(June 27, 2025) One of the coolest things for me to do when listening to R&B of my era – 90s/2000s – was recognizing or discovering classic R&B songs that were used as samples. One example I recall is a song from Usher’s monster 2004 album “Confessions” called “Throwback.” The classic R&B song sampled in it is “You’re Gonna Need Me” by the iconic Dionne Warwick. It’s a soulful song that exposes an all-too-familiar scenario – a man who won’t treasure the woman he has until she’s gone.
“You’re Gonna Need Me” has now been reimagined by multi award-winning vocalist, Ms. Monét. Ms. Monét wowed audiences on the 24th season of The Voice in 2023 but had been putting her work in decades prior to that, collaborating with the likes of Celine Dion, Michael McDonald, and Raphael Saadiq.Her rendition of “Need Me” has a hip-hop edge while her powerhouse vocals are on full display. She interprets the story with authenticity and grit. Explaining what her new single means to her, Ms. Monét said: “This song is personal…It’s about strength, self-worth, and finally walking away from what no longer serves you…I just hope my version gives people the same kind of goosebumps and power [Dionne] gave me.”
Ms. Monét didn’t have to wonder long if her version would resonate. She received high praise from singer Lamont Dozier, Jr. His father – the late Lamont Dozier, Sr. (of the legendary Motown songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland) – co-wrote and co-produced the original “You’re Gonna Need Me.” Dozier, Jr., said: “You sound FANTASTIC on this track, Monét…Your voice and this song are a perfect match.”
Check it out for yourself.
By Darnea N. Samuels
