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Rating: Before officially starting this review, I would like to say that as a person with (a minimum) of brain, I am absolutely against greatest hits. That said, I would also like to add that when it comes to an artist of the caliber of Lisa Stansfield, my little brain goes to fry itself and I accept everything, even a greatest hits: and that's precisely about "Biography", a collection of the greatest hits of our great performer, that I will talk to you.
The album features the most famous and beautiful songs of this splendid British artist: the album opens with the "celebrated" "Change", a song influenced by the pop/dance wave of the 80s; the song presents itself as a very refined piece, in which Lisa's voice sets the rule. The second track, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful songs in the pop realm: "Someday" lets us better know Stansfield's various musical influences: it is precisely here that we hear in the interpretation a strong influence given by her "teacher" Barry White: the voice now becomes rounder and deeper, more SOUL. The excellent musical base divides itself between pop tones and others more soul. More dance sounds appear with the beautiful "This Is The Right Time", a love song that stands out greatly from the usual sugary tunes that are currently rampant on the radio. The joy that pervades this song makes it stand out from the usual clichés of the more classic love songs. We then move on to one of the most well-known songs of our performer: "The Real Thing", a splendid pop song that lays the foundations for 90s pop, although in this case, an excellent voice and a good melody mean it doesn't fall into today's trash. The duet with Coldcut "People Hold On", instead represents one of the lowest points of the album: the hyper-contrived song, finds no reason to exist in an album composed of some of Stansfield's most beautiful songs. The base comes too close to the dance/plastic trash of the '80s. We return to excellent levels with the following "In All The Right Places", a piece as delicate as it is sweet: Lisa's voice here adapts to a soul/pop that reminded me in some ways of the beautiful "No More I Love Yous" by Annie Lennox. "So Natural", represents another "goal" scored by our artist, collecting the best tradition of the already mentioned Barry White, it presents itself as a song balancing between soul and pop.
"Only You In My Dreams.." are the opening words of the true masterpiece of this album (along with "All Woman"): "Time To Make You Mine" is a beautiful song based on whispered singing. It is a true pleasure to be able to listen to such a song today, as it turns out to be so beautiful. I also highly recommend reading the lyrics. "Live Together" and "Little Bit Of Heaven", are two very good dance/pop songs, which serve as a "prelude" to another extreme masterpiece by this artist: "Set Your Loving Free", a fantastic soul/dance track, in which Lisa's voice absolutely sets the rule, transporting us with a truly unique and beautiful refrain. "Let's Just Call It Love" represents the last major success (in chronological order) released by the artist: the song moves in dance pop territories, which, while not particularly shining in originality, is praised for the vocal "virtuosity" of this fantastic singer. The following two songs are covers of songs as beautiful as they are famous: the first is "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up", a great success signed by White, which is not altered thanks to Stansfield's great interpretation; the other is "These Are The Days Of Our Life", a legendary song performed at the commemorative live for Freddy Mercury, in which alongside Stansfield, we also find a great George Michael and the Queen: this perfect musical combination, while not reaching Mercury's perfection (especially vocally), turns out to be quite beautiful and perfectly fulfills its task, which is to remember a great musician. The ending is beautiful with a truly delightful vocalization. "Down It Depths" divides itself between soul sounds and others jazz, with an interpretation very close to those of the greats of times past (I refer to Aretha Franklin or Dionne Warwick). And now we come to another fundamental point of the album: "All Woman", a beautiful love song greatly conducted by Stansfield's voice, which, accompanied by a truly moving musical base, really makes up a masterpiece. The album concludes with another cover, also by Barry White: "Around The World" a song accompanied by an excellent musical base and a beautiful love text.
Well, we have thus finished listening to a truly fantastic greatest hits, one of the few collections that have truly impressed me. I also add that I find the Italian "snobbism" towards this great artist truly scandalous, surely much more gifted compared to the thousands of pseudo-singers that now infest the music market.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Change (04:33)
If I could change the way I live my life today
I wouldn't change a single thing
'Cos if I change my world into another place
I wouldn't see your smiling face
Honey don't you worry, there's nothin' to worry for
'Cos if I didn't love you I wouldn't be here now
And if I didn't want you I would have turned around by now
You've got to believe me babe, believe that I love you so
'Cos if I didn't love you I would have turned around
And if I didn't want you, then I would want you out
This love, this love has filled me up
Ooh my love I'll never give you up
'Cos I'll always want your love
If I could change the way I live my life today
I wouldn't change a single thing
'Cos if I change my world into another place
I wouldn't see your smiling face
Believing is the answer, the answer to all your fears
When I first said I loved you, I went in for the kill
Now when I say I love you, I mean I always will
This love, this love has filled me up
Ooh my love I'll never give you up
'Cos I'll always want your love
If I could change the way I live my life today
I wouldn't change a single thing
'Cos if I change my world into another place
I wouldn't see your smiling face
This love, this love has filled me up
Ooh my love I'll never give you up
'Cos I'll always want your love
If I could change the way I live my life today
I wouldn't change a single thing
'Cos if I change my world into another place
I wouldn't see your smiling face
02 Someday (I'm Coming Back) (04:56)
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before you call me and tell me to come home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before I'm home, home and in your arms
What did I do my darling ? That made you send me running
Told you to cast me down and throw me out
What can I tell you honey, If I don't know what I've done
All I can hope is that you ask me to come back home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before you call me and tell me to come home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before I'm home, home and in your arms
Even in stormy weather, we always stick together
You always kept me near, we're so sincere
So why so sudden the change of heart
Why do I feel like I've done wrong ?
