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The Power Of A Song

Posted by: Kevin Liles 3/2/2009 | 1,563 Views

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I’m sure many of you would say Amen, if I asked you - has a song made you feel good? Has a song made you cry? Has a song motivated you? Has a song made you beg the question why? I wanted to share with each of you an experience I had last night, where a collection of songs from one of the greatest artists of all time, made me feel proud to be part of the Business of Music.

I was one of the 117 people invited to the White House last night to celebrate my good friend Stevie Wonder’s receipt of the 2008 Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. From the East room of the White House President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed everyone to their home and told personal stories of how Stevie Wonder and his songs were the soundtrack to their youth. All night fellow artists including New Jazz sensations Esperanza Spalding and Diana Krall, R&B/Soul singer/songwriter India.Arie, Hip-Hop artist Will.i.am, Gospel artist Mary Mary and legends Tony Bennett and Paul Simon paid tribute to Mr. Wonderful. Stevie started the night off by singing his 1976 smash “Sir Duke” and ended the festivities with the hits “Signed, Sealed and Delivered,” “Isn’t she Lovely” etc…It was truly a night to remember.

Last night prompted me to reflect on the Power of a Song. Remembering how I felt last year when Jay-Z said, “Roc Boys” in the building tonight. Coldplay said, “I used to rule the world…” Musiq Soulchild said, “Teach Me How to Love” and Alicia Keys said, “No One, no one, no one…can get in the way of what I’m feeling.” Or back in the day when Run DMC said “Peter Piper, picked peppers, but Run rocks rhymes.” LL Cool J said, “I need an Around the Way Girl.” Or way back in the day when Sam Cooke said, “It’s been a long, long time coming but I know A Change is Gonna Come…Yes it is.” Well I don’t know about you guys, but Change will continue to come and music will continue to be the soundtrack of my life. I don’t just listen to music, I live it, I’m inspired by it and I’m blessed to be part of it. Sometimes we take things for granted. Sometimes we naturally hate, when it’s really easier to celebrate. Sometimes we neglect the hard work and creativity that goes into the making of a song and the performance of that song by a talented artist. Well, today I want to personally say thank you to every artist, songwriter, musician, record company etc…who have produced, performed or promoted a song for me. Maybe you didn’t write the song or even perform the song for me, but I tell you that each of you has affected my life in ways you can never imagine. So today I celebrate the Power of a Song and more importantly the Power of You.

A special thank you to my good friends Desirée Rogers and especially to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Continue to inspire us to be Presidential. All of whom are shining examples of what it means to be Presidential. Remember, the New Cool is to be Presidential!

P.S…If you feel what I'm feeling, write back and let me know what song has made a difference in your life.

Kevin Liles

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24 comments

Man, I have all the respect for you, for beeing patient with Damon dash. Patience is the way to go.
I have enjoyed the tapes, but you see where ego stops and where professionalism starts.

One thing:
- when will Deff Jam bring us a new Nas or Pac or whatever. Please rescue HipHop!!!

Rachid 6/28/2009 | reply
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aldk27, those are great lyrics but you can't forget songs like:

Highways of My Life - The Isley Brothers

Cassanova Brown - Teena Marie

You Don't Miss Your Water - Otis Redding

Ms - David Oliver

Now You're Gone - Floetry

If My Heart Could Speak - The Manhattans

Those are just to name a few and I know a few people have never heard of some of these but try to find them and listen, i mean really listen to them, i think you will fall in love with these if you are really into lyrics, they will make you think especially that Isley Brothers joint, you have no idea

Kisha313 5/7/2009 | reply
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- Thanks Kisha313, I'll look those up. I've heard the Otis Redding and Isley Brothers songs.... Keep em coming!
  
  aldk27 5/7/2009 | reply
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- Let me know what you think
  
  Kisha313 5/8/2009 | reply
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Hi Kevin, I just joined the site because I've been so impressed Russell Simmons.....when he talked about this website last night on the Gotti's Way show, I had to come check it out. As a Songwriter aspiring to let my story be told through my lyrics, and a true lover of music in it's purest state......which are the lyrics, I am definitely so moved to share some of my favorite lyrics....

