Deborah Cox, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 32^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” by Deborah Cox.   

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 32^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”, performed by 🎙 Deborah Cox.  

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“How did you get here? Nobody’s supposed to be here / I tried that love thing for the last time.” Those iconic lyrics grace one of my favorite R&B records from the 1990s, 🎵 “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”.  This mid-tempo ballad marks the biggest hit by Canadian R&B singer, 🎙 Deborah Cox. Not only did it top the R&B charts but “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” just missed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 2.  Of course, the centerpiece of this 1998 gem from 💿 One Wish is the epic chorus. Excerpted above, it continues as follows, in all its glory: “My heart says, ‘No, no,’ nobody’s supposed to be here / But you came along and changed my mind.”

Basically, Deborah Cox was D-O-N-E with love on this 🎼✍ Montell Jordan and 🎼✍ 🎛 Anthony “Shep” Crawford co-write.  Despite nearly throwing in the towel, a chance for love has reared its head again, and she can’t refuse it:

“But when I turn around, again, love has knocked me down

My heart got broken, oh it hurts so bad

I’m sad to say love wins again.”

It’s a similar situation in the second verse, where Cox asserts, “Knowing these tears I cry, this lovely black butterfly / Must take a chance, and spread my wings.” Oh, that damn love!  Cox’s pleasure and pain are our listening pleasure – no pain whatsoever for us – particularly her authentic, soulful ad-libs and nuances.  She has a magnificent instrument, which soars over Shep’s production and nails that key change!

Final Thoughts 💭

“Nobody’s Supposed to Be There” is that once in a lifetime song that some musicians never achieve.  Deborah Cox achieved it in 1998, and approaching 25 years later, it’s still an awesome record.  Perhaps it’s old hat, but is it just me or R&B just doesn’t sound like this anymore? “Nobody’s Supposed to Be There” is a surefire classic – a Throwback Vibe 🕶️🎶 all the day long!

🎙 Deborah Cox • 💿 One Wish • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1998

Deborah Cox, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 32 (2022) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]