deborah cox lyrics lyrics Magic of Melodies meanings of lyrics music music for the soul musical emotions who do you love

I’m not quite sure how I came across this track but it was many years ago … Around the time when cassettes (till about ‘93 I think) were around !  I don’t even know why I liked this song in the first place – but it’s a song I have had on my computer and then my laptop for just over a decade ! 

Do you know anything about Deborah Cox ? All these years that I have known this track – I haven’t ever really tried to find out more about the artist … quite horrible of me actually ..

It turns out that Deborah Cox is a Canadian RnB singer-songwriter and actress ! She also has held a #1 single on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks in 1998 !  In 2001, her hit-song "Absolutely Not" was featured in Dr. Dolittle 2.  She has even sung the Canadian National Anthem at the 2008 NBA All Star Game in Louisiana.

Turns out the lady is quite popular !  This is the second Canadian artiste that I’ve been impressed by and written about !  I just checked out her website – and it’s quite funky – you can flip pages on it …

So what’s so special about this song ? Well for starters – I can sing it ! Yeah I used to be on the school choir through junior and high school and did quite a few solos as well.  I don’t think I could sing in front of an audience again ! (actually I just did on Monday – got dragged into singing karaoke)

But this song – I can sing because it’s almost recited in a way … the words are clear and quite precise and can be heard properly.  I was browsing my music collection and remembered the name of the track and put it on … which got me thinking …

Considering the lyrics of the track which I found on azlyrics.com … the song in my opinion  represents loneliness, confusion, betrayal which eventually turns to being able to be strong and no longer doubt oneself.  There isn’t much in there about the latter statement but I feel it conveys that quite well.

It’s almost a sentimental song but without the mushy score … it has a more upbeat melody to it .. and that I LIKE about this track …. Whilst looking for the YouTube video, the only one I came across which actually had an embed code – ironically – contains graphic images of hearts with what looks like arrows !

Deborah Cox has a really soulful voice … combine that with a brilliantly written track that expresses so much … it strikes a chord !  For me, her voice really conveys emotion so that the listener can really ‘feel’ and ‘relate’ to the lyrics of the song.

We have all gone through mixed emotions and have doubted or questioned the feelings of a partner … I have broken up with ex’s and have been dumped as well … Back as a teenager, I might have questioned the actions, but I recall sometimes playing this track used to instantly pep me up.  Almost all love songs are highly emotional and quite teary – at least the ones I have heard – and its refreshing to hear a ‘non mushy’ track which manages to capture the essence of loss and emphasizes the need to be strong !

Over the last decade or so, I have played this track at various times of my life and it just seemed to suit the moment … or just capture the exact emotion that I was possibly feeling.  Some people listen to slow romantic songs or ballads …. if I was having any doubts – I could definitely put this on and have them all cleared out  :)

 

"Who Do U Love"

Last night I slept alone
I stayed at home
For the first time since you've been gone babe
No friends to understand
To lend a helping hand
To ease the greatest pain I've ever known

How you walked away so easily
Still remains a mystery to me
Don't you remember that you promised me?
Yes you promised me that you'd never leave boy
But you went away babe
And it's such a shame
How could you turn your back on me?

[Chorus:]
If you really don't want me
If you really don't need me
If you really don't love me
Tell me who do you love?
If you really don't want me
If you really don't need me
If you really don't love me
Then who do you love?

I gave, gave everything
A man could ever need
I was there whenever you would call me baby
But somehow your feelings changed
You don't act the same
I guess you're not the man that I once knew at all

How you walked away so easily
Still remains a mystery to me
Don't you remember that you promised me?
Yes you promised me that you'd never leave boy
Now the love is gone babe
Tell me what went wrong
How could you leave me hanging on? Oh baby

[Chorus x 2]
I once was blind but baby now I see
That I'm not the one
Who can fill your every need
I painted a picture so clear, it's reality
Now I know, yes I know
That you're not the one for me
Ooooh baby, oh yeah
Who do you love baby?

