Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 130th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Nick of Time” by Bonnie Raitt.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 130^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Nick of Time” performed by Bonnie Raitt.

“I found love, baby / Love in the nick of time.” Comebacks are possible. Bonnie Raitt experienced a significant comeback with her 1989 album, Nick of Time.  Following marginal success at best throughout the 80s, the Grammy-winning musician struck gold. Nick of Time eventually peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was certified multi-platinum. It would win the most prestigious Grammy: Album Of The Year. “Nick of Time” also won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female beating out the likes of Bette Midler (“Wind Beneath My Wings”) and Paul Abdul (“Straight Up”). Raitt penned “Nick of Time” while Don Was produced it. It dinted the pop charts, peaking at no. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The song is better than its commercial performance.

Bonnie Raitt sounds sublime on “Nick of Time.” Her performance feels authentic and sounds expressive, nuanced, and well-rounded.  The voice is distinct – one of a kind. She brings thoughtful lyrics to life, pairing the memorable text with tuneful melodies. “A friend of mine, she cries at night / And she calls me on the phone,” Raitt sings in the first verse, continuing, “Sees babies everywhere she goes / And she wants one of her own.” You can guess what Raitt’s friend is fighting against… TIME (“She is scared / Scared to run out of time”).  The situation is different in the second verse, but the antagonist remains the same: TIME (“I see my folks are getting on / And I watch their bodies change…”)  In the bridge, Bonnie wisely sings, “Life gets mighty precious / When there’s less of it to waste.” The third verse is more optimistic: “You opened up my heart again / and then much to my surprise.” Guess what? In the chorus, she found love… Love in the nick of time! Raitt is supported by a smooth, groovy pop/rock backdrop (keys, bass, guitar, drums, and percussion) and sweet, soulful backing vocals (Harry Bowens and Arnold McCuller). 25 years after its arrival, “Nick of Time” remains epic.

Bonnie Raitt // Nick of Time // Capitol // 1989

Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 130 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]