Lesson Learned

First things: Alicia Keys believes in love like few other people do, like all of us should.

I remember the first time hearing this song and feeling like I rarely do when listening to music. Unlike most artists, Alicia Keys gives the impression of having learned something over the course of a song. Most performers give an air of having sung a song once a number is over and having done little else. Ms. Keys leaves the listener feeling as if she has changed over the course of a song and that only that song could have brought about that change. When I heard Lesson Learned I immediately thought two things. First: John Mayer did everyone a huge favor by providing a beautiful guitar accompaniment and, then, by staying out of the way. Second: Alicia has known what love is and has been hurt and has learned from it.

I remember feeling that I, too, have failed at love, or have been failed. That it hurt, that hurt was real, and that I was made stronger in mind or soul or heart by it all. That such a lesson could be delivered in song is a blessing, that such a tune could be put to record and to memory, more so.

I hope that it is something I will keep remembering growing in love.