Tag Archives: R&B

Song of the Day: Shake You Down (by. Gregory Abbott)

Posted on by Arleigh

There’s something instantly recognizable about Gregory Abbott’s “Shake You Down.” From that opening synth line to the smooth, almost whispered vocals, it feels like pure ’80s romance bottled into four silky minutes. This wasn’t a loud song — it didn’t need to be. Abbott’s voice doesn’t demand attention; it draws you in with that gentle charm that made it the perfect track for dimly lit gym floors, disco balls spinning, and teenagers swaying in slow circles, trying not to step on each other’s shoes.

What made “Shake You Down” stand out wasn’t just the melody but how effortlessly seductive it was without ever being explicit. The song oozes quiet confidence — cool, easy, and slightly shy — the way the best R&B hits of the era did. It’s the kind of tune that made every listener feel like they were starring in their own movie moment: that hesitant glance, that first slow dance, that unspoken “this might be something” energy. Even now, it triggers a rush of nostalgia for a more innocent kind of intimacy.

Decades later, it’s no wonder “Shake You Down” still sneaks its way into prom playlists and retro nights. It doesn’t chase trends or rely on flashy production — it’s just a solid, soulful groove that makes you want to close your eyes and sway. For anyone who grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, hearing those first notes is like being transported back to a simpler time when a slow song at the end of the night could mean everything.

Shake You Down

Girl, I’ve been watching you
From so far across the floor, now, baby
That’s nothing new, I’ve watched you
So many times before, now, baby
I see that look in your eyes (look in your eyes)
And what it’s telling me
And you know, ooh girl, that I’m not shy
I’m glad you picked up on my telepathy, now, baby

You read my mind (you know you did)
Girl, I wanna shake you down (oh well, oh well)
I can give you all the lovin’ you need
(I’m gonna love you)
Come on, let me take you down (oh, baby)
We’ll go all the way to Heaven
Ooh, I been missing you
And the way you make me feel inside
What can I do? I can tell you’ve got your pride now, baby
Come to me (oh well, oh well)
Let me ease your mind (oh babe)
I’ve got the remedy, yes I do
Now give me just a little time

I wanna rock you down
(I can give you all the lovin’ you need)
I’m gonna love you
(Come on, let me take you down)
Oh well, oh well
(We’ll go all the way to Heaven)

Girl, I’ve been missing you
And you know, it’s funny
Every time I get to feelin’ this way
I wish I had you near me
I wanna reach out and touch you

I can’t stop thinking of the things we do
The way you call me “baby” when I’m holding you
I shake and I shiver when I know you’re near
Then you whisper in my ear (oh baby, well, well)

Oh baby
(I can give you all the lovin’ you need)
I’m gonna love you
(Come on, let me take you down)
Oh well, oh well
(We’ll go all the way to Heaven)

Eeny-meeny-miny-mo (you read my mind)
Come on, girl, let’s shock the show (girl, I wanna shake you down)
(I can give you all the lovin’ you need)
Roses are red and violets are blue
I’m gonna rock this world for you
Hey baby
(We’ll go all the way to Heaven)
(You read my mind)
Girl, I wanna shake you down
I can give you all the lovin’ you need
Come on, let me take you down
We’ll go all the way to Heaven

Song of the Day: Just Once (by James Ingram)

Posted on by Arleigh

“Just Once” by James Ingram is one of those early ‘80s ballads that somehow hits twice as hard decades later. Produced by Quincy Jones for his 1981 album The Dude, the song carries that signature Jones polish—smooth arrangement, soft piano lines, and a tasteful rhythm section that gives Ingram’s soulful vocals all the space they need. It’s the kind of track that sneaks up emotionally on you; what sounds like a classic love ballad at first slowly reveals itself to be something heavier, an inner plea for emotional connection that never quite worked out right.

A huge part of the song’s lasting impact came from its unexpected use at the end of The Last American Virgin (1982). That film, a teenage sex comedy on the surface, ends on a gut punch of heartbreak and disillusionment—and “Just Once” rolls in right as the realization sinks in. Instead of tying things up neatly, the song underscores the protagonist’s pain and futility, matching the moment perfectly. It’s almost cruel how the film pairs that kind of emotional devastation with a song this beautiful.

