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Rating: For someone like Melanie Chisholm, who achieves all the success she wants very quickly, the second solo album is a new test. Sometimes being a star at twenty means not being able to handle popularity very well and eventually finding yourself full of frustrations. "Reason" is released in 2003, when Melanie is 29 years old, and offers a straightforward image of the English singer, without many frills, at a time in her life when it's necessary to tidy things up. And the solution is to rely on others, seeking comfort and gratification in a genuine relationship, devoid of superficiality.
This album reviews some of these attempts, starting with the opening track "Here It Comes Again", a song with a solemn and singularly powerful stride for the pop context in which it is still found; Melanie's voice is rusty, effective even when she intones sentimental song clichés that might seem worn out ("Don't give up on something you've never had before / you didn't succeed but we could make it together"). And in the title track, "Reason", her voice is in the foreground, accompanied by the piano, a musical metaphor of two people seeking understanding ("Please, come and take me away / detach me from myself for a while / Maybe when I'm older / I'll understand the reason").
The album continues along good level pop rock coordinates but one could have expected more: less aggressive than the previous "Northern Star," both in terms of sounds and lyrics, the record generates fewer hits (in fact, "Here It Comes Again" is perhaps the only one) and less sales success. There are notable episodes, including "Home" and "Let's Love" at the end of the album, with a return to rougher atmospheres marked by the presence of guitars, but overall it doesn't go beyond a decent making and good craftsmanship.
After "Reason," the last record release for a major label (Virgin Records), Melanie goes independent by founding her own independent label and taking on the production and distribution burdens. A curious path from mainstream to indie: usually the opposite happens, but not for someone like her.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Reason (04:20)
So you put your cards on the table
You're here, you're willing and able
Do you really understand the challenge you've set yourself
You know I want to adore you
Can't believe how life was before you
I must apologize, please understand I'm so demanding
Don't need to be cruel
I never felt that with you
Trouble is I'm a danger to myself
Don't want to push you away
I really want you to stay
Until I figure this out, won't you
Please, come take me over
Let me leave me for awhile
Maybe when I'm older
I'll understand the reason why
Understand the reason why
Every day is here to remind me
That the past is always behind me
Something I can never change but I won't let it hold me back
You arrived just in time
Now I know I'll be fine
I'm not ashamed to say you truly are my inspiration
Don't need to be cruel
I never felt that with you
Trouble is I'm a danger to myself
Don't want to push you away
I really want you to stay
Until I figure this out, won't you
Please, come take me over
Let me leave me for awhile
Maybe when I'm older
I'll understand the reason why
Understand the reason why
Might not be forever
Baby whatever
We've got today, won't you
Please, come take me over
Let me leave me for awhile
Maybe when I'm older
I'll understand the reason why
Please, come take me over
Let me leave me for awhile
Maybe when I'm older
I'll understand the reasons why
Understand the reason why
04 On the Horizon (03:37)
People see different things
When they look on the horizon
Do you see dark clouds rolling in fast
Cos baby they ain't gonna last
And I can't see anybody else
I can't stop looking at you
Take this dream and make it true
All I see is love, sweet love
On the horizon, oh yeah
Just one look in your deep brown eyes
And baby I'm flyin
This world could be so hard to take
Before I found you, I almost stopped trying
To see the good instead of the bad
But your hearts so true, that baby I'm cryin
And every single time we meet
I learn what love is for
It's taking less and giving more
All I see is love, sweet love
On the horizon, oh yeah
Just one look in your deep brown eyes
And baby I'm flyin
And baby I don't wanna see pain in your eyes
Cos you're the one that sets me free
There's nothing in this world that can hurt us
If it's you and me, hey-yeah-yeah
All I see is love, sweet love
On the horizon, oh yeah
Just one look in your deep brown eyes
And baby I'm flyin
All I see is love, sweet love
On the horizon, oh yeah
(All i see is love on the horizon)
Just one look in your deep brown eyes
And baby I'm flyin
I-I'm, flyin baby
(All I see is love on the horizon)
I-I'm, flyin baby
All I see is love, sweet love
On the horizon, oh yeah
Just one look in your deep brown eyes
And baby I'm flyin
09 Water (03:38)
