2/28/2006 - Street Hassle

Song: Street Hassle
Artist: Lou Reed
Why this song is the current jam: Ok I just saw this movie The Squid and the Whale (which I very much enjoyed and would recommend provided that you are up for a clever but not very chipper romp straight through the pain, discomfort, and embarrassment of a NY divorce in the early 80's - my sense is that if you have gone through a divorce yourself, this movie will ring very true, perhaps painfully so) that was directed by Noah Bambauch who has worked with Wes Anderson (the guy who directed Rushmore) on Zissou and anyways, THIS song, was what closed the whole movie. I had never heard it before, but it is funny because I had just been downloading (legally!) a bunch of Velvet Underground records and in fact a different album by Lou Reed. In any case, the song is actually a 3-part little mini-suite with one basic melody carrying through the 3 parts, starting out song-like then getting more spoken-wordy, then sort of morphing back into song. Lou Reed has always been kind of a fascinating character to me, in that he has always struck me as motivated by a powerful and contemplated lack of talent. I dont know exactly what I mean by that. But I mean he cant really sing for shit, but he had the inclination to say different things (differently) than most other folks and his music is good and interesting to listen to. Anyways, there is something about the repetitive melody of this song that I get addicted to, and there is something about the words of the song and the way Reed delivers them that makes me think of licking a cold sidewalk in fall. That has to mean that there is something to this song, otherwise I am insane. So I hope you like.

2/27/2006 - Lucille

Song: Lucille
Artist: Anthony Hamilton
Why this song is the current jam: Here is a little more Anthony Hamilton for you all. This is off of his album, Comin From Where I'm From, the one that put him on the map so to speak. I love his take on this song, and here is the kicker. This is Anthony's take on what was originally a Kenny Rogers song. Anthony changes it up quite a bit. He has such a soulful voice, and he sings it with such tenderness, so gently. He doesnt overdo a single moment of the song, and I think the delicate melancholy production goes perfectly with the vocals. I could do with more verse and less vamp at the end, but overall, I love the song. There are just so many things going for it. In addition to the vocals and the nice production, there is the beautiful drumming, and the subtle but crucial rhythm it lends to the whole song. The rhythm of the music and the vocals just click together perfectly, like when he sings "now my heart is broken and I don't know what to feel." Sad and beautiful, further advancing my theory that in general, on average, sad songs are better than happy ones.

2/26/2006 - The One Who Really Loves You

Song: The One Who Really Loves You
Artist: Mary Wells
Why this song is the current jam: Ok I love this song. It is written by Smokey Robinson, one of the greatest writers of pop songs ever. It has this sweetness and innocence to it. There is something touching to me about the the chorus where she sings, "lose me, little me (the one who really loves you)" because here she is almost threatening to leave, but finishing that breath with a reminder that her love is for real. The Marvelettes of "Mr. Postman" fame also did a version of this song, and honestly, I cant figure out which I like better. The Mary Wells one has a bigger, deeper sound with the music, and her shy, beautiful voice is always great. But there is a tightness to the Marvelettes version, and there is something about the lead singer's sort of scratchy little voice that I cant get enough of. You decide for yourself.

2/25/2006 - The Grind Date

Song: The Grind Date
Artist: De La Soul
Why this song is the current jam: Man, you wanna know two things that I love? Pandora and allofmp3.com. Here's why - I listened to Pandora today (my Sam Cooke radio station that I created) and they played for me this song by De La. So then I open up my handy dandy allTunes explorer program that I downloaded from allofmp3 and I download the whole album right then and there. (for $1.50) Damn that is the interweb at its best. Anyways, I think this song is the bomb, the beat is just so damn catchy, and it is nice for a fair-weather fan like myself to hear that De La hasnt fallen off. They have a lot of good stuff even after their now-seminal 1st album. Enjoy.

