Yesterday,I pulled out my Stephanie Mills Greatest Hits CD and I fell in love with this song all over again.It took me right back to the fall of 1980,when this song was released.It reminded me of a time when R&B songs actually had *MELODY* and great lyrics.Nowadays,for the most part,it's all about bass,beat and samples.I want you guys to play this song right now and re-live the magic...


"Never Knew Love Like This Before" by Stephanie Mills

(written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas)


I never knew love like this before
Now I'm lonely never more
Since you came into my life

You are my lovelight,this I know
And I'll never let you go
You're my all,you're part of me

Once I was lost and now I'm found
Then you turned my world around
When I need you,I call your name


(chorus)
Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
Cause I never knew love like before


This feeling's so deep inside of me
Such a tender fantasy
You're the one I'm living for

You are my sunlight and my rain
And time could never change
What we share forever more,ooh...hoo

I never knew love like this before
Now I'm lonely never more
Since you came into my life


(chorus)
Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
Cause I never knew love like this before


You are my lovelight,this I know
And I'll never let you know
You're my all,you're part of me

Once I was lost and now I'm found
Then you turned my world around
When I need you,I call your name

(chorus)
Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
Cause I never knew love like this before
Inside of me
I never (never) knew love like this before
Opened my eyes

Besides the sweet sugar-coated chords, what really touches me emotionally about this song is the background vocals!

OOOoooOOooOOO!

I just feel like going roller skating in my short shorts with DavidEye to this song.

CinisterCee said:

Well,let's not get carried away here

One of my favorite parts in this song are the ad libs near the end.Stephanie goes...


"I never kneeewww...never kneeewww...never
I never kneeewww...never kneeewww...never"

y'all know the part I'm talking about?


...
[This message was edited Thu Aug 14 2:07:35 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

DavidEye said:

I threw on a disco mix cd with this song on it, so it mixes into the next track before it gets there!

I moved this summer and haven't hooked up my turntable yet, but I have her Sweet Sensation LP so I'll have to now! Nice thread DavidEye.

P.S. Don'tcha like roller skating?

The 'Sweet Sensation' album is GREAT,isn't it? That's my favorite Stephanie Mills album.Love the title track and "Try My Love".

Has anyone seen Lleena lately? This is one of her favorite songs.She should be all over this thread...lol...

DavidEye said:

I remember on the old org{after I joined}..you and her were going back and forth exchanging lyrics to this song.

I am just so biased when it comes to Stephanie. I just love everything she does.

BRO915 said:

LOL...yeah,we were kinda "singing" this song to each other

before Janet&Jam&Lewis Madonna with David Leonard,Jody Watley&Andre Cymone,etc... Stephanie Mills with Reggie Lucas&James Mtume were bringing the Pain.still a Big fan of Her Work with those Cats.She should have been Bigger IMHO.Her vocals were no Joke.My Cousin is a Hard-Core Fan of Hers He has Her Album from 1975.

One of my favorites too. In fact I bought her greatest hits mostly for this song. That and "What cha gonna do with my lovin'". I love the music and especially her voice . She and Deniece Williams are my favorite vocalists.

I saw stephanie in concert one year with the commodores and
barkays and was a bit ticked off because she didn't get
more time up on stage. little 4"7 inch step tore the house
down! yep..."never knew love like this before " is a
stone jam!

to this day stephanie still done one of the best "prince"
covers in HCUDCMA!

everything she sang was first class!

Another song I love by her is "Put Your Body In It" (1978).For some strange reason,the opening lines crack me up...

"it's a shame,you waited all night long to dance
who's to blame,when I'm giving you another chance?"


what's wrong with the wallflower dude she's singing to??


...
[This message was edited Sat Aug 16 17:06:12 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

I've got "The Best of Stephanie Mills" Funk Essentials. Of course that cut is on it. But I really love "Put Your Body In It." I heard her on the radio briefly about a week ago. Homegirl's, like, 45 yrs. old now! I've always thought she could sell out a show, and put on a good performance, although the only time I've ever seen her perform was in "The Whiz" on Bdwy.

"put your body in it!...it's non-stop now"

I also have that "Best of Stephanie Mills" CD from Funk Essentials.It's a great overview of her career,but it's missing some other really good songs,such as...


"Last Night" (1982)
"Rising Desire" (1984)
"I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love" (1985)
"I Feel Good All Over" (1987)
"Mystery Lady" (1987)
"If I Were Your Woman"(1987)
"Something In The Way You Make Me Feel"(1989)
"Home" (1989)


Stephanie needs a thorough 2-CD set that gathers up all the hits and a few key album tracks as well.

DavidEye said:

You're so right! And those cuts should be added!
[This message was edited Sat Aug 16 21:06:00 PDT 2003 by UptownDeb]