Side A, “Red Face Boy,” is a blistering journey through the madness and insecurity of love, feet on the floor, glossy ‘n raw. Tight Virginia funk with obvious nods to the city formerly known as Minneapolis. Side B, “Pillows,” is a honeyed dream ballad, the trademark Spacebomb sound draped in silk: ravishing strings, stinging horns, and above all, an insistent and persuasive rhythm section. This is bedroom music and party music, music for the wedding and the honeymoon, for work or play or swimming through the city at night. This is the music of Spacebomb & Howard Ivans, the music of our minds.
The game may have changed, but the Spacebomb players are still the same: Pinson Chanselle and Cameron Ralston, drum and bass rhythm kings; string arrangements by Trey Pollard; and horn charts by Matthew E. White. Hear the attic studio move and shake like a well-oiled machine, making records the Spacebomb way. A perfect match for Ivans’ vision, for the man who made a song-by-song cover album of Sade’s Love Deluxe, channeling all his love for the history of satin-lined R&B into creating (and crooning) these two remarkably heartfelt songs.
The 21st century has a soul-shaped void in its heart and Howard Ivans is going to fill it until the grooves run out.
I Can't Really Stop It
Howard Ivans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many lies, I'm loosing control
YOUR skin it's now so familiar
but you're still my secret,,,, girl
I can't really stop it
i know I shouldn't want you
but you got such a hold on me
no no no no no don't stop it
So tired of being the villain
I've got a good woman waiting at home
been in this, too, long to kill it
when the hammers coming down, I'll get what I deserve
But I can't really stop it
The lyrics of Howard Ivans's song "I Can't Really Stop It" delve into the inner turmoil and conflict experienced by the singer. The opening lines, "can't hardly look in the mirror, So many lies, I'm losing control," suggest a deep sense of self-reflection and a struggle with deceit. The singer is grappling with their own actions and the consequences that come with them, leading to a feeling of losing control over their own life. The repetition of "YOUR skin it's now so familiar but you're still my secret, girl" hints at a forbidden or secretive relationship that the singer is unable to shake off.
The chorus, "I can't really stop it, I know I shouldn't want you but you got such a hold on me, can you hear me? stop it, stop it, no no no no no don't stop it," captures the singer's inner turmoil and conflicted emotions towards this forbidden love interest. Despite knowing that they should not pursue this individual, they find themselves unable to resist the magnetic pull and allure of the other person. The singer pleads for release from this emotional entanglement, recognizing the unhealthy nature of their desires but feeling powerless to break free.
The subsequent verse introduces a new layer of complexity to the singer's dilemma. They express weariness of being perceived as the villain in this situation, acknowledging the presence of a "good woman waiting at home." This juxtaposition between the forbidden love interest and the faithful partner waiting highlights the moral conflict within the singer, torn between loyalty and desire. The line "been in this too long to kill it, when the hammer's coming down, I'll get what I deserve" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of the consequences that may follow.
The closing refrain, "But I can't really stop it," encapsulates the essence of the song's emotional struggle and internal conflict. Despite the singer's recognition of the wrongness of their actions and the potential fallout, they find themselves unable to break free from the grip of their forbidden desires. This song delves into the complexities of human emotions, moral dilemmas, and the inner battles that accompany forbidden love, painting a poignant portrait of a protagonist trapped in a web of conflicting emotions and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
can't hardly look in the mirror
Having difficulty facing my own reflection due to the guilt and shame I feel
So many lies, I'm losing control
The web of deceit I've spun is overwhelming and I'm starting to lose my grip on reality
YOUR skin it's now so familiar
Despite your being a secret, our intimacy has become a comfort to me
but you're still my secret,,,, girl
You remain a hidden part of my life, unknown to others
I can't really stop it
I am unable to put an end to my feelings for you, even though I know I should
i know I shouldn't want you
I am aware that pursuing you is wrong or damaging
but you got such a hold on me
Your influence over me is strong and difficult to resist
can you hear me? stop it, stop it
Despite my desire to cease these feelings, I am unable to will them away
no no no no no don't stop it
I am torn between wanting to end this and being unable to let it go
So tired of being the villain
Exhausted by playing the role of the bad guy in this situation
I've got a good woman waiting at home
Despite having a loving partner, I am drawn to someone else
been in this, too, long to kill it
I have been entangled in this affair for so long that ending it feels impossible
when the hammers coming down, I'll get what I deserve
I know that consequences are inevitable and I will face the repercussions for my actions
But I can't really stop it
Despite my inner turmoil and guilt, I am still unable to bring an end to this forbidden attraction
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Allen Salmon, IVAN HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shirley Howard
Loved it......great voice on this as well!