With Des'ree's voice giving the song it's own vocal stylings, you can't help but to sing along the way, whether you are a man, woman, straight, gay, white, black, etc. The fact that from the moment the song starts, she pulls you in to reflect on how to confront issues head on. My favorite part of this song is the bridge which reads as follows:
Time asks no questions it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning can't stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face
I first heard this song in 1994 on a VH1 Live Special when I was home from school sick in bed. I had never heard of Des'ree until that point, and like everyone else, she captivated me, especially with how much ease she sang the song. She made it look so easy and really transcended the message clearly.
Being 11 years old at the time and coming to a realization that I was coming to find myself in situations that were really going to put me up to the test was nerve wrecking, yet for some reason I was always up to face a challenge. I've never been one to call attention upon myself at any point and in a way, being that I was very reserved at the time, the attention seemed to always be pointing my way. Facing weight issues, the coming of my sexuality, the will to always make my Mom proud of me in school were hindering aspects, although a lot had to do with whom I surrounded myself with. By this time my little brother Christian had just been born and my parents had just gotten a divorce a year and a half ago. I had gone from being the baby of the family to the sharing the title of "Middle Brother" with my older sibling. Things were changing at a rapid pace and we all had to make sure we pulled together as a family. To top it off I had also just met my 1st cousin's on my Dad's behalf and wanted to make sure I made a great impression on them so they would like me. Talk about anxiety!
So many times I remember crying in my room by myself because someone made a crude comment about the way I looked or acted. My Mom caught me once and asked if I was o.k. (she knew I wasn't), she just wanted me to see what was wrong. That's when she told me the following:
"You've got something special about you, not everyone will see the real you unless they take the time to get to know you, and the one's you should be concerned about are the one's that love you. Friends and people will come and go, but the one's that love you will stick around and be there for you, and vice versa. I need you to be strong for your little brother who's going to grow up just the same way you are right now, we'll all get thru this time together."
After that moment, every time I had a difficult time in any situation, I always remembered what she said, especially, "...the one's that love you will stick around and be there for you, and vice versa". Her words reminded me so much of Des'ree's song, especially the last line of my favorite part which is:
The best part is danger staring you in the face
In today's world, I face new challenges everyday, whether it be jealousy, people telling me that my work is worthless, being I didn't do a good enough job, or even being looked down upon, the only way of making sure I've done my part in finding a resolution is by simply reminding myself at night that "Love will save the day"....that is my OWN saving grace!
To everyone out there looking farther into themselves than what they should, remember,
~YOU GOTTA BE~
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