Music Review: Paula Abdul "The Way That You Love Me"

Paula Abdul

The Way That You Love Me

Album: Forever Your Girl

Year: 1988

                   Paula Abdul loves a wealthy guy for who he is in the down-to-earth  “The Way That You Love Me.”

                    In the intro, male vocodored vocals slide and repeat “it’s the way you love me” while the synths blast, setting a fetching tone.

                    His closets are lined with custom-made suits from European designers. Lichtenstein, Warhol and Degas originals hang from his walls throughout the mansion. Resting on top of Hollywood Hills, next to Oscar-winning directors and legendary pop stars. With one phone call, he take a meeting in New York on his private jet and be back  for dinnertime on the West Coast.  Every morning, his chauffeur takes him to work and during the weekends, he entertains clients and holds lavish parties on his yacht. (“ It ain't the clothes that you wear/It ain't the things that you buy/It ain't your house on the hill/It ain't the plane that you fly/It ain't your black limousine/It ain't your ninety-foot yacht/It ain't the things that you'll get/It ain't the things that you got.”)

            In the pre-chorus, his six-figure salary and jewel investments don’t matter to her. They are objects and nothing more. (“It ain't the money or the diamond rings/Honey i ain't impressed with your material things.”)

           In the chorus, she says he’s a caring guy. He on the board of several charities. He talks to his family everyday. He looks out for her, making sure no one puts her down. He’s gentleman, who hasn’t let her touch a door since he met her. (“It's the way that you love me/It's just the way that you love me/It's the way that you love me/It's just the way that you love me.”)

            Evening dinners and house parties usually include A-Listers in the entertainment industry. She’s met some of her favorite actors and performers. She’s had conversations with them about what was on television the previous night and joked around. (“It ain't your friends at the top/It ain't their fortune and fame/It ain't your heavy connections/It ain't the Hollywood game.”)

             In the pre-chorus, she’s isn’t with him to become a celebrity herself. To her, it’s not a big deal. (“Ain't famous people or the parties they throw/Honey i ain't impressed with all the people you know.”)

            In the second chorus, she adlibs that she likes their intimate times together and she only falls for more each day. (“It's just the way that you love me (in the heat of the night)/
It's just the way that you love me (baby)/It's just the way that you love me (when you're loving me right)/It's just the way that you love me (baby)/It's just the way that you love me (and the things that you do)/It's just the way that you love me (baby)/It's just the way that you love me (make me crazy for you)/It's just the way that you love me.”)

             The synths slink low the the ground as she comments “that’s right” and “keep it like that.” She says “guitar” and a rambunctious guitar gets a solo.

            The first pre-chorus is sung again. (“It ain't the money or the diamond rings…”)
       

           They’ve danced a night away and stayed up to see the sunset Rio de Janeiro. They’ve vacationed in Italy for several weekends and then left for France. There, they drank cocktails and sunbathed on the beaches of the French Rivera. While she enjoys the travel, it’s not a requirement for her. If it was up to her, they’d be at home, watching reruns. (“It ain't the trips to Brazil/It ain't the weekends in Rome/It ain't the French Riviera/You know i'd rather stay home.”)

           In the second pre-chorus, she says he could take her to a different country and tropical island every week. While they give her great memories, he needn’t feel pressured to take everywhere in several months sitting.  (“Ain't the Bahamas/It ain't Monaco/Honey I ain't impressed/With all the places we go.”)

             In the third chorus, she adlibs again, adding she could careless about his luxury car. (“It's just the way that you love me/The way that you love me/The way that you love me/It's just the way that you love me/The way that you love me (it ain't the money)/It's just the way that you love me (or the diamond rings)/The way that you love me (ain't what you buy me baby)/ It's just the way that you love me (ain't material things)/The way that you love me (ain't your Maserati.”)

           Part of the second pre-chorus is sung again. (“It ain't Monaco…with all the places we go.”)

              The third chorus is sung again to close the single.

           Abdul’s flippant vocals chirp with a dismissive flair that she could without the perks of being with him. She’s careful not to take advantage, knowing she’s fortunate to have met a man who wants to show her a life she once viewed only on a television screen.  The heart of their relationship is that she sees him as a real person and not as a dollar sign.

           The practical “The Way That You Love Me” saw what was behind the curtain, giving her a realistic point of view long before he entered her life.