Release Date: 1/11/15
Genre: Soul, Neo-Soul
Songwriters: Cassie Valentine, Michael Eugene Archer
Label: FREEDOM
Producers: D'Angelo
From The Album: Valentine [In Stores 2/14/15]
Brief Background2014 proved to be a year that was rather positive for the music industry with many stellar releases and controversies. One artist that had a standout moment for their career was Cassie Valentine. Although she spent the early months of 2014 touring on the critically acclaimed "Love & War Tour" in support of her previous number one album "Love & War" which was released in December of 2013, when the tour folded in April of '14, Cassie took a few weeks off to rest and then jumped right back into the studio to record the follow up to the album. Quieting down to focus solely on the album, Cassie entered the studio wanted to create a body of work that would signify her growth as a woman. In her opinion, her previous album was rather safe and she didn't really get a chance to let loose the way she wanted to due to the rush for the album to come out following all the push-backs and mishaps surrounding the album's release. On the new record, Cassie wanted to broaden her spectrum sound wise, even if that meant pushing past her usual R&B sounds and subjects and make things more fresh and new to her and that's exactly the mission statement she has when it comes to this new record. Months past on by and not much was heard from Cassie aside from a few pop ins on twitter reminding her fans that she was in the studio recording the new album and that something would come "after the summer". This, of course got her fans anticipated for some new music and that surely did come after the summer.
In September, Cassie began promoting a record entitled "Choke" that would be leading single taken from her soon to be titled third studio album. The record was also rumored to feature special guests, that even wet the appetite of her fans even more just wondering who those guests could be. Cassie also explained that it would be her most racy and "free" record of her career and was the perfect way to set the fans up for the album. A few more weeks past and the artwork for Choke was posted, and the featured guest were unveiled to be rap star Kidd Amaze and R&B star Dominic Brown. "Choke" was released on October 5th, 2014 and was met with a critical acclaim complimenting the appearances of Kidd Amaze and Dominic Brown as well as Cassie's presence and big vocals. Aside from that, the track was also met with controversy pertaining to the message of the song, with many looking at the record as being massively sexual and inappropriate with its sexual innuendo and questionable double entendre of the word "Choke". Still, the song became a massive success topping the Airplay Charts and then the Digital Charts top 20 for two weeks and certified itself as Cassie's most successful single to date. A titled previously held by her single "Single (Go)" released in 2013. Now that Choke has ran it's course and has been certified double platinum, it is time for Cassie to release another single off of her album.
Song Description"Hungry Heart" is the second single off of Cassie Valentine's third studio album which has been titled "Valentine". The album title and release will coincide with Valentines Day and will be released on February 14th, 2015. Both Hungry Heart and Valentine [Album] will be released and distributed through Cassie's current label 'FREEDOM'. Hungry Heart will be released on January 11th, 2014 to all formats including radio airplay, streaming and digital release. The record was written by Cassie Valentine and Michael Eugene Archer better known by his stage name "D'Angelo", who is also the producer of the record. Following the release of Choke, which was more of a party record that could get the club jumping, choosing the next single was rather easy for Cassie. She wanted to return more to her roots and release an authentic soulful mid tempo jam that would fit perfect for a January release. With Hungry Heart, which was written sometime before the release of the album's leading single tells a story of a female who has given her all in a relationship and is the "driving" force and the fact that she isn't getting anything in return her prompted her to have had enough with this relationship and so she begins to play the game as well, she dares the man to come satisfy her hungry heart because it's yearning to be loved hence why her heart is "hungry". The single was written and when Cassie entered the studio with D'Angelo and her backing band, he listened to Cassie sing it to him and then played her a couple of records he as planning on sending her for the album, as soon as she heard the instrumental to what would become "Hungry Heart" she fell in love. She intends to make her album "Valentine" appeal to all different audiences and she felt that Hungry Heart was alot more mature in sound and lyrical content to the club and young audience anthem in "Choke" and after recording Hungry Heart, she instantly knew it would be the perfect follow up to Choke.
From the very start of Hungry Heart, you can instantly pick up the neo-soul vibes and maturity as light and silky synths appear on the record while Cassie does some flattering coos and adlibs over the synth filled and quite atmospheric beats. Seconds pass and Cassie begins to sing the first verse of the record. Over the silky beats that feature funky keyboard work as well, Cassie sensually sings as if she is speaking to her loved one. She explains that they have a cold and lacking heart and to the point where she has had enough, over the mid temped throwback beats Cassie really shines. And here, production wise, less is more where the listener can really absorb the lyrical content and performance of Cassie who's vocals sound utterly perfect over the non menacing record and makes the early seconds of this record very enjoyable and simple to pick up.
