After what we did the other night, I wanna be with you for all my life, and I'm so glad you're a freak like me!

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red.)

Macy Gray's second studio album is not called The I.D., it's called The Id. Though I wouldn't blame you if you got it confused. The lack of proper grammar on the album's cover threw me off at first too. An Id is a psychological term which is defined as, in the album's disc tray insert as "the part of the psyche that is the source of instinctual impulses and demands for satisfaction". The definition is then followed by a quote by Macy herself. It reads, "What you do before you think. The real you...unedited." Both the definition and the quote (which seems to be Gray's own personal continuation of the definition) hold true to the theme of the album. The emotions on the album are all over the place, but it makes for an intense album!

1. Relating to a Psychopath - Not the best way to open up the album, but it's a decent song.

2. Boo - An intense song about love. Macy sings about all the "b*****s on [her] a**" and how "If this is love // It's a good thing // You don't hate me!"

3. Sexual Revolution - In this one, Gray isn't feeling lovey, she's feeling frisky, and it really shows here! It starts off slow, but it eventually picks up into what turns into just an average song at best.

4. Hey Young World Part 2 - I like this one! It's an inspirational song to children. I'm not too familiar with Slick Rick's original version, but his appearance on here is nice!

5. Sweet Baby - This is such a great song. It was the lead single off the album, which is why I'm surprised the album didn't sell better than it did!

6. Harry - I never really liked this one. It's got a good rock-'n'-roll vibe, but the gospely voices of the background singers just really ruin it. They sound so out of place!

7. Gimme All Your Lovin' Or I Will Kill You - At first you just want to laugh this off as a silly humorous joke (in vein of "I've Committed Murder" from her debut album), but after a while it becomes excessively violent. So excessively violent to the point where it's creepy. A good kind of creepy, I think.

8. Don't Come Around - A sad little breakup song about the heartbreak of remaining friends with your ex. It's the most normal song on the album (alongside Sweet Baby), and it's a very good listen.

9. My Nutmeg Phantasy - This one's strange but you just have to accept it for what it is. I really like it though!

10. Freak Like Me - You'd think this would be a really explicit and in-your-face track, when in reality it isn't. It's more balladish, and it has that little hint of '70s funk!

11. Oblivion - I can honestly say, hands down, this is the freakiest song I have ever heard. It's got carnival / masquerade type backing music, and it's just so out of place on this album. It's refreshing, so I like it, but it's just plain freaky!

12. Forgiveness - Strange beat, and Gray sounds somewhat intoxicated or hypnotized in this one, but the message that we all need forgiveness is great.

13. Blowin' Up Your Speakers - I don't really see the purpose in this one. It's just an instrumental of random instruments...

14. Shed - Though not mentioned on the album's artwork, it's available on all editions of the album. It's nothing special, but it's good. It almost reminds me of "Rather Hazy" from her debut album.

I Really Wanna Know What We Did Wrong, With A Love That Felt So Strong...

Okay, I will admit, the resurgence of my love for Britney has certainly been reflected in this review blog. Hang on tight, after this single review there's only 2 more studio albums and 2 compilation albums by her to review! I probably won't review them all in a row, so we'll be taking a Britney break after this.

This song was released as her debut album (...Baby One More Time)'s fourth single in some European countries, and shockingly enough, there's quite a bit of history surrounding this song.

Originally, the song was a lot more sexual and mature than the final product, and apparently the only way the then- 16-year-old Britney agreed to do this one was if they altered lyrics and verses to become less explicit. I would sure love to know what the original lyrics were!

Another interesting fact I learned in my research of the song: For the original concept of the video, they were going to have Britney in a dream, dwelling on the past of her and her ex, but there's a twist! She was pregnant with his kid! Apparently the storyline leaked and there was lots of negative feedback, so the record company changed the concept. Would have been interesting to see how the video would have turned out had they gone with their original concept.

Sure, I did find this CD Single as an import in FYE for $6.99 tonight, and I would be lying if I said I didn't overpay for it. But I couldn't not pass this one up. This is probably my favorite Pop song of all time. It's just so sweet. Plus, this version of the CD single definitely offers the most material. Sure, I did already own mp3s of these 4 tracks, but i wanted the official release. Here's my short-but-sweet review:

1. Born to Make You Happy (Radio Edit) - The original, amazing song that has been butchered for radio airplay. It's bittersweet that they didn't release BTMYH as a single here in the U.S., because it's such a beautiful song. On the other hand, the radio edit cuts the last 30 seconds of the song, in which Britney belts out the final half of the song's chorus. It's absolutely amazing, but unfortunately, it was cut from the radio edit.