2/24/2006 - Glad and Sorry

Song: Glad and Sorry
Artist: Faces
Why this song is the current jam: So I have finally gotten more stuff by Faces (I thought the Faces, but I guess it used to be "The Small Faces" and then they dropped one dude and picked up two more and became "Faces" - check the artist link). I had heard Ooh La La off of the Rushmore soundtrack, but guess what - they have other good songs! Generally they are good and crunchy rock, nice & messy and with an appreciation for soul etc ala the Rolling Stones,...cept differ'nt. So anyways, I get the album "Ooh La La" and I find this song, which I think is awesome, even if it doesnt rock like most of their stuff. The piano is pretty and something about a bunch of dudes singing together nice and easy sounds good to me. I like the lyrics too, although they dont say anything too specific to me, maybe that is why I like them. I really like the "can you stand it in the cold light of day, neither can I" line, I guess I can make up my own meaning for it, so it works. There is something about the gentle mood of this song, the lyrics, the piano, the sloppy little guitar playing along, just the easy, almost plodding pace of the whole thing, it is tender somehow, and I like songs that can be like that without telling you so.

2/23/2006 - One Little Dance

Song: One Little Dance
Artist: Moovers
Why this song is the current jam: As promised, here is #3 of 3 in the obscure soul section of the blog, again, provided by the amazing folks at Numero. Go guy their stuff! So worth it! And I am missing out big time because I never buy CD's anymore so, I dont get all of the great liner notes that they include, which look to be so so worth it. Anyways, this track is just a good dance track, that I would have loved to hear at my high school dance if I had grown up back in the day. It must have been awesome to have such good music about love that you could really move to.

2/22/2006 - We Have Love

Song: We Have Love
Artist: The Arrows
Why this song is the current jam: This song is from the Bandit Label compilation (again by Numero who produce some high quality stuff!). I love how this track starts out, just begging to be sampled, so spare and full of rhythm. And the vocals are tight too, if poorly recorded. This is the kind of song that reminds me how little I really know about music. I cant even find a bio for the Arrows, but this is good music. It is a good reminder to us all that good music is all over the place, and like the best of so many things, it is almost by definition not the easiest to come by. Enjoy.

2/21/2006 - Row My Boat

Song: Row My Boat
Artist: The Four Mints
Why this song is the current jam: OK here is some hot shit that you have never heard. I found this on this great compilation album on iTunes. This label called Numero has put together these compilations from old soul music labels that were never very commercially successful. I got 3 of them, and I am gonna post a sample song from each, in the hopes that some of you will be enticed enough to buy them yourselves. They are really great. This one is off of the Capsoul Label compilation. I think it is a nice and pretty song, even if the lyrics are a little silly in their simplicity, but the voices are really good and the band is absolutely blazin. Just listen to the rhythm they lay down out of the gate, and pay attention as the beat gets funkier as the song progresses, until the final verse where they bring in the banging multiple bass hits and the claps. So good. Enjoy.

2/20/2006 - Spottieottiedopalicious

Song: Spottieottiedopalicious
Artist: Outkast
Why this song is the current jam: This is a track off of Outkast's album, Aquemini (combo of aquarius and gemini, the respective zodiac signs of Big Boi and Andre FYI). I think that the music itself is really awesome. I love the sorta dub beat. I like the idea of having this random ass spoken word piece on the album. I like Dre's part just because I can listen to his voice regardless of what he is saying, and also, I like the little picture he paints at the end. I feel like it is a little cheesy in the beginning, but when he brings it back to the fight breaking up the club, that seems like poetry to me. And those horns, those horns, they are so hot. I think the last bit in that horn riff is taken from/inspired by the song I Can't Wait by Nu Shooz (one of my fav old jams) Is it just me or do the synthesized "oh's" hit the exact same little riff at the end of one of the first or second runs right after the beat kicks in, right before she sings? When I first heard the Outkast song, I knew I recognized those horns from somewhere, and after a few listens, I figured out it was this song. Usually my sample-senses are pretty sharp, but maybe I am just making up shit this time, who knows, you be the judge. In any case, the horns are hot, and I think the music is so well done on this song, it carries the weirdness of the verses, lends some gravity to them. This is contrary to the cheesy ass ripoff of this song that the Ying Yang Twins attempted recently. Check out the sad rehash of this idea in the middle of Live Again.

Ying Yang boys, come on now. Seriously, you can't dedicate 100% of your career to misogyniztic raps nearly exclusively about tearing the (most often strip) club up and effin "these hoes" and then turn around, hire Adam Levine and preach about the troubles of the strippers. I mean, I am all for people being both sides of the spectrum etc and being more than one-dimensional, but seriously, you have to lose SOME credibility once you say "now bring your ass over here ho, and let me see you get low if you want this thug." Seriously. Come on.

