fripodding and (boom)boxing: “do you feel me” – anthony hamilton

I got a new toy this week. An iPod/CD player/radio boom box. It’s pretty sweet. Now iSaac can sit in a dock and charge (or stay charged) while he plays sweet tunes all day whilst I work. This boom box is also portable, which means after 10 years, I’ll need C batteries again. Do you know the last time I’ve even seen a C battery? Neither do I. But I will look for them. And they may cost a wee bit more, but I’m going to look for rechargeable ones. Hey, I have a serious charger station that fits them all. Why not? Maybe I want to share my tunes on the beach or at the park. Why not?

This week, or actually, every other day it seems (or on repeat as I’m typing this), I have this particular soulful song by a seriously soulful dude by the name of Anthony Hamilton. Maybe you heard of him. For me, he first appeared in the Nappy Roots song “Po’ Folks.” Then he came out with his own album which I liked, but sadly I didn’t get anymore after that. Can’t say why, but it’s got nothing to do with him or his talent. (Check out this link about him, and the songs I just mentioned.)

Anyway, this song called “Do You Feel Me” is featured in the movie American Gangster starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Not a bad movie, and at the time, the song didn’t catch on for me. Hamilton is actually seen in the movie singing the song too, so that was cool. But it was Internet radio that played the song that caught my ear. Between that slow and soothing organ with a steady beat mixed with some horns… and of course Hamilton’s scruffy voice pleading to a woman to tell him what’s on her mind.

I love the lyrics to this song because I relate to it. I’d imagine a lot of guys would. But the man in this song is trying to figure out what this girl wants from him, or if she even wants to be with him. Apparently, she’s not really saying much at all, and if she is, it’s in special girl-code that very few guys can crack. And my female friends have admitted to doing things like this, where they either put up a front or a mask to hide their emotions and true feelings. Guys are guilty of this too. But I haven’t heard one as moving and grooving as this one is. You know it’s good when start tapping your feet, bobbing your head, screwing up your face, and eventually sing along when you know the words. Even if you don’t, you just might hum along with it. But that’s also what happens when it’s on repeat.

As I mentioned a bit earlier, I also like this song because of the sound. It’s got a strong sense of classic soulful 70’s feel. (Which would make sense because I think that’s the time the movie takes place.) But most of you know I’m a sucker for old school anyway. No exception here. Give me more music like this and I’ll probably be a fan for life. I think this song is only found on the American Gangster soundtrack, but I bought the song alone from iTunes. And it’s currently still creeping it’s way up to my Top 25 Most Played songs.