Alicia Keys: Stripped, Raw, and Real

I know it’s a lot of music post right now but what can I say, I’m in a musical mood. Anyway, A couple of months ago, Alicia Keys did a show for Clear Channel Entertainment called “Stripped, Raw and Real” where she performed 6 songs in promotion of her new album. I got my hands on the mp3s from that show and they were really good quality so I thought I’d share. My favorite song of the night was her rendition “Tender Love” (A cover of the Force MD’s classic for all my 80s music fans out there). She had me worried with her cover of The Fray’s “How To Save A Life” but Ms. Keys has totally redeemed herself with this one. Her version is just amazing.

Alicia Keys - Tender Love
Alicia Keys - Stripped, Raw, and Real (All 6 Songs)

One-hit wonder Uncle Sam also did a version of Tender Love that I used to have on repeat while in boarding school. Ahhh the memories. If you don’t remember who Uncle Sam is, he’s the guy who sang “I Don’t Ever Want To See You Again”.

Uncle Sam - Tender Love (Cover)

And we must never forget the original song sung by Force MD’s and written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The video looks corny now but trust me, it’s a classic. Where are all my 80’s fans?

Force MD’s - Tender Love (The Original)

16 Responses to “Alicia Keys: Stripped, Raw, and Real”

1. Glow on January 19, 2008 at 10:00 am #

   That is my song B. Scott, Tender Love….

   I didn’t know they even had a video, I’m only an 88 baby.

   But it is the jam!

   Love Ya

   
   

2. texas mama on January 19, 2008 at 10:35 am #

   I am old enough to remember all of that and then some! Good memories, thanks, B.

   
   

3. Chance on January 19, 2008 at 10:42 am #

   OMG!!! I love the Force MD’s… Tender Love..brings back memories…

   How about Love is a House???

   ….look for the light if you’re lost in the nighhhht…

   LOVE IT!

   
   

4. Aspicedoll on January 19, 2008 at 11:00 am #

   Thanks for posting, love this song…..

   
   

5. KR on January 19, 2008 at 12:06 pm #

   Force MDs. I love these guys and they are members of my life music. I also like “Itchin For A Scratch”.

   
   

6. KR on January 19, 2008 at 12:06 pm #

   Forgot to mention that I like both covers too.

   
   

7. BenzTwinSisterMercedes on January 19, 2008 at 1:09 pm #

   Alicia’s version was nice, she put her own lil’ spin on it. Big ups 2 u, B. Scott for going back to the source! Those brothers really put it down back in the 80’s. They had (have) loads of talent!

   
   

8. Sugafoot on January 19, 2008 at 6:23 pm #

   B.Scott, you are too young to remember the Force MD’s aren’t you??? LOL Force MD’s used to be the shizzle that Tender Love and that Love is a House were the bomb. Ah, the 80s..back when black folks (except the Jacksons) had to hustle to make videos and the video girls wore clothes and did their own hair..so they looked like real people….hmmm… memories

   
   

9. Sugafoot on January 19, 2008 at 6:31 pm #

   damn b. scott! I should spank you! I watched that damn force mds video and now I’m all nostalgic about the 80s up in Jersey. Them damn 80s (deep sigh) and Chance that Love is a House is a classic “when the sun meets the morning, I hear you calling my name (TC!) and baby you know if I answer, things will never be the same (NEVER BE THE SAME) cuz Yooooou, had my heart….”
   don’t get me started.

   The video is still as cute as ever. Dudes got to use the 227 set for a day it looks like, put some family members in the mix as extras LOL. I like how they serenaded the girl and all, but she coulda at least brought her ass out to the stoop after all that LOL

   B, if you could post Always by Atlantic Starr next, then we’d be cookin with grease! I used to LOVE that song and video

   
   

10. Sugafoot on January 19, 2008 at 6:34 pm #

    what did you all think of her version of that george michael song at the vmas? I thought she rocked it

    
    

11. jay on January 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm #

    love this song. Keys did a good job, but no one no one no one can do it like the Force MDs

    
    

12. keke on January 20, 2008 at 1:13 am #

    Alicia is still my girl, but the original still holds a special place in my heart.

    
    

13. keke on January 20, 2008 at 1:15 am #

    It is too bad that several members of the Force MD’s have passed on, and they could not be around to see or hear these remakes.

    
    

14. Tonya on January 20, 2008 at 8:58 am #

    I love the original and the Alicia Keys version, I had the Alicia version on my myspace page for a minute.

    
    

15. Farah on January 20, 2008 at 9:34 am #

    Re: the original version
    Thanks so much for posting the video! I have always loved that song but have never seen the video. Wow! What a throwback!

    
    

16. Mills Nills on January 22, 2008 at 7:27 am #

    I loves this song, sometimes I get mad that these songs came out before I was old enough to appreciate it. I was born in 1980 but came up in the ninties when there was no subtleness in the r & b songs. The seventies and eighties had real love songs.
    BTW The guy is reminding me of a skinny rerun from “what’s happening” LOl

    
    

Leave a Reply