Wow! I just bought Lauryn Hill's unplugged, it's absolutely fantastic!
Wow! I just bought Lauryn Hill's unplugged, it's absolutely fantastic!
Member since:31.08.2003
Reviews:8
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I first "met" Lauryn Hill when she was a member of "The Fugees" with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. I really liked this group and when they split I was quite dissapointed. Lauryn was also in the film "Sister Act II" with Whoopy Goldberg. She's got a great voice and I recommend you the songs "His eye is on the sparrow" and "Joyful, joyful". Well, but I'm not here to speak about Lauryn herself, but about her album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". This record was out on 1998 and I bought it straightaway. I liked her in the Fugees but I find that on her own she's much better. The cd's cover is quite original. The front is a school desk with a pencil, as if you were going to write something leaning on the cd. The album has 16 songs. I can't find one I don't like, they are all fantastic. Each song has a different message: love, self-esteem, goodness...
The record starts with an intro when a teacher in school is reading the register, and Lauryn is missing. The whole Cd "takes place" in the classroom because in between the songs you hear the conversations taking place in class. They are debating about love. I'll talk a little about every song separately:
1.Intro
2. Lost Ones: This song has a strong rythm, like most of her songs. She doesn't actually "sing" on this one, she talks, she raps... She tells you not to fool her, because you can't. If you're mean, you'll get what you deserve. Being
a jerk can get you lots of things, but as she says, you might win some, but you've already lost one (you've lost her). My favourite bit is: "Now don't you understand man universal law? What you throw out comes back to you, star Never underestimate those who you scar Cause karma, karma, karma comes back to you hard!"
3.Ex-Factor: This is a great song for a great voice. It's a slow one that starts with a tinkle and in the end of the song you get a guitar solo. In this song she says she can't live with him but yet without him. The music is delicious, the words are stunning and the voice absolutely marvellous! This verse summarizes what she feels. Many of us have felt the same thing some time in our life, how can you want something that's so painful in your life?
"I keep letting you back in How can I explain myself? As painful as this thing has been I just can't be with no one else See I know what we've got to do You let go, and I'll let go too 'Cause no one's hurt me more than you And no one ever will"
4. To Zion: This song starts with the great Carlos Santana's guitar. She talks about her son. Everybody told her to think twice before having the baby, but as she says "I chose to use my heart". It's an amazing declaration of devotion and love to her child. It's a very touching song. "And I thank you for choosing me to come through unto life to be A beautiful reflection of His grace
See I know that a gift so great is only one God could create And I'm reminded every time I see your face
that the joy... (JOY) of my world... (WORLD) is in Zion! (IS IN ZION) I said Zion! (IS IN ZION)."
5. Doo Wop (That Thing): It's a very catchy song, and probably one of the most known from the album. To be sincere I had never stopped to listen to the words, but I have now to write this opinion. I find it a bit hard to get the overall meaning of some rap songs, but I think this one is about not trying to be something you aren't and dealing with the consequences of your acts, in other words, it's about being mature. It's a very good song. 6. Superstar: This one is about music stars. Should they be above everything? Lauryn Hill says no. You can't achieve your goals making other people feel small. Now you're up, you are a star, but tomorrow you won't be, and who are you going to go to when this happens if you've been horrible to everyone? This song repeats the concept that she sings on Lost Ones, what you do will come back to you. " I know you think that you've got it all And by making other people feel small Makes you think you're unable to fall And when you do, who you gonna call?"
7. Final Hour: This one is also a song with no tune. It is Lauryn again rapping, telling you you can get the money and the power, but beware when it comes the Final Hour! As you can see she's very concerned with being good to people and not being corrupted by money and power.
8. When it hurts so bad: This one is a slow one, but with a good bass. It starts with drums and directly Lauryn singing the chorus. This one is about loving and not being loved in return. She says that what you want might make you cry and what you need might pass you by while you are crying. She tells you to just let things happen. 9. I used to love him: She sings here with Mary J. Blige, a superb singer. In this song Lauryn says that she loved a man once, but she doesn't anymore. She had a hard time, but now that she has got over it she is happy. This song is fantastic. Their voices are marvellous together. I think this song is very positive because it tells you not to think the world is over when you are sad, because everything turns out right in the end. "Thought what I wanted was something I needed When momma said no I just should have heeded Misled I bled till the poison was gone And out of the darkness arrived the sweet dawn". 10. Forgive them father: Here she tells you to be careful with people because not everyone is a good person. She also tells you not to hate them but to forgive them because they don't know the harm they're doing. 11.Every Ghetto, every city: She tells you about the neighbourhood where she grew up. It's catchy and nice. "You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got Looking back Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back". 12. Nothing even matters: This one is with D'Angelo. This one is slow and sweet. Nothing matters to them when they're together. It's so nice! 13. Everything is everything: This song tells you you can achieve what you want. Don't feel down, go for what you want!!! It has a nice tune and a very good bass rythm. 14. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: This one gives the title to the album. It's recorded so it sounds like an old disc. This one tells you that she found strength inside herself, she decided to follow her own path. It is slow, with a piano and some string instruments. "But deep in my heart, the answer it was in me And I made up my mind to define my own destiny." 15. Can't take my eyes off of you: I adore this remake! You will probably all know this song already but the Lauryn Hill "touch" gives it another sense. It's fantastic! 16.Tell him: This is the last one, and another brilliant one. This slow song closes a fabulous Cd, where every song is different and absolutely perfect. On this one she says she can't live without love. As you may have noticed I simply adore Lauryn Hill, she's a fantastic artist and I recommend you all to get this Cd right now!! Thanks for reading me.
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After the massive success of the Fugees'The Score, the popularity of any Refugee Camp solo ... more
project was guaranteed. No one, however, was prepared for the massive response to Lauryn Hill's debut album. Apart from the chart-topping singles "Doo Wop (That ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
After the massive success of the Fugees' The Score, the popularity of any Refugee Camp ... more
solo project was guaranteed. No one, however, was prepared for the massive response to Lauryn Hill's debut album. Apart from the chart-topping singles "Doo Wop (That...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Intro Lost Ones Ex-Factor To Zion - (featuring Carlos Santana) Doo Wop (That Thing) ... more
Superstar Final Hour When It Hurts So Bad I Used To Love Him - (featuring Mary J Blige) Forgive Them Father Every Ghetto Every City Nothing Even Matters - (featuring D...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Sep 14th, 2003
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