2. Born to Make You Happy (Bonus Remix) - I don't think I'd technically call this one a remix. More like an acoustic version. This one features Britney and a guitar, with minimal other instruments. It's great, and really shows off her vocal abilities. I'm not really sure if I prefer this one or the album version better.

3. (You Drive Me) Crazy (Jazzy Jim's Hip-Hop Mix) - The same vocals and lyrics are used here as the ones used in the "Stop! Remix", but they are placed over a different beat. It's really funky and cool, I just wish they had used the vocals and lyrics that they used for the original album mix.

4. ...Baby One More Time (Answering Machine Message) - A 21-second instrumental of Britney's debut single ...Baby One More Time, in which Britney tells people that the recipient of the call can't come to the phone, and that they should leave a message, and "Baby, they'll call you back...one more time!", followed by the "Hit me baby one more time!" used in the chorus of the song. It's clever and fun for some hardcore fans, but somewhat useless.

Its Only Your Shadow, Never Yourself, Its Only Your Shadow, Nobody Else, Its Only Your Shadow, Filling The Room, Arriving Too Late, & Leaving Too Soon

(Singles are italicized. Recommendations are in red).

First off, I must apologize for using "Its" in place of "It's" in this review's title. There wasn't enough space to use proper grammar AND fit the entirety of my favorite lyric in that one tiny title box. On that note, on to the review:

On her final, pre-breakdown Britney album, In The Zone, Britney Spears really shifted directions from her previous effort, Britney. Rather than songs about love, relationships and growing up, Spears serves up a batch of songs about sex, partying, and dependency (on another person, that is). Is it a bad thing? No, not necessarily. She doesn't totally overdo it, and not every song is about the same thing, which makes In The Zone such a fun record.

1. Me Against The Music (Featuring Madonna) - The first single from the album. For some reason, I have a tendency to not be a huge fan of singles, and this is no exception. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but something about it is just...odd. Madonna's vocals are just too weird and tweaked, making her verse almost painful to listen to.

2. (I Got That) Boom Boom (Featuring The Ying Yang Twins) - I love this one. Britney skillfully blends the Hip-Hop/Rap genre with country and pop, and it's great. The Ying Yang Twins' vocals really shake things up a bit on this really fun track.

3. Showdown - Okay, now it's time to cool things down. This is another really interesting one. It's a bit on the naughty side, but that's what's fun about it. The chorus starts simply with "Here comes the showdown // What goes around comes around // And the crowds are waiting".

4. Breathe On Me - Another sensual, sexy song. It's got a very techno feel to it, so it's another different approach for her.

5. Early Mornin' - This song, produced by Moby, is all about partying, coming home late, and "Getting drunk 'til the break of dawn", because "it don't stop // Til the early mornin'". Its got a spacey, blurry vibe to it, making you feel as if you're drunk or hungover yourself. I really love this one.

6. Toxic - One of Britney's signature songs. In a nutshell, this guy she's talking about...his love is toxic!

7. Outrageous - This has got to be the most bizarre song on the album. The R. Kelly-produced track has a middle-eastern sound, and it just feels so out of place on here. I hate R. Kelly, which is probably one of the reasons I hate this song - because his background howls and hoots, erm, I mean, "vocals" on here are annoying and unnecessary. But, if it's any consolation, I enjoy the Junkie XL Dancehall Mix of the song (that was on her Greatest Hits album).

8. Touch Of My Hand - This song about "lovin' yourself" (for lack of a better appropriate phrase), is so hypnotizing. It's bound to put you in a trance. A good, hypnotizing trance. Very well done!

9. The Hook Up - I really like this fun party song! This would have been a good choice for a single. Very funky, very fun. I just can't praise this one enough.

10. Shadow - I used to skip over this one, but now it's the song I go directly to! It's such a nice slow song that will move you but also has a killer chorus that will never leave your head. Genius.

11. Brave New Girl - Life's been bad? Can't catch a break? Get up, get out and move on with life! Don't dwell on the past! Or at least that's what Britney says in this feelgood song.

12. Everytime - A song about needing someone that it's hard to go on. It's a really sweet, yet haunting ballad. I love it, personally.

13. Me Against The Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix) (Featuring Madonna) - This is essentially the same as the first track, just with a different beat. Not too much is changed.

14. Don't Hang Up - Only appearing on Non-North American releases, it's easy to see where this song would get on someone's nerves. The chorus is pretty catchy, though.

15. The Answer - Britney's in love, and she wants people to know it! This track is also not on North American pressings.

Don't Leave Me Waitin' Longer, Why You Wanna Make Me Long For Ya?

