Faith Evans, Again | Music Lifts

In the 43^rd edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Grammy-winning R&B artist Faith Evans performing, “Again.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 43^rd edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Again” as performed by Faith Evans.

“If I had to do it all again (If I had to) / I wouldn’t take away the rain / ‘Cause I know it made me who I am.” Now that right there is a mic drop moment! Faith Evans is a talented, talented R&B vocalist.  Even so, I don’t think it would be far-fetched to call the Grammy winner underrated. In 2005, she released a fabulous, gold certified album, The First Lady. The crème de la crème of the LP is the soulful lead single, “Again”. “Again” is fueled by a sample –  “Genuine”, a marvelous joint by Baltimore soul collective, The Whatnauts.  Coupled with hard-hitting, syncopated drums, and sophisticated production by Carvin “Ransum” Haggins and Ivan Barias, the musical lift is lofty thanks to the sound and vibe alone .

Faith Evans sings utterly sublimely, another lift from this no. 47 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  “Again,” of course, performed stronger on the R&B charts, peaking at no. 7. The theme and lyrics is where “Again” uplifts most. “Now I done felt a lot of pain / I done seen a lot of things,” Evans sings in the first verse, later adding, “And even though my money change / I try my best to stay the same / But you know with more money, more problems came.” Facts.  Despite the issues, which continue in the second verse (“In ATL I caught a case”), ultimately, Faith asserts her share of issues, flaws, and shortcomings have help to shape who she is.  Ultimately, she sings in the bridge, “But I know there’s a reason for everything / That’s why I keep believing / Whatever’s meant to be is gonna be.” Furthermore, she’s “Learned so much from my mistakes” and knows that God (He) “watching me.” “Again” is not only a sophisticated contemporary soul song but also incredibly prudent.  It still hits hard nearly two decades later!

Faith Evans • The First Lady • Capitol • 2005

Faith Evans, Again: Music Lifts No. 43 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]