Best of the Rest: LSG’s Drove Me To Tears

Lsg Drove Me To Tears is the standout track on LSG’s first album because it is the one song where all three men sing the entire song alone. Too much of that album relied on gimmicks, rappers, guest stars (most notably on All The Times), and, worst of all, didn’t use Johnny Gill nearly as much as they should could have.

But here the only voices you hear are Johnny, Gerald and Keith (even on background). And – none of the men try to outsing one another.

In fact, the interplay between the three men represents the only time they actually sound like a vocal group, not three lead singers sharing a song.  They also show a keen ear for what each voice sounds best singing.  Keith begs in that measured nasal whine, Gerald seduces with the full-throated passion few men can achieve, and Johnny uses his perfect phrasing and tone to convey vulnerability like nobody’s business.

The song very easily could have been a power ballad.  But each vocalist sings with such amazing restraint that the song is a slow burn instead of an explosion.  Even Johnny’s wail at the end feels relaxed. As such, the song actually conveys some sense of helplessness, of being “driven to tears.”

Listening to this, one wishes that LSG had made better use of their odd pairing and made songs this good all the time.

More:
Best of the Rest – Full List
Best of the Rest – Explained

About tlewisisdope

I write. I live in DC.
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