The CD starts off right, with the aptly titled "Couldn't Stay Away" I really love the double meaning, that he cant stay away from his fans as well as someone he loves. It is really a funky dance song and a ballad all rolled into one. "I Can't Do It Without You" has a great message about love. He realizes that he has greater things ahead in life because of his talent, but he wants to share his happiness with that special someone. After all, behind every great man, IS a greater woman. "Give It Up" is a party song. It has the music from an old 'G.Q.' song called 'Rock Freak'(Remember them folks?) He is saying that he will love his belle, if she decides to put away her pride. He is very driven and sort of seductive. This is a great tune, if you just want to get your groove on!
"Stay The Same" is a beautiful song about acceptance. I mean, everyone feels that the grass is greener on the other side, no? McIntyre accepts this about himself and others around him. One should accept him/herself and rely on what God has given them and they will be the better for it and never change for anyone. The choir in the background acommpanied by Joey's strong and mature vocals, really pulls on the heart strings.
"I Love You Came Too Late" is incredible. How many times have we let that perfect person slip away? I know I have. He has come to his realization, probably after taking the relationship for granted, now she is gone, to a 'better' lover. Bummer! Now, it is too late for him to say he loves her. "All I Wanna Do" is spending time with the one you love. I mean, have you ever been in love so much, that you would be happy just sitting and talking for hours? That person becomes the only peron in the room. "The Way I Loved You" can be described knowing who your true love is, even though she/he wont be there. I guess this song can relate to first loves as well. Most of us have not ended up with the first person we were intimate with, why is that? No matter who we love after that experience, there will never be one to make us feel, like we felt the first time.
"I Cried" is a touching and emotional lesson. I know that relationships dont always work how we want them too, but why should we let that love go? Joey reminisces on his past experiences and lets her go, with a solid, long, and heartful cry. After all, his memories can bring her to him anytime, right? Brillant song writing, as well. "Because Of You" is another one of those double meaning songs. I hear that Joey went through alot in his life after NKOTB and he said once, that the fans brought him out of his depression. This can also be said for a special love interest, when we are at our lowest point, we are blessed to have someone there to pick up the pieces.
"We Can Get Down" Is another funky club, dance song. It's all about getting your groove on with that special someone across the room. "Let Me Take You For A Ride" could possible be a part 2 to 'We Can Get Down'. I mean he has his motives to make her happier and so he is asking her to take a ride, hang out, if you will. He will listen to her problems and care about her feelings, dont we all want that?
"One Night" reminds me so much of the song 'Just My Imagination' by The Temptations. The tones flow so melodically and he even sounds like a young Eddie Kendricks, so silky, soft and stern. Asking for one night to love her and share an eternity with her. even the backgound vocals pay homage to the Motown sound (respectively).
"Without Your Love" is a deep ballad to end this CD. There is so much heart in this song that it can bring the toughest men to tears. There are times that our lover has left us and it hurts so bad that our insides were literally ripping out. This pain is truly nothing to be desired, unless you love misery. Even knowing that you will never maliciously want to hurt someone, you may contemplate it to make your own pain to go away. I hope that no one has to go through that kind of pain.
Joey has really put his heart out on the line with this CD and I recommend anyone pick this up, epecially for someone who has unnecessarily lost someone they love, through no actions of their own. This is a true pick me up, dust me off, and raise my self esteem CD. Absolutely Breathtaking and Truly Brilliant!