I Will Survive

Here is the 1978 classic Disco anthem, "I Will Survive", performed by Gloria Gaynor



At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I'd have known for just one second you'd back to bother me

Go on now go, walk out the door
Just turn around now 'cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Do you think I'd crumble? Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I. I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive, hey, hey!

It took all the strength I had not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights just feeling sorry for myself, I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high
And you see me, somebody new
I'm not that chained up little person still in love with you
And so you felt like dropping in and just expect me to be free
Now I'm saving all my lovin' for someone who's loving me

Go on now, go walk out the door
Just turn around now ‘cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye?
Do you think I'd crumble? Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I. I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive, oh
Go on now go, walk out the door. Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye?
Do you think I'd crumble? Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I. I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive,
I will survive!

******************************************

Here is a 1996 re-make of the song by the alternative rock band, Cake. The style is more punk/grunge. Which one do you like better?

Cee-Lo Green

Here is the video for "Forget You" (clean version)



Chorus:]
I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget her too!
Said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shh? (ain't that some shh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo

Yeah I'm sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari,
But that don't mean I can't get you there.
I guess he's an Xbox and I'm more Atari,
About the way you play your game ain't fair.

I pity the fool that falls in love with you
(Oh shit she's a gold digger)
Well
(Just thought you should know nigga)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
Yeah go run and tell your little boyfriend

[Chorus]
I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget her too!
Said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shh? (ain't that some shh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo

Now I know, that I had to borrow,
Beg and steal and lie and cheat.
Trying to keep ya, trying to please ya.
'Cause being in love with you ain't cheap.

I pity the fool that falls in love with you
(Oh shit she's a gold digger)
Well
(Just thought you should know nigga)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
Ooh, I really hate your ass right now

[Chorus]
I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget her too!
Said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shh? (ain't that some shh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo

Now baby, baby, baby
Why d'you wanna wanna hurt me so bad?
(So bad, so bad, so bad)
I tried to tell my momma but she told me
"This is one for your dad"
(Your dad, your dad, your dad)
Yes she did
And I was like
Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh!
Whhhy lady? Oh! I love you oh!
I still love you. Oooh!

[Chorus]
I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget her too!
Said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shh? (ain't that some shh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo

************************************
Here is the "unclean" version



Here is another Cee-Lo Green video "Cry Baby"



eah, let me hold you
Don't cry baby

If this makes you cry, girl, I didn't mean it
Next time I should lie, the truth is inconvenient
I bet if you'd try, you could live without me
I really don't know why you bother to cry about me

Cry, cry baby, I guess that I'm a bad guy now
Cry, cry baby, just like all the other ones
Cry, cry baby, oh

I hate to see you cry, sad to say I've seen it
We should say goodbye and this time really mean it
Once some time goes by, I'm sure that you'll feel better
But if she needs to cry then maybe I should let her

Cry, cry baby, I guess that I'm a bad guy now
Cry, cry baby, just like all the other ones
Cry, cry baby, oh

And I'll help me cry away, yeah
What more can I say to you?

Cry, cry baby, I guess that I'm a bad guy now
Cry, cry baby, just like all the other ones
Cry, cry baby, you're the wall around the heart
Cry, cry baby, baby

Oh, cry, oh, oh, just like all the other ones
Oh, cry, oh, oh, just like all the other ones
Cry baby, cry, cry baby
I just wanna see you cry baby, cry baby
Oh, oh, don't cry baby

Bruno Mars

When I Was Your Man



Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made, ohh…
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Although it hurts
I'll be the first to say that I was wrong
Oh, I know I'm probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know

I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man

***********************************************************

Here is a very cute 4-year old singing this song on the Ellen Show

John Legend

Here is the video for All of Me featuring John Legend and his wife, Kristi Teigan.



[Verse 1:]
What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

[Bridge:]
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

[Chorus:]
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

[Verse 2:]
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you

[Bridge:]
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

[Chorus:]
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

Give me all of you
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard

[Chorus:]
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

*************************************

Ordinary People



[Verse 1]

Girl im in love with you
This ain't the honeymoon
Past the infatuation phase
Right in the thick of love
At times we get sick of love
It seems like we argue everyday

[Bridge]

I know i misbehaved
And you made your mistakes
And we both still got room left to grow
And though love sometimes hurts
I still put you first
And we'll make this thing work
But I think we should take it slow

[Chorus]

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
Cuz we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow

[Verse 2]

This ain't a movie no
No fairy tale conclusion ya'll
It gets more confusing everyday
Sometimes it's heaven sent
Then we head back to hell again
We kiss then we make up on the way

[Bridge]

I hang up you call
We rise and we fall
And we feel like just walking away
As our love advances
We take second chances
Though it's not a fantasy
I Still want you to stay

[Chorus]

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
Cuz we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow

[Verse 3]

Take it slow
Maybe we'll live and learn
Maybe we'll crash and burn
Maybe you'll stay, maybe you'll leave,
maybe you'll return
Maybe another fight
Maybe we won't survive
But maybe we'll grow
We never know baby youuuu and I

[Chorus]

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
Cuz we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Heyyy)
We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
Cuz we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow


**********************************************************

John Legend singing "This Time" live.





