Elisabeth Withers - Simple Things

How do you explain this funny feeling deep inside

Makes me smile when I'm lonely - comforts me when I'm sad

(How do you) explain this sweet sweet smile on my face

That just keeps (getting better) with each passing day

For so (long) I didn't (know) I was searching in all the wrong places

(Thinking if I) spent more money than I could

(If I) worked harder than I should

Always having friends to feel good (I'd be happier)

Losing my breath in the hustle

Just stressin' over nuthin'

Forgetting the real joys that lie - in the simple things

How do you explain when there’s more month @ the end (ofthe money)

Your situation tells (you to worry) but you see the flowers in bloom

(How do you) explain THE soft caress on your face

That tells you it’ll get better with each passing day

For so (long) I did not know I was looking in all the wrong places

The sun shining on my face - your strong embrace

Mama calling - Daddy calling to see if I'm ok

The fresh air I breathe - enough food to eat

A warm place to sleep at night - are the simple things

This song is from Elisabeth Withers' debut album 'It can happen to you'.

I went on a search for her album after i heard 'Be with you'. A lot of people may not have heard her name but i am sure a a lot of people are familiar with her work as she used to sing backup for Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez. She is best known for her Tony Award nominated potrayal of Shug Avery in the Broadway musical version of The Color Purple. She used to release dance singles under the alias Elle Patrice and had 2 singles reach the charts.

Like Heather Headley who has also worked on Broadway in productions including Aida, Elisabeth has a very very rich voice that reminds me of Anita Baker and Toni Braxton because of how deep it is.

There are number of standout tracks on her album for me, but i really like this song for a few reasons - sure it has a catchy beat but the message of the song is what gets me. In this world of pursuit of material things, we sometimes forget to appreciate the simple things.

There are so so many things that dont have a price tag that are guaranteed to make my day: I love watching rain, seeing babies and their fathers, my husband's smile, hearing a new song that speaks to me....the list is endless. But the bottom line is that i make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple things around me - the things that make me so so glad to be alive.....

What 'simple things' do it for you?

Back! Sort Of

For anyone that followed by Betty Boop blog, my love for music is a huge part of my life and i come across songs that i just want to share, artists i want to talk about....

So i give up - i have to share some of my music thoughts with anyone other than my family - who already think i am obsessed at this point.

So going forward, there will be random posts on music stuff.....

A Meme I Unashamedly Stole....

Way toooooo cool for her own good!

So, in an attempt to amsue myself and take a break from work, i started going through some of the blogs that i find interesting and look what i found on Jinta's blog: A music Meme....So so excited...So here goes:

The rules…
1. Put Your iTunes/ Music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY? Under pressure - Queen Ft David Bowie (i am actually under pressure now but hey....)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Running Around - Terry Callier (i didnt know i had this saved on this PC)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I'll make love to you - Boyz II Men (this does not mean of course that my mind goes right to sex though)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Right in the middle - Luther Vandross (oh Luther. My favorite artist ever. And this is pretty apt. I am feeling just right in the middle although now that the day is almost over and quality time with my honey beckons, my spirits are lifting quick quick)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? Make love to you - Kci & Jojo (Hmm. Again. I am not some freaky deaky, think about sex all the time kind of girl. The recurrence is interesting)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Reach Out (I'll be there) - The Four Tops (this is sort of true. I am the go-to girl)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? In this for you (Artist Unknown) (Hmm. The recurring theme here seems to be doormat/sex freak - none of which i am i swear...Ish)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Un Angelo - Patrizio Buanne (Ah ha. Pretty apt. Interesting...and for the less cultured folks, Un Angelo would translate as Angels..LOL)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Venice - Chris Botti (well i think about vacations and travelling quite often so this is right on the money...Have never been to Venice and i am looking forward to it someday)

