Mixed Matters

An internet radio show interviewing authors, writers and poets on their latest and greatest works.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Never Too Much

Never Too Much

Where were you when you first heard these lyrics?

Can’t fool myself
Don’t want nobody else to ever love me


Luther’s Never Too Much album was one of the first records I had ever purchased in high school, and as I look back on my collection of vinyl, his records remained the only ones I ever purchased. Okay, I did cop one by GQ, but nothing compared to my man Luther.

You are my shining star,
My guiding light
My love fantasy


As a teenager sheltered from the dating world until my senior prom, I resolved to pass my idle time away in our family den with Mr. Vandross’ lush vocals promising a future of a love divine. He was my authority on amore, my chubby Cupid.

There’s not a minute, hour,
Day or night
That I don’t love you


Since then I have stepped confidently into every romance with his songs in my heart and on my mind, right, wrong, or indifferent. At various points along the way real life affairs didn’t mesh as neatly with his lyrics as I would have wished, but listening to him croon still made everything alright.

You’re at the top of my list
‘Cause I’m always thinking of you


The man had one of those voices that could put you in a good mood, make you fall in love, fall out of love, or do just about anything and everything to get it right. His sense of timing, flair for the dramatic and sophistication could not only be heard in his lyrics but seen in his performances. His background singers dressed in gowns rivaled only by queens, with all the moves that only the Supremes could match. When that silky voice touched down on the microphone and gushed out over the speakers, you knew you were witnessing something special, listening to something truly magnificent.

…You must have known that I had feelings deep enough to swim in

I had just returned from lunch when a coworker mentioned his passing. My thoughts lingered on one of his last appearances on Oprah. He was learning to walk, talk, and spell again. I doubted whether he would perform again, but I imagined a comeback CD where he would tell how he rediscovered life and remind us of how special it is to be loved.

That’s when you opened up your heart
And told me to come in
Oh my love
A thousand kisses from you is
Never too much


Every time I think of him, Never Too Much and every song on that album come to mind because for me it is not only a masterpiece but just the tip of the iceberg of what he brought to this world. I hope he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams because he had immeasurable talent. He wrote for other artists such as Aretha Franklin (Jump To It). If you haven’t heard Jump To It in its entirety, you need to hurry up and hear it! Girl, I got to go…..

Mostly, he was just my hero. Businessman, producer, songwriter, poet, human.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution

www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com