Ran into you yesterday
Memories rushed through my brain
It's starting to hit me, now you're not with me
I realized I made a mistake

I thought that I needed some space
But I just let love go to waste
It's so crystal clear now that I need you here now
I got to get you back today

This time I want it all, this time I want it all
Showing you all the cards, giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance, this time I'll be your man
I can be all you need, this time it's all of me

I hit the bar every night
Looking to score a good time
It's not like I planned it, I'm left empty handed
'Cause I'm still alone in my mind

Now what will it take to feel right
Can I come see you tonight?
Is there someone new now, what can I do now?
'Cause I need you back by my side

This time I want it all, this time I want it all
I'm showing you all the cards, giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance, this time I'll be your man
I can be all you need, this time is all of me

Last time I wasn't sure, this time I will give you more
I'm more mature, I'll show you
Last time I didn't know, I messed up and let you go
I need you, don't say no

Lying alone in this room
All that is missing is you
Pick up the phone
Won't you come home?

This time I want it all, this time I want it all
I'm showing you all the cards, giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance, this time I'll be your man
I can be all you need, this time is all of me, all of me, yeah

***********************************************************

Here is John singing "If You're Out There" at the 2008 Democratic National Convention (where Barack Obama was nominated as the 2008 candidate for president)

If you hear this message
Wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman
Calling ever man

We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday
And we're already late

We've been looking for a song to sing
Searched for a melody
Searched for someone to lead
We've been looking for the world to change
If you feel the same, well go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now...now...now

No more broken promises
No more call to war
Unless it's Love and Peace that
We're really fighting for

We can destroy Hunger
We can conquer Hate
Put down the arms and raise your voice
We're joining hands today

I was looking for a song to sing
Searched for a leader
But the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes
Just go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now...now...now

Whoa now...now...now

If you ready we can save the world
Believe again, start to mend
We don't have to wait for destiny
We should be the change that we want to see
If you're out there

If you're out there
And you're ready now
Sing it loud, scream it out
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you're out there

If you hear this message
Wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman
Calling ever man

We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday
And we're already late

Whitney Houston

(Whitney Houston died two years ago today. It is just a coincidence that I am writing this post on her anniversary.)


All the Man I Need

Here is the official video for this song:



I used to cry myself to sleep at night
But that was all before he came
I thought love had to hurt to turn out right
But now he's here
It's not the same, it's not the same

[Chorus:]
He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I've ever seen
He's all I've got,
He's all I've got in this world
But he's all the man that I need

And in the morning when I kiss his eyes
He takes me down and rocks me slow
And in the evening when the moon is high
He holds me close and won't let go
He won't let go

[Chorus:]
He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I've ever seen
He's all I've got,
He's all I've got in this world
But he's all the man that I need

Chorus repeat 2x

Here is Whitney singing live on Saturday Night Live



*****************************************************

I Will Always Love You

This is Whitney singing live



If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way

And I... will always love you, ooh
Will always love you
You
My darling, you...
Mmm-mm

Bittersweet memories –
That is all I'm taking with me.
So good-bye.
Please don't cry:
We both know I'm not what you, you need

And I... will always love you
I... will always love you
You, ooh

[Instrumental / Sax solo]

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this I wish you love

And I... will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you

I will always love you
I, I will always love you.

You.
Darling, I love you.
I'll always...
I'll always love you.
Ooh
Ooh

*******
This is Dolly Parton, a Country-Western singer, who wrote and originally performed "I Will Always Love You". It is very different from the way Whitney Houston sang the song.



******************************************

Heartbreak Hotel

This song is a little more "urban" than the more popular Whitney Houston songs.



This is the heartbreak hotel [9x]
You said that you'd be here by nine
And said you took your time
You didn't think to call me boy
Here I sit trying not to cry
Asking myself why you do this to me

[Chorus 1 (sung by Faith Evans)]

Since you're not around for me to tell you baby face to face
I'm writing you this letter, and this is hat I have to say:
All I really wanted was some of your time
Instead you told me lies
When someone else was on your mind
What you do to me
Look what you did to me
I thought that you were someone who would do me right
Until you play with my emotions and you made me cry
What you do to me
Can't take what you did to me
Now I see that you been doing wrong
You played me all along.
And made a fool of me, baby
You got it all wrong to think that I wouldn't find out
That you were cheating on me.
How could you do it to me?

