It’s Music Monday, and I ain’t impressed with any material things.
Some people are, but the depth of one’s love is important to a lasting relationship.
When I was ten years old, I got Paula Abdul’s album Forever Your Girl as a Christmas present. It had been out for a few years, but I loved her music, which I heard in dance school and on the radio. I knew “Cold Hearted” and “Forever Your Girl” before hearing this tape, but I fell in love with the other songs contained on it, especially today’s music pick.
Money and material goods are nice to have, but not the most important things to some people, so says Paula Abdul. What is important, however, is the love one gives.
“(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me” was originally released on August 2, 1988, following the release of Paula Abdul’s album Forever Your Girl. It was released as the second song following the album’s release (I should note that “Forever Your Girl” was released prior to the album’s release in 1988.
The song featured on the album was remixed, given “(It’s Just)” to avoid confusion with Karyn White’s song “The Way That You Love Me,” and released to very little attention. The song stalled at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100, and failed to crack the Top 100 in the United Kingdom.
A little over a year later, on September 15, 1989, the original version of “(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me” was released, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 as of December 2, 1989. It was only blocked from a higher charting position because of Milli Vanilli’s “Blame it on the Rain.”
Well, that’s a shame, Paula actually sings her own songs, and choreographs her own dances! Can Milli and Vanilli say that?
Ironically, the original edit of this song proved to be Abdul’s least successful single in the United Kingdom, fairing only slightly better (but not by much) when it peaked at #74 in December 1989, after entering the chart at #86 on November 25, 1989.
The song even had two music videos – one for each edit – but both were directed by David Fincher. Fincher would go on to direct Abdul’s most successful videos, as well as become a successful film director. This video was her first with Fincher, and came early in his career.
As I said, there were two versions of the song, with two different music videos.
This was the original video, with the remixed song:
Pretty cool, huh? I actually like this version, but this wasn’t the first one I heard.
This was!
Sure, this song wasn’t “Forever Your Girl,” “Opposites Attract,” or “Straight Up” in terms of radio airplay, but it is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. I love this song!
And there you have it, your Music Monday pick that proves love is more important than what you have. But it never hurts to have a little bit of money, right?
Right!
Have a great Monday, and don’t forget to enjoy the music!
Allison's Written Words