Another week, another #SongLyricsSunday! This week’s prompt is to come up with a song that started with the letters M or A. The reason why, explained by Jim (the host of this prompt), as he tied in this week’s and last’s week’s prompt with movie ratings in the US: PG and MA. At first thought, I thought to use a song by the 90s German dance duo E-Rotic that has MA-rated lyrics, but that song is a bit too risque. So, I settled for something a lot more tamer: “Mated” by one of my favorite 80s’ singers Jacki Graham, from the UK, with David Grant.
(#SongLyricsSunday is a weekly prompt hosted by the wonderful Jim. Anyone can join! More details on how to join at the end of the post!)
If Anyone Should Ask…
“Mated” was the first single off Jacki Graham’s second album Breaking Away, which was released in the autumn of 1986. This album is one of my favorites from the 80s as it features so many great songs like “Set Me Free”, “Step Right Up”, “Mated”, and “Breaking Away”. It is pretty solid from a really talented vocalist, Jacki Graham.
Hailing from Birmingham, this soul singer had a string of top ten hits in the 1980s. However, her biggest hit came in the 90s with her rendition of Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody”. It was a Number One hit in the US as well as other countries. She was signed to EMI Records in the 80s, the Japanese label Avex in the 90s (when they had a UK subsidy), and now on her own label. Fun fact is that Jacki Graham is even best friends with Michael McDonald.
But, let’s get back to “Mated”. This is actually a cover of the 1985 song by the American rock band Utopia, lead by Todd Rundgren. Featured on the band’s album P.O.V., “Mated” was written by a team of writers: Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell, Todd Rundgren, and Willie Wilcox (who were all part of Utopia).
I really enjoy the duet version with Grant and Graham more than the Utopia version. The reason is that I feel like this song is more suited as a duet. And also, that Jacki Graham’s and David Grant’s vocals are more suited for this song as they were soulful, heartful, and just full of beautiful tones! But, I might be biased because I love Jacki Graham, I think she is one of the best 80s’ female singers from the UK. Nevertheless, “Mated” by Jacki Graham and David Grant is such a wonderful duet!
How about you, what version do you prefer? Check out Jacki Graham’s and David Grant’s duet and the original version by Utopia and tell me what you think in the comments!
Here is the original version by Utopia:
Lyrics to “Mated” by Jacki Graham and David Grant
Everyone asks
Are we some kind of lovers?
Everyone asks what you’re doing with me
I know this is not what they want
They’re afraid you’ve been blinded
But I already know how it’s going to be.
If anyone should ask
Say we’re mated
As long as this life lasts
We are mated
Why else would I be here right now
And you know we’ll still be here tomorrow.
Nobody else understands what I’m doing
Nobody else makes me act in this way
And because they can’t comprehend
What we mean to each other
They won’t leave you alone
So you know what to say.
I hold you in my heart
‘Cause we’re mated
In a very special part
We are mated
Why else would I be here right now
And you know I’ll still be here tomorrow.
I see things far ahead, maybe light
Maybe beautiful children
I don’t have words I’m thinking of
But it’s way beyond what they call love.
