Remember This? Modjo “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)”

Just continuing with this week’s theme of dance music from the ‘90s because while we’re on the subject, we have to talk about how great “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo is, and how everything about this song is kind of the signature of that time.

The bassline of “Lady” is notes of nostalgia – there’s no other way to describe it because it’s a melody that makes you feel sad and happy at the same time exactly like a memory of a really good time does. Just read the comments, and most of them are about how this song takes people back specifically to days when life felt simple and carefree. In fact, one of the nicest comments anyone’s ever seen on YouTube is under this video, and it’s a beautiful reminder of how important music can be for making you feel better about yourself:

“This was such an eye opening video for me. I’d never seen anything like it. The cultural influence in this video was shocking. I was 12 years old living in Ghana. Watching music videos in the family living room. When this came on, I was captivated by this and started to think about my sexuality so much more. I was fascinated by this weird/polyamorous relationship going on with these three souls. There was no jealousy or possessiveness or hyper-masculinity bullshit going on. For the first time in my life, I didn’t see them as people. I saw them as souls. Three free and beautiful souls intertwined with each other. So carefree and just happy because they were living life and caring for one another. Free of social forms and constrictions. I couldn’t place my finger on it back then but this video moved me to embrace my weirdness and my sexuality outside the conventional sense. In Ghana, I got called “weird” a lot. And being from Ghana, being  weird was a shameful thing. I was an anomaly and an outcast in school. Now over 16 years later. I finally understand why I still love this music video. Modjo, you couldn’t have come with a better music video for this song. It’s perfect in every way. One of my all time favorites. Thank you.” – Kweku Duncan