The first time I heard this song was in this classic scene from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”.
I had no idea that it was the same voice that sang Lean On Me. For all I knew, Will Smith wrote it as an excuse to do something funny on his show. But now that I’m 20 years older and (?) wiser, I can hear this song for what it is: a simple, soulful song about wanting to be with someone who’s far away.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. I love the way it starts. Voice, bass, and a hint of acoustic guitar in the background.
2. I love the way the second verse lights up with the big strings and those funkyfunky drums.
3. I love the way everything drops out but the drums and the voice for that classic “I know, I know, I know…” The Fresh Prince may have kicked the jukebox at that point to stop the record from skipping, but I could listen to it forever.
Recommended listening activity:
Waiting patiently.