“You know the slow jams, deluxe get-the-drawers tape.”
“ ‘The’ slow jams, deluxe get-the-drawers tape?”
“Yeah, the one with Luther, Sade, and the extended remix of Prince’s Adore.”
Dre & Sidney, Brown Sugar – 2002
Come on, we all had one, don’t even try to deny it. Me, I had several, slow jams tapes, and/or CDs. No, they weren’t designed to “get the drawers” or even “drop the drawers” for that matter, but they were definitely mood setters.
Through the years my list of favorite songs have certainly shifted, still there are a few that are timeless and can arouse those same tingly feelings no matter what. Luther Vandross’ A House Is Not A Home, Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross’ Endless Love (although Luther & Mariah Carey did a pretty good remake), Force MD’s Tender Love, I could go on and on.
But what is it about these songs that the minute they come on thoughts of candlelight dinners, clinking wineglasses and slow love making come to mind? [At least now they do, years and years ago you listened to those tapes that you made off the radio where the DJ would still be talking when the song began but you didn’t care as long as you had it on tape. Then, it was just about being on the phone with that special someone listening to the music and wishing you could do more than sit on the phone.]
Anyway, sometimes I think it’s the lyrics:
Here I lay all alone
Tossin turning
Longing for some of your, Tender Love
I’m waitin for the right moment to come
So I can thank you for,
All the tender love you’ve given to me
Oh baby
Tender love (Tender love)
Love so tender
Holdin me close
baby I surrender (oh baby I surrender)
Now that just made me remember house parties, dark rooms, and about a hundred sweaty young people groovin’ to this slow jam. But I digress…
Other times, it’s the melody – slow, hypnotic, the way a fine man is when he takes you in his arms for that first time.
There are also times when it’s the artist singing the song. Barry White’s voice is an instant mood changer—a “let’s-get-the-drawers” original for some.
Whatever the reason, a love song CD is a necessity whether I’m writing a love scene for my characters or setting a love scene of my own. Because yes, even after sixteen years of marriage (especially after sixteen years of marriage, lol) keeping the romance alive is a definite!
So what’s on your love song CD? Leave your answer and be entered to win an autographed book from A. C. Arthur!
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About the author
Artist C. Arthur was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she currently resides with her husband and three children. An active imagination and a love for reading encouraged her to begin writing in high school and she hasn’t stopped since.
Working in the legal field for almost thirteen years now she’s seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven reading a romance novel brings. Her debut novel Object of His Desire was written when a picture of an Italian villa sparked the idea of an African-American/Italian hero. Determined to bring a new edge to romance, she continues to develop intriguing plots, sensual love scenes, racy characters and fresh dialogue—thus keeping the readers on their toes!
Visit A. C. online
Website: http://www.acarthur.net/home.shtml
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AcArthur
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ACArthur
About the book – click cover to purchase
Full House Seduction, Kimani Romance – August 2009
Noelle Vincent may have led a wild and scandalous life, but really, isn’t every woman entitled to a few secrets? Now the former party girl is gambling on her future when she’s tapped to get a new casino off the ground. Suddenly she’s upping the ante when she gets her first eye-opening glimpse of gorgeous developer Brock Remington.
Ever since he was adopted, Brock has followed a simple law of the Donovan clan: always play your cards close to your chest. But all bets are off when he falls for the sexy, free-spirited new site manager. They’re both consenting adults, but Brock wants more. Is Noelle willing to roll the dice on their future, even if it means defying the odds and playing for the highest stakes of all?
Hey, A. C.
How are you?
I have a love song. Ease the Fever, by Reba M.
Let me Easy the fever and erase the pain.
Make a believer out of you again
Hold me closer
let me love the tears away.
Ease the fever and erase the pain
Hey Dyanne!
You’re a Reba fan too! I love her and I loved the show too.
This is a great song, I can actually see the scene in my head…
he’s holding her in his arms leaning closer like he’s ready to kiss her
she’s conflicted – her heart and her mind going to war
then his lips finally touch hers, his tongue scrapes across her teeth, touching her
tongue with featherlike softness and that’s it!
She’s lost, clothes come off and….wait a minute, we’re talking about the music. I digress.
ROFLMBO!!!!
Ooo….a song I absolutely love is the song sang at Overton & Synclaire’s wedding on Living Single. It’s called I Commit To You and the artist is Christopher Gaddy. The Living Single Soundtrack can be purchased from Amazon. I’ve actually got the CD….have had it for years. Think I might have to pull it out and listen to it on the way home.
Oh I didn’t think anyone else would mention this. I am playing it right now because it’s been on my mind every since I read this book this morning.
Love Like This
Grover Washington Jr. and Layla Hathaway
This song is soooo sexy
Yeah, Deb, that is a good one.
Anything by Joe. He sings sexy songs.
Hey A.C.
On my Love Song CD will be anything by
Will Downing!
“All About You”.
Put him on and the drawers coome off ( don’t ask me how-but it happens LOL!!)
LOL, Susan. I hear you on that one.
