Between Women’s History Month and the beginning of Aries season, there are so many artists that I feel the need to recognize. Today, March 22nd, is the birthday of one of them: Stephanie Mills. Stephanie’s career spans decades, having started it when she was just a teenager starring as Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway. I have always loved referring to her as “the little lady with the big voice”. At just 4′ 9″, her voice is extremely powerful. I especially love the way she emotes when she sings and ad libs.
Speaking of The Wiz, Stephanie’s signature song is the theme song from the musical: “Home”. That song is so poignant. She recorded it as the title track of her 1989 album Home. I grew up watching a VHS documentary that I can only assume was made in conjunction with, or perhaps after, the album’s release. It featured interviews with her about her life and career up to that point, as well as several of her music videos. The “Home” music video was of course included, and I have been in love with it all my life. To this day, the song fittingly reminds me of home, as in my childhood home where I grew up falling in love with the music that I write about now. There are several of these types of music-centered music VHS’s that I watched so much growing up, along with my sisters. Seriously. On a Saturday, we would pass our time watching the likes of Stephanie, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, New Edition, Tina Turner, and Mariah Carey, among others. But I digress! Let’s get to the music of Miss Mills.
As I have previously, I will simply be highlighting a few of my favorites by Stephanie, along with a brief(I will do my best!) explanation of why I love each song.
The Songs
“What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'”: Produced by the amazing team of James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, this is one of those songs that I heard regularly listening to old school radio station Foxy 107/104 in my home state of NC. I just love everything about it: the melody, her vocals, and the instrumentation, especially during the breakdown. Whew!
“Two Hearts”: This is one of Stephanie’s duets with Teddy Pendergrass. It is such a feel good song. Mid tempo, a nice little groove, sweet melody, and heartfelt vocals. It just makes you want to bask in love and sunshine.
“Try My Love”: From her 1980 album Sweet Sensation, this song is a prime example of why I love the music of the late 70s through the early 80s so much. Another great sleek Mtume and Lucas production. I love the tempo change from verses to chorus, and that melody!
“I Feel Good All Over”: The music video for this song was included on the VHS I mentioned before from my childhood. Instant nostalgia whenever I hear those opening chords. As always, Stephanie killed the vocals, and made you believe every word she was singing. Definitely one of my sing along songs. Haha.
“You’re Puttin’ a Rush On Me”: Classic song and video that also takes me back to watching it on that VHS growing up. Stephanie was looking and sounding good!
“Something In The Way You Make Me Feel(Extended Version)”: This extended version is such a slow burner of a song. I LOVE it, especially that intro. Whew!
“Never Knew Love Like This Before”: Classic love song right here. Some may argue that this is Stephanie’s signature song instead of “Home”. It just makes you want to fall in love if you aren’t already. Stephanie’s ability to emote is once again front and center. Similar to “Two Hearts”, it just makes you want to bask in love and joy.
“Home”: Okay, so this description may not be very short. Haha. This song just means so much to me, and it always brings tears to my eyes. It features Take 6 on backgrounds. In the play and movie versions of The Wiz, “home” in the song obviously means Dorothy’s home. In Stephanie’s version, she mainly depicts “home” in the song as heaven, or the afterlife. Whenever I listen to it now, I am overcome with emotion thinking of my father and sister Jamie, as well as others that I have lost who were dear to me. Stephanie acknowledges her own friends and loved ones who have gone “home” before her throughout the song. Depending on one’s own interpretation of the song, “home” can also be a metaphor for a better place in one’s life, be it a stronger place, a happier place, or a more successful place. Or, you could even take it literally; home, as in where one is from originally or where one grew up. My home, for example, as in the physical residence where I grew up with my parents and siblings, was and is a beautiful place that has long been a source of love, peace and comfort for me. In the song’s literal context, I can honestly say that there have been times when I have thought “when I think of home, I think of a place where there’s love overflowing”, or “sure would be nice to be back at home where there’s love and affection”. When the world and life are cold, it is wonderful to have a home to go back to and always be welcomed back with open arms. Our family home means even more to me since the passing of my sister and father; it literally houses a lifetime of memories of all of us. Obviously, I find the song to be very relatable in all of these ways. The following lyrics are the ones that mean the most to me: And just maybe I can convince time to slow up Giving me enough time In my life to grow up Time be my friend Let me start again Specifically, those lines make me think of the times that I wonder about how different my life would be me if I could start over and do some things differently with the knowledge I have now. You know, if time really was on my side, and moved at a pace that allowed me to do everything that I need and want to do. Sometimes I feel like I blinked and was all of a sudden an adult.
Of course, I was going to end with her true signature song, “Home”. 🙂 Happy Birthday once again to the one and only Stephanie Mills!
Whew!!! I love the tributes to Aretha Franklin, “Queen of Soul”, and the dynamic Miss Stephanie Mills. They are two ladies who really recorded some award winning master pieces. Being from the “-baby boomer” era, I can certainly relate to many of the entries you posted. I especially love to this day, “I Never Loved A Man the Way that I Love You” (Aretha) and “Home” (Stephanie). Both songs bring back a flood of memories of living and raising a family with my wonderful late husband. Keep on sharing the love!
Whew!!! I love the tributes to Aretha Franklin, “Queen of Soul”, and the dynamic Miss Stephanie Mills. They are two ladies who really recorded some award winning master pieces. Being from the “-baby boomer” era, I can certainly relate to many of the entries you posted. I especially love to this day, “I Never Loved A Man the Way that I Love You” (Aretha) and “Home” (Stephanie). Both songs bring back a flood of memories of living and raising a family with my wonderful late husband. Keep on sharing the love!