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red).

If there's any pop star who made the stealthiest, most gradual transition from wholesome, sweet teen to freaky and flirty free bird, Britney Spears would be the one. With her 1999 debut album, ...Baby One More Time, Britney came across as a sweet moral-driven teenage girl. That slowly changed in 2000 with her second album, Oops!...I Did It Again, which showed us a slightly more provocative Spears gracing the album's cover with her midriff, and a little more adult lyrics. By 2001, the sweet teen that once was Britney Spears was long gone and abandoned in order to make way for the new, grown-up, more risque Britney, and there was no looking back from there. With the release of Britney, we show a more mature Britney, who at this point in time was not completely trashy or tacky. She was just Britney trying to find out who she was as an adult and as an entertainer. It's not a complete mess, but it's one of my least favorite pre-breakdown Britney albums.

1. I'm A Slave 4 U - The debut single that shocked critics and fans alike! This steamy, sexy track manages to keep things semi-classy, yet addictive. From the moment the first line is spoken "I know I may be young // But I've got feelings too", it's clear that Britney wants us to know one thing: she's grown up, but she's still young.

2. Overprotected - Another song about growing up and being free. Britney talks about how she feels so overprotected. It's not the greatest song here, but it's not the worst.

3. Lonely - As if one didn't learn from Oops!..'s "Don't Go Knockin' On My Door", an angry Britney howls that she's moved on and she will not take you back. I like to think of this one as Don't Go Knockin' On My Door, Part 2.

4. I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman - Does the title not tell it all? It's a pretty song, and the message is clear that she's grown enough to make her own decisions, but still needs time to learn from her mistakes.

5. Boys - The beat and music for this song is... different, and I was in love with this song for that reason for a really long time. Looking back on it now and listening to it again, while I enjoy it, I can't say I enjoy it as much. Still recommended, though. I enjoyed the Co-Ed remix with Pharrell much better.

6. Anticipating - This is probably the best song on the album. It's all about going out and having fun with your friends, and that's what life at this age should be about.

7. I Love Rock 'n' Roll - It's a different style for Britney. I don't hate it, and it's a welcomed addition. Very fun song. On an interesting side note, by this point in her career, Britney had at least 1 cover song on each of her three albums.

8. Cinderella - Here's another song I used to love, but now I'm just not a fan. It's a good listen, but there's better on the album.

9. Let Me Be - Like a few other songs from this album, the title says it all: go away! You don't know the real me! It's not very angry, just Britney calmly telling the listener to leave well enough alone.

10. Bombastic Love - This is another unique song. It sounds like a typical pop song but at the same time it doesn't. Either way it's great.

11. That's Where You Take Me - A sweet ballad that will surely make your heart melt. I'm lovin' it.

12. What It's Like To Be Me - Her then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake partially wrote and produced, as well as provided backing vocals on this somewhat average song. Take it or leave it.

Non-North American Bonus Tracks:

1. When I Found You - It's okay, but when it's sequenced after That's Where You Take Me (as it is on international Special Editions), the message and themes of the two songs lose their meanings and things just start to sound repetitive. Either way, this song is just somewhat bland to begin with.

2. I Run Away - This one's a little weird. Her voice is too "airy" and "whispery" here.

3. Before The Goodbye - This is the best out of all 3 bonus tracks, though that's not saying much. This one's a tad bland too. I'm beginning to see why these three tracks weren't included on all editions of the album!

Always and Forever, You and Me. That's the way our lives should be.

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red.)

Whether you like to admit it or not, you know Britney Spears changed the music industry forever when she released her debut single ...Baby One More Time in 1998, and her debut album of the same name in early 1999. Britney Spears became a household name almost instantly, and ...Baby One More Time not only became her biggest selling album to date, but also one of the best selling albums of all time. Recently, I found myself singing Born to Make You Happy in my head, which triggered memories of when my 8-year-old life was simple, 10 years ago (I didn't purchase the album right away). Flashbacks to me listening to the entire album and enjoying every second of the album. Why not share the love and review it?

1. ...Baby One More Time - Spears' debut single that everyone knew the words to back in the day. Interestingly enough, the song was written for successful female trio TLC (presumably for their Fanmail album, released a little over a month after this one). The girls rejected the song, and it was given to Spears. Good thing, too!

2. (You Drive Me) Crazy - I'm in love with the album version of the song. The "Stop! Remix", which was released as a single, just wasn't as good. Regardless, I love this song. From the electric guitar, to the lyrics, to Spears' natural vocals. It's all good.

