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Aaron Neville, “Don’t Take Away My Heaven”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 96 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, UMG Recordings, Inc.]In the 96th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” by Aaron Neville 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 96th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Don’t Take Away My Heaven”, performed by 🎙 Aaron Neville.


Theme & Lyrics

Aaron Neville, The Grand Tour [📷:UMG Recordings, Inc.]“Oh, baby, I found heaven when I found you.” Aww, 🎙 Aaron Neville, that is so sweet! Not only is the opening lyric sweet, but so is the entirety of 🎵 “Don’t Take Away My Heaven”! “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” serves as the opener from the 🏆 Grammy-winning, versatile soul musician’s 1993 album, 💿 The Grand Tour.  The record, penned by Academy-Award nominated songwriter 🎼 ✍ Diane Warren, is one of Neville’s best in a storied career.  Warren’s pen is impeccable, period! Sadly, this gorgeous record only peaked at no. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 – it was wronged by pop radio!

Regardless of the fact that it was a moderate success on the pop charts, Neville’s three-decade-old gem speaks for itself.  Heaven is her, period.  With his utterly distinct pipes, Aaron expresses the end if she were to go – he wouldn’t survive! This is best exemplified by the chorus:

“And the sun would have nowhere to shine

And the stars would all fall from the sky

Baby, please

Don’t take away my heaven.”

Neville does a bang-up job bringing Warren’s dedicated, poetic lyrics to life.  Furthermore, 🎛 Steve Lindsey does a fabulous job supporting Mr. Neville with colorful, suitable production.


Final Thoughts 💭 

Even 30 years after its release, 🎵 “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” sounds utterly refreshing.  No one sings like Aaron Neville – facts.  Diane Warren gave him a surefire masterpiece with this one!

classic


🎙 Aaron Neville • 💿 The Grand Tour🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1993

Aaron Neville, “Don’t Take Away My Heaven”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 96 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via PixabayKarl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, UMG Recordings, Inc.]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.