Home Is Where the Hatred Is

Gil Scott-Heron's brilliant song about drug addiction was masterfully covered by Esther Phillips. Beautiful, hauntingly touching and emotional song. Like Gil, Esther also succumbed to drug addiction to, although the ultimate beauty of this song is that "home" can also include, perhaps, a broken family, addiction of all kinds, and to a great, funky beat with jazz and rock aesthetics. "A junkie walking through the twilight, I'm on my way home." Common would rap over a sample of this song produced by Kanye West expertly.

Estelle's American Boy

For some reason, I actually like this song, though without Kanye's annoying rap verses it would likely be better. Oh well, everyone in pop and R&B likes to think they need a guest rapper for some reason, even when the rap lyrics are poorly penned and rapped and detract from a song's otherwise positive aspects. Anthony Hamilton's "Cool" is a good example, with the rap lyrics being largely unnecessary and taking away from Hamilton's vocals.

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come kick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy.