Des'ree-"I'm Kissing You"-A Revisit
A master class in emotional expression and technical skill as a vocalist
There are many vocalists who can express things in a way that only they can. And I think that's one of the most beautiful things about music and singing. I think being a vocalist is head and shoulders above everything else. You can figure out how to replicate a guitarist’s sound by using everything from the right stomp boxes to the head unit on their amp. You can technically and forensically back-trace the sound of any instrument—except the voice.
The voice is so incredibly unique in its innate inability to be able to be fully and perfectly imitated. Yes, people can do impressions et cetera… But the truly greatest singers have a sound unlike anybody ever has ever had.
Bjork, Nina Simone, Chris Cornell, Bonnie Raitt
Freddie Mercury, Janis Joplin, Geddy Lee
Serj Tankien, Claudio Sanchez, Shakira
Aaron Neville
Nobody else sounds or sings like them and nobody ever fully will.
Most vocalists have select songs that cannot be imitated by anybody-that nobody can quite get perfectly expressed the way the original did. I find that problem with Des’ree's “I'm Kissing You” regularly. I can imitate a lot of singers.. I can imitate a lot of songs.. But to really embody and mirror what Des’ree puts forth in the song we're discussing today— It's practically impossible. One can get close, but Des’ree shows us how-with mesmerizing dedication to the technical skill-sometimes analyzing music is a folly and other times: it's a celebration of that performance with the highest praise.
Through her dynamic use of voice, expressive nuances, and genuine connection-deep connection to the lyrics, Des’ree captures the song’s profound themes of love and longing.
She conveys such a wide range of emotions through her voice that not only enhances the song’s atmosphere, but also ensures that the words she's singing, the way she's singing them, and the feelings they evoke resonate deeply with the listener. It's a few decades on and the song still inspires goosebumps and a lump in my throat.
Her warm and rich vocal tone is both comforting and sorrowful. It creates a mood to the song that is both inviting but also deeply affecting. The mic technique puts Des’ree's voice very close and personal, it makes it very intimate-like she's singing directly to you. And of course, that's going to make the emotional impact all the more intense.
Her delivery feels authentic and relatable as if she's telling us who she is. Her raw authenticity allows us to connect with her words on deeper and deeper levels. We almost feel like we're witnessing a very private moment of emotional revelation. But don't look away.
One of my favorite aspects of the song is how Des’ree embraces the lower register of her voice. Something that most mainstream feminine singers don't get the opportunity to do or don't want to do. As a contralto, I will gladly admit my bias and my affection! The use of that deeper, more sonorous tone adds to the song’s gravity, emphasizing the sorrowful and reflective aspects of the lyrics. (See below video)
Her use of technical dynamics-decrescendo and crescendo-add nuance, intensifying the imagery and melody of the vocal phrases. Her ability to transition smoothly between softer, more tender moments into powerful and moving passages demonstrates her vocal versatility and enhances the overall dramatic impact of the song. The tenderness in her delivery is enough to make the toughest weep.
Her fragile delivery on lines like “I'm kissing you” conveys a palpable, tangible sense of yearning-like you could reach out and touch it. The way she lingers on the word kissing emphasizes the deep-pining for closeness and the depth of that much-craved emotional connection.
Her subtle vibrato at the end of vocal sentences adds an extra layer to the emotional expressiveness. This vibrato is not overly dramatic, but just enough to convey a sense of deep feeling and resonance, enhancing the melancholy and passionate mood of the song.
Musically and technically, the song is in a pretty slow tempo compared to music we're accustomed to these days. It's only about 60 to 70 beats per minute, but this helps to create a very contemplative and intimate atmosphere. The original release is characterized by its low tempo, minimalist arrangement, and rich orchestration (piano, strings, and very subtle electronic elements).
The rhythm is steady and simple allowing the focus to remain on the melody, the lyrics, and Des’ree's voice. The majority of the chords we find dancing with the melody are minor, which enhances the melancholic feel. This song contains plush, harmonic progressions that add to the emotional gravity. The use of strings adds a layer of drama and grandeur while the piano provides a grounding and intimate backdrop. There's some delicate use of electronic effects that adds a dash modern touch without overwhelming or betraying the natural instruments.