2/19/2006 - I'm Going Home

Song: I'm Going Home
Artist: Prince Conley
Why this song is the current jam: I don't know much about this dude, and the link on his name is the only information I could really find on the interweb. (and that is about all the exhaustive research I'm am down for at moment) I do know though, that this song is hot. It is has a certain sound that I think nowadays would make people think of Pulp Fiction - there is a wierd sort of near-surfer edge to the guitar line. But, there is something funky about this song - the fuckin HORNS, and the guitar itself is played so hot. And the little break where the band swings it for a minute keep it out of this realm for me. This is from the Stax label before it was called Stax - it was Satellite. And I guess that this was the first time that Steve Cropper played for the label, so that makes it a big deal in and of itself, because he was one of the original bad motherfuckers of soul music. He played on all of the big Stax hits and here is a little sample of him on his own (with a hot band) later. The track is just ok, but the intro is about the hottest fucking thing I have ever heard. This is his version of Funky Broadway.

2/18/2006 - Let's Get Married

Song: Let's Get Married
Artist: Al Green
Why this song is the current jam: Huzzah for love everyone - Caitlin gets married today! I'll leave it to Al to express it best, much love!

2/17/2006 - The Times They Are A-Changin' (live)

Song: The Times They Are A-Changin' (live)
Artist: Tracy Chapman
Why this song is the current jam: Tracy Chapman. She is good stuff, and I assume this is not much of a surprise to anyone around. But perhaps you havent heard her rendition of this Bobby D classic. It is quite well-done I think. Her voice seems perfectly suited for this kinda song with its tremulous intensity and urgency. I need to post more of the Bobby Dizzle soon, but for now, enjoy this.

2/16/2006 - Gimme The Night (Chill Mix)

Song: Gimme The Night (Chill Mix)
Artist: Randy Crawford
Why this song is the current jam: Here is another West Coast Swing jam that I really enjoy for some reason. I know it is a little weird and muzak-y but I still like it. It is intimate, like the Goapele song, has a good feel for partner dancing. I like her voice ok too, and the hook it tight. There is something about the way that the verse rushes into that refrain "Give me the night" and then the song just steps back and pulses along until it repeats. Manu hipped me to the fact that this was a cover - which I had always kind of assumed for some reason, a certain familiarity or a certain sound about the song, I dont know - but in any case I didnt know the original well. It is by George Benson (who Crawford actually toured with) and it has a very different feeling but I really like his version as well. Check em out, see what you think.

2/15/2006 - Closer

Song: Closer
Artist: Goapele
Why this song is the current jam: It's pronounced "Go-AH'-peh-lay'". This song is just a perty lil ditty that makes me want to partner dance. I like her voice, and I really like the track. It is the kind of the beat that I can just get addicted to. It is so simple and it really creates a mood, intimate and, well, close. It is romantic to me, and has a certain gentle, sort of tender feeling of nostalgia that seems perfect for dancing close with a partner. I like that it just flows straight through too, like one long vamp. Oh, and I love the beginning too, just so soft and simple, with that infectious beat. They play this song sometimes at West Coast events, and I dig it.

2/14/2006 - That's Where It's At

Song: That's Where It's At
Artist: Sam Cooke
Why this song is the current jam: Finally it is Valentine's day and I think it is time to turn once again to the man who invented soul, mr. Sam Cooke. There are all kinds of lovey feelings, but this song is about those special moments, the ones that we remember. And few can do it like Sam when it comes to capturing in a few simple words the feeling of those moments. Even when I think I am getting a little old and jaded about love and relationships, this song pierces straight into me, and wakes up my heart, reminds me that those feelings are still alive. Enjoy this one all you lovebirds out there. I dedicate this one to Kai, I'm happy for you man.

2/13/2006 - Angel Eyes

Song: Angel Eyes
Artist: The Jeff Healey Band
Why this song is the current jam: This is a song that I have always liked. It is sweet and sentimental, but that's all good for a love song once in a while. And really, Jeff can play some good guitar. He actually has a rather kick-ass jazz band as well. Caitlin would kill me if I didnt mention too that he was born in Toronto, her adopted home town. This to me is a good old fashion slow dance song, get out of the floor and sway around a little bit. Sorta like Wonderful Tonight Jr. Anyways, I like how he sings this song, enjoy.