Mary J..... "How Can I love somebody else....if I can't love myself enough to know when it's time to let go..."

Donnie Hathaway "I love you more than you'll ever know"
"Giving up, so hard to do, when you really, love someone"

Stevie Wonder "Single Parent trying to raise their children but they would not rather not alone......Finds the one, but no one is the right one....Get's down on their knees and starts to pray"

Jay-Z....."Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk..Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run. Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly...I'm a spread my wings you canmeet me in the sky" WHATTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

Method Man "Nothin make a man feel better than a woman...Queen wear the crown and be down for whatever"

"Back when I was nothin', you made a brotha feel like he was somethin' That's why I'm with you to this day Boo no Frontin"

P.Diddy..."yo' the sun don't shine forever, but as long as we here, then we might as well shine together!

Brian McKnight- "Cause I never felt this way about lovin'

Jamie Fox - "Don't let Sun Go Down on our Love"

Usher- "You got it, you got it bad, when you're on the phone, hang up and ya call right back"

Guy - "Let's chill, let's settle down"

Always and Forever, each moment with you, is just like a dream to me, that somehow came true.....

My favorite: SADE:
"There must have been angel in the sky...something heavenly led me to you"

"You hit me like a slow bullet......"
"You kept on thinkin' you were the only one...too busy thinkin....love is a gun"
"You hurt me like a lamb, but I intend to fight like a lion

And last but not least .....the smoothest creep song known to man....but if you don't know, you'll miss it cause the song is sooooo darn smooth.

Luther V.

"Let me hold you tight, if only for one night, let me keep you near.....

fav part: I WON'T TELL ANY SOUL...NO ONE HAS TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE.....TOTALLY DISCREET.

" A House is not a home"

Kevin, I could go on forever, but this is your blog not mines (smile). I'll keep checkin on this to see where it leads. And perhaps I can share some of my lyrics with you one day.

aldk27 5/6/2009 | reply
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- I forgot to mention the band that sang always and forever....HEATWAVE!!!
  
  aldk27 5/6/2009 | reply
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Kevin I couldn't agree with you more, I believe it's more of the power of lyrics, people these days seem to be so much more into the beat that they don't even listen to the words, words are so powerful, and you wouldn't get the same feeling if you just listen to the beat, music is my friend, lover, confidante, and mentor. I write lyrics myself so I am always listening to the lyrics of the song and the feeling I get from the words and the creativity put into the words is what determines my feeling about the song. Two songs of many that have inspired me or changed my life are "Yesterday" by Mary Mary

and the Jennifer Hudson rendition of "I am Changing"

Kisha313 5/6/2009 | reply
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so amazing by luther vandross....overjoyed by stevie wonder...nothing even matters by lauryn hill

5/5/2009 | reply
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Thank you for that wonderful post. A few songs that immediately come to mind:
Talib Kweli "Get By"
Bill Withers "Lovely Day"
John Mayer "Love Song For No One"

mixmason 3/11/2009 | reply
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TeenageCashGuru 3/5/2009 | reply
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First and for most...

Kevin Liles is one of the greatest business minds in Hip-Hop history...

My choice for a song that i just heard that made me feel emotional was "Back Down Memory Lane". Its a Minnie Riperton song whom in my opinion is one of the best female vocalist ever. Minnie and Sam Cooke are two old school artest that can always pull up the emotions, at least for me, probly because we never saw either artest reach their full peaks.

One Hip-Hop song that I personaly consider touching is Ghost Face Killer's "All That I Got Is You" with Mary J.

I drew up in a poor household and it always seemed like he was telling my story to the world for me.

Much respect... And good luck on your quest to improve the lives of our youmg culture...