And that’s what makes “Just Once” stand apart from other ballads of its era: it’s not syrupy or idealistic. It’s a bittersweet confession wrapped in a soulful groove, about trying your best and still losing. The honesty in Ingram’s delivery gives the song an authenticity few pop hits manage to capture. Whether you first heard it through Quincy Jones’ production or that unforgettable movie ending, it’s hard to shake off once it finds you—it’s heartbreak with melody, regret with elegance.

Just Once

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn’t good enough
Cause here we are
Back where we were before
Seems nothin’ ever changes
We’re back to being strangers
Wondering if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door

Just once

Can we figure out what we keep doin’ wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin’ wrong?

Just once

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
We could just get to it
I know we could break through it
Hmm hmm

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
Cause Lord knows we’re not gettin’ anywhere
Seems we’re always blowin’
Whatever we’ve got goin’
And it seems at times with all we’ve got
We haven’t got a prayer…

Just once

Can we figure out what we keep doin’ wrong
Why the good times never last for long
Where are we goin’ wrong?

Just once

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it

Just once
I want to understand…
Why it always comes back to goodbye
Why can’t we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
We’re no good without each other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together

Just once…

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Whoa
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it

Just Once…

Whoa, oh
We can get to it…

Just Once…

Song of the Day: Breakin’ My Heart (by Mint Condition)

Posted on by Arleigh

Whenever “Breakin’ My Heart” by Mint Condition comes on, it’s like flipping back to the spring of ’91 — those final high school days buzzing with possibility and that sweet uncertainty of what came next. I remember those silky keys and that laid-back groove spilling out of boomboxes in the parking lot after school, turning ordinary afternoons into something electric. It was the ultimate slow jam for passing notes in class and those marathon phone calls about crushes that felt like the whole world.

What made the track stick so deep was its smooth, patient vibe, like it was custom-made to linger in those tender high school romance moments — Stokley’s voice carrying that perfect mix of ache and hope. At senior prom, when “Pretty Brown Eyes” finally hit, the gym lights dimmed, and suddenly every sway felt like a promise. It bridged those innocent, heart-on-your-sleeve high school flings right into the haze of early college, where relationships got messier, longer-distance, and way more real, with calls late at night from someone met through college halls and weekend jaunts to clubs.

That song soundtracked our whole transition that summer before freshman year — cruising with windows down, radio cranked, as we traded high school goodbyes for the thrill and nerves of campus life. Mint Condition’s harmonies wrapped up all the nostalgia of backyard parties and first kisses, while hinting at the tougher navigations ahead, like figuring out if those feelings could stretch across states. Even now, it pulls me right back to that bridge between worlds — young love evolving, full of promise and those first real heartbreaks.

Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)

Pretty
Brown
Eyes

Pretty brown eyes, you know I see you
It’s a disguise, the way you treat me
(The way you treat me, pretty brown eyes)
You keep holding on to your thoughts of rejection
If you’re with me, you’re secured

You keep telling me that your time is always taken
But I keep seeing you out alone
(Out alone, pretty brown eyes) yeah
Listen to love, your heart is pounding with desire
Waiting to be unleashed

Quit breakin’ my heart
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Yeah, breakin’ my heart, oh, yeah
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Sugar, yeah, yeah

Don’t tell your friends
That I don’t mean nothing to you
Please, don’t deny the truth
(Pretty brown eyes)
Tell me right now, I know your heart is in the right place
You know I won’t let you down, oh, yeah, yeah

You can’t disguise all the pounding of your heart, yeah
(I see your eyes) I see your eyes
(Pretty brown eyes) and you can’t hide
Start to make sense and quit playing
These love games (silly little games)
Tell me what you’re gonna do, yeah

Quit breakin’ my heart
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Yeah, breakin’ my heart, ooh
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes), yeah

I just want to know one thing
Will you be with me?
(Pretty brown eyes)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh
Here comes my darlin’ (here comes my darlin’)
Here comes romance (here comes romance)
Here comes my lovin’ (here comes my lovin’)
(Please, honey will you dance?)

