Note from the Editor: I had the opportunity to conduct a memorable interview with singer, songwriter and producer Donell Jones around the release of his 6th album ‘Lyrics’. Published by a prominent online outlet at that time, its readers raved about how much they enjoyed the Q&A-style conversation.
Unfortunately, the interview just disappeared from the site, but it was promised the article would be recovered and republished. That never happened and today that outlet no longer exists. Luckily, I was able to relocate the interview in my personal files and we’re happy to present it to you today! – Mr. Joe Walker
Tell me, Donell, how does it make you feel knowing it’s people out there who cry when they hear the version of “U Know What’s Up” featuring Lisa Lopez?
Donell Jones: Wow… [Pauses for a moment] I didn’t think it would make people cry, I thought it would make them dance. But that’s special, man. Making that record, we never knew it would have the response it did. And by putting her on it, she just opened me up to so many fans I didn’t have. It’s such a beautiful feeling to know people react that way to it.
Have you heard a song recently that was so emotional it brought tears to your eyes?
Donell Jones: Umm… [Laughs] I haven’t heard any recently! I can’t say I’ve heard anything that makes me want to cry.
Okay, nothing recently, but it’s happened before. Tell us about the first time a song made you cry.
Donell Jones: I can name a couple, but the first time was “As We Lay” by Shirley Murdock. She was really singing the mess out of that song, and it really touched me. Another song is “Before I Let You Go” by Blackstreet. This chick broke my heart, and I couldn’t stop listening to that song.
How long did you listen to it before you were finally able to let go?
Donell Jones: You know what? I just moved on. But the thing about it is every time I hear that song I think about that girl. I don’t think I ever let that situation go. The song brings back so many memories of the time I was going through that heartbreak.
Did you take the emotion from that experience and apply it to your music or was it too personal to share?
Donell Jones: Every personal experience I go through I try to apply it to my music. I feel like I’m not the only person in the world going through it, so I always try to put my own feelings and emotions into each record I make.
What experience inspired your current single, “Love Like This”?
Donell Jones: Actually, that comes from just being in a different place in my life right now. I’m a little older. When I got in the music business, I really wanted to be famous, I wanted to get all the girls, and I broke a lot of hearts. So, I wanted to make a record letting women know young men like variety, and as we get older at least some of us grow up and learn its okay to have one woman. So, give us a chance.
Not to get too technical, but what are some things you do with vocal arrangement to capture an emotion through the tones you’ve created with your voice?
Donell Jones: Well, when I’m recording… If it’s a sad song I’m definitely going to try to sound sad. If it’s emotional it has to sound like I’m almost crying my heart out. That’s the way I want the person on the other end listening to feel. I want them to feel that emotion. If it’s aggressive, I want to sound strong but still passionate.
I covered one of your [concerts] back in the day. You finished performing and started signing autographs, and there was a long line of fans waiting. A girl near the back was so excited she was crying, balling her eyes out. I asked her why and she said she couldn’t believe she was getting that close to you. Did you ever think you’d have that kind of impact on a fan?
Donell Jones: Never, man. To me I’m just a regular person. This is what I chose to do with my life and my career. I absolutely love it! But never in a million years did I imagine that someone would feel that! That’s something somebody does for Michael Jackson! [Laughs] I’m just a normal R&B cat. That’s kind of crazy, but I’ll take it. I hope she got what she wanted that day.
What do you get out of making music?
Donell Jones: I get pleasure from watching others get a kick out of my music. I love going on stage and seeing those people out there hugging each other, because those songs really affected them. I get a kick out of that.
The release of ‘Lyrics’ comes only a year after your last album, the shortest gap of your recording career. How long can you go without recording before you start to miss it?
Donell Jones: Not long. I’m constantly in the studio. So, maybe a week? I stay in the studio. People around me say I’m a hermit because I don’t go out that much! But this is what I really enjoy. Outside of spending time with my family, I’m always in the studio doing something, trying to learn something or figure something out.
Over the course of your career you’ve remained consistent with the quality of your music and the number of fans you reach. How does it feel to be consistently embraced by media, especially names like Billboard Magazine, when you release new music?
Donell Jones: It’s incredible! It means not only do I have fans out in the world, but people in high places loving the music as well that want to give me support. It’s beautiful. When we’re making this music and we’re loving it, we don’t know what other people are going to feel. So, when I get a call saying I’ve got an interview, I really, really love that. It lets me know I’ve touched some people out there and they’re waiting to hear something new. And I’ve got a great fan base.
Recording artists today collaborate with each other not just for artistic reasons, but in an attempt to combine or capitalize on both their fan bases. Who is someone you would like to connect with?
Donell Jones: It would be Lady Gaga. I have this song on my album I would have loved for her to do called “What’s Next”. It has some Pop elements to it, but I’m just trying to let people know there are many different sides to me. I love R&B, but, being a musician and a creative person, you don’t want to stick to one thing.
How far are you willing to go to get your point across through music?
Donell Jones: I’ll go pretty far. On the album I have song called “Blackmail”. It’s a song about a guy dating a girl who is in a relationship with another guy. She told him she was going to leave this other guy, then he finds out she’s marrying him and he’s a millionaire. So, he decides to blackmail her. I think that’s pretty far. It’s making the statement of be careful who you mess with.
It takes serious writing skill to tell such an elaborate tale to music. Is material like “Blackmail” the reason you titled your album Lyrics?
Donell Jones: The reason I came up with that title is because of my history as a writer and producer. I’ve always tried to write songs that make sense to a 10-year-old all the way up to 100; meaningful words and cleverly written, but at the same time anybody can understand. I feel like this album is just as good as any other album I’ve put out, but lyrically it’s the best. I really thought about everything I wanted to say and the stories on there are phenomenal to me.
Donell, when you were listening to “Before I Let You Go” by Blackstreet, was it the words of the song or the feeling of the song that touched you?
Donell Jones: It was a combination of both. It was the words and the emotion Dave [Hollister] had in his voice when he was singing it. Dave really sung his heart out on the song. But when you sat back and listened to the words it wasn’t even a breakup song! But it felt like that! I don’t know… It’s just one of those joints. |THIS.