3. Sometimes - Normally, I like Britney's ballads, but for some reason, this just doesn't cut it. I guess it makes sense, though, considering Britney herself says she never really liked the song. Oops!

4. Soda Pop - I don't know how I feel about this one. It's part reggae, part pop. Who's that man singing with her? This is one of those songs you just have to be in the mood for. If it's any consolation, Britney's vocals are great at parts of this one.

5. Born to Make You Happy - Oh. My. God. Britney definitely redeems herself (and then some)

with this song. This is such an absolutely amazing and phenomenal ballad and overall song. Her vocals are absolutely phenomenal here, and this is, without a doubt, my favorite Britney Spears song ever. It's about being in a state of desperation for somebody you're crazy about, and I'm sure everyone can relate to it at some point or another. Phenomenal song.

6. From the Bottom of My Broken Heart - I'm not sure if by this point in the record I am still coming down from the high that is the previous track, or if I'm just not a huge fan of this one. I like the lyrics and meaning of the song, I really do. Just something about Brit's vocals or the beat or something is just not doing it for me.

7. I Will Be There - Okay, this is good. It's a simple song about friendship, and Britney really shows off her powerful, natural vocals here.

8. I Will Still Love You (Duet with Don Philip) - Let's just discuss the elephant in the room here for a second. Who on Earth is Don Philip? Well, 11 years later, I decided to do some research. I was shocked to learn that back in '99, he was an up-and-coming pop singer who (by the pictures I've seen) appeared to be between the ages of 16 - 18. His debut album was only released in Japan (I'm guessing it was scrapped by Jive?), and from the clips I listened to he sounded really good. Don't know why he never made it. Anyways! This is a sweet ballad about always being there for your lover, no matter what happens. I enjoy it a lot, but Don Philips' vocals just sound so out of place here. I know I said he sounded good before, but that's when he's solo. His and Spears' vocals both contrast (and at the same time, blend) too much here.

9. Deep In My Heart - Wait. You mean to tell me that you've had this album for 11 years and you've never heard "Deep in My Heart"? Oh, that's because this is the bonus track that's only available on Non-U.S. pressings of the album! It's a good thing, too. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it's also one of those 'take it or leave it' songs.

10. Thinkin' About You - Meh. I'm indifferent towards this one. I like the verses, but the chorus gets under my skin sometimes.

11. E-Mail My Heart - I don't care what the critics say. This is more than just some 'cheesy ballad'. I personally think it's great. It's my guilty pleasure on the album.

12. The Beat Goes On - This is a cover of the classic Sonny & Cher song. It's just not for me. Britney's vocals are just all weird here. Almost sounds like she's trying to sound like Christina Aguilera here.

13. I'll Never Stop Loving You - A Non-U.S. track. This ballad is just okay, but it's too similar to "I Will Still Love You" and "Deep in My Heart", in terms of concept.

14. Autumn Goodbye - Another Non-U.S. track. Well this one's sorta depressing, considering it's the 3rd or 4th breakup track on here. It's a really good one, though. I recommend it.

(The Davidson Ospina Remix and Boy Wunder Remix of ...Baby One More Time are included as tracks 15 and 16 respectively, but since they're simply remixes, there's no need to review them.)

I've Committed Murder and I Think I Got Away...

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red.)

By the year 2000, if you did not know who Macy Gray was, you had to have been a very sheltered (and possibly amish) individual. Her smash single "I Try" played all over the radio, and her unique, raspy voice was her trademark. It's evident that she put lots of hard work into her debut album, On How Life Is, as her vocals really shine in all 11 tracks.

Personally, I had never really paid much attention to Macy Gray or her (now dwindling) career until recently for some reason. I had "I Try" stuck in my head for days and decided it was time to look into more of her music, beyond the 2 or 3 songs of hers I knew, and I'm glad I did.

1. "Why Didn't You Call Me" - Had a situation like this not happened to me around the time I heard this song for the first time (about a month ago), I would have written Gray off as being over-possessive, creepy, smothering and stalkerish in this song. In it, she expresses her frustration over not having her calls returned by someone she though she had formed a good romantic relationship with (though, in this day in age it would most likely be called "Why Didn't You Text Me".) It's a decent track, and her vocals really hold up against the funky beat.

2. "Do Something" - This is a very motivational track about how you just need to be motivated to "Do Something". It's got a great message, but it gets annoying after a while. Not really a favorite of mine.