If you don't want me
If you don't need me

How could you walk away from me?
Baby you promised you'd never leave
Slept alone since you've been gone
The greatest pain I've ever known
Oh babe, oh babe oh yeah
[Chorus x 2]

leonard cohen lyrics Magic of Melodies meanings of lyrics music song review state of mind such is life writing

I heard this song for the first time today.  I was driving back into the city (as a Navigator actually) with my friend HS – who incidentally had taken me for an R&R break – when he finally had it with my ‘beat-y’ music and told me he was switching the tone.

I don’t really blame him – we’d quite literally heard at least 2 albums of St Germain – and he told me to put on some Leonard Cohen. 

Until  earlier today, I had absolutely no clue who Leonard Cohen was.  A little research on Google tells me that he is a very well known Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, novelist and artist ! He has also been in the music industry for four decades !

He was also inducted into the ‘Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’ (2006) and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2008).  He also has a few Juno Awards for Vocalist and Songwriter of the year.  That’s a pretty hefty list of credentials !!

The very start of the music makes you instantly relax …. and then … THAT VOICE … the deep husky baritone and bass voice … it can make you melt ! The simple drum beats soothe every muscle in your body.  I found myself settling into the car seat and closing my eyes – and just letting Leonards’ voice take over. 

I loved this song simply because not only does it have a lounge feel with a soothing melody; there is also the enough time between each line of the song allowing the listener to fully grasp and acknowledge each instrument playing and at the same time being able to ‘hear’ the lyrics word-for-word. 

With most songs, even slow songs – there are some verses of the songs that one isn’t able to grasp all the words being sung.  With this track – it’s impossible not to hear all the words.  Cohen and collaborator Sharon Robinson's vocals are absolutely gorgeous throughout.  Not to mention the perfect harmony of the various instrument – take it up another notch !

The unusual combination of music and lyrics is perfect. The lyrics are sheer poetry !! and just transports you to another world … It really does feel like a secret life ….

Can you picture a memory to each word you hear … doesn’t it create a warm fuzzy feeling inside ?  Sometimes it also causes a pull in the pit of your stomach … .. slowly releasing itself into your insides … doesn’t it increase your heart beat .. just a little bit … do you feel the tightening of your heart ….

Do you hear the hum of a wind instrument against the bass and drums  ? Can you picture the fingertips gracefully moving on the keyboard … or the ones strumming the guitar ?

Do you know which verse I’m referring to with all my thoughts above ?   I closed my eyes and wrote whatever I was feeling …. I think you should try it … You never know what you come out with hehe 

It’s 2:40 a.m and once I was finally settled in bed – I had already found the relevant links on youtube to find the video of the song … and have heard it at least 4-5 times at this point including whilst writing this post.

Do you have a secret life ? I think we all do … Do you find yourself drifting off … someplace … away from where you currently are … when you ‘finally’ find a few minutes to yourself .. away from your busy schedule ?

That zone .. that someplace … it’s ‘your’ time to reflect back for a little bit …on anything … and everything …  to shut out the noise and daily communication … I’d been needing to do that for a while now and didn’t even realise just how much my entire system was begging to be shut down !

Now that I think about it – earlier today I found myself allowing myself to get into the pool and just ‘float’ around … I put my sunnies on, stepped into the pool neck deep (I’m 5’7” in height) and slowly dipped my head back to get my hair wet and get over the initial cold shock – propped my toes and let my entire body lie horizontally – with arms above my head and toes peeking out of the water surface – closed eyes and submerged face aside from the edge following the outline of the sunnies.

I must have floated for 5-7 minutes at a time for close to 30 minutes – and it felt just amazing.  This song would have been perfect to listen to whilst I lay there floating in a gorgeous pool and catching the suns rays on my face (and yes I have panda eyes now ! stop giggling now !! ).

On that happy note – I’m going to go to bed now - and leave you all to hear this wonderful piece of music – and visit your secret life =)

Special Thanks to HS for introducing this amazing musician to me (and to the rest of you who didn’t know about him too)

In My Secret Life

I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can't seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
There's no one in sight.
And we're still making love
In My Secret Life.

I smile when I'm angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I'd die for the truth
In My Secret Life.

Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I'll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.

Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it's either black or white.
Thank G-d it's not that simple
In My Secret Life.

I bite my lip.
I buy what I'm told:
From the latest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I'm always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it's crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.