Last night, the legendary Isley Brothers performed at The Theater at MGM in Oxon Hill, MD, so I felt it was only fitting to highlight one of their later songs that wasn’t in the setlist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I chose is “Secret Lover” from their 2001 album “Eternal.”
With its Hip Hop samples and Ron’s alter ego, “Mr. Biggs,” the group began to reach a new generation of fans. Although a certain unnamed disgraced R&B producer gave the group their biggest hit with “Contagious,” R&B icons including Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dre & Vidal, and Raphael Saadiq also contributed to the album.
“Secret Lover” was written and produced by Steve “Stone” Huff, who was making a name for himself with his work with R&B artist Avant, who also provides backing vocals on this track. The song leans into Ron’s “Mr. Biggs” persona, painting a picture of an established sugar daddy who is a side piece to a younger woman. Ronald Isley’s silky tenor drives the narrative, blending timeless soul with modern sensuality.
The song explores themes of forbidden romance and hidden desire. Its intro establishes a mysterious atmosphere with melodic ad-libs, inviting listeners into a world of secrecy. The first verse conveys anticipation: “I’ve been waiting for you, girl / So much on my mind I wanna do,” alluding to intimate nights of passion. The chorus, led by Avant, uses playful imagery—“My secret lover / My mystery girl / I wanna play hide and seek”—to emphasize discreet encounters.
Subsequent verses build erotic tension through vivid metaphors, such as candlelit shadows, rhythmic movements, and culinary allusions like “This meal is on my plate / I can’t wait to taste.” The bridge and outro evoke privacy and ecstasy, fading with whispers of wind and waves.
While the song wasn’t included in their setlist, it remains a personal favorite and holds up twenty-four years later. It masterfully captures the allure of illicit affairs through evocative lyrics and polished production, solidifying its status as a quintessential slow jam for intimate settings.
Final Grade: B+
“Secret Lover” 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.