Hi AC:
God, I love those good, old love songs!!
There’s something magically for me about the sounds of the O’Jays, The Spinners, The Manhattans, and the list goes on and on and on….
I think my all-time favorite is ‘Let Me Make Love To You’ by the O’Jay’s. Humph…humph…humph!
Hey LaConnie!
Now you’re really about to start something with that one. Plus I think that song last for like ten minutes, long, slow….slow and long… whew! is it hot up n here
OMG! I love that song! I heard it the other day on the radio when I was on my way home from work! I was sangin’ (yep I said sangin’ LOL) all loud, swaying side to side, the whole nine! LOL I know if someone saw me that thought I was crazy! LOL I’m gonna go to Amazon and see if I can buy the MP3 of that song.
Okay you can purchase this song as an MP3 download from Amazon for only $0.99! Guess who’s buying it? LOL
Awww shucks lol! I have a bunch of mixes that I have put together. I remember in high one of my friend’s older brother would always come and ask me to make him a mix tape lol!!! Ahhh memories. Let me think….
I have two mixes that I created a while ago. Here are some of the songs:
Anita Baker – Angel
Guy – Goodbye Love
Isley Brothers – Voyage to Atlantis (live)
Gap Band – Yearning for Your Love
Tony, Toni, Tone – Just Me and You
Deele – Two Occasions
So others that come to mind…
Sade – Cherish the Day, No Ordinary Love
Luther or Stevie – Creepin
Luther – If Only For One Night
Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark, Let’s Fall In Love, All In My Lover’s Eyes —actually their Beautiful Ballads CD is the bomb diggity.
Maxwell – Fortunate, Submerge: Til We Become the Sun
Ok I’ll hush now. I can keep going and going and going lol!
ok that should be in *high school
Oh the Deele!!! Remember that video, Babyface and all that hair! Love it, love it, love it!
Don’t laugh, but I just started listening to Sade, her music used to make me sleepy, but now I’m kinda gettin into it.
For you – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRJBPWta-CU
LOL! I feel you about Sade. I’ve always liked her but my appreciation has grown as I’ve gotten older.
A.C. you said, ” . . . years and years ago you listened to those tapes that you made off the radio where the DJ would still be talking when the song began but you didn’t care as long as you had it on tape.”
Yep, I remember recording my favorite songs that way. EXCEPT, I had friends who did not mind calling up the radio station – breaking all kinds of copyright laws — to tell the DJ to SHUT UP because they were taping their favorite love songs when he played them. — ROFLMBO!
Thanks for reminding us how love songs and romance novels really do go hand in hand!
Hey Marlive,
I remember one time I was loving that song As We Lay by Shirley Murdock, oh my goodness, that song was the bomb, but anyway, I had just heard it on the radio but I missed like the first verse or something. So I called the DJ and requested the song, how about he put me on the radio and his response was ‘didn’t u just hear me play that song?’ I was like, ‘yeah and?’ LMAO
Anything by Frankie Beverly and Maze and my all time favorite by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, I Miss You.
Well – I guess that I am going to age myself but favs are:
Fire and Desire by Rick James & Teena Marie
The CD “For Lovers Only” by The Temptations
At Last
And yes – it was an art to record from the radio
Hey Beverly!
I used Fire and Desire in my upcoming August 2010 release. I must have listened to that song a million times. LOL
Well, I’m ole school, and nothing is more sexy, nothing says love more than Smokey Robinson’s Baby Come Close.
Turn the lights down low
Baby Come close
put your hand in mine
Oh, please be kind,
Let me touch your heart
Let the fire start
Ooh, so warm….
sing it, sing it!
This entire thread has me wanting to pull out the I-pod and get my slow jam on. Y’all are naming some good ones. Unfortunately a sista is out of town at a conference and the hubby is at home, so I can’t be playing no “get the drawers” music and getting myself all worked up for nothing… LOL. Great post AC!
Hmmmm, but I know u will when you return home! Look out Mr. C!!
Travel safe deary.
Hi A.C.
I listen to the Joe all day all night , when i really want to get funky then it’s the Isley Brothers and the Whispers
In the Mood
More of the Night
I only meant to wet my feet
Voyage to Atlantis, Between the Sheets, Let me Know
Hey Wanda,
By the time today’s over we’re all gonna be “In The Mood” LOLOLOLOL
Hi A.C.
I’ve got to say, currently one of my favorite love songs is Bless the Broken Road by Rascall Flatts. It’s a country song, but the lyrics fit so perfectly for the relationship I’m currently in with my love
This is the chorus:
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
(c) Rascall Flatts
Hi Ali,
You know I’ve listened to a good amount of country music – currently liking Taylor Swift alot (but I think she’s kind of pop too). But country lyrics are always so indepth to me, so heartfelt, like the old R&B or Soul music.
Yeah, I love when a song tells a story, exactly like the older R&B or Soul music did.
