Deniece Williams, It’s Gonna Take a Miracle | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 112^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” by Deniece Williams.   

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 that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 112^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle”, performed by 🎙 Deniece Williams. 

“Loving you so / I was too blind to see / You letting me go / But now that you’ve set me free,” 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Deniece Williams sings on 🎵 “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle”, continuing, “It’s gonna take a miracle / Yes, it’s gonna take a miracle / To make me love someone new / ‘Cause I’m crazy for you.” Oh, the plight of love – those matters of the heart ❤️!  “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” has the distinction of being one of three top-10 hits by Williams. Specifically, this 🎼 ✍ Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman, and Bobby Weinstein-penned track peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It is the song to beat on her 1982, gold certified album, 💿 Niecy.  Williams produced this gem alongside the late, great 🎛 Thom Bell. It’s worth noting that Williams covers and updates the 1965 joint by 🎙 The Royalettes.

All writers and producers on “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” earn incredibly high marks.  First and foremost, this is a well-written record.  It superbly captures the relatable feeling of struggling to move on from a past relationship – it’s literally gonna take a miracle to get over this person! Williams does a marvelous job of bringing the lyrics to life authentically with her classy and sophisticated lead vocals.  Furthermore, she does some impressive, playful ad-libs that are must-hear.  Also, she receives fine support from backing vocals, upping the soulful ante. Focusing on the production, it is stunning; utterly sublime.  “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” benefits from a superb, soulful groove.  Specifically, the ostinato piano lines are lovely, while the vibraphone hits are timely. Additionally, the string orchestration is marvelous – lush and warm.  One other note about the brilliance of this top-10 smash. The bridge provides sizable contrast to other sections of the song with the harmonic adventurousness being a big selling point.  All told, the excellence of 🎵 “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” speaks for itself. It’s simply marvelous, darling!

🎙 Deniece Williams • 💿 Niecy • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1982

Deniece Williams, It’s Gonna Take a Miracle: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 112 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Columbia; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]