3. "Caligula" - From the opening beats of this song (where she sings "Hush / The neighbors hear you moanin' and groanin' / And I just can't help it / 'Specially when we be bonin'") to the closing of the song, it's evident that Macy likes to get freaky. "He wanna fight and make me feel like I'm nothin'," she sings, "Never lovin' / But we're always f****n'", in reference to a guy she is head over heels for. She compares him to her favorite movie (she wants to see him again and again), her disco (he's really groovy), her 7-11 (got her open like an all-night store), and many other things. It's a weird song at first, but it really grew on me, and is one of my favorites on here. Well done, Macy.

4. "I Try" - Do I really need to review this one? We've all heard it. Recorded in 1997 (two years prior to the album's release), this is Gray's signature song.

5. "Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak" - In the most explicit track on the album, Macy explains that she is a "Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak / When I'm witchu", whatever that is. Something about it all seems very retro, very '70s. But maybe that's just me.

6. "I Can't Wait to Meetchu" - This could easily be a Church Gospel song. Gray sings about doing right so when she dies she can get to heaven. It's just an average track, probably the worst on the album.

7. "Still" - A nice, slow ballad about how Macy still loves her ex, although he was no good for her. It's a nice song, and anyone who's gone through this can relate (I know I can).

8. "I've Committed Murder" - This song documents (what I hope are simply) Gray's fantasies of killing the "Mean ol' b***h" who fires her boyfriend from the cafe he works in. They then escape to Jamaica, get married, and have no regrets. It's quite humorous.

9. "A Moment to Myself" - I love this one. Macy's voice fits it perfectly. It's a nice, light, easygoing song.

10. "The Letter" - By far THE creepiest song on here. Upon first listen, it seems like a nice, light song, if you're not paying attention to the lyrics. If you listen to the lyrics, you suddenly realize it's Macy's song about killing herself! Despite the morbidity of the lyrics, Gray's vocals really shine, and I love it.

11. "Rather Hazy" - This bonus track is another good one. I can't really explain it. It's just good. (Available on Japanese and Australian pressings of the album.)

(Wow. Can you tell I really like this album?) :P

Ha Ha, Hoo Hoo, Thought You'd Get the Money Too

(Singles are italicized. Recommendations are in red.)

When this album was released in 2001, I was just turning 9 years old, so it's understandable that "All For You" was one of the VERY few Janet Jackson songs I was familiar with (actually, aside from "Doesn't Really Matter", I think it was the only Janet song I was familiar with). I was curious, and decided I would give this album a go. Despite all of its many releases and re-releases, the original edition that first came out is probably still my favorite one.

1. "Intro" - A typical album intro, in which Janet and her friend are talking, and ends with the friend telling Janet she sounds like Fran Drescher. This results in Janet mimicking Drescher's nasally laugh, segueing into the second track.

2. "You Ain't Right" - An angry song where Janet sings about an ex-BFF that turns out to be a backstabber.

3. "All for You" - The album's first (technically second) single. We all know it, we all love it, the end.

4. "2wayforyou" (Interlude) - A weird interlude that I still don't really fully understand to this day.

5. "Come On Get Up" - I loved this song upon first listen. It's just something about the beat, the chorus, and all its energy that just really gets me everytime.

6. "When We Oooo" - This song's pretty weird and hypnotic at the same time. You're thinking 'whoa, this song's weird!', yet at the same time you just can't turn it off.

7. "China Love" - Another song I don't understand at all. I don't like it, and could definitely do without it. It's so strange to the point that it's eery.

8. "Love Scene (Ooh Baby)" - I'm not sure if when I listen to this I'm still shaken by the strangeness of the previous track, but this one is still kinda weird. It's sexual, but still just...weird.

9. "Would You Mind" - This steamy, overtly sexual song got the album banned in Singapore! It's so sexual that on the clean version of the album, it's omitted completely. Janet goes into explicit detail about what she's gonna do to her lover when she sees him, and leaves NOTHING to the imagination. It's dirty, but it's a guilty pleasure.

10. "Lame" (Interlude) - Janet proclaims "You men - and you might wanna get this on tape - you men are just lame at times! I'm tellin' you! *Sigh* See..."

11. "Trust a Try" - This is a new direction for Miss Jackson. And I like it. It's got a hard rock feel and Janet tells her lover that they need to trust each other. The title's a bit weird, as it's just a segment of the main line of the chorus, and not the whole line. I would have simply called it "Trust" or even "Give Trust a Try". To each his own, I suppose.

12. "Clouds" (Interlude) (featuring Carly Simon) - I suppose this is a prequel, intro - or whatever you wanna call it - to the next song.

13. "Son of a Gun [I Betcha Think This Song Is About You]" (featuring Carly Simon) - Janet cleverly (and angrily) incorporates Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" into one of the angriest songs on the album.