When all that I want is that you ask me to come back home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before you call me and tell me to come home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before I'm home, home and in your arms
Someday, someway (I never wanted anyone so much)
Someday, someway
What did I do my darling ? That made you send me running
Told you to cast me down and throw me out
What can I tell you honey, If I don't know what I've done
All I can hope is that you ask me to come back home
So why so sudden the change of heart
Why do I feel like I've done wrong ?
When all that I want is that you ask me to come back home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before you call me and tell me to come home
Someday I'm coming back, and it won't be long
Before I'm home, home and in your arms
04 The Real Thing (04:18)
Never mind the stars in the sky
Never mind the when and the why
Got a feeling higher than high
This is the real thing
No more living in shame
And I'm not gonna run or gonna hide away
No more telling all those lies
It's been too long
No more living in chains
No, I don't give a damn whet the people say
There's no use holding back desire
We've burnt our fingers now lets jump into the flames
Never mind the stars in the sky
Never mind the when and the why
Got a feeling higher than high
This is the real thing
Never mind the rain and the storm
We'll keep each other warm
We got something stronger than strong
This is the real thing
Gonna walk out hand in hand
So let them criticise 'cos they don't understand
We've got nothing to hide
It's just love
I've had enough of shy
So let's go out and show them what we have inside
There's no use holding back desire
We've burnt our fingers now let's jump into tho fire
Never mind the stars in the sky
Never mind the when and the why
Got a feeling higher than high
This is the real thing
Never mind the rain and the storm
We'll keep each other warm
We got something stronger than strong
This is the real thing
Never mind the stars in the sky baby
Never mind the when and the why baby
Never mind the stars in the sky baby
'Cos I've got a feeling that's higher than high
Oh, what you do to me, baby
Oh, what you do to me, baby
This is the real thing
Never mind the stars in the sky
Never mind the when and the why
Got a feeling higher than high
This is the real thing
Never mind the rain and the storm
We'll keep each other warm
We got something stronger than strong
This is the real thing
Never mind the stars in the sky baby
Never mind the when and the why baby
Never mind the stars in the sky baby
'Cos I've got a feeling that's higher than high
Never mind the stars in the sky
Never mind the when and the why
Got a feeling higher than high
This is the real thing
Never mind the rain and the storm
We'll keep each other warm
We got something stronger than strong
This is the real thing
07 So Natural (05:05)
It's so natural the way you touch me
So natural the way you run your fingers through my hair
It's so natural the way you make me feel like I'm a lady
It's so natural the way you care
It's so natural
When I feel low. you pull me higher
You warm me up, set me on fire
Well there's no way in this world
I could ever be without you
You come home, and I am waiting for you
To come over and give me hungry kisses
of love, of love, so true
And there's no way in this world
I could ever be without you
It's so natural the way you touch me
So natural the way you run your fingers through my hair
It's so natural the way you make me feel like I'm a lady
It's so natural the way you care
It's so natural
With hands so warm, you touch my very soul
You pull me closer, so I won't feel the cold
Just love, love, Your love, so true
And there's no way in this world
I could ever be without you
Swimming in the love you give me
It's so natural
08 Time to Make You Mine (04:10)
Only in my dreams
I've seen the way it's gonna be
I've waited for this moment
The moment when we share ourselves
This moment can't be thought about
It has to be felt
We're closer to each other
Closer than we've ever been
Seeing things we've never seen before
I've dreamed your fingers touch me a thousand times
Dreamed the warm skin of your body burning next to mine
Kissed your sugar lips, caressed your hips
Now we're together baby now it's time
Time to make you mine
Time to make you mine
The sweet anticipation of hands I know will touch me soon
Two fascinating shadows move in time
I've dreamed your fingers touch me a thousand times
Dreamed the warm skin of your body burning next to mine
Kissed your sugar lips, caressed your hips
Now we're together baby now it's time
Time to make you mine
Time to make you mine
I know what it's gonna be
Me and you, you and me
I thought that it would never be
I only knew it in my dreams
Even though you're here with me
I never thought I'd feel such ecstasy
We're closer to each other
Closer than we've ever been
Seeing things we've never seen before
