new group released a new album or single with quality music every week. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to highlight A Few Good Men’s “Have I Never” ballad. The group was signed to LaFace Records and initially hit the scene in 1994 with their debut, “A Thang for You.
The year was 1976, and Marvin Gaye was on top of the world. Three years earlier, he solidified his place as an R&B lover man with his groundbreaking album “Let’s Get It On .”For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to revisit Marvin’s follow-up, “I Want You.” The album “I Want You” marked a notable shift in Marvin Gaye’s musical direction, inspired by his relationship with Jan Hunter. Gaye’s music moved from his traditional Motown and doo-wop-influenced sound towards a more funky and light-disco soul. Despite this change, the album continued to explore the sexual themes in Gaye’s previous work, expanding on them further.
Yesterday was the sixteenth anniversary of my marital union. In honor of this occasion, I have selected a song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday that celebrates the sanctity of marriage. While I considered several options, such as Robin Thicke’s “Angels,” Luther Vandross’ “So Amazing,” or Myron’s “Give My All to You,” all of which played a significant role in my wedding, I ultimately decided on The Whispers’ “I’m Gonna Make You My Wife” due to its particular resonance with me.
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