Love & Happiness

As I replay Love & Happiness by Al Green in my mind, I can remember when my mom and her sisters used to blast that song so loud that they thought they were in concert. They would sing the words as if they wrote them, "Love will make you do right, Love will make you do wrong"...Those were the words that echoed throughout my grandmother's house in the swamps of Mississippi. It was my first introduction to what love could be, what it was, what it could do, and who was lovin' who.

Along with Al Green, was Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Williams and many other great true R & B artists that expressed the sound of love. Love meant something and if you had experienced it in any kind of way, you could feel every word. If you were not taking care of your woman it was guaranteed that someone else would. If you were out cheatin', or involved in a love/Hate relationship, then you were guaranteed to eventually meet your maker; either be by hot grits or a hot bullet. Marraige meant 'til death do us part". Love was serious, you stayed not strayed.

When I think of the love relationships of now compared to the relationships of then. There is simply no comparison. I am not sure what has the divorce rate so high, Could it be marrying for the wrong reasons? No real committment? She looked good, but couldn't cook? He was good in bed, but bad as a father or friend? Heavy in the pockets, but light weight in the brains? I don't know. Someone said that now that number seems to be going down. I say, who leaves during an economic crisis? It's cheaper to keep her. Ever hear of the couple who are divorced but are forced to live with each other because of financial reasons? How many of us are staying in a marraige for that same reason?

The love songs are even not as strong or as meaningful as they used to. You have the Neo's, damn, I can't even think of anyone else. I am sure they are out there and it is probably what my daughter is listening to. I am glad I am raising her to know the difference between what is real and what is not. Which is why I also introduce her to Jill Scott, Raheem Devine, Amy Winehouse, Laila Hathaway, Dwele, Kem, The Brand New Heavies and new artist Anthony David. Those are just a few artist that represent real love. They make music you can feel and appreciate. Music that takes me almost back to my grandmother's house. I say almost because there is nothing like soul music, old blues that is heard among friends who can relate. Music that makes you move and shake 'em, make love all night, then breakfast lunch and dinner. You never want to leave the rhythm that the music of love creates.