2/12/2006 - Secret Garden

Song: Secret Garden
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Why this song is the current jam: OK, now I dont wanna hear any shit. I know that this song was on the Jerry Macguire soundtrack. I know that on some level it sounds a bit like a retread of the starkly beautiful, Streets of Philadelphia. And yes, I know, this is El Boss we are talking about here, the guy who sang "Born in the USA." But look here, I dont give a shit. I think this is a beautiful song about the nature of a woman's love, and the lyrics are really haunting to me.

Maybe it is just the music, but they sound true to me. And not in a truthiness sort of way. There seems to me something to the idea of there being a place inside of a woman that is her own, a sanctuary that maybe no one can get to. I am still young and naive in a lot of ways, so I could be horribly wrong, but I can feel on my part this urge to get all the way inside of whoever I am with in a relationship. Like I want to be in every part of them. But so far, I haven't really made it all the way there, I dont think. But was I worthy of that? I used to think that probably that only came with time and a proven true love. And I havent really gotten there I guess, so it is only fair to not get the key to the garden. But when I listen to what he says in this song, I wonder. Maybe there is somewhere you can never go, in a woman, or maybe just in another person. It can be sad to think of actually. The idea of that miniscule and insurmountable distance between people.

It makes me think of one of the most powerful short stories I have ever read. It is called "The Dead" by James Joyce and it is from his collection of stories called "Dubliners." There is an image near the end of the story (and dont you DARE skip to it without reading it if you are interested) that I feel like is a glimpse into the secret garden that Bruce talks about. It reminds me too of the beginning of Zora Neale Hurston's book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.
Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly."

There is something true here, about the nature of women, and men. Something about what we can give to eachother and what we want from eachother, what we are to eachother. I can't explain it, it would only come out wrong. I dont even think I really understand it. But I can sense it, and something in this song comes close to the truth. The same with the images from the books. They all point to a truth that cant really be articulated with words, because it means too many different words at the same time.

2/11/2006 - I Love Every Little Thing About You

Song: I Love Every Little Thing About You
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Why this song is the current jam: Ok, I know it is cheating, but I skip 2 tracks ahead in my Stevie compilation, and there is this. I mean come on people, this is a love song if there ever was one. And remember that joyous energy that I was talking about in my last post? Guess what - it's here again. Stevie really sometimes does explode my heart with the soul that shines out of his music. The rhythm of this song is great too, easy to move to, but not as simple as it first seems, with little layers just keeping it interesting while it moves along. Man, I am gonna be on a little Stevie kick for a while, I can tell.

2/10/2006 - If You Really Love Me

Song: If You Really Love Me
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Why this song is the current jam: Pop Quiz - who is a good singer/songwriter? The answer in 2 words: Stevie fucking Wonder. I mean really, his voice. Let's just say, he can sangg. But on this song, there is this thing he does, where the song just explodes with energy and joy and yearning. I think it is because of the arrangement, the melody, but perhaps above all, just the presence of Stevie in the thing. The way he brings it down to barely anything, then he goes all Emeril and kicks it up about 10 notches back into that glorious chorus. He just wants to hear so badly that this woman loves him. He wants so much to let himself be in love with her, but like so many fellas, he needs to hear that it is safe for him to commit to this one person. I know that's the way I like it - "yeah, I'll be into you and stuff, but could you just sign in blood here that you officially are into me so I wont be rejected in any way? Ok great thanks." Ok so Stevie puts it more eloquently.

I dedicate this one to Manu, cuz he is a preposterously big fan of Stevie and I am just learning to be. I am a little baby when it comes to music, but I am hungry. I cant believe sometimes how much music there is out there, and by people whose names I know, and who I would say, "oh yeah, I totally like so and so" but without ever really spending any time listening to their shit. What a poser I am. Anyways, here's to getting into some more Stevie, I highly recommend it.

