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.
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and