by Madison West

Created on: May 26, 2008

I have a confession to make. I'm a no-good cheatin' woman. I've tried to be faithful. I've tried to stay true. But, honey, what's a girl to do? I try to give my love to only one man and just when he starts whispering beautiful sweet nothings in my ear, another comes along tempting me, telling me everything I want to hear. Touching every emotion I've ever felt and stirring up some I didn't even know I had. I can't help it. I love me some R&B and the men who sing it. Don't ask me to choose who I love best out of all these fine men, but I will tell you who really turns this music lover on.

Mama had no idea what she was starting way back in the day when she pulled out her Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Percy Sledge albums and said, "Here. Take a listen." That's all she wrote.

I took a listen and I heard Sam telling me how it was "another Saturday night" and how he "ain't go nobody." Otis took me outside and we sat down "by the dock of the bay." You know, just wastin' time. And Percy kept telling me that he'd been loving me too long.

And "ooh baby baby" Smokey Robinson has "really got a hold on me." Sticking around through "the tracks of my tears" and spending those days just "cruisin'." I'm not placing a crown on any of these great talents, but Smokey would definitely wear it well.

Then there's Al Green bringing me "joy and pain." No matter how he makes me feel, I just hope we can always "stay together."

Now when Teddy Pendergrass shows up, it's time to "turn off the lights" because he's about to perform a "love T.K.O." That voice always leaves me thinking "the more I get, the more I want."

Marvin Gaye was taken away much too soon, but "mercy mercy me," you've "got to give it up" for the ground-breaking music he made. When "I heard it through the grapevine" that he had been taken from us, it broke my heart. Marvin, like Smokey Robinson, could definitely sit upon the throne of R&B male singers. Considering their Motown connection, it's not surprising that they could both hold down that spot.

Since Luther Vandross' passing, a house just hasn't felt like a home. Those silky, romantic vocals...how I wish I could have you back Luther, "if only for one night."

And I'm "never, never gonna give you up," Barry White. You were my "Maestro" and I could never "get enough of your love, babe" or your music. Miss you terribly.

Gerald LaVert, my "Velvet Teddy Bear," I'm still mourning your loss. You were the true "Casanova." Baby, you said hold onto you and that you were a special kind. Yes, you were truly special and I will hold onto you through your music.

So much has been given to us by these great men of R&B. So much to listen to and so much to love.

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