Nineties R&B was a special time. Particularly when it came to groups, both male and female, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to venture back to 1996 and show some love to The Braxtons’ cover of “I’d Still Say Yes” from their 1996 sophomore album, “So Many Ways.”
As fans already know, The Braxtons initially hit the scene in 1989 as a quintet with the single “Good Life”. While Toni would ultimately go solo, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar took a hiatus from the music industry. After seven years, the group would reunite as a trio, comprised of Towanda, Trina, and Tamar.
The trio version of The Braxtons came out swinging, finding success with “So Many Ways”, “Only Love”, “The Boss” (a Diana Ross cover), and “Slow Flow”. However, one of the most surprising aspects of the album was that the label chose not to release a ballad as a single. I always thought that their cover of Klymaxx’s “I’d Still Say Yes” would have been a perfect choice. Written by Babyface and Joyce Irby, The Braxtons’ version was produced by Daryl Simmons.
Tamar takes the lead on the song with Towanda and Trina backing, along with Demail from the group A Few Good Men. The first verse of “I’d Still Say Yes” emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in a relationship. Tamar highlights how these moments create a bond that cannot be broken, regardless of the difficulties they may have encountered in the past.
The lyrics “We’re more than just lovers, we’re good friends” show that the connection between the two individuals is more profound than just physical attraction. There is also an emotional aspect to their relationship.
The chorus is the heart of the song, and it says that even if things have led their love astray, Tamar would still choose to be with their partner and would never say “no” to them again. This implies that Tamar is highly committed to the relationship and is willing to make an effort to rekindle the love they once had.
The second verse of the song is all about the nature of love and its destination. The lyrics “What is love? Where does it end?/ Does it just fade away or can it be mended?” ask these essential questions about love and whether it can be repaired. The lines “True love, it seems so easy” and “True love never ends” show that the singer believes in the power of love to overcome any obstacle.
“I’d Still Say Yes” is a successful cover song about commitment and the willingness to work through any issues that may arise in a relationship.
Final Grade: B+
“I’d Still Say Yes” is available on all streaming platforms.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.