Quit breakin’ my heart
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Breakin’ my heart, yeah
Breakin’ my heart, whoa

Got me cryin’ all inside (pretty brown eyes)
Ohh, ho, ho, ooh, I’m talking ’bout (breakin’ my heart)
I’m talkin’ ’bout you, I’m talkin’ ’bout me
I’m talkin’ ’bout we, I’m talkin’ ’bout we, we (pretty brown eyes)

Here comes my darlin’ (here comes my darlin’)
Here comes romance (here comes romance)
Here comes my lovin’, will you dance (here comes my lovin’, please, honey will you dance?)
Oh yeah, sugar pie, baby
Breakin’ my heart

Here comes my darlin’ (here comes my darlin’)
Here comes romance (here comes romance)
Will you dance (here comes my lovin’, please, honey will you dance?)
Oh, hoo, ohh, yeah (pretty brown eyes)
Heart, breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Breakin’ my heart (pretty brown eyes)
Breakin’ my heart, breakin’ my heart

Song of the Day: Make It Last Forever (by Keith Sweat)

Posted on by Arleigh

It’s funny how just the first few notes of “Make It Last Forever” can take you straight back to those smoky gymnasiums where the lights were dim, the disco ball spun slow, and everyone pretended not to care who asked who to dance. Keith Sweat’s voice had that raw, pleading edge — smooth but vulnerable — the kind that cut right through all the teenage coolness. This track wasn’t just background music; it was the moment when couples swayed a little closer, trying to hang on to a feeling that was bigger than any senior year could hold.

The thing about that late ’80s R&B scene is that it knew how to make time stop. Between Sweat’s silky tone and Jacci McGhee’s soft harmonies, the song felt like a brand-new kind of intimacy. It wasn’t flashy, just honest — the kind of slow jam that made you believe love could actually last forever, at least for the length of that dance. You didn’t need fancy choreography or a booming beat; the groove did all the talking. It was warm, romantic, and a little bittersweet — the perfect soundtrack for that fleeting stretch between youth and adulthood.

Even now, when it plays on an old-school radio mix or at a 40th high school reunion, something in it still hits home. You remember the scent of cheap cologne, the click of high heels on the gym floor, and that mix of nerves and hope that only a slow dance can bring. “Make It Last Forever” wasn’t just a song — it was a promise whispered in the dark, a memory that never quite fades, no matter how many years go by.

Make It Last Forever

Make it last
Make it last forever (ever)
Don’t let our love end (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oh)
Let’s make it last (ooh-ooh-ooh-oh)
Let’s make it last forever and ever
Mm, don’t let our love end (oh, don’t let love end) mm

Let me hear you tell me you love me
Let me hear you say you’ll never leave me
Ooh, girl, that would make me feel so right
Let me hear you tell me you want me
Let me hear you say you’ll never leave me, baby
Until the morning light (ah)

Let me tell you how much I love you
Let me tell you that I really need you
Baby, baby, baby, I will make it all right
No one but you, baby, can make me feel
The way you make me, make me, make me feel

Whoa, oh-oh-oh
Mm, mm, mm
Don’t let our love end (oh, ooh-oh)
Just make it last forever (oh, make it last) and ever (forever)

Your touch is wonderful
Your love is so marvelous
Joy, that’s what I feel when I’m with you
Nothing, no one (no one, boy)
Could compare to what we have (oh, my baby)
Love, it feels so good
I’m so glad you’re mine (oh, oh)

Whoa, oh-oh-oh (ooh, baby)
Make it last forever (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Don’t let our love end (no-no, no-no-no)
Make it last forever and ever (yeah, yeah)

Ooh, give me kisses (kisses)
Love me (love me), hold me (hold me)
Squeeze me (squeeze me)
Chillin’ (chillin’), come on (come on)
I love it (you know I do), baby

Whoa, oh-oh-oh
Mm, mm, mm
Make it last forever (no-no) and ever (no-no-no)
Don’t let our love end (and ever)

Ooh, whoa, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (no, don’t you let it end)
You got to make it last
Never, never, never let it end
Just make it last forever and ever (ooh-ooh, oh)

I want our love to last a lifetime (I’d give it up, give it up for you)
Ooh, tell me, tell me you’ll always be mine
(I love you, love you, love you, love you, love you)
To make love forever and ever (ooh-ooh)
We’ve got to make it last
Got to make it, got to make it, got to make it, got to make it
Oh, baby, oh, honey (oh, honey)
I love you (ooh, oh, oh, I love you)

Ooh, you’re my best thing in the world (oh)
The only thing in the world, I love you so

Song of the Day: My, My, My (by Johnny Gill)

Posted on by Arleigh

When “My, My, My” first floated across the airwaves in 1990, it felt like smooth perfection — the kind of song that made time slow down just a little. Johnny Gill’s voice carried that deep, unmistakable mix of confidence and tenderness that defined R&B at its best. It was the slow jam every prom DJ had queued up, waiting for the lights to dim and for couples to drift onto the floor. For anyone in high school back then, this was the dance moment — the one you replayed in your head for days afterward.

