Your DailyCrack

Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are

I could be in a marketplace in Timbuktoo with a million foreign sounds invading my ears and an MJ song - any MJ song - could come on and be instantly recognizable. Michael had that rare gift of a having a voice so distinct that even with literally hundreds of songs recorded anyone can pick him out of a line up.

My love for lil’ Mike has never waned and this has got to be one of my favorite songs. I mean…I say that all the tiem but it’s always true.  This song doesn’t waste anytime warming up. Mike dives right in and everytime I’m diving in with him. So let me tell you where it’s at…right here! Sit back and enjoy. I know I am.

-CaliDre

Blue October - 18th Floor Balcony (Live Recording)

One of the reasons that I love So You Think You Can Dance so much because it introduces me to some great music I might not otherwise hear. Dancers have an amazing ear for music because it is so closely tied into their craft.

Blue October is one such band I have been introduced to because of the show. Hailing for the Lone Star State, Blue October has been active since 1998. Their fan base has mostly been limited to the Mid-West so its no surprise that a few of us are late getting up on this goodness. I chose this song because I love the unexpected turns that it takes. It goes from soft fast lyrics to a sort of wailing and over to this fantastically urgent declaration that he’s all hers for the taking. This is off of their 4th album I believe. I can’t wait to discover the rest of their discography.

Enjoy!

-Calidre 

Blue October - 18th Floor Balcony

I close my eyes and I smile
Knowing that everything is alright
To the core
So close that door
Is this happening?

My breath is on your hair
I’m unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
And we stand
Just taking in everything.

And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we’re trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony.
We’re both flying away.

So we talked about mom’s and dad’s
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can’t believe this is happening to me

And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I’m so yours for the taking
That’s when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me…

I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we’re trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony…
We’re both flying away.

And I’ll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
‘til I can bring you home with me
I’ll try to sleep
And when I do I’ll keep you in my… dreams

I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we’re trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah

I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
No, we’re not going to sleep

Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony… we’re both..
Flying away

The Ronettes - Be My Baby

Phil Spector is nuts and was just convicted of second degree murder today.  He proved to be nuts all the way back when he was the producer of The Ronettes and married the lead singer Ronnie.  His insanity can best be shown through this passage from Wikipedia.

By her own account, he kept her a near-prisoner and limited her opportunities to pursue her musical ambitions. In her autobiography, she said that he would force her to watch the film Citizen Kane to remind her she would be nothing without him.  Spector’s domineering attitude led to the dissolution of their marriage. Bennett was forbidden to speak to the Rolling Stones or tour with the Beatles, for fear of infidelity. Bennett claims Spector showed her a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her should she leave him. During Spector’s reclusive period in the late 1960s, he reportedly kept his wife locked inside their mansion. She claimed he also hid her shoes to dissuade her from walking outside, and kept the house dark because he didn’t want anyone to see his balding head. Spector’s son later claimed that he was kept locked in his room, with a pot in the corner to be used as a toilet. Ronnie Spector did leave the producer and filed for divorce in 1972. She wrote a book about her experiences, and said years later, “I can only say that when I left in the early 1970s, I knew that if I didn’t leave at that time, I was going to die there” ^[3]. She and Spector separated in 1973 and divorced one year later.

One thing you cannot take away from him though is that his production concept, The Wall of Sound, was innovative and influential to popular music and will be forever.  ‘Be My Baby’ is a perfect example of this production technique with it’s huge sound.  It is a classic 60s song and an all-time favorite of mine.

The night we met
I knew I needed you so
And if I ever had the chance
I’d never let you go
So won’t you say you love me
I’ll make you so proud of me
We’ll make ‘em turn their heads
Every place we go
So won’t you please

(chorus)
Be my, be my baby
Be my little baby
My one and only baby
Say you’ll be my darling
Be my, be my baby
Be my baby now
My one and only baby

I’ll make you happy, baby
just wait and see
For every kiss you give me
I’ll give you three
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you
Till eternity so won’t you please

CHORUS

Jose Feliciano - Golden Lady (Stevie Wonder cover)

Jose Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer who is permamently blind due to glaucoma much like the original writer of this superb song, Stevie Wonder.  I first heard this song on DJ Spinna and Bobbito’s “Wonder of Stevie” mixtape that came out years ago.  If you have not heard it you need to do whatever possible to get it.  If you have never been to a DJ Spinna tribute party, you need to do whatever it is you have to do to go to one.  Spinna & Bobbito dig deep to find some of the greatest covers and reworks of Stevie Wonder’s classic material.  The mix literally blew my mind and took over my life.

Golden Lady is a beautiful song and the lyrics are amazing especially in the way he describes her beauty and his overall feelings about the woman he persues.  My words can’t truly describe my feelings about the song, so I will stop here and let you enjoy.

