Last Night I crossed another artist off my musical bucket list when I finally saw Lionel Richie live! Mr. Richie is on tour with fellow music royalty Earth, Wind & Fire on the Sing A Song All Night Long Tour. Lionel is no stranger to hits records, particularly when it comes to ballads.
Therefore, I have decided to feature Lionel for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. I could have chosen a classic like “Zoom,” “Oh No,” or “Three Times A Lady” by The Commodores. I could even dip into Lionel’s solo catalog and highlight two of my favorites, “Penny Lover” or “Stuck On You,” from his magnum opus Can’t Slow Down.
However, I decided to go deep into Richie’s catalog. Lionel’s eighth solo album, Just Go, hit stores on March 13, 2009. Richie collaborated with Tricky Stewart, StarGate, Akon, David Foster, and John Ewbank on the album. Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin, The-Dream, and Espen Lind contributed writing credits. The song I chose was one penned by Ne-Yo, “I’m In Love.”
This tender ballad celebrates newfound love and the happiness it brings. The lyrics emphasize the singer’s joy and contentment, contrasting it with previous experiences of pain and sadness. In the verses, Lionel Richie expresses that he has moved on from past heartbreak and has found a new love that brings him happiness and fulfillment.
Lionel emphasizes that this love is genuine and makes his heart sing. The repetition of “la, la, la” throughout the song signifies his joy and the song’s catchy and upbeat nature. The pre-chorus highlights the singer’s satisfaction with his new partner, stating that she loves him in every way possible and wants to be a part of his future. It implies that this love is reciprocated, with both individuals wholly committed to their relationship.
The chorus reinforces the song’s central message, with Lionel Richie proudly declaring his love and his genuine connection with his partner. The repetition of “I’m in love” emphasizes the depth and intensity of his feelings. He wants the world to know about his love and hopes that his happiness can inspire others.
Although “I’m In Love” is rarely performed or played on the radio, it remains a favorite due to its optimistic and uplifting message regarding the power of love to heal and bring happiness to one’s life. The song encourages listeners to embrace love and find joy in meaningful relationships.
Final Grade: B+
“I’m In Love” from Just Go 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.”