(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, 'GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS')īLIGE: (Singing) Seems like this is never ending.

MARTIN: That was journalist Julianne Escobedo Shepherd discussing the latest album from Mary J. And, I mean, I'm going to be bumping this in this morning (laughter) just a little, like, go-get-them kind of anthem for right when you wake up. And a lot of times it can sound a little bit shallow. I know there's a lot of conversation, too, about, like, you know, loving yourself and self-care. SHEPHERD: So 'Good Morning Gorgeous,' I think, is really a sort of flagship song of where she is right now in her career and her life. And also, you know, once again, she's just, like, so relatable about just what the tax of a bad relationship takes on women who are putting everything into it and not getting it back.īLIGE: (Singing) Every girl like she's the main chick, amazing. And I think it's really poetic - the lyrics and the way she puts it.

SHEPHERD: But also, it's really about the emotional energy that you put into a relationship and it's not reciprocated. SHEPHERD: (Singing) You must be used to me spending. SHEPHERD: 'Rent Money' - I mean, it goes back a little bit to, like, can any man treat Mary with the respect that she deserves? Please. I just want back what I put into this And then I'll keep moving. It's so great.īLIGE: (Singing) This isn't love. The thing that she's doing with her oohs sounds very, like, rooted in, like, you know, contemporary rap and also, like, a little bit of SZA in there. But it - there's just something very - you know, there's something very free about it. You know, there's that line, I make a move, you make a move, we make a movie. SHEPHERD: But also, it's this sort of sweet and unapologetic sex song. Like I said, I think Mary fans just want Mary to be happy (laughter).īLIGE: (Singing) Come, come, and see about me. SHEPHERD: I love 'Come See About Me.' So first of all, she sounds really sort of happy and unburdened, which is great to hear. Is it ever going to be enough?īLIGE: (Singing) Oh, yeah. But also, there's just something magical and almost, like, spiritual, I think, about where she goes emotionally in that voice.īLIGE: (Singing) You can't see what you got at home. And I think it's a combination of just her really feeling it. SHEPHERD: Where her power comes is from her ability to express emotions in a way that feels so real. MARY J BLIGE: (Singing) Tell me, why is it so typical to let it go? Walk away for physical, forget the love.

Names of all mary j blige albums