There aren’t many songs out there which I would label as “perfect”. In fact, I can probably count the number of them on two hands. Dancing On My Own is on there, for sure. Bleeding Love is another one because Leona Lewis makes me feel things that result in my crying alone in my shower. But overall, I try to shy away from just throwing that word around loosely. You say “perfect” and people seem to raise their expectations a bit. Well, I assure you, this song we’re about to discuss deserves to be acknowledged as such. It is pop music gold and, in my opinion, one of the most highly-overlooked singles of the last decade. And, shockingly enough, it is performed by one of the members of Destiny’s Child who is NOT Beyoncé Knowles.
Sorry Bey. You’re pregnant with twins. Go lay down.
Ever since the formation of the now iconic R&B/pop group Destiny’s Child, it has been all too clear that the act was manufactured for the soul purpose of prominently showcasing ONE of the members above the rest.
Guess who.
Come on people, It’s not like I’m exposing some big secret here! We are ALL adults and we all know its the truth, so let’s just be open about it and move on! Destiny’s Child existed for the SOUL PURPOSE of making Beyoncé Knowles a household name and nobody can convince me otherwise! Her father Mathew Knowles was in on it! Her mother Tina Knowles and the ENTIRE House of Dereon were in on it! I mean, you LOOK at those gaudy, drag-queen inspired costumes and tell me that wasn’t the case! It was like watching a real-time sequel to The Supremes, only we had already seen this whole story unfold the first time so there were no shocking twists when two members were replaced without question or when the act went from being a quartet to a trio between music videos. We’ve seen it all before!
And so it only made sense when Beyoncé was the first to break away from the group and pursue a solo career, something which we all know has been rather lucrative for her in the long run. And what a wise choice that was for her! Since the release of her first solo album entitled Dangerously in Love back in 2003, Beyoncé has managed to pump out hit after hit, burrowing herself deeper and deeper into our subconscious where she lay waiting until the moment that we hear the intro to Single Ladies or the casual usage of the word Formation. There is no escaping her.
And while they all have gone off and pursued their own solo endeavors, it only makes sense that the remaining members of Destiny’s Child have never managed to replicate Beyoncé’s monumental success
In sales, anyway.
Come forth, Miss Rowland.
The year was 2009, and a seemingly homeless French DJ by the name of David Guetta was just starting to make an impact on the American charts. Maybe it was his beard? Maybe it was his style? Or, maybe it was his pushing his equipment around by means of shopping cart?
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about David Guetta has always screamed “requires a hot bath” to me! That being said, I genuinely like the guy. He’s the mastermind behind some of the new millenniums most memorable dance tracks and he is one of the major components for Sia’s transition from relatively unknown artist (in the United States at least) to Top 40-staple, and for that the gays should be thankful.
Know what else they should be thankful for?
A little song called When Love Takes Over, that’s what.
I know a few of you queers just gasped aloud. I’m right there with you, ladies.
At first thought, Guetta and Rowland may sound like an unusual pairing. Up until this point, Rowland had only really used her vocals powers for R&B and Hip Hop inspired tracks, so throwing her into a piano-laden pop-ballad was completely new territory. But it pays off. It pays of in SPADES. From the first note of it’s delicate yet empowering intro, there is something magical about this song. Dancing to this track in the midst of a crowded gay-bar is probably the closest I will ever come to an outer-body experience, and no I am not exaggerating. I feel the best word I’ve ever seen used to describe this track is “ethereal” because it truly is just that. It is effervescent. It’s pure musical joy. I don’t know what it is about this song that makes it such a glorious experience, but if we could find a way to extract it and sell it to the people of the world I assure you, this planet would be a much happier place.
If only we could all experience the joy Kelly Rowland is feeling during When Love Takes Over…
Anyone who has ever implied that Kelly Rowland comes secondary to Beyoncé Knowles needs to check themselves immediately, because the vocal delivery on this track is absolutely breathtaking. Kelly’s voice is exuberant, smooth and warm during the first verse before erupting into a powerhouse belt that rivals even the most celebrated dance-floor divas of our time. Combine her vocals with Guetta’s superb production including a Coldplay inspired piano riff, and you have a piece of music that is created for the soul purpose of elevating your mood and lifting your spirits. Seriously, you just can’t get much better then this song.
And we haven’t even STARTED with the music-video yet!
Please click HERE to experience the ray of warm sunshine that is the music video for When Love Takes Over!
Look at Kelly Rowland, goddess amongst men, strutting through that disheveled third-world village in that exquisite gown, towering above the frightened immigrants who probably have no idea what she’s doing in their neck of the woods to begin with. She’s filming a mother fucking music video, THAT’S what! And she looks amazing while doing it!
Strut, queen. STRUT!
The video is mesmerizing. Chock full of joyful imagery, including an impromptu outdoor dance-party that I long to participate in, Rowland and Guetta look like they are having the time of their fucking lives! And yes, I HONESTLY believe that because I firmly believe that Kelly Rowland is NOT a label-manufactured robot, unlike her former band mate.
And no, we’re not talking Michelle here. I have nothing but love for Michelle Williams.
We Break the Dawn anyone?
I’m coming for you next, Michelle!
And, to top things off, the key to making Kelly Rowland look like the diva to end all divas?
Just add water.
Swim, bitch. SWIM!
When Love Takes Over remains as stunning today as it did upon its release nearly eight years ago. When it comes to dance tracks, few can outdo this one. The surprise pairing of David Guetta and Kelly Rowland proved to be a match made in heaven, enough so that they would join forces again a year later to produce Kelly’s dance-floor battle-cry Commander, a gem of a song in its own right. But it aint no When Love Takes Over. Nothing will ever top this one. At least not in my books.
So sure, at the end of the day Beyoncé may have the fame. She may have the name. She may have the money, Jay Z, Blue Ivy, and Lemonade to boot. But, I truthfully cannot think of a single song in her retour that has moved me the way that When Love Takes Over does. This song touches your soul. It elevates you. As stated at the beginning of this, it’s ethereal. That truly is the best word I can use to describe it.
And right now, in this day in age, with all of the bullshit and political nonsense being smeared in our faces 24/7, I think we all deserve something that lifts our spirits.
Maybe David and Kelly were just a few steps ahead with this one?
Take a bow, Kelly Rowland. You are a queen and the gays love you for it. It’s about time you had your moment in the spotlight.
Well, a moment that does NOT include Nelly…
#neverforget. It’s coming soon. I promise.