I've dreamed your fingers touch me a thousand times
Dreamed the warm skin of your body burning next to mine
Kissed your sugar lips, caressed your hips
Now we're together baby now it's time
Time to make you mine
Time to make you mine
I've dreamed your fingers touch me a thousand times
Dreamed the warm skin of your body burning next to mine
Kissed your sugar lips, caressed your hips
Now we're together baby now it's time
Time to make you mine
Time to make you mine
13 Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (03:51)
(Barry White)
Spoken:
Oh baby, you know I've waited, waited so long
To sing...to sing this song
Whatever, whatever, babe I'll do it
Forever and ever, yeah. yeah, yeah, yeah,
I'll see you through it
I've got to keep you pleased in every way I can
Gonna give you all of me, as much or you can stand
Make love to you right now, that's all I want to do
I know you need it boy and you know
I need it too, cause
I've found what the world is searchin' for
Here, right here my dear I don't have to look no more
And all of my days I hoped and I prayed
For someone just like you to makes me feel the way you do
Chorus:
Never Never gonna give you up,
I'm never ever gonna stop
Not the way I feel about you babe
I just can't live without you
I'm never ever gonna quit 'cause quiting just ain't my schtick
I'm gonna lay right here with you and do all the
things you want me to
Whatever you want, boy you got it
And whatever you need
I don't want to see you without it
You've given me much more than words could ever say
Oh my dear I'II be right here until my dying day
i don't know just how to say all the things I feel
I just know that I love you so and it gives me
such a thrill 'cause
I've found what the world is lookin' for
Here, right here my dear I don't have to search no more
And all of my days I hoped and I prayed
For someone just like you to makes me feel the way you do
Chorus x 2
16 All Woman (05:16)
He's home again from another day
She smiles at him as he walks through the door
She wonders if it will be okay
It's hard for her when he doesn't respond
He says babe you look a mess
You look dowdy in that dress
It's just not like it used to be
Then she says...
I may not be a lady
But I'm all woman
From monday to sunday I work harder than you know
I'm no classy lady
But I'm all woman
And this woman needs a little love to make her strong
You're not the only one
She stands there and lets the tears flow
Tears that she's been holding back so long
She wonders where did all the loving go
The love they used to share when they were strong
She says yes I look a mess
But I don't love you any less
I thought you always thought enough of me to always be impressed
I may not be a lady
But I'm all woman
From monday to sunday I work harder than you know
I'm no classy lady
But I'm all woman
And this woman needs a little love to make her strong
You're not the only one
He holds her and hangs his head in shame
He doesn't see her like he used to do
He's too wrapped up in working for his pay
He hasn't seen the pain he's put her through
Attention that he paid
Just vanished in the haze
He remembers how it used to be
When he used to say
You'll always be a lady
'Cos you're all woman
From monday to sunday I love you much more than you know
You're a classy lady
'Cos you're all woman
This woman needs a loving man to keep her warm
You're the only one
You're a classy lady
'Cos you're all woman
So sweet the love that used to be
So sweet the love that used to be
We can be sweet again...
17 All Around the World (04:21)
I don't know where my baby is
but I'll find him, somewhere, somehow
I've got to let him know how much I care
I'll never give up looking for my baby
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
We had a quarrel and I let myself go
I said so many things, things he didn't know
And I was oh oh so bad
And I don't think he's comin' back, mm mm
He gave the reason, the reasons he should go
And he said so many things he never said before
And he was oh oh so mad
And I don't think he's comin', comin' back
I did too much lyin', wasted too much time,
Now I'm here a'cryin', I, I, I
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
So open hearted, he never did me wrong
I was the one, the weakest one of all
And now I'm oh oh so sad
And I don't think he's comin' back, comin' back
I did too much lyin', wasted too much time,
Now I'm here a'cryin', I, I, I
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
I'm gonna find him, my baby
I did too much lyin', wasted too much time,
Now I'm here a'cryin', I, I, I
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
I've been around the world, lookin' from my baby
Been around the world, and I'm gonna
Gonna find him
Been around the world and I, I, I
I can't find my baby
I don't know when, I don't know why
Why he's gone away
And I don't know where he can be, my baby
But I'm gonna find him
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