14. "Truth" - This is another strange song. It's just not typical Janet.

15. "Theory" (Interlude) - Hey! How about a break from recording? No? Okay, onto the next song!

16. "Someone to Call My Lover" - Hey everybody! Janet's desperate! Or horny! Yeah, it's probably a combination of both. Janet fantasizes about her dream guy on one of the stronger songs on the album. Great choice for a single.

17. "Feels So Right" - A sweet song about fate and love. It's nice, peaceful and relaxing.

18. "Doesn't Really Matter (Album Version)" - Technically the first single off the album. For the album version, it's slightly different in the beginning and incorporates dance breaks in the middle.

19. "Better Days" - An optimistic Janet explains her turn in attitude, most notably reflected in her previous album, "The Velvet Rope". She tells the audience that she's "About to change my vibe / Today the sun's gon' shine / 'Cuz I made up my mind / That today will be the start of better days".

20. "Outro" - Janet asks the producer what he thinks of the album. He likes it, and Janet says that she hopes everyone else will.

BONUS TRACKS:

1. "Who" - I'm not too familiar with this one (heard it a few times, not too many though), it's good. (Available on Japanese pressings.)

2. "Son of a Gun (The Original Flyte Tyme Remix featuring Missy Elliott)" - The version of the song that was released as the single. (Appears as track 20 on the Limited Edition, which uses the clean version of the original album, but omits the P. Diddy remix with Missy AND Diddy.)

3. "Son of a Gun (P. Diddy Remix featuring P. Diddy and Missy Elliott)" - This time, P. Diddy AND Missy lend their vocals. Missy's verses are the same. (Appears as track 20 on the clean version of the album.)

4. "Son of a Gun (P. Diddy Remix featuring Missy Elliott)" - Same as above, but removes Diddy's vocals. Oddly enough, this one runs longer. (Appears as track 21 on the Limited Edition.)

There's No Way You Can Stop Me This Time, Or Break This Spirit of Mine!

(Tracks released as singles are italicized. My recommendations are in red.)

Okay, so you could say that I'm feeling a bit nostalgic tonight. I was recently weeding out my CD and DVD collections (both a workout!), and I came across this album. I was reminded of how much I loved it when I first bought it, and after rigorously cleaning, polishing and resurfacing it so it would actually play after almost 10 years (lots of scratches), I restored it to working condition and decided that it would be foolish of me to not review it.

Interestingly enough, an all-Spanish version of the album was released (apparently on May 7, 1999, a month before the regular version was released, but that doesn't really make sense...). It includes the standard 14 tracks -- all in Spanish. Maybe I'll have to hunt down a copy for myself. It's extremely hard to find.

1. "If You Had My Love" - Admit it, you've liked this song at some point in your life. I'll admit to it. It's a simple, yet addictive album opener that lets you know that Jennifer Lopez is here to stay, and she means business.

2. "Should've Never" - Whew! This one's sure a workout! At 6:14, this ballad is the longest song on the album. Six minutes of J.Lo singing about a love she deeply regrets, because she is now in love with two men. Oh my! Now, now Jennifer, don't you know you shouldn't have regrets?

3. "Too Late" - This one is just alright. An angry Lopez tells her (now) ex-lover that it's too late for their relationship.

4. "Feelin' So Good" (featuring Big Pun & Fat Joe) - I'm telling you, even almost 10 years after I bought the album, this song still stands out and is easily the best track on the album. Everything about it is just great - the lyrics, the beat, and the feel-good nature of it all. It's a great party anthem, and no party playlist should be without this song.

5. "Let's Get Loud" - The latin influence is definitely here! This one's another great song, this time about throwing all your troubles away. "Life's a party / Make it hot! / Dance / Don't ever stop / Whatever rhythm" J.Lo declares on this dancefloor anthem.

6. "Could This Be Love" - This is one of those tracks I tend to skip over when listening to, but it's a nice ballad that's a nice way to unwind after the last two energetic songs.

7. "No Me Ames (Tropical Remix)" (featuring Marc Anthony) - Not a huge fan of the Spanish language tracks on this album, but it's an okay song, and this remix is much better than the original 'Ballad Version', which appears later on the album. Not much else to say here.

8. "Waiting for Tonight" - It's back to party mode for Jenny in her signature song that everybody's heard (unless you've been living under a rock for the past 10 years).

9. "Open off My Love" - In the naughtiest song on the album, J.Lo tells her lover just how much she wants him. This is my second favorite track off the album.

