Kem, I Can’t Stop Loving You | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 38^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” performed by Kem.

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 38^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “I Can’t Stop Loving You”,  the one-hit wonder by Kem.

“I think about the day I met / The perfect stranger / I think about us.” Kem (Kem Owens) exemplifies the classy, refined, adult contemporary R&B singer/songwriter.  He’s had a successful career encompassing a platinum album (Album II), and a pair of gold albums (Kemistry and Intimacy).  However, the Grammy-nominated musician has charted only one song on the pop charts 🤯: “I Can’t Stop Loving You”.  Written and produced by Owens, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” wasn’t even a top 40 hit – it peaked at no. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005.  In terms of pop success, that makes Owens a modest one-hit wonder.  Of course, his music achieved more success on the R&B charts where “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was one of two top 20 hits (peaked at no. 20).

“Never thought I’d love anyone else / In my weakness / I think about us…” The reminiscing is real on “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” a song of utter regret.  Although Kem didn’t ignite the charts with “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” it has a strong case as the best song from his catalog.  He is sincere about his love and dedication despite making a terrible mistake in this tuneful ballad. He remembers the best of times before things ended. “The sun was shinin’ on you / The Lord was smilin’ on me,” he sings in the first pre-chorus, continuing, “And love was callin’ us / I had my mind made up.” The section to beat is the chorus, which is simple but impactful:

“And I can’t stop lovin’ you

I can’t help myself

And I can’t get over you

No matter what I tell myself, baby.”

Kem never forces things when he sings, maintaining a coolness and poise.  He does show more grit towards the end but never over-sings.  Supporting his expressive pipes is a sophisticated, tasteful accompaniment that includes electric piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, and saxophone.  For 2004, this was an old-school R&B record.  But those old-school vibes were refreshing then and continue to be refreshing two decades later. Kem and “I Can’t Stop Loving You” deserved far more success on the pop charts!

Kem // Album II // Motown // 2004 

Kem, I Can’t Stop Loving You: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 38 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; Elias Souza from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]