Following the first verse, a very quick line in the pre hook is heard where Cassie is heard belting out "you're taking up my time" before the song breaks onto the chorus. Here, nothing big really happens, but instead the enjoyable nature of the record stays on key and the when the chorus breaks onto the record we get some more instrumentation and synths, and the beats pick up as Cassie sings out about her head being played with and her hungry heart wanting more loving and the fact that she's going to be playing these games with her loved ones as well. During the chorus, you can hear some light cymbals and synths behind the faster beat and Cassie's vocals that sounds silky and echoey over the atmospheric R&B jam. Although this song is less in your face than Cassie's previous record, this is still pretty danceable as it is laid back. Over the next verse, Cassie continues speaking to this protagonist about always being on the giving end and questions whether or if she is the one or one of those many precious hearts that he played with prior to her. She sings explaining that she is sick of waiting around for this person and that he is running out of time. Right after Cassie does her famous belt, the song goes into it's chorus once more, in the same fashion as the synths and beats pick up behind Cassie's silky, powerful and sensual vocals as she sings out. Following the next chorus, Cassie works her vocal magic as she unleashes some big vocals before the short bridge where she proclaims that she'll win this game that he is playing. After that, the song breaks in the chorus once more. This one bigger than the ones before, adding in bigger synths, a louder backing beat and louder cymbals as Cassie brings her vocals up and louder than before, adding in some adlibs before the single rides out and comes to an end.
Truly blessed that the album is nearly done! Like, it's literally 85% finished. I am recording one more single tomorrow and then we send the album to be mixed and pressed and then it will be out on Valentines Day. Valentine is such a special album to me and the album that I've had the most fun recording. The writing and recording process was much easier for this album then the previous one and I just can't wait for everyone to see what I've cooked up in the studio over the last year! I wish I could talk more about the album but we must talk about the new single hehe! "Hungry Heart", I love. It's that type of record you can listen to with all audiences, it's mature, it's smooth, it's enjoyable. I really wanted to release something more adult like and contemporary for the second release of the album and this was really just perfect! We've all been in those type of relationships where you feel like that damn man ain't doing nothing and it's all you right? That's what Hungry Heart is about. When you give so much of yourself, you want to be loved back.... you want the to tell you that they love you. You're heart almost feels hungry and I know alot of people can relate to this. Big thanks to D'Angelo for his really really good production work and lending a helping hand with the song writing process. This record probably took the longest to record because he kept pushing me to do the best that I could, and this song is one of those special moments when you are truly proud of the result. I am truly proud of the entire album as a result and I hope ya'll enjoy Hungry Heart! Be on the lookout for Valentine when it hits stores on Valentines Day next month! Love yaaa xoxo.
Hungry Heart ooooh baby....
ooooh baby....
Ooooh, Oooh....
Yeah....
Tutu, tu, tu, tu, tu
Uh...listen..Don't wanna read your words,
So cold and lacking heart.
I wanna hear your voice,
I wanna feel your arms.
Did you think that I'd fall either way,
All for your superficial charms?
I'm aching, I'm burning up.
Honestly, I've had enough.
You're taking up my time.
Well, I'll play your game,
And I'm not giving up until I win.
You're fucking with my head
And breaking me.
But it's your turn now.
If you really want me,
Come; satisfy this hungry heart in me.ooooh baby....
ooooh baby....
Ooooh, Oooh....
Can't go on with this,
Being the driving force.
You gotta help me out,
Tell me, what's the score?
Am I just one of many precious hearts?
Or am I what you're really looking for?
I hate waiting around for you.
I don't wanna have to tell you.
You're running out of time.
Well, I'll play your game,
And I'm not giving up until I win.
You're fucking with my head
And breaking me.
But it's your turn now.
If you really want me,
Come; satisfy this hungry heart in meooooh baby....
ooooh baby....
Ooooh, Oooh....
And I need you to feed me love too....
This time,
I'll play you at your game.
And this time, I'll win.
Well, I'll play your game,
And I'm not giving up until I win.
You're fucking with my head
And breaking me.
But it's your turn now.
If you really want me,
Come; satisfy this hungry heart in me
(2x)ooooh baby....
ooooh baby....
Ooooh, Oooh....
