I was discussing with someone randomly the irony and sadness of the fact that Phyllis Hyman had an album entitled “Prime of My Life” and unfortunately committed suicide in said prime. If you are not familiar with Phyllis Hyman or her music, click here to get a brief synopsis. After that get familiar with a voice that I dare you to try to describe. My poem below is inspired by her life and struggles, because a lot of it is parallel to some things I have gone through in the past.
Easy, breezy, beaut… oh wait, not that. I get so confused all the time sometimes. I was perusing my massive music collection today and came across some really great cover songs. The thing is, it wasn’t the usual covers that everyone knows. I thought I would share some lesser known ones that are my favorites.
"I Can't Tell You Why" The Eagles
“I Can’t Tell You Why” is a song originally recorded by the legendary band The Eagles in 1979. (That’s the year I was allegedly born.) This song is a very emotional tune that could only be pulled off by a great singer. An awesome version that is not very well known is by Brownstone from their 1995 album From the Bottom Up. In the Brownstone version they took out the guitar solos and added a cool refrain of “Tell me why…” that I may or may ot sing over and over loudly and goofily. Their soulful cover was a pleasant update and nod to the original song.
An interesting remake of Billy Joel‘s 1984 release, “The Longest Time,” by Zhane is perhaps the most drastic song reinterpretations. The original by Billy Joel is an uptempo doo-wop song, but the Zhane version is a 90’s R&B update with a slow tempo. I think the arrangements in this version are genius.
Arguably one of the best female singers to ever bless a mic, Phyllis Hyman, covered the Stylistics’ 1971 hit, “Betcha By Golly Wow.” This song has been covered by over 20 artists including Prince, but something about Phylis Hyman’s rich, powerful voice transforms the song into a sonic masterpiece. Can you tell I like it a little bit? Betcha by golly wow I do! Tee hee.
“Four Leaf Clover,” by Atlantic Starr covered by Erykah Badu “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” by Stevie Wonder covered by Donnell Jones “Midnight at the Oasis,” by Maria Muldar covered by The Brand New Heavies “Ribbon in the Sky,” by Stevie Wonder covered by Intro
poetry.
is.
donny hatahway.
his voice is.
just.
every.
thing.
and…
even if I never knew his story…
I would know his story.
poetry is.
phyllis hyman.
unstoppable.
but stoppable.
even if I never knew her story…
i would know her story.
because:
i know pain intimately
and it never disguises its voice
doesn’t hide beneath chords
or behind riffs.
pain is consistent.
and if it it ain’t broke.
you know the rest.
but i still try to fix it.
with poetry.
and…
poetry is.
yeah it just is.
but…
mired in death.
in life…
in turmoil.
in peace.
in confusion.
in clarity.
in hope.
in giving up.
in beauty.
in ugliness.
in love.
in indifference.
in me.
in doubt.
in belief.
in irrationality.
in reality.
in this fallacy
in this truth
inside.
it just.
is.
every.
thing.
every. thing.
even when my everything is nothing
no. thing.
is transformed into importance
even when my song for you
still leaves me living all alone
when no one loves me in no space
when i feel there is no time
for anyone to hear my song.
but i am just thankful
that i can sing it.
and my refusal to be lonely
is greeted by poems
who agree that they don’t need to live on.
but insist.
that I do.
because poetry just is.
but me,
i.
am.
every. thing.
