Al Green, “Belle” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

On the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Belle” by Al Green.   

T

he 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! On the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Belle”, performed by 🎙 Al Green.

---

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Belle / The Lord and I’ve been friends for aa mighty long time…” Hmm, intriguing! In the previous edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶, I highlighted a 1990s, inspirational record by 🎙 Al Green (🎵 “Again”).  “Again” is fabulous to the n^th degree, but it doesn’t stack up against the top-tier classics of the Rev’s collection, particularly those from his ‘secular’ days.  While I could opt for an obvious gem like 🎵 “Let’s Stay Together”, I decided to give some love to 🎵 “Belle”, the opener and title track from his 1977 album, 💿 The Belle Album. “Belle” is quintessential Al Green yet makes spiritual references too.

 

Continuing the excerpted lyrics from the first verse, Al Green adds, “Leaving him [God] has never ever really crossed my mind.” So, essentially, Green isn’t willing to give into Belle, whoever she is, over his salvation (“‘Cause it’s Him no matter who you are”). Woo, that man had some self-control, despite temptation being right in front him (“Oh, it’s you that I want, but it’s Him that I need”).  Interestingly, by this time, Green had become a Christian but hadn’t transitioned to gospel.  Still, we see the Pastor struggling with sex (temptation) and being faithful and obedient to God.  The lyrics and scenarios that the Rev serves up remain memorable, including the third verse where he states “He’s [the Lord’s] my joy,” and touts his come up thanks to him (“Just a little country boy / Hey, He brought me safe thus far”).  She’s enticing, but over vintage soul production, Al says NO, thinking with his soul instead of his pants.

---

Final Thoughts 💭

🎵 “Belle” seems like a clear-cut pre-cursor to righteous Rev. Al Green. Even so, Green remains locked in. He’s in excellent voice, singing only as he can – a once-in-a-lifetime icon.  Saved and sanctified, that Memphis soul still flows – NO CAP!

---

🎙 Al Green • 💿 The Belle Album • 🏷 Hi Records / Fat Possum • 🗓 1977

---

Al Green, “Belle”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 20 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro, Fat Possum, Hi Records, The Musical Hype]

---