When I bought Sheila E's self-titled third album in the spring of 1987,the first song that really caught my attention was "Faded Photographs".I played this track over and over and over and over.It's an outstanding rock/pop song,probably her best song since "The Glamorous Life".Shame on Paisley Park/Warner Bros. for not realizing the hit potential of this song.With a really good video and some good promotion,this song could have easily became a late-80s MTV classic.Unlike most of her previous hits,this song doesn't really sound "Princely" at all.It's an aggressive,pulsing rock track with a strong,addictive chorus and impressive background vocals.I don't know who's singing along with Sheila on the chorus,but the additional vocal really gives this track an undeniable "force" and urgency.


"Faded Photographs"

(written by Sheila E.,Constance Guzman,Samuel Domingo,and Boni Boyer)

The voice that drew me near to you
and drew you near to me
has faded from the picture
becoming clear to me
All that's left are memories
of how it used to be
we can't erase the past
we can't change our destiny

(chorus)
Faded Photographs
your eyes say a thousand words to me
Faded Photographs
shadows fill my lonely room
Faded Photographs
your eyes say a thousand words to me
Faded Photographs
shadows fill my lonely room

Reflecting like a mirror
racing in my mind
these photographs remind me
of what's not far behind
Your eyes told me the story
words of you and I
I can't forget you
in the stillness of the night

(chorus)
Faded Photographs
your eyes say a thousand words to me
Faded Photgraphs
shadows fill my lonely room
Faded Photographs (Faded Photographs)
your eyes say a thousand words to me
Faded Photographs
shadows fill my lonely room

Dancelot said:

that's her best,most consistent album.

I love this song... one of my favorites by Sheila.

You know we just were talking about this on here

I dont' have the liner notes in front of me, but I think the late Bonnie Boyer sings BGs on the whole album, and I think Constance Guzman and Eddie M might be singing too in the BG on that song.

The lyrics you posted dont' included the math lessons at the end

i LOVED this song!!!! The whole album. I don't care for it much now though. I don't think it has aged well. I do like the math facts and the movement into Koo Koo.

someone mentioned in another thread that this sounds like a Pat Benatar song....I totally agree.....it rocks nonetheless.

GaryMF said:

boriquateddy said:

That was me!

DavidEye said:

You know.....
2 + 2 is 4
3 + 3 is 6
8 + 8 is 16
10 - 5 is 5


Then comes the snare beat for Koo Koo.

GaryMF said:

Wow,I never knew that's what she was saying! I always thought she was saying something like...

"it took us to this world....space...." and some other words

DavidEye said:

Well according to Dtt-lyrics.com right before the "math lesson" she says:
"Words of dandelion racing in my mind ", although I don't remember that part. I have to back and listen again. Maybe that's what you're thinking of. Then comes the math stuff, which transitions into the opening drum beat for Koo Koo.