But what made it special was how it lived beyond those prom nights. This was one of those early-’90s R&B staples that found its way onto countless mixtapes — the kind carefully labeled and slipped into someone’s hand with a hopeful grin. It was the soundtrack of summer romances, of those shy exchanges that felt like the beginning of forever. With Gill’s velvet delivery and that lush Babyface-L.A. Reid production, even teenage crushes suddenly felt legendary.

And honestly, let’s be real — you don’t even need to take my word for it. Just one listen to Johnny’s sweet, dulcet tones and you know this was the kind of track that did more than inspire slow dancing. It’s baby-making music, through and through — smooth, soulful, and absolutely irresistible.

My, My, My

Yeah
Mmmh, mmh, mmmh, so good

My, My, My (you look so sweet)
Listen
Put on your red dress
And slip on your high heels
And some of that sweet perfume
It sure smells good on you

Slide on your lipstick and
Let all your hair down
Cause Baby when you get through
I’m going to show you

Tonight will be a special night
No matter where we go
And I’m so proud to be with you
I just wanna let you know

You got my saying
My, My, My
My, My, My
You sure look good tonight
And you’re so damn fine
I wanna say
My, My, My
My, My, My

You sure look good tonight

After all this time
Slip on your nightgown
Step in our bedroom
First I wanna take sometime

I just wanna look at you
Girl you are so fine
I can’t believe you’re mine
And all that I wanna do

I wanna make love to you
Tonight will be a special night
Of many more to come

And I’m so proud to be with you
So proud to share you’re love

My, My, My
My, My, My (You sure look good tonight)
I wanna say, My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My

Make love all night long
Make love ’til the break of dawn

Come on
Come on
Sweet little thing yes you do

Yes you do, yes you do, you do, do, do

And I’m so proud to be with you
So proud to share you’re love
My, My, My
My, My, My
You sure look good tonight

I wanna love you, in every way, every way
Let me
Let me
Show you how sweet it’s gonna be
I wanna show you things that you

Never, ever, ever seen before
Put your nightgown on
Let your hair hang low
Step into our room
I’m in the mood to love you all night long

You got me saying My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My

Say My, My, My
See all you gotta do
All you gotta do
Is say that you’ll be mine all mine, My, My, My
My, My, My (You’ll be all mine tonight baby)
You sure look good tonight
Let me, let me, show you how sweet it’s gonna be

Oh, My, My, My
My, My, My (You sure look good tonight) My, My, My
My, My, My
My, My, My (You sure look good tonight) My, My, My
My, My, My (You sure look good tonight) My, My, My

Song of the Day: Lady (by Kenny Rogers)

Posted on by Arleigh

Whenever I hear Kenny Rogers sing “Lady”, it takes me right back to those early ’80s days when life felt slower and simpler. The song would drift through the airwaves on a chilly evening, maybe from a clock radio sitting on my nightstand, and everything would just… pause for a minute. Back then, love songs like that didn’t try too hard — they just spoke straight to the heart. It was the soundtrack of hallway crushes, handwritten notes folded into perfect triangles, and the kind of hope only a teenager could carry.

What made “Lady” stand out wasn’t just Lionel Richie’s tender lyrics or the way he wrapped pop sophistication around a country soul — it was the way Kenny delivered it. His voice carried this warmth and ache that felt completely genuine, like he was singing directly to you. As great as the studio version was, his live performances somehow sounded even better — fuller, more heartfelt, the emotion right there in every note. You could feel that the song worked not just because it was written beautifully, but because Kenny Rogers had the rare ability to make you believe it.

Now, when the song sneaks up on me in a store or on a classic hits station, it’s like opening a window to a world that doesn’t exist anymore — one of Friday night roller rinks, slow dances, and dreams that seemed closer than they really were. “Lady” reminds me of who we were before everything sped up, when music had the power to stop time for three and a half minutes and make you believe in love, even if you didn’t quite understand it yet.