10. "Promise Me You'll Try" - This is a cover of the song originally recorded by Diana Ross. A sweet song about how Jennifer doesn't want her lover to make all sorts of crazy (and sometimes unrealistic) promises - she just wants him to try. My favorite ballad from the album by far.

11. "It's Not That Serious" - This song finds us at the exact opposite end of the spectrum in comparison to the previous song. The message is clear here - J.Lo is always one step ahead!

12. "Talk About Us" - Here we have J.Lo at a crossroads. She wants her and her lover to talk about their relationship and what the next step for them is. It's an alright song, but somewhat bland.

13. "No Me Ames (Original Ballad Version)" (featuring Marc Anthony)" - I repeat - not a fan of the Spanish songs here. It's just not that great of a song, sorry to say.

14. "Una Noche Mas (Waiting for Tonight)" - The Spanish version of the worldwide smash, "Waiting for Tonight".

BONUS TRACKS:

15. "Baila" - This one is freakishly similar to "Let's Get Loud", which is probably why it wasn't included on worldwide releases of the album. It's a great song either way. (Only available on European and Philippine pressings of the album as track 15.)

16. "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?)" - Another Diana Ross cover, this was performed many times during J.Lo's concerts during the On the 6 / J.Lo album eras. It's a great ballad. Interestingly enough - both J.Lo and Mariah Carey recorded a cover of this song for each of their 1999 albums (J.Lo for this album, and Mariah for her album Rainbow). Both cover versions of the song were released as a Non-U.S. bonus track for each of their albums. Mariah's version went on to be released as a single, and was included on Non-U.S. editions of her compilation album #1's, as well as on a Limited Edition EP released only at Wal*Mart, called Valentines, which is the only instance in which the song appeared on an official U.S. release of a Mariah Carey album. J.Lo's version has never been included on an official U.S. release of any of her albums. (J.Lo's cover of Theme from Mahogany: Do You Know Where You're Going To? is only available on European and Philippine pressings of On The 6 as track 16.)

You're tellin' all your friends, "She's a bad, bad b***h!"

(Italicized titles are the album's singles. Titles in red are the ones I recommend.)

By the end of the year 2000, you could say that I was still stuck in the '90s. I was 7 years old, and all of the albums I bought I was still buying on cassette tape. For Christmas 2000, I got my first two CDs - Now 4 and Now 5. The following month, Jennifer Lopez's sophomore album, J.Lo was released, and her first single "Love Don't Cost a Thing" was playing on radio stations everywhere for months after. May 2001 came, and around my birthday I was brought to the mall, and for some odd reason was brought into the record store there, Tower Records. My grandmother had come with us, and she told me I could pick out two CDs. The first CD I chose was Aaron Carter's Aaron's Party...Come Get It, and I walked up and down the aisles looking for another one. I came across this one, as I recognized "Love Don't Cost a Thing". I picked it, and we were outta there. Interestingly enough, the first two pressings of the album came with a Limited Edition bonus disc, both of which were different from the other. I'm not sure which one came first, but one of the bonus discs had two tracks - "Pleasure is Mine" and "Amor Se Paga Con Amor (Spanish Version of Love Don't Cost a Thing)". The other bonus disc came with only one track, called "Can't Believe This". The version I originally got came with the two-track Limited Edition bonus disc (I recently found out about the second LE bonus disc, hunted down a used copy and purchased it - $3!). Soon, this became one of my favorite albums for the next few years. For the sake of the good ol' days, here's my album review for this oldie but goodie:

1. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" - Everyone's heard this one. This pop-ish song about not having to impress Jenny with money or fancy things sends out a good message to those hopeful guys out there. I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatch, though. This song's almost 10 years old and there's a good chance that this song is no longer applicable to J.Lo's life anymore. I mean, come on. Look at her now.

2. "I'm Real" (featuring P. Diddy) - Lopez's then-lover reminds listeners on multiple occasions throughout the song, that Jenny is indeed, "a bad, bad bitch". It's a catchy song that finds Lopez telling listeners that "what you get is what you see". No strings attached.

3. "Play" (featuring Christina Milian) - This track finds Jennifer aggressively demanding that the DJ at the party she's at "play [her] motherf*****g song!". It's an excellent, feel-good party song in which Christina Milian lends her vocals to the chorus. She also wrote the song!

4. "Walking on Sunshine" - Eh. Not the best track off the album, but not the worst. It's fun to dance to, but the beat gets somewhat boring after a while, and the lyrics sort of bland, though there's worse on the album.

5. "Ain't It Funny" - The fifth track on the album is definitely different from anything else I've heard before. It's a song about fate and finding an unexpected love. You can definitely hear the latin influence on the track. I love it.

