"It Ain't Over Til It's Over," Lenny Kravitz (1991)

All together now: 

"So many years we've tried 

To keep our love alive

So many tears we've cried

So much pain inside

But it ain't over til it's over"

Lenny Kravitz is a gorgeous hunky "rock star" model but I've always found his music a little too packaged and derivative to connect much with. And this song is no different in a way. It could easily be a rip-off of some precious soul hit from the early 1970s. Hearing this in the car on the radio recently, and not knowing who it was, I was half expecting the DJ to identify it as some chestnut off one of those wonderful Rhino Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind comps. Instead, it's Kravitz from his 1991 album Mama Said. And turns out as a single it reached number 2 on the charts, although I have no memory of ever hearing it before. But there is a big classic echo in it anyway? It reminds me of something: maybe EWF's "That's The Way of The World," which is song that ought to be emulated more, certainly. It's one of those old soul hits that makes me feel misty and sentimental as an almost involuntary response. Anyway, as a simple, boldly drawn soul workout I'm finding "It Ain't Over" irresistible today; 2024, USA, Earth. If you'd like the full rock star presentation there are alternate versions on youtube. I passed but had to share the song. TGIDF.