Keith Sweat, “Twisted” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 93^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Twisted” by R&B singer,  Keith Sweat. 

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 93^rd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Twisted”, performed by 🎙 Keith Sweat. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“You know you want my lovin’ / You got me twisted over you.” Ooh, wee! 🎙 Keith Sweat has had many R&B hits – that’s an understatement.  Furthermore, he’s also attained success on the pop charts, which is awesome for an R&B artist.  While there’s a legitimate argument that his best song is either 🎵 “Make It Last Forever” or 🎵 “Right and a Wrong Way”, neither was his biggest hit! His biggest hit on the pop charts was the song at hand, 🎵 “Twisted”, from his 1996 album, 💿 Keith Sweat.  How big was “Twisted?”  Well, it spent a total of 38 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 2. Furthermore, “Twisted” is also an RIAA platinum-certified single, while Keith Sweat was certified quadruple-platinum.

The premise is relatively simple. This woman has toyed with Sweat’s emotions, giving mixed messages. Does she want him or does she not? That is the question! “Girl you did me wrong / …I thought we were down,” he sings in the pre-chorus, adding, “Now you say you want me girl /… Ooh make up your mind.” He has a legitimate point.  As he expresses his feelings about the situation, Sweat gets an awesome assist from 🎙 Kut Klose, who helps emphasize his points.  Furthermore, 🎙 Pretty Russ provides a rap verse that also supports the twisted-ness:

“You got me twisted thinking about the way that things use to be

When it was you and me girl I was so free, see

You had my heart from the start like Cupid

And I was just downright foolish and stupid

… I guess I’ll wait for the day until you come back

Because my heart is where your love is at

You got me twisted.”

Final Thoughts 💭

Approaching 30 years after its release, 🎵 “Twisted” is still a ripe R&B joint.  Perhaps the sound is dated compared to the sounds dominating the 2020s, but the sentiment remains relevant to the n^th degree.  Call this Keith Sweat joint what it is: timeless.

🎙 Keith Sweat • 💿 Keith Sweat • 🏷 Elektra • 🗓 1996

Keith Sweat, “Twisted”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 93 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Elektra, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]