The piano plays a very foundational role, providing both Melody and Harmony. It begins with a simple, delicate arpeggio pattern that sets the emotional tone of the song. The gentle repetitive chords create a sense of continuity and reflects the song's themes of love and longing. The dynamics of the piano vary throughout the song-commencing softly and building in intensity during climactic moments. This variation of dynamics helps to mirror the rising emotional intensity of the lyrics and the vocals.
The use of sustain adds a lush, resonant quality to the piano sound-allowing notes to blend seamlessly into one another. This creates a sense of fluidity and timelessness, reflecting the singers skill, and enhancing the ethereal mood of the song.
The string section plays such a crucial role in adding emotional depth and drama to this song. They enter subtly, gradually increasing and prominence is a song progresses. This gradual build-up contributes to the dynamic arc and emotional intensity of the song. The strings often swell in crescendo, particularly during the chorus and key emotional peaks of the song. These crescendos mirror the rising passion and longing conveyed in the lyrics and vocals, adding a sense of grandeur and urgency. The strings section maintains richly layered harmonies that compliment and dance with the piano and vocals.
The harmonic interplay between the different string sections (violas, violins, and cellos) add complexity & depth to supplement and heighten the overall texture of the composition. (see video below)
The harmonic structure of this song is one of my favorite elements. It's primarily said in a minor key which naturally lends itself to a melancholic and introspective mood. The choice of those minor chords adds a deeper sense of sadness and longing.
The harmonic progressions are rich in evocative moving between major and minor chords to create that sense of tension and release. This movement also mirrors the emotional journey of the song. The song employs subtle modulation techniques, shifting between keys or altering chord progressions to build tension and emphasize the emotional climaxes.
These modulations add a layer of unpredictability and keep the ear actively engaged. Another element the song uses to add to the sense of unresolved tension is the use of suspended chords. These chords leave the listener anticipating resolution, mirroring the lyrical themes of yearning and unfulfilled desire. The song feels like an outstretched and pleading hand left unanswered.
Despite its slow tempo, the song maintains a steady consistent pulse.
This pulse provides a grounding effect, creating a sense of stability amidst the emotional ebb and flow of the music.
Occasionally though, the piano and string parts use syncopation (see video below), placing emphasis on offbeats or unexpected accents. These subtle rhythmic variations add complexity and again keep the listeners ear engaged adding to the texture once more. This song is experienced and heard differently-depending on what device you're listening from, to what you're using as output(headphones), to the different points in your life that you listen to it. Circling back to the way dynamics are used throughout the song-with certain sections featuring more pronounced, rhythmic emphasis while others are more fluid and freeform-these shifts contribute to the dynamic range and emotional impact of the track.
The emotional landscape of this song is lush, rich, and moving. The combination of minor key tonality, the slow tempo, and the lush instrumentation creates a haunting ambience that perfectly matches the song's themes. The instrumental arrangement paints an emotional landscape that is somehow both intimate and expansive. Intimate and grand- with the soaring strings giving a scale and dramatic intensity and the resonant piano providing a close personal touch. The interplay reflects the song’s emotional breadth.
The use of reverb and echo effects on the piano and strings creates a spacious, expansive soundscape. These effects add to the ethereal quality of the song-drawing the listener into a vast emotional composition. The careful use of spatial effects add a sense of depth and dimension, enhancing our experience emotionally and making the song feel larger than life, and yet- as though it sprung from the deepest parts of ourselves.
This song effectively captures the essence of deep love and the sorrow that often accompanies it. Its cultural significance-particularly in relation to “Romeo+Juliet”-ensures that it remains a poignant and enduring piece of music that continues to touch the hearts of listeners. Many artists have covered this track but none have embodied the ethereal and haunting yearning of this song the way Des’ree does. It has a timeless appeal with its universal themes and emotional depth, the listener cannot help but resonate with it-even across different cultures and generations.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed revisiting and reflecting on this track. If you haven’t heard Des’Ree’s “I’m Kissing You”, please do so. Reading this with no aural knowledge of the song is a disservice to yourself and your ear.
~~Ginge