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Rating: The album that made everyone shout: "Here she is, the Maria we knew!"
The second chapter of Maria McKee's solo career. We are in 1993, a good 4 years after her first work. Things have changed a bit. First of all, in 1991, Maria achieved her greatest (and only) success, number one in the UK for 4 weeks, as well as in almost the entire world, with the single "Show Me Heaven", from the soundtrack of the notorious film "Days of Thunder" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (the movie that brought them together and made them fall in love). Yes folks, it was really her! Even though it was very, very sugary and sweet.
Geffen, her record label, remained very hopeful to continue in the wake of this success, but Maria was not on board. Out with Mitchell Froom, the artificial producer of the previous album, and welcome Gorge Drakoulias, discoverer and mentor of rock bands like the Black Crowes and the Jayhawks (who are featured on the album). "You Gotta Sin To Get Saved" (meaning "You Have to Sin to Be Saved") thus draws on the carefree rock typical of the '70s, very little inclined to plasticity. The first noticeable difference from the previous album is certainly the general spirit that permeates the entire album, a sort of lightheartedness and happiness that immediately brings to mind jam sessions or even improvisations purely for fun. While rock is the foundation of the 10 songs that make up the album, many country influences also emerge ("Only Once" and "Precious Time"), pop ("I Can't Make It Alone", a cover by Carole King), but especially soul, as demonstrated by the gospel choirs in "I'm Gonna Soothe You", "I Forgive You", and "Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Is Sweet)". Among all, however, two other covers stand out, this time by Van Morrison ("My Lonely Sad Eyes" and "The Way Young Lovers Do"), which testify to the interpretative growth and vocal maturity of this artist.
It's not an album that will drive you crazy at first listen, repeated listens are necessary. The material may initially seem somewhat monotonous and at times "already heard," but after a deep listen, it's easy to understand why "You Gotta Sin To Get Saved" is still considered by the vast majority of fans as "the" album of Maria McKee.
Maria... save us!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 I'm Gonna Soothe You (03:39)
I've got a thing for you baby always have
Never knew how far my heart would take me
She's my friend but she treats you bad
Can't let that happen to such a decent man
If you let me in, let me stay a while
I'll do more than make you smile
Come to me child
I'm gonna soothe you
Hey baby
I know just what to do
My baby
Don't worry, I won't do you any harm
My touch is gentle, my body is warm
Lift your head, feel my cool hand on your face
Let me kiss your tears away
If you let me in, honey let me stay
Lay your head on my breast
I'll do the rest
I'm gonna soothe you
Hey baby
I know just what to do
My baby
Can you feel it
Comin� down like a trance
Forget your head remember how to dance
Can you feel it
Comin down like healin�
So deep, it just couldn't be a sin, now Baby
Walk on in, baby come on in
Make yourself at home in my arms
I'm gonna soothe you
Hey baby
I know just what to do
My baby
04 Only Once (04:04)
I’ve never been obliged to stay in one place for too long
There’s a bad seed bred inside me and it keeps me moving on
Have I ever been persuaded to give it up and stay at home
Was I tempted by an angel
Only once, only once
Now I wanna be the kind of girl who’ll only make you proud
But the noise and fuss and wanderlust will always drag me down
But if anyone should ask me have I ever been in love
I will think of you and tell them Only Once
Only once did a pair of lips on mine make me cry
Only once for a pair of arms around me would I die
I will love you till I’m saved
I will love you from my grave
And love like this can happen Only Once
All the men who try to save me
Weave their wicked web around me
All the ones I try to save drink their fill and leave me lonely
Have I ever felt salvation wash me cleaner than a dove
Was I ever nearly happy? Only Once
Only once was a stupid girl allowed to tempt her fate
Only once did I think twice
And twice was once too late
I’m going down like Jezebel and my body aches like hell
I share my bed just to forget
I said no Only Once
I will love you till I’m saved
I will love you from my grave
And love like this can happen
Only Once, Only Once
06 I Can't Make It Alone (03:39)
Now you know me
You know how proud I am
And what I've gotta tell you now, won't be easy to say
Before I left your side, oh I was so happy then
But I've been so lonely since I went away
Chorus:
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
Such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's somethin' in my soul
That will always lead me back to you
What can I say now
Sorry's just not good enough
I wouldn't blame you if you hurt me
Like I hurt you then
But who else can I turn to, oh babe I'm beggin' you
Won't you reach out for my dyin' soul
And let me live again
Chorus
Oh baby, you know I need you
I'm sayin' that I need you
I just can't make it all alone
I just can't make it by myself
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