Thursday Tunes: Angela Bofill.... I Try

I just so happened to catch the latest episode of Unsung and it featured the Afro-Cuban beauty which was/is Angela Bofill. Born in the Bronx to a Cuban father and Afro-Puerto Rican mother, she  was one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B world in the 1970s.  My mother used to play this song all the time. No doubt, I think she gravitated toward the sad and tragic singers for reasons deeper than I could ever know... and she passed the musical gene on to me I guess :)

Sadly, Angela Bofill has experienced two strokes and no longer can sing like she used to. But that deep, melodic contralto voice is quite haunting.  She had many hits like "This time I'll be Sweeter" and "I'm on your Side"..but "I Try" is most definitely my favorite. She said she wrote it when she was 17 and experienced her first heartbreak..but this song is timeless. Every girl (and guy) can relate to it.

My fav lyrics...hell...it's the entire song:

I try to do
The best I can for you
But it seems it's not enough
And you know I care,
Even when you're not there.
But it not what you want.


You close your door,
when I wanna give you more.
And I feel, I feel so out of place.
And you know it's true,
Don't you think I'm, good enough for you.


Can't you see,
That you're hurting me,
And I want, I want this pain to stop.
So if you really care,
I mean if you really, really care,
Then open up your heart to me.
Open up to meeee....


You know that I tried to be with you.
You know that I wanted to see it through.
You know that I needed to make you mine.
It was only a matter of time.


You know that I tried to be with you.
You know that I wanted to make it through.
You know that I needed to make you mine.
It was just a matter of time.


You know that I tried to be with you.
You know that I wanted to see it through.
You know that I needed to make you mine.
It was just a matter of time.
(repeat)

I played the song the other night. And cried like it was no tomorrow. Feeling like you aren't good enough...feeling like all you do will never be enough..... Good music will do that to you. Speak tp you in the exact moment you need it....