WHAT IS 2+2? I believe i can fly - R Kelly (LOL...I guess if you are an olodo, this would be what you would repeat to yourself over and over to convince yourself that you have a higher purpose instead of admitting that you compete with snails in terms of brain size. Oops..am i being mean?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Love makes things happen - Pebbles & Babyface. (Emm okay..)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Key to my heart - Craig David (awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Sheesh)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Gongo Aso - 9ice (this is very interesting since i loathe this song.)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Out of control - Corey Clarke (well heck no...LOL...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? I want you back - Jackson 5 (Emm....lol...well i havent lost him sooo....)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? When a woman's fed up - R Kelly (ah. Dont know what to think here. I hope i havent been that awful..LOL)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Jasi - Dbanj & the Mo Hits Crew (LOL...Oh yeah. This is pretty cool. I actually like this. Hmm let's see - i could also dance to close to you by the same guys, booty call, pere..let me stop...LOL)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Superman - Robin Thicke (hmm...well superwoman would be nice. An my gravestone would read - She lived a significant life)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Close to you - Wande Coal, Dbanj & The guys (LOL...Again with the close thing. LOL....So i dont cheat, i shall bop to this song till it ends...)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? One sunday after - Joe McBride (i have no secrets let alone a sunday after...but if i could harbor a deep dark secret, i would want it to revolve around being a princess of a far and distant land, with everything she could ever want except true love and friendship so i move far away from that land and adopt Uzo as my name and struggle with everyone else..living anonymously and making friends away from it all)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? My life is your hands - Kirk Franklin (Nope....would hate to have that be the case..LOL..think puppet on strings)

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS? O come all ye faithful - Luther Vandross (LOL)....

In an Uzo State of Mind....

So i found a meme on Sha's blog and of course i jumped on it like a crack whore coming out of withdrawal....LOL...

The One Song

1. Name the one song that reminds you of your most current or recent relationship: Johnny Gill - My, My, My (he sang this to me one evening and it has sort of become our song)

2. Name the one song that was way overplayed and you hate: 9ice - Gongo Aso (oh kill me now)

3. Name the one song it seems everyone loves but you don’t: 9ice - Gongo Aso....i dont know but i absolutely detest this song..so overplayed that it stuck in my head many a day. So not a cool thing.

4. Name the one song you think everyone hates but you love:

5. Name the one song that is sung by someone you’d love to date: All that I Am - Joe. I have had a crush - no make that a secret love affair with Joe Thomas since the days of Round & Round...Love him

6. Name the one song this season that was sung best on American Idol: Didnt follow this season but Fantasia rocked something fierce...

7. Name the one song that you think is the best love song of the 00’s thus far: Oh..to hard to figure out right now but ...shucks i cant pick...

8. Name the one song that you think was the best 90’s song: Again, so so hard...but i will cheat and list more than one: Whitney Houston's I will always love you, MC Hammer - u cant touch this, Lisa Loeb - Stay...I could go on and on so i will just stop now...

9. Name the one song from a TV theme that you like the best: Woke Up this Morning by The Chosen One. This is the theme song for The Sopranos. Love, love this...

The Motown Series - 3

The Temptations - Just my imagination (running away with me)

No series about Motown would be complete without a few tracks from The Temptations.
This song was my introduction to The Temptations many many years ago and has remained one of my favourites from the group.

Released in 1971, this song was the 3rd of 4 songs to get to number 1 on the Billboard 100 list .
I intend to do a back story on the artists and acts of Motown because their stories are a big part of the legacy of the label. That should pop up once a week here but I mention this because this song has a back story. It is the last song by the group to include founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. Kendricks left to start a solo career and Williams had to retire for health reasons. (As a side note, did you know that Dennis Edwards of Don’t Look Any Further fame was one of the founding members of The Temptations?)

Like most Motown songs, the lyrics are simple but relatable. Its about a young man who is too shy to approach the woman he loves and spends his time fantasizing about having a relationship with her. It’s a bittersweet song because the young man realizes that his fantasies will remain just that – unlikely to come true. I know in the days of infatuation and crushes, I had a lot of fantasy relationships including one with Joe and Gary Dourdan. LOL

What is so interesting about this song as well is the fact that this young man is afraid to approach his dream woman because he was hurt pretty badly in the past and he doesn’t think he can handle another breakup. Again, I am sure we can all relate.

The usual suspects are behind this song, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield and The Funk Brothers. Getting this song released was a war on its own. Psychedelic sound had been pushed on The Temptations by Whitfield since it was what was hot at the time. The group didn’t like this too much but the producers had all the power back then so all they could do was sing what they were ordered to. after one of psychedelic songs failed to be a hit, Whitfied went into the archives and dusted off this song which had been written and shelved over a year before.

Like all good songs, Just My Imagination has been covered by a few artists including The Rolling Stones (their version is interesting – more uptempo, lots of electic guitars), Bette Midler and Larry Carlton.

Introducing....................

I tried. I said i wouldnt do anything music related on my blog but the pull is just too much. So i am introducing the Motown Series. This is my favorite musical era ever. I adore the music and the back stories to the songs and artists from this period.

I know i am going to have a blast with this.....