Lady

I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am, and
I am yours

My love
There’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more

You have gone and made me such a fool
And I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?

Lady
For so many years
I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and
Made me whole

Forever
Let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly
In my ear

And in my eyes (In my eyes)
I see no one else but you (I see no one else but you)
There’s no other love like our love
And, oh, girl I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long

Lady
Your love’s the only love I need
Oh, and beside me is where
I want you to be (I want you to be)
‘Cause, my love
There’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life
You’re my lady

Song of the Day: On the Wings of Love (by Jeffrey Osborne)

Posted on by Arleigh

Jeffrey Osborne’s On the Wings of Love always brings back the nostalgia of those junior high and high school dances—the dim lights, the cautious swaying, the mix of nerves and excitement that felt like the biggest deal in the world. It was one of those slow songs that seemed built for that moment: simple, heartfelt, and unafraid to wear its emotions openly. Hearing it again instantly puts you back in that space where a single dance could mean everything.

What stands out now, listening with older ears, is how raw and genuine it sounds. This was music from a time before autotune, when what you heard was pure singing talent—no filters, no layers of studio polish to smooth out the edges. Osborne’s voice carries every ounce of emotion on its own, steady and powerful, but full of warmth. That sincerity is what made the song feel so timeless; it wasn’t just about hitting the notes, it was about meaning them.

Revisiting On the Wings of Love today feels like a little time capsule from when love songs aimed straight for the heart, no tricks or irony. It captures an innocence that’s rare in modern pop—back when melody and emotion were enough to lift you. For February, it’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the purest expressions of love come from nothing more than a beautiful voice and a song that believes in what it’s saying.

On the Wings of Love

Just smile for me and let the day begin
You are the sunshine that lights my heart within
And I’m sure that you’re an angel in disguise
Come take my hand and together we will rise

On the wings of love, up and above the clouds
The only way to fly is on the wings of love
On the wings of love, only the two of us
Together flying high, flying high upon the wings of love

You look at me and I begin to melt
Just like the snow when a ray of sun is felt
And I’m crazy ’bout ya, baby, can’t you see
I’d be delighted if you would come with me

On the wings of love, up and above the clouds
The only way to fly is on the wings of love
On the wings of love, only the two of us
Together flying high, flying high upon the wings of love

Yes, you belong to me and I’m yours exclusively
Right now we live and breathe each other
Inseparable it seems, we’re flowing like a stream
Running free flowing on the wings of love

On the wings of love, up and above the clouds
The only way to fly is on the wings of love
On the wings of love, only the two of us
Together flying high, together flying high

On the wings of love, up and above the clouds
The only way to fly is on the wings of love
On the wings of love, only the two of us
Together flying high, together flying high
Upon the wings of love, of love

Horror Song of the Day: Monster (by Irene & Seulgi)

Posted on by Arleigh

“Monster” by Irene & Seulgi (sub-unit of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet) dives into a dark and captivating space, blending eerie visuals with a sound that really sticks with you. The music video channels the vibe of classic sapphic vampire films, especially those atmospheric, haunting works by Jean Rollin. Irene takes on the role of a succubus-like figure, this hypnotic presence who seems to dominate Seulgi both visually and emotionally. Their movements, cold doll-like expressions, and the green light symbolizing possession all come together to paint a picture of seduction as a form of power struggle, where desire and control are beautifully intertwined.

Sonically, the song pushes boundaries with a mix of dark pop, industrial beats, and dubstep textures. The production is sharp, with synths that cut through like shadows and a bassline that grabs hold and won’t let go. Irene and Seulgi’s vocals glide between whispery softness and fierce intensity, capturing the delicate balance of temptation and danger that drives the song’s energy. The repetitive hook has a spell-like quality, reinforcing the feeling of being caught by this irresistible “monster.”

What really makes “Monster” stand out is how the song and video come together to create a seamless fusion of horror and sensuality. This isn’t just spooky imagery matched with a dark sound—it’s a fully immersive experience that captures the intoxicating mix of fear and desire. The supernatural themes of possession and seduction fit perfectly with the song’s hypnotic beats and evocative vocal delivery. “Monster” tells a story framed in shadows and light, a stylish journey where eroticism and horror enhance each other, pulling the listener deeper into its mesmerizing hold.