2/9/2006 - What I Did For Love

Song: What I Did For Love
Artist: Irene Reid
Why this song is the current jam: I dont know what it is about this song that I like so much. I heard it for the first time in 2001 in San Francisco at a house party late one night during the San Francisco exchange and I made them play it over and over again. It creates such a mood for me. I like the breaks and the pregnant pauses that just seem to last forever. I like the nearly-smarmy horns too, the way they swing the melody, and the way the whole thing just lays so low during the verses. This is a cover of the Bobby Caldwell original called What You Won't Do For Love. Bobby's version is nice, but it sounds a little dated to me, and doesnt have the punch that this one does. My guess is that there will be some who really dont like this one, it is definitely in the realm of my more idiosyncratic tastes. But I urge you to just let it hit you, listen for the mood and the vibe of the whole thing, the way she lays back and swings the vocals, the way the she hits those breaks, the way the band plays so quiet and intimate. This to me sounds like a soundtrack to a romantic night in the city with an old love. Dinner somewhere nice up high with floor to ceiling windows looking out over the city lights, some dancing with the lights low, a drive in a nice car back to the posh apartment. Maybe I am crazy, but I love dancing to this song. It doesn't really make me want to swing out, but I love dancing to it, it makes me want to dance with a PARTNER yknow? Anyways, I hope you like it anywhere near as much as I do.

p.s. Bobby Caldwell also did the song Open Your Eyes which Common used for his track The Light. Good Stuff. Oh an he is white - ha HA! My people strike again!
p.p.s. I almost forgot that 2Pactotally bit this song for his track Do For Love.

2/8/2006 - I Can't Make You Love Me

Song: I Can't Make You Love Me
Artist: Bonnie Rait
Why this song is the current jam: OK folks, who wants a broken heart? All those who raised their hand, listen to this song. This is one song that completely supports my hypothesis that if you were to take all the happy songs and all the sad songs in the world and put them on two rival gangs and have them duel it out one by one like the tied hands fight in the Beat It video, the sad songs would kick the shit out of the happy songs. There is something about the pain conveyed in this song, through its absolutely beautiful melancholy melody and through the touching, world-weary lyrics that cuts through to your heart. Whether you have felt like this or not, this song makes this situation real to you, a final night with a lover that is already gone away from you in their heart.

I think that Bonnie Rait is the perfect person to sing this song too. The story of a woman who has been in love and lost if before, who is smart enough to see that it is over, but in love enough to ignore it to enjoy her last moments. She herself has been around as a musician for a long time before this song came along, and her voice coveys the resigned sorrow of the lyrics perfectly. This is one song, like A Change is Gonna Come, that if you really listen to it, I dont think you can help crying. There are some amazing moments in this song as well that remind me of another all time tear-jerker classic, Vesti La Giubba (the really sad Opera song that you have heard even if you dont know the name, it is about a heartbroken clown, whose tears he must hide in laughter as he laughs at the sorrow of his own life) Just like in Vesti La Giubba, I always feel like I have reached the highest cliff peak of emotion when he sings (in Italian) "Laugh clown, laugh!" but I am always pushed over the edge into the true depths of sorrow when he continues "though your heart is broken!" when Bonnie sings "I can't make you love me" I can feel my heart about to burst, but when she continues "...if you don't" that is when it breaks for real.

* This song was so good that even my man did a cover on his Emancipation album.

2/7/2006 - And I Love Him

Song: And I Love Him
Artist: Esther Phillips
Why this song is the current jam: I love Esther Phillips's take on this Beatles song. (Here is the original - of course a smashing version as well) Her voice goes so well with this melody and the overall effecting is haunting (but not in a Munsters way) and beautiful. I especially love the last bit where she repeats "And I love him," dragging out the "I" for a beautiful moment. I have said it before, but I am all about these little moments in songs, they can be so transcendant. I guess the Beatles dug her version of her song so much that they flew her out to England to perform. You have to give it up for the Beatles, as really most of those big famous British bands, they really had impeccable tastes. All of their first loves were the old blues and soul singers from the states. To quote my good friend Steven Colbert - "USA! USA!"

