"He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)" by Freddie Jackson

Song#:  2565
Date:  12/14/1985
Debut:  96
Peak:  25
Weeks:  15
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  By this point in time, Jackson's debut solo album, Rock Me Tonight, had already gone platinum thanks to two #1 R&B hits that also crossed over to the Pop Top 20. Yet the #1 R&B album had more to offer and this third single would bring Jackson another hit. The song would make it to #7 at R&B while getting close to the Pop Top 20. It would also reach #28 at AC. A fourth single, "Love Is Just a Touch Away," would be pushed out and get to #9 at R&B, but it failed to reach the other charts. Jackson's debut certainly made him a new R&B star.

ReduxReview:  This groovy album-opening track was a good choice for a follow-up to Jackson's two hit ballads. He infringes a bit on Luther Vandross territory, but the song and Jackson are good enough to make it stand on its own. Jackson became more known for his quiet storm ballads so his jammier tracks like this one tend to get overlooked, which is too bad as the quality of a song like this is just as good as his more famous ballads.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Jackson's success also put a spotlight on songwriter/producer Paul Laurence. Laurence had produced Rock Me Tonight and also wrote the hit title track. Laurence was able to parlay this into his own record deal and in 1985 recorded a debut solo album titled Have You Heard. The first single from the album, "She's Not a Sleaze," would feature Jackson and Lillo Thomas. The song would be a modest hit on the R&B chart getting to #50. Laurence would get two more mid-charters from the album, which was enough to warrant a second LP. He released Underexposed in 1989, but not much came from it. He would end up having more success producing and writing for other artists.

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