In the great words of Bob Marley....."1love and blessings"

3/4/2009 | reply
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always inspired by kevins blog reminds me of why i joined the biz as well

3/4/2009 | reply
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I feel you Mr. Liles !!! I'm a big DMX fan, so "Damien" meant a lot to me because it was the first rap song that I remembered by heart without trying. My brother then made me spit it in front of his crew lol. Then there are songs that make me want to cry like Music Soulchild's song "If U Leave," which makes me think on past experiences in the relationship area. Also, there is this thing about the old Bad Boy Era. You had Biggie, Mace, Puff, and lil Kim. If i put on anything from back then its to get my mind on money and have a good time. Like I DJ'd at a house party and threw on "All About the Benjamin's." Everyone started asking me what I was doing? I said, we partying. Next thing I knew all the females were jumping around rapping Lil Kim's part. Plus, you have to take it back. Anything from Luther Vandross or Eric Clapton make me think about my parents.

Phoenix

DJ Phoenix 3/4/2009 | reply
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Kevin, I definitely feel your passion regarding life and music and respect your business acumen which is unequaled. My question is how would someone such as myself get connected with you to expand on my passion for music. I have extensive music industry experience in the publishing sector and have signed writers to administrative and co-publishing deals to some great songs - some actually in your company's catalog as well ...... but I want to connect with you. Due to several reasons I can't post my resume but if given the chance/opportunity to connect with you my grind ability would be revealed and proven. I am official. Can you forward solid contact to you? Real contact and not an industry gate keeper - I need your ear.

Groovy B 3/3/2009 | reply
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I love the blog!! I grew up with a love for all music!! Like what was written in your blog, I feel that good music should excite some type of emotion from you!! More than just making you want to dance or make love to that special someone, but what is that feeling you feel!!??

"Why Can't we Fall in Love" By Amerie, made me want to go back to those summer days where you had a hot and heavy relationship for like 3 weeks then you had to go back to school!! Kanye's "Flashing Lights" and Jay-Z's "Hollywood" really had me thinking I was someone living the life of Drugs, Sex, and Rock and Roll!! But for today's times Stevie Wonder's "Village Ghettoland" Really put things in perspective of what going on and makes me feel real humble and grateful for what I have!!

All in all, we need music to talk us through whatever our situation is at that time good or bad!! So we need to continue to support artists with something to say!

3/3/2009 | reply
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I GREW UP IN NEWARK A 70S 80S BABY SO PLANET ROCK,MR MAGIC RAP ATTACK KISS FM RED AND CHUCK WAS ALL I REALLY GREW UP ON.BUT THANK THE LORD MY GRANDMA STARTED ME LISTING TO SOUL R$B AND GOSPEL.TO MANY TO NAME I SURE FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE LIVED TO HEAR AND CONTINUE.BLESS YOU ALL.N.N.S

3/3/2009 | reply
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There is not one particular song that comes to mind because my list is so long like others. I can be inspired by one verse in a song that I may not like in totality! Music is a serious motivation for me.

For example, Mother Tynnetta Muhammad, the wife of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, was the headliner this past weekend at Saviours' Day for "TaHa: The Final Call Symphonic Suite". That classical display of music made me reflect on the greatness that is in all of us.

Thanks for the blog.

Brother Jesse 3/3/2009 | reply
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I have to say I truly understand you. Music is the soundtrack to your life. Music makes you think about your first love, first kiss, a best friend, a road trip taken with best friends, the moment you said "I DO", the day your child was born, that moment you knew you would never see a particular loved one again.

My soundtrack would include some of these great records...Michael Jackson "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough", Phil Collins "Air Of The Night", Guy "Piece Of My Love", Donny Hathaway "Song For You", Bon Jovi "Living On A Prayer" or "Dead Or Alive", Room Service "Stay", RUN DMC "My ADIDAS", Biz Markie "Vapors", Bob Marley "Is This Love" and Luther Vandross "If Only For One Night" are just a few that tell the story of who I am and what I've been through in my lifetime. It's been a great life thus far and I look forward to more great music to inspire me. I wake up and fall in love with music every morning after thanking him for allowing me to see another day...AMEN.

3/3/2009 | reply
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