2/6/2006 - As Time Goes By

Song: As Time Goes By
Artist: Dooley Wilson
Why this song is the current jam: Ok, if we are talking love songs, this one is a classic. Perhaps the classic. From my favorite movie of all time Casablanca, (why does that surprise you?) this olde-tyme ditty has some unique timeless quality to it, and Dooley Wilson's rendering is simple and elegant. He had to play up the "blackness" in the movie, (its one flaw in my estimation, a virtually unavoidable element in showbiz from those days, the overt and idiotic depiction of black people as simple and either cruel and evil or, as in this case, dog-like in their loyalty) so it is easy to overlook the skill of his performance, but his voice really lends itself wonderfully to the song. Despite appearances in the movie, that is not him playing the piano either. In fact, if you look at what he is doing, he is just sorta plunking his hands onto the piano, and the appearance is actually that he doesnt know how to play the thing at all. (Elliott Carpenter actually played the piano - the only two black people on the set, creating something amazing and lasting) Perhaps it is just my association of it with the movie, one I recommend to all to check out, but this song, with its lyrics, its melody, and its elegant and whimsical beginning, encapsulates a world of love in a few short verses.

As a special treat to those of you still checkin the blog even as I am so grievously behind, I am posting a little tidbit of Billie here for you, her own take on the song. It is bad ass, you'll like it.

2/5/2006 - Easy To Love

Song: Easy To Love
Artist: Billie Holiday
Why this song is the current jam: Here is a little old school jazz for you. Another love song, this one by Billie Holiday. I love the way this track is just so easy and light. The mood pervades this whole song, and for me, more so during the instrumental parts. I love Billie Holiday, and she has the skills to take a song that is a bit cheesy and fomulaic and make it something special. But on this track, to me, the real story is the band. They start the song off right, chill out and let the singer sing, and they bring it up when they have to, and the whole time they work together so beautifully as a unit, something that seems to have been largely lost (or at least valued a lot less now, in jazz). I love music that makes me feel a certain way without saying much. I hope you jazz-lovers out there enjoy this one.

2/4/2006 - This Girl's In Love With You

Song: This Girl's In Love With You
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Why this song is the current jam: Perhaps you have heard of her. Re-re. Well I guess it can't be considered digging deep since this song is on several greatest hits compilations of one of the best known (perhaps THE) soul singer of all time. But still, I dont hear this song very often, and I think it is amazing. A little sadder take on love today, but still touching. Re-re NEEDS your love, or she will die, just listen.

2/3/2006 - Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Song: Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Artist: Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Why this song is the current jam: OK this may sound syrupy sweet and I know you've heard it before, but we need to take just a moment to really listen to the voice. It is the easiest most striking thing about the song, so easy to hear and yet I think it is easy to take for granted as well. On a song that you have heard before a lot, that could be considered by some even cliche, that amazing voice that pierces through the rest of the track can seem normal, possible. But really it isnt. And for me, there are some things that are above cliche, like they are too good to be cliche, and this song is one of them. Frankie Lymon really does sound like a little angel singing on this track and like some of those sugar-sweet old Sam Cooke songs, you only need to pay attention to the voice to get what is so good about the song.

2/2/2006 - Settle Down

Song: Settle Down
Artist: Zwan
Why this song is the current jam: Here is one for any Smashing Pumpkins fans, Billy Corgan's band that he formed in 2000. I really like the one album they put out. I always dug Smashing Pumpkins and this is sorta like them but happier. This is the 2nd in my series of lovey type songs and I think it is a trip to hear Billy Corgan sounding actually like happy. I love the melodies and I think the whole album is really good. I especially like the drumming as well, I think it is really great on every song, varied and never too much, but kicking plenty of ass in many places. And in rock songs I think it is a good sign if you actually notice the drummer. I love his fills. Anyways, I hope you like.

2/1/2006 - My Love's On the Way

Song: My Love's On the Way
Artist: Intro
Why this song is the current jam: This is first of 2 weeks worth of posting of love songs. I have a lot of catching up to do and I was thinking of how to post the right song on Valentine's day and I just couldn't decide, so here goes 2 weeks of love songs, happy and sad. This one by Intro is one of my favorite modern R&B songs. This dude has a really good voice and I like the simple track along with the lyrics. It has a bit of a sad feeling, but I think it only serves to add to the emotional impact of the lyrics. This man is pledging his love, and he is serious. I love the way the singer deals with each verse, his phrasing is simple and beautiful.