Looking in your eyes
Kind of heaven eyes
Closing both my eyes
Waiting for surprise
To see the heaven in your eyes is not so far
Cause I’m not afraid to try and go it
To know the love and the beauty never known before
I’ll leave it up to you to show it

And golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
Golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
Take me right away

Looking at your hands
Hands can understand
Waiting for the chance
Just to hold your hand

A touch of rain and sunshine made the flower grow
Into a lovely smile that’s blooming
And it’s so clear to me that you’re a dream come true
There’s no way that I’ll be losing

And golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
Golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
Take me right away

A touch of rain and sunshine made the flower grow
Into a lovely smile that’s blooming
And it’s so clear to me that your my dream come true
There is no way that I’ll be losing

Golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
Golden lady, golden lady
I’d like to go there
REPEAT and FADE

Ghetto Flex f/ Denise Belfon - Wine and Bend Over

I’ve been thinking about posting this song for a long time and today felt like a good day to do it. I fell in love with Soca while listening to this song. Everytime I hear this song, I just can’t help but to drift off to another place. I start dancing at my desk, on the train, or whereever else I happen to be when it comes on. And don’t let it come on in a club - WOOOOO. This song is really just about dancing up on someone you’re feeling. Have you ever had one of those moments where you’re dancing with someone you are really feeling? You’re in sync, they’re moving in close and your senses seem to be heightened. If you’ve ever done this while dancing Soca, you were winding on them reaaaaal slow in an erotic ass preview of what it might be like later on.

Well…thats the place this song brings me to. I hear IT and instantly want to be dancing that slow wine with some beautiful man thats in sync with me.

Is it hot in here or is that just me?

At any rate, I didn’t feel like it was appropriate to post this song without doing a quick Carribean Music 101 lesson. There will be some readers that will glance right over this part and thats cool. But for the rest of you, listen up. All carribbean music is not Reggae! I repeat, not everything that you hear by a caribbean artist is Reggae! Reggae is a specific genre of music that started out in Jamaica and that has seperate qualities then the plethora of other genres that exist. Below is a short list of some popular genres, a quick description, and some artists you might know who are popular in said genre. The best way I can describe the principle is this though - if you have listened to rap and hip hop your whole life, you know that there are differences. You might not be able to convey them with someone has never heard the music before, but you know not every black man who doesn’t sing a song is a rapper.

Enjoy the song. If you wanna see the video (and some real winding if you’ve never been to a real carib party) then click here. Sorry - instead of lyrics today, I created a Caribbean Music 101 lesson. Instead of boring EVERYONE to death, you can click on the link if you’d like to learn about some of the various genres that are around right now.

-Calidre

Tammi Terrell - All I Do Is Think About You

Tammi Terrell is known to most from her many beautiful duets with Marvin Gaye which include many classics such as “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Your Precious Love,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “If This World Were Mine.”  Tammi was a rising star at Motown, but unfortunately passed away from a brain tumor at the young age of 24.  It was stated that her death effected Marvin Gaye that “he wouldn’t perform in public for several years and he vowed never to replace Tammi with another partner.”  Tammi had a beautiful voice that fully embodied the Motown sound.  Her career was destined for stardom.  RIP

You will probably recognize the lyrics to this song immediately because it is likely one of your favorite Stevie Wonder songs from the 1980 “Hotter Than July” album.  Well Little Stevie wrote this song when he was about 14-16 years old for Tammi Terrell.  This version is fully in the motown sound of the mid-60s and is just as perfect.  So for me don’t even compare them as you listen to it, two different sounds that can be celebrated together.

I am posting this song in celebration of Motown’s 50th anniversary, which I think was yesterday.  Motown is classic and an extremely important part of our history.

You made my soul a burning fire
Youre getting to be my one desire
Youre getting to be all that matters to me
And let me tell you girl
I hope and pray each day I live
A little more love Ill have to give
A little more love thats devoted and true
cause all I do is think about you

All I do
Oh baby
Is think about you
Think about you baby
All I do
M-m-m-m
Is think about you

Baby just suppose I should happen to cross your mind
And by some chance a boy like me youre really been trying to find
Well let me tell you girl
Think of how exciting it would be
If you should discover you feel like me
If you should discover this dream is for two
Well Im gonna tell you girl
Id light a candle every day
And pray that youll always feel this way
And pray that our love will forever be new
cause all I do is think about you

All I do
Oh baby
Is think about you
I think about you
All I do
Yeah, baby
Is think about you

Gonna tell you girl
Id light a candle every day
And pray that youll always feel this way
And pray that our love will forever be new
Im gonna tell you girl
If I cannot have you for my own
Id rather be lonely and all alone
Id rather keep thinking the way that I do
cause all I do is think about you

*some lyrics may be a little different, this is from the stevie wonder version

Floetry - I Want You (Yoruba Soul Remix)

I never really messed with Floetry, I always thought they were boring as hell.  I felt like they had talent, but they seemed like part of the 2nd/3rd tier of the whole “neo-soul” boom.  The people that came after the Soulquarians that were like neo-soul-lite.  Unfortunately for me and my feelings those 2nd/3rd tier artist ended up selling better.  But in keeping my no hate clause for this blog I will stop with my thoughts on those artists right here.

