This will be my last post for a few days as I head down to New Orleans for the first time in my life. Since jazz music is pretty much synonymous with The Big Easy, and Sade is the closest music I know to the genre, well, here's one of the smoothest of jazz-pop songs...
Yesterday was singer Sade's 61st birthday. That, coupled with her recent announcement of new music, her first since 2010's Soldier Of Love, surely deserves a spotlight this Friday. Exciting news indeed! Here's one of hers, and one of the, greatest songs ever...
Just a few days ago, on January 16th, smooth-voiced Nigerian-English singer Sade celebrated her 58th birthday and I'd love to commemorate the day with a Song of the Day. I've been a huge fan of Sade since the beginning, 1984 to be exact, when she and her eponymous band released their first album, Diamond Life. Packed with high quality songs that were a little bit on the jazz side, a little bit on the dance side (albeit slow dance!), Diamond Life got plenty of airtime in my life at the time, as did each and every one of her albums that followed over the next 27 years. Here's the song that started it all for me, a jazzy tune that's just oh so smooth. Here's Hang On To Your Love...
This week has been the first time since I started John's Music World in January that I've really gone back to melding the music with life, like how I used to often do on John's World. Though I try to look at things from strictly musical points of view on this page, sometimes music and life go hand in hand and so it's been such an easy time finding songs to complement my current situation, starting with Wednesday's post. It's why I love music so much!
Today's song again reflects a current state of mind, as this difficult week has culminated in outpourings of support from people all around me. It's a reminder that even though I spent the better part of the week hiding in a corner and cutting myself off from everyone around me, I do have people in my life who are there for me, by my side, and it makes me feel so much better! So for any of you in my life who were there for me yesterday, I want you to know that whatever it is you did for me, even in the smallest of ways, it has helped me immensely and I thank you for it.
Once upon a time, when I used to write for Associated Content and then Yahoo Voices, I penned a lot of pieces on music...surprise, right? Anyway, one of the most popular types of articles I used to write there were what I like to call musical top ten lists. These articles were all about music appreciation, whether it be the songs or albums of one particular artist, and often they were tunes centered around a theme, such as a holiday. Well, since today is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share an amalgamation of a couple of pieces I've written on songs for lovers. All of the songs contained here are perfect for a romantic evening with the one you love. Check them out...
By Your Side – Sade
This is one of my all time favorite songs, and one that I've posted many times before. This tune was mine and Joe's song and I vividly remember a magical and very romantic evening watching Sade perform this one under the stars at Jones Beach Theater. The song soothes the soul and warms the heart and is the perfect backdrop to any romantic Valentine's Day date. Take a listen...
I would dial the numbers
Just to listen to your breath
I would stand inside my hell
And hold the hand of death
You don't know how far I'd go
To ease this precious ache
You don't know how much I'd give
Or how much I can take
Just to reach you
Just to reach you
Oh to reach you…
Come to My Window – Melissa Etheridge
This classic is the ultimate heartfelt emotion expressed so beautifully by Melissa Etheridge and surely goes well with any lover's theme. Check it out...
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
Oh,
my love
A thousand kisses from you is never too much
I just don't wanna stop
Oh, my love
A million days in your arms is never too much
I just don't wanna stop
This soulful classic by R&B crooner Luther Vandross speaks so wonderfully to those beautiful feelings you get when you're in love. Take a listen...
In Your
Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Anyone who's ever seen the movie Say
Anything will understand why this song is on my list of songs of love and devotion. The
track fits the budding love between Lloyd
Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye) perfectly, and is a great addition to any list of love songs. Check it out...
If tomorrow is a judgement day And I'm standin' on the front line And the Lord ask me what I did with my life I will say I spent it with you
My Love is Your Love – Whitney Houston
The first time I heard this song was
the remix version, which I loved, but once I listened to the original, the slow, steady beats backing these beautiful words had me hooked all over again The tune has a spiritual feel to it and it simply moves me. If you don't know it, take a listen below and let it move you too...
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
This is the most recent of the songs of love and
devotion on this list, and it is my Valentine's Day Song of the Day today, so check that out here and add it to your list. Just the Way You Are is a
classic love song that’s sure to stick around for many Valentine’s Days to come and the lyrics are as beautiful as they get...
When I
see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
So there you have it, six great songs of love and devotion just in time for a nice soundtrack to your Valentine's Day. Simply pair these up with your own favorites and you have the makings for a very romantic evening with your loved one.
