Ever since I made that purchase last month, I’ve been meaning to sit down and write a song by song review of The-Dream’s “Love King” album. Problem is, every time I’m ready to hail him as the best contemporary artist we have, which I think he is, he says or does something that makes me not want to give him any praise.
However, personal life aside, The-Dream makes, not good, but GREAT music. Case in point would be this song “Take Care Of Me”. I have too many favorites on the album but this is definitely high on the list for me. Sonically it sounds like something Michael Jackson would have done, like a “Dirty Diana” type of style to it. Lyrically it’s equally as strong and potent. The gist of it is basically him threatening/warning the girl he’s in love with not to break his heart and not to take his love for her for granted. He does this in a borderline psychotic yet smooth manner that few can pull off. “I’m not the same as them. I’m not the one, so you better take care of me. If I fight for you, you better fight for me. You better take care of me.”
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I think I identify strongly with the message because it’s similar to how I view relationships (business or personal). I’ll do any and everything for you but the minute I feel used or taken for granted, the walls have to come tumbling down. Normally it just happens though. It’s rare that you sit a person down and say “hey, I’m going to do everything to build us up but I’m watching you; play me and I’ll destroy this whole thing.” Crazy! It’s very Sam Cooke, very Prince; just name an artist from the past that wore their hearts on their vocal sleeves.
Then the song ends by transitioning into the next track– “All Black Everything”, which is as contemporary and 2010 as a song can get. Hate or love the guy, and most hate him, but you can’t take away from his ability to compose great music.