Monster

My move is unique
Not ordinary
1 2 5 to 7
I’m a dancer in the darkness
I’ll crack every joint in my body
And come close to your bed
I’ll horribly steal your heart
And dominate you

Under a single lighting, why are there two shadows?
I guess something else woke up inside me
I’m a little monster, be scared of me
I’m bothering you making you dream only about me
I’ll dance and play as I cast a spell
On your body in a nightmare
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster

I rose from
The ashes in the cold ground
From dusk to dawn
I still exist
I don’t hate this madness
I’m having fun
You can’t get out
Don’t run away, you’ll get hurt
I save you and tease you again
Oh I’m perfect and messed up again

I’m a little monster, be scared of me
I’m bothering you making you dream only about me
I’ll dance and play as I cast a spell
On your body in a nightmare
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster

See, I’m just playing
No bad intentions
I’m small but dangerous
Who would refuse me?
It’s time for the red sun to rise at dawn
Now that you are relieved
You try to come out of the dream
But monster lives forever

I’m a little monster, be scared of me
I’m bothering you making you dream only about me
I’ll dance and play as I cast a spell
On your body in a nightmare
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster

Song of the Day: I Will Show You (by Ailee)

Posted on by Arleigh

Ailee - I Will Show you

Ailee is the sort of K-Pop artist that would be more at home in the US with the type of music she performs. Sure she dabbles in the dance pop genre that K-Pop is famous for. What she seems to not do is what K-Pop fans would be calling bubble or candy pop. Not cutesy concepts or vocals from this artist.

Ailee’s sound is heavily influenced by Western R&B and late 70’s disco. While those two seem like an odd match, with her powerful voice and vocal range she makes it a match in heaven.

As part of her debut album, the song “I Will Show You” does a great job of letting the listener in at her vocal talent and that she’s not one to be an early flash in the pan success. It would remiss of me to say that her success has been mostly because of her looks. Ailee is one K-Pop artist who has it all. She’s not just beautiful, but her talented voice puts her in the same league as her Western counterparts in the R&B and pop music scene.

As for the video which accompanied “I Will Show You.” It’s an energetic music video which tells the oft-times told tale of the ugly duckling blossoming into the beautiful swan to the surprise of those who ignored her due to her earlier looks. While an entertaining music video, it also has its detractors due to how the video ends with the very man who ignores her when she was in her “ugly duckling” phase suddenly realizing his mistake and tries to woo her.

Maybe it’s a cultural thing, but the video goes the “happy ending” route with Ailee taking back the very man who dumped her in the beginning but now that she’s the swan it’s all better. Again, some have liked the video while others see’s the ending as being problematic.

Song of the Day: Paradise Lost (by Gain)

Posted on by Arleigh

ga-in paradise lost

The latest Song of the Day: K-Pop Edition is not just borderline NSFW, but should also piss off the very religious. From the video’s dark and very sexual imagery and choreography to it’s reinterpretation of some long-standing Biblical storytelling, Brown Eyed Girls’ member known as Gain released the song “Paradise Lost” from her 2015 solo album.

The song’s release had the usual fanfare but also reconfirmed her as one of K-Pop’s longstanding artist who pushed the boundaries of the very rigid and structured K-Pop industry where talent is trained and honed and controlled by untold numbers of corporate handlers.

“Paradise Lost” is a 4 minute-plus tour de force of a video that presents Gain in the role of Eve both while in the Garden of Eden and also after her expulsion from “paradise.” Whether it’s the elaborate satin and lace white wedding dress that obscures and hints at Eve’s repressed sexuality down to the black and white sequence where Gain is not just Even after her expulsion, but moving like the snake who tempted her and Adam to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

While some will just focus on Gain’s sultry and smoldering beauty and the video’s sinuous and sexualized choreography, when the lyrics of the song and Gain’s powerful and emotionally devastating performance gets factored in the song and video become one of K-Pop’s great masterpieces that even the Western music world hasn’t seen since the days when Madonna experimented and explored her sexuality through her music and her videos in the early 1990’s.

So, come and take a seat and watch for the taboo thrill of the NSFW video, but stay for the message in the song and learn why sometimes it’s the non-believers who truly understands the true meaning behind the things we consider Biblical and sacred.