I first heard this song on a deep house mix from the old Digital Dj’s site.  (I can’t find that exact mix on this directory, but check out their other mixes here)  When I heard the song I had absolutely no clue who was singing so immediately I was shocked that it was Floetry.  Osunlade is responsible for this remix and if you don’t know him look for him because he is a beast, his mix cd “Re-Offering” is a favorite of mine and I can probably credit it for my current love for deep house.  Shout outs to Darryl at Moods Music, the best damn independent music store in Atlanta.  Unfortunately, this song was NEVER released.  It was only sent out as a white label to I guess DJ’s in the know.  Too bad my ass is not in the mix like that.  This is an actually a radio rip that i toyed with.

Lastly, I love songs called “I Want You” as you can see from earlier.  I have a couple more that will be posted later on.

Enjoy.

[Intro:]
Baby, I’ve made me decision.
It’s you.
You’re the one.
There’s nothing else that needs to happen.
I Want U.
I Want U.

[Verse 1:]
Baby, Baby,
I’m excited.
That you’re here,
You’re invited.
Into me,
Take it slowly.
But take it baby.
Take Me.
I’ve come to my realization,
I’m ready.
Full compromise,
It’s cool with me.
Now you can go through,
What you need to go through.
Because I Want U.
Baby, I Want U.

[Hook:]
You.
I Want U.
I Want U.
I Want U.
I Want U.

[Verse 2:]
Baby, Baby,
I’m on fire.
Your caress,
Takes me higher.
I can’t control it,
Can’t keep quiet,
And I don’t want to,
Make me louder.
Make me baby,
I’m here.
I’m ready for anything.
What’s your call?
I’m your solider.
Your lover.
Your child’s mother.
And I Want U.

[Hook:]

[Bridge:]
There’s more out here,
Than just what you know baby.
And I Want U.
You know how to be a man,
But there’s a whole additional mindset.
And I Want U.
I’m a manifestation of the Divine Mother.
You’re a manifestation of the Divine Father.
We are two in the same.
So can you say my name?
I Want U.

[Hook:]

[Outro:]
It’s time baby.
It’s time for you to listen,
To the things you don’t understand.
I know you,
You wanna be a man.
I know you,
You are a God Man.
Then listen to me baby.
I have the answers to the questions you’re asking me baby.
Do you know that you don’t know?
Then let me show you.
If you could hear me.
This is more than just what you’ve learnt.
You need to be a master now.
Let’s apply it.
Let’s apply it.
Listen baby.
Just “Be” it.
No more talk.
Just “Be” it.
Be responsible.
I am who I say I am.

The Beatles - I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

I just got back from Las Vegas and hands down the best part of the trip was getting to see Beatles - Love, the Cirque De Soleil show.  I have been listening and loving the soundtrack since it came out about 2 years back.  The soundtrack is basically a mash up of different Beatles studio albums and outtakes with who better to do it, Beatles long-time producer George Martin and his son Gilles Martin.  One of the highlights of the show occured during the song “Being the Benefit for Mr. Kite/I Want You/Helter Skelter.”  The show producers could’ve simply did a circus setting since it was for cirque de soleil during the song, but instead the performers were showing the psychosis and circus-like ludicrousness of the year 1967 with images of klansmen and a person getting nailed to a cross.  This all occured during the psychotic end chords from “I Want You” and screams from “Helter Skelter.”

I was going to post that song from the soundtrack, but for a while I wanted to post “I Want You.”  When I saw the picture above, I knew that I had to post it.

I Want You deals with want/lust/love, an emotional feeling that can come over a person when they become completely infatuated with someone.  Sometimes this feeling can turn into an obsession and make you crazy.  Those emotions are exactly the genius behind a song with such few lyrics.  This is one of the longest songs out of the Beatles catalog as we go through John Lennon’s emotional attachment and longing for Yoko Ono.  As the song ends it goes into a crazed instrumental (the same used for cirque de soleil) that pronounces musically how heavy his feelings for Yoko are.

I want you, I want you so bad
I want you, I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

I want you, I want you so bad babe
I want you, I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

I want you, I want you so bad babe
I want you, I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

I want you, I want you so bad
I want you, I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

She’s so heavy
Heavy, heavy, heavy

She’s so heavy
She’s so heavy, heavy, heavy

I want you, I want you so bad
I want you, I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

I want you, you know I want you so bad babe
I want you, you know I want you so bad
It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad yeah