6. "Cariño" - ...And Jenny Lo brings it back down to mediocre again. This song is just average at best. I'm not sure if it's the repetitiveness of it that bugs me, or if it's the Spanglish aspect of the track. In case you were wondering, the title translates to "Affection", which is what the song's about.

7. "Come Over" - Jennifer gets a bit naughty here! On one of the more slower songs on the album, we hear Lopez begging her man to "Please come over", and "Don't keep me waiting / Anticipating" because it's "Love I am saving / for you", plus a few sexual innuendos.

8. "We Gotta Talk" - "Ooh / Baby come and talk to me / Together we can work this out / We got a love thing we're talkin' about". Simple, yet catchy. Another highlight of the album, about trying to save a romance.

9. "That's Not Me" - When listening to tracks 8 and 9 back-to-back, one could argue that this could serve as the sequel to the previous track. By this point, Lopez is fed up with her man's cheating, lying and overall laziness, and she's done trying and done giving it her all. Another great song.

10. "Dance With Me" - This is what I'm talking about! Jennfer tells the listener to basically leave all their cares behind and get on the dance floor. It's an interesting song with unique lyrics and a catchy beat, yet another one of the album's higher points.

11. "Secretly" - I'm not a huge fan of ballads, so in my eyes, this one's pretty forgettable. Lopez sings to a guy about how much she wants him, and her strong attraction to him.

12. "I'm Gonna Be Alright" - An empowering track about mustering up the strength to leave your lover, although you don't want to, but you know he's no good for you. I know that the Trackmasters Remix (from her J to tha L-O! The Remixes album) was released as a single, but it's essentially the same song, with a different beat.

13. "That's The Way" - This is a song unlike any other I have heard before. And I like it. In this one, J.Lo tells a guy that she can give him anything and make him happy as long as he stays faithful to her. One of my favorites off the album.

14. "Dame" (featuring Chayanne) - Strange. Very strange track if I do say so myself. The title translates to "Touch Me", so if you don't speak Spanish it's pretty obvious what the song's about. If you do, then more power to ya.

15. "Si Ya Se Acabo" - Very latin-inspired. I punched the song's title into Google translator and it came up with "If Already I Am Finished". Hmm. I like the track, but I find it strange that J.Lo chose to end the standard edition of the album with TWO Spanish tracks. One would have been fine.

BONUS TRACKS:

1. "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" (featuring Ja Rule) - Though both the original version of the song and this remix were released as singles, this was probably the more successful of the two. This sounds like a totally different song -- different beats, different lyrics, and different chorus. Not complaining, though. Still a good song. (This track is available on current U.S. pressings of the album, with the Parental Advisory sticker on it as track 16, but it's also available on the clean versions of the album. Also appears as track 18 on UK, Portuguese, and Australian pressings of the album, after "Pleasure is Mine" and "I'm Waiting".)

2. "I'm Waiting" - A nice song where J.Lo lays down the law. She tells her lover that he needs to man up and confess his love for her, because the feelings are mutual. (Available on Japanese pressings of the album as track 16, and as track 17 on UK, Australian, and Portuguese pressings, after "Pleasure is Mine".)

3. "Amor Se Paga Con Amor" - The Spanish version of "Love Don't Cost a Thing". (Available on Latin American pressings of the album as track 16. For a short time, this was available on U.S. pressings of the album, on a second disc as track 2, along with "Pleasure is Mine".)

4. "Carino (Spanish Version)" - Self explanatory. This is a little better than the Spanglish album version. Having the song in just one language made it more powerful for some reason. (Available on Latin American pressings of the album as track 17.)

5. "Que Ironia" - The Spanish version of "Ain't It Funny". The Spanish version of the song still proves to be just as good as the English version. (Track 18 on Latin American pressings.)

6. "Pleasure is Mine" - J.Lo tells her lover to "Stop playin' / Delayin' the divine"...if you catch my drift. (Track 16 on UK, Australian, and Portuguese pressings of the album. Also track 1 on the out-of-print, two-track Limited Edition U.S. bonus disc that includes "Amor Se Paga Con Amor".)

7. "Can't Believe This" - On this ultra rare, hard to find track, Jennifer tells her lover that she is appalled by his cheating and that she's fed up with it. This is not to be confused with her 2005 song "(Can't Believe) This is Me". Ironically enough, they also have the same exact running time. (Appears as the ONLY track on an extremely rare, out of print U.S. bonus disc - not the same one that has "Amor Se Paga Con Amor" and "Pleasure is Mine".)