Eric Benét, Spend My Life with You | Throwback Vibez

On the 5^th edition of Throwback Vibez, we recollect and reflect on, “Spend My Life with You” performed by Eric Benét featuring Tamia.   

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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 5^th edition of Throwback Vibez , we recollect and reflect on “Spend My Life with You”, performed by Eric Benét featuring Tamia.  

There were numerous awesome R&B songs released in 1999 – it was a special year.  Among the best – and one of my personal favorites – was “Spend My Life with You.”  “Spend My Life with You” paired Grammy-nominated artists Eric Benét and Tamia.  The result? An unforgettable, romantic slow jam where their voices mesh celestially .  Basically, you can’t listen to “Spend My Life with You” and not feel those nostalgic, 90s vibes – that good old, adult contemporary, grown folks R&B!  It appears on Mr. Benét’s 1999 album, A Day in the Life. 

The verses are fabulous, with Benét taking first blood: “And I never knew what my life was for / But now that you’re here I know for sure.” Sweet! Tamia follows up sublimely on the second verse: “And I never knew that my heart could feel / So precious and pure / One love so real.”  Later, the format is similar, with Benét singing a brief third verse, and Tamia ‘bringing it on home’ on the fourth.  There’s a sweet bridge as well, but we all know that the crowning achievement is the chorus, with both singers bringing it in spectacular fashion.

“Can I just see you every morning when
I open my eyes
Can I just feel your heart beating beside me?
Every night
Can we just feel this way together?
Till the end of all time
Can I just spend my life with you?” 

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Final Thoughts

Yes, there were bigger songs in 1999, even in the R&B realm. That said, “Spend My Life with You” was nominated for a Grammy for good reason.  Also, it peaked at a respectable no. 21 on the Hot 100.  The big story is that vocal chemistry between Benét and Tamia which is nothing short of incredible.  Benét, Demonte Posey, and George Nash Jr. wrote and produced a gem.

Also appears on :
11 Best R&B Songs: 1990 – 2000

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Eric Benét • A Day in the Life • Warner • 1999
Eric Benét, “Spend My Life with You”: Throwback Vibez No. 5 [: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro,  The Musical Hype, Warner]

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