The Deele, Two Occasions | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 64th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Two Occasions” by the R&B collective, The Deele.   

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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 64^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Two Occasions” performed by The Deele.

“‘Cause every time I close my eyes / I think of you / And no matter what the season is / I still love you.”  Ah, The Deele have ‘matters of the heart’ in their minds on “Two Occasions”,  the opener from their 1987 album, Eyes of a Stranger. “Two Occasions” marked the R&B collective’s only top 40 hit on the pop charts. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Darnell Bristol, Babyface (Kenny Edmonds), and Carlos “Satin” Green sing lead vocals on the beloved single from the R&B group that originated in the Midwest: 📍 Cincinnati, Ohio. “Two Occasions” was written by Babyface, Sidney DeWayne, and Darnell Bristol. Babyface and L.A. Reid produced it.

“Two Occasions” features a smooth, easygoing musical backdrop. The song exemplifies the chill but potent quiet storm prominent in R&B in the 1980s.  The vocals by the three leads and the collective as a whole are cool and refined.  The harmonies, which spring up during the chorus, are delightful.  The falsetto is incredibly ripe and ear-catching. Bristol sings the first verse, mentioning the perks of summer and winter love.  Regardless, he desires “To have a love that endures.” Green sings the second verse, touting autumnal love, adding, “But when the leaves are gone / Does that love disappear?” Babyface sings one of the song’s most memorable sections, the pre-chorus:

“‘Cause every time I close my eyes
I think of you
And no matter what the season is
I still love you
With all my heart
And I wanna be with you
Wherever you are.”

Beyond the terrific pre-chorus, the chorus, sung by The Deele, is the section to beat:

“I only think of you on two occasions
That’s day and night
I’d go for broke if I could be with you
Only you can make it right.”

The Deele dropped a sensational ballad with “Two Occasions”. It speaks for itself. Buttery smooth and lovey dovey! Although it is a one-hit wonder by pop standards, it’s a memorable winner through and through.

The Deele // Eyes of a Stranger // Unidisc Music Inc. // 1987

The Deele, Two Occasions: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 64 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Unidisc Music Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]