Hey AC,
Well my favorites are long but to put somthing down as it’s just about anything from the 70′s but to name a few:
Enchantment – It’s you that I need….uh, uh, uh, uh
LTD – Concentrate on you and Love Ballad
The Stylistics
Teddy Pendergrass – Turn off the lights, heck this WHOLE album
The Commodores – Zoom and Easy ….Oh my
Patti LaBelle – If only you knew
Royce Royce – Wishing on a Star
The Isley Brohters – JSUT WOW every ballard
One of my favorites for life….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvrEPUsEOuI&feature=related
I am partial to a Maxwell and Usher MIx.
Like you my list changes but then there are some songs that never leave my favorite slow jam rotation. Here are a few:
Slow Jam by Midnight Starr
Fire & Desire by Rick James and Teena Marie
Girl by The Time
Adore by Prince
Silly by Deniece Williams
and the list goes on and on
I will always remember the Lionel Richie or the Commodores song, ” Once, Twice, Three times a lady.” I was at a school dance and this little boy I was not suppose to be messing with because he had a girlfriend and I had a boyfriend had this song dedicated to me by our special code. OOOHHH WEEEEEE………I felt just right. I think about that everytime I hear that song. And to make things worst I was dancing with my boyfriend while the song played. Lawd I hope no one knows me from my high school days because that boyfriend became my husband……now ex-husband (lol)………..
Besides I Commit to You, my love CD has:
Eric Benet – Poetry Girl
Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie – Endless Love
Eric Benet and Tamia – Spend My Life With You
Etta James – At Last
Keith Sweat – Make it Last Forever
Whitney Houston Lyrics – I Believe in You and Me
Gerald Levert – Made to Love Ya, Baby Hold Onto Me, Dont Take It Away (I miss me some Gerald)
Those are just some of mine. Great topic.
I miss me some Gerald also! Great list of songs Claritta!
Hi AC,
Oh yea I remember those HOUSE PARTY back in the day, and love the following:
Marvin Gaye
Luther Vandross
Percy Sledge
Gearld Levert
Teddy
Guy that use to sing in the group LTD
Rick James & Teena Marie
Isley Brothers
Whitney Houston
There are so many
Smooches
Louise
Great post, A.C.! Girl, it felt so good to travel down memory lane. And, yeah, I remember taping songs off the radio and wishing the DJ would shut up quick! LOL. Some of my all-time favorite slow jams are:
“Endless Love” – Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross
“Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady” – Commodores
“You Give Good Love” – Whitney Houston
“Slow Jam” – Midnight Starr
“Sunshine” – Babyface
“Sexual Healing” – Marvin Gaye
Mmmm…I think it’s time to crawl into bed with my hubby!
AC,
Here I go dating my self because when I think of love song these are what come to mine and they are on my i-pod, and a flash drive I play in my car. I venture to say some of your may not have been born when a few of them were made.
With Every Beat of My Heart = Gladys Knight and The Pips
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes = The Platters
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart = Al Green and Teddy Pendegrass (Both versions are good.)
I Believe In you and Me = The Four Tops (Long before Whitney did It)
All I Could Do Was Cry = Etta James
Stand By Me = Ben E. King
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow = Ben E King
It’s Just A Matter of Time= Brooks Benton
So Close = Brooks Benton
Endlessly = Brooks Benton
Stair Way to heave = the O’Jays
Baby Come To Me = Patti Austin and James Ingram
The Twelfth of Never = Johnny Mathis
The Great Pretender = Platters
Chances Are = Johnny Mathis
Hurt So Bad = Little Anthony and the Imperials
You all had such great lists. I think I may have to spin the slow jams tonight. Here’s just a few:
-Betcha By Golly Wow, Phyllis Hyman
-Dont Disturb this Groove, The System
-Footsteps in the Dark, The Isley Brothers
-Any ballad by Luther (especially Anyone Who Had a Heart, If Only For One Night/Creepin’, Goin in Circles)
-Body & Soul/ I Apologize/Angel, Anita Baker
-Make You Feel Beautiful, Ruben Studdard
-Must Be Nice, Lyfe
-Crazy Ova You/Cupid, 112
-Zoom, The Commodores
-Any Brian McKnight ballad
Hi AC,
I surely do remember the “get the drawers tape” and I remember the line from Brown Sugar (on of my favorite movies). Now we have “Grown & Sexy” CD mixes and not GTD tapes. Some songs on my mix CD are:
Can’t Get Enough – Tamia
The Way – Jill Scott
No Air – Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
Insatiable – Prince
The Only One For Me, I Belong To You, Never Felt This Way – Brian McKnight
Wey U – Chante Moore
Any Time, Any Place; I Get Lonely – Janet Jackson
Come Share My Love – Miki Howard
Last First Kiss – Tamia
Love Me Like You’ll Never See Me Again – Alicia Keys
So Beautiful – Musiq
Fortunate – Maxwell
Caught Up In The Rapture – Anita Baker
Lose Myself – SWV
In The Morning – Ledisi
Butta Love – Next
Lost Without You – Robin Thicke
Speechless – Beyonce`