D’Angelo, “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” | After Dark

On the 34^th edition of After Dark, we explore the ultra-sexy neo-soul ballad, “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” performed by D’Angelo.

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nnuendo? More like full-on sexual vibes! Welcome to After Dark , a column featuring songs that are best suited for nighttime, specifically, the bedroom.  Like Controversial Tunes , the records featured here raise eyebrows.  The difference between the songs of CONTROVERSY and DARK? These songs specifically focus on the universal topic of S-E-X. The dark records gracing After Dark are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 34^th edition of After Dark, we explore the ultra-sexy neo-soul ballad “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” by D’Angelo (Michael Archer).

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Theme & Lyrics + Music Video

“I’d love to make you wet / In between your thighs ‘cause / I love when it comes inside you.” Like da-yum, it’s getting fkn hot in here!!! Cutting straight to the chase, D’Angelo delivered one of the sexiest, most soulful gems of all time with “Untitled (How Does it Feel).”  Yes, the music video stole plenty of attention, and how could it not? A nude, chiseled D’Angelo was certainly a site to behold.  That said, no matter how fine D was in the video, the song itself is the crowning achievement.

Listening to “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” you can’t help to feel a bit guilty.  Why? Well, D’Angelo goes all in on the neo-soul sound, meaning the influence of gospel music is crystal clear.  Some of the most soulful R&B hearkens back to the sounds of the church with big bass lines, marvelous piano riffs, harmonized vocals, and of course, the groove. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” checks off those boxes, adding guitar to the mix.  Those layered harmonized vocals are utterly sublime! As heavenly as this seven-minute aughts R&B classic sounds, there’s nothing Godly about this record. Mr. Archer is all about S-E-X.  Yes, there’s dedication too, but “I can provide everything that you desire” certainly indicates plans to “stick [his] key in [her] ignition.” Also, later, he asserts, ‘Let me take off your clothes…” Whatever for D?

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Final Thoughts

Sigh, I wish I’d written “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”! This is one of those songs that as a musician you envy because it’s so perfect.  D’Angelo sings his a$$ off, and understandably, women (and likely some men) felt ‘some type of way’ listening to this one.  This is the perfect catalyst to making love + it’s that After Dark sh!t through and through.  That said, this throwback gem is sweet music to your ears at any time just don’t allow yourself to get too titillated!

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D’Angelo • Voodoo • Virgin • 2000
D’Angelo, “Untitled (How Does it Feel)”: After Dark No. 34 [: Brent Faulkner, cottonbro from Pexels, KoolShooters from Pexels, Luan Queiros from Pexels, The Musical Hype, Virgin]

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