I've been waiting all my life to fly so high Unbeliable, now the sun is shining in my life Every day I want you more, we will endure Anything they say, anything they throw away Stronger now than yesterday Feel like I could walk across the water Heavenly, there's not a cloud up in the sky And I know for you there'll never be another So the rain can fall but I would still be dry I am basking in the light, so wonderful I wanna celebrate everything that brought me here today As the ocean hits the shore, forever more I am by your side, never cross the borderline Love you till the end of the time Feel like I could walk across the water Heavenly, there's not a cloud up in the sky And I know for you there'll never be another So the rain can fall but I would still be dry And baby when I think of you my heart is open And I do believe that things will never change Even though our words of love remain unspoken I look in your eyes and know you feel the same I wanna stay here forever Your love is making me better I wanna stay here forever And love you today I wanna stay here forever Your love is making me better I wanna stay here forever (Yeah-yeah) I wanna stay here forever (I wanna stay here with you) Your love is making me better (Wanna love you everyday) I wanna stay here forever (Whoa-yea-yeah) I wanna stay here forever (I wanna stay here with you) Your love is making me better (I wanna love you everyday) I wanna stay here forever (Whoa-yea-yeahl
12 Yeh, Yeh, Yeh (04:20)
Easier to let go
Give in to yourself tonight
Get on with the show
Expect me not to be so pure
Give me one for the road
Got a fever for sure
Yeah yeah yeah - I'm on a mission
Yeah yeah yeah - If you're with me raise your hands
Yeah yeah yeah - Got no inhibitions
It's our decision, we're gonna have a good time
Yeah yeah yeah - Got a new religion
Yeah yeah yeah - Gotta take me as I am
Yeah yeah yeah - I've got expectations
Got a vacation, we're gonna have a good time
So when this thing is through
If you wanna be with me
I'll be lookin for you
Feel the energy tonight
Feelin' the groove
I feel it spinnin around, yeah
Yeah yeah yeah - I'm on a mission
Yeah yeah yeah - If you're with me raise your hands
Yeah yeah yeah - Got no inhibitions
It's our decision, we're gonna have a good time
Yeah yeah yeah - Got a new religion
Yeah yeah yeah - Gotta take me as I am
Yeah yeah yeah - I've got expectations
Got a vacation, we're gonna have a good time
gonna have a good time...
I got desire
I feel inspired
I wanna go much higher
And baby I don't wanna come down
All I want is to be excited
So come on, get united
No more need, to hide it
If you're really with me than come on and raise your hands
Yeah yeah yeah - I'm on a mission
Yeah yeah yeah - If you're with me raise your hands
Yeah yeah yeah - Got no inhibitions
It's our decision, we're gonna have a good time
Yeah yeah yeah - Got a new religion
Yeah yeah yeah - Gotta take me as I am
Yeah yeah yeah - I've got expectations
Got a vacation, we're gonna have a good time
Gonna have a good time
Gonna have a good time
Yeah yeah yeah
15 Ga Ga (03:52)
I don't want your adoration.
Don't want your train stoppin' at my station.
You hurt me and I'm grateful.
I never ever felt anything stranger.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
People say that it's insane.
We love to feel the pain.
And it hurts. Yes it hurts.
Let it hurt.
I don't want emotional hassle.
I just want another bite of the apple.
Dark thoughts need satisfaction.
We're gonna crash. Let's make it happen.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
People say that it's insane.
We always go for pain.
And it hurts. Yes it hurts.
Let it hurt.
This will never be over.
And you will always be mine.
You've gotta feed my hunger baby.
I am ready to dine.
Ga ga. Crazy.
Foolish for wanting you.
Stupid Cupid.
He's a drag he's not like you.
Ga ga (Ga ga). Crazy (Crazy).
Foolish for wanting you.
Ga ga (Ga ga). Crazy (And I'm crazy).
Foolish for wanting you.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts. And it hurts.
Let it hurt.
And it hurts.
(Melanie Chisholm/Phil Thornalley/Dave Munday)
19 Northern Star (04:10)
They tried to catch a falling star.
Thinking that she had gone too far.
She did but kept it hidden well.
Until she cracked and then she fell.
If all the history is true.
She's gonna end up just like you.
You made it to the other side.
But tell me who will be my guide.
They build you up so they can tear you down.
Trust the ocean you'll never drown.
Who is next? Who's gonna steal your crown?
You'll see.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't give in to their lies and goodbyes.
Northern Star.
Fulfil the longing in your heart.
Then we will never be apart.
And if they dare to question you.
Just tell them that our love is true.
They buy your dreams so they can sell your soul.
Is it any wonder we've lost control?
Feelings come, feelings go.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
(Melanie Chisholm/Rick Nowels)
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