[Chorus 2 (sung by Kelly Price)]

This is the heartbreak hotel [9x]
Chorus and ad lib
I aint goin to take it no more [4x]
[Kelly Price] Everthing you said was a lie
Don't lie to me [fade out]

**********************************************

Singing ran in Whitney's family. Here is her mother Cissy Houston singing the Beatle's song "Yesterday".




This is Whitney's godmother, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin



I Ain't Never Loved a Man


You're a no good heart breaker
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could

I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

Some time ago I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again

Don'cha never, never say that we we're through
Cause I ain't never
Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

I can't sleep at night
And I can't even fight
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me

Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad

No
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it

********************************************************

And this is Whitney's cousin, Dionne Warwick

(It's a funny video, but great classic song.)



Walk On By

If you see me walking ddown the street
And i start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by
Walk on by
Make believe that you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve in private
Cause each time i see you i break down and cry
Walk on by.

I just can't get over losing you and so if i seem broken and blue
Walk on by
Walk on by
Foolish pride that's all that i have left
So let me hide the tears and the sadness you gave me when you said goodbye
Walk on by.

If you see me walking down the street and i start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by
Walk on by
Make believe that you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve in private
Cause each tim i see you i break down and cry
Walk on by

I just can't get over losing you an so if I seem broken and blue walk on by
Walk on by
Foolish pride is all I have left so let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me whe nyou said goodbye
Walk on by
Walk on by

Stevie Wonder

"You and I" with lyrics



Stevie Wonder singing "You and I" live (his voice is so smooth)



**************************************************************
Here is one of my favorite Stevie Wonder love songs. The lyrics go on and on, but basically he is just saying "I will always love you".



As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing we'll grow older every day
Just as all is born is new
Do know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky---ALWAYS
Until the ocean covers every mountain high---ALWAYS
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea---ALWAYS
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind 'cause I'll be loving you always

Until the day is night and night becomes the day---ALWAYS
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away---ALWAYS
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4---ALWAYS
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Did you know that you're loved by somebody?
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left---ALWAYS
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
I'll be loving you forever
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through---ALWAYS
Until the day that you are me and I am you---AL~~~~~~WA~~
~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky~~~~~AA~~~~
~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~YS~~ALWAYS

mmmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmm

We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
so make sure when you say you're in it but not of it
You're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
And maybe our children's grandchildren
And their great-great grandchildren will tell
I'll be loving you

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky--Loving you
Until the ocean covers every mountain high--Loving you
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea--Loving you
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream--Be loving you
Until the day is night and night becomes the day--Loving you
Until the trees and seas up, up and fly away--Loving you
Until the day that 8x8x8x8 is 4--Loving you
Until the day that is the day that are no more--Loving you
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left--Be loving you
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself--Loving you
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through--Loving you
Until the day that you are me and I am you--
Now ain't that loving you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Ain't that loving you
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
And I've got to say always
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea~~AL~~~WA~~~AYS
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream-Um AL~~WA~~AYS
Until the day is night and night becomes the day-AL~~~~WA~~AYS
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away-AL~~WA~~~AA~~~~~
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA
Until the day that is the day that are no more-AA~~~~AA~~AA~~~AYS
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left-AL~~~WA~~~A~~~AA
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself-~~AA~~~AA~~~AA~~~AYS
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through-AL~~~WAYS
Until the day that you are me and I am you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you

*********************************************************************

Another beautiful love song by Stevie Wonder - "Ribbon in the Sky"



Oh so long for this night I prayed
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Where a ribbon's in the sky for our love

If allowed may I touch your hand
And if pleased may I once again
So that you too will understand
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love

Do...Do...
Do Do Do Do Do...
HMM HMM...

This is not a coincidence
And far more than a lucky chance
But what is that was always meant
Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love

We can't lose with God on our side
We'll find strength in each tear we cry
From now on it will be you and I
And our ribbon in the sky
Ribbon in the sky
A ribbon in the sky for our love

Do...Do...
Do Do Do Do Do...
HMM HMM...

[Musical Break]

There's a ribbon in the sky for our love

*****************************************************************************

This song "Higher Ground" is not a love song. It is a song telling people to do what they need until they reach a higher level of consciousness - a "higher ground".

Here is a modern version made with musicians from around the world through Playing For Change.



People keep on learnin'
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long

Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground

Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no

Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no

I'm so glad that he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew!

Till I reach my highest ground
No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no
Till I reach my highest ground
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)
God is gonna show you higher ground
He's the only friend you have around
[FADE]

The Rising Up of Motown

This is a six part documentary from the BBC about the rise of Motown and the man who started it, Berry Gordy. This is part 1, but if you watch it on You Tube, you will see the next part come up after this finishes.