Singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer Syleena Johnson is the daughter of unsung soul and blues great Syl Johnson (“Different Strokes,” “Is It Because I’m Black”). Born in Harvey, Illinois, she grew up listening to Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Tina Turner, the Dells, and Mavis Staples. She performed in local bands and sang in her church choir at Greater Christian Unity, and later worked in classical and gospel choirs as well as in jazz ensembles at Drake University and Illinois State University, where she majored in music. Johnson’s soulful rasp, reminiscent of old-school R&B singers, set the tone for her confessional songs. Her first recordings appeared on a 1995 album of duets with her father, but she made her proper debut in 1999 with Love Hangover, which featured covers of Diana Ross’ “Love Hangover” and Womack & Womack’s “Baby I’m Scared of You.” She then signed with the Jive label for three albums, all of which reached the Top 20 of Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. On Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness (2001), Johnson confronted her romantic pitfalls and coming of age with guest appearances by Buddy Guy and R. Kelly. Between Chapter 2: The Voice (2002) and Chapter 3: The Flesh (2005), she appeared on fellow Chicago native Kanye West’s Grammy-nominated Top Ten Hot 100 hit “All Falls Down.” Surprisingly, sales of the latter seemingly weren’t increased by the single’s success. In 2008, Johnson’s Jive era was anthologized by I Am Your Woman: The Best of Syleena Johnson.
Syleena Johnson – Perfectly Worthles
Syleena Johnson – Perfectly Worthles Lyrics:
I know this ain’t what I deserve
Wish I would know back then, how badless will hurt
Seems when you got what you want it you took it for granted
I gove you love, I put you first
Gave you my heart but you didn’t know it’s worth
I thought we was strong guess I was wrong
Now I’m here standing alone
Since you said we through I play the fool
Broke all the rules while loving you
Tell me this ain’t true cuz I’m blaming you
For acting like our shit was perfect now I know it’s perfectly worthless
As much as I want to denied I heard that thing that you had to move
It was all a lie, but I swear never in a million
Never would take you for a coward
A pill full of tears left in disgrace
All my time and years you can’t replace
I thought we was strong guess I was wrong
Now I’m here standing alone
Since you said we through and I play the fool
Broke all the rules while loving you
Tell me this ain’t true cuz I’m blaming you
For acting like our shit was perfect now I know it’s perfectly worthless
And now the only thing to do is pick up this pieces, nothing left to prove
Cuz I know I’m a treasure, I’m loyal, I’m precious
I just let time get this walls
Since I just wasn’t for you
Since you said we’re through
Since that’s what you said
I play the fool, tell me this ain’t true
Cuz I blaming you
For acting like our shit was perfect now I know it’s perfectly worthless.
