"The more I consume, the more I gotta have it."
India.Arie recently released her fourth album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. Not only does she delve into matters of the heart and societal issues, but India journeys deep into a box of chocolates. Her song "Chocolate High" features Musiq Soulchild and is bound to make you crave a kiss or two from someone you love - in the form of a passionate smooch or a Hershey's morsel.
Warning: this candy's not for kids.
India compares some good old-fashioned lovin' to tasty chocolate treats.
"Tasty like Hershey's and Nestle, you're rich like Godiva boy you're just so sexy."
On her first album, Acoustic Soul, the track "Brown Skin" makes several Hershey's references, including "You make me wanna Hershey's Kiss your licorice" and "I'll be your Almond Joy, you'll be my sugar daddy."
Is India.Arie, who's "not the average girl from your video," secretly working for a big bad candy corporation? Is she a chocolate fiend?
There's more to it than that, and she isn't secretly plugging product placements into her music. India recognizes the sensual side of food and uses it to describe passion and affection for someone.
Chocolate and passion are two things people crave in life. So putting them together is a no-brainer; that's why chocolate is such a popular Valentine's Day gift.
"Your flavor is the sweetest thing in life; I'm addicted to your chocolate high."
Two weeks ago, I decided to call it quits with India, removing her from my daily repertoire. I would listen to her in the morning. I would sometimes listen to her to fall asleep at night. If I was at my computer in the day, I'd pop on her Pandora station. Once I heard her soulful crooning from my computer and I hadn't even turned anything on. When Ruckus was still up and running, I managed to download every possible version of "Brown Skin," and they would all play in a row. I didn't even realize until my roommate intervened; I had gone too far, and it was time to regain control of my life. I love India's music, but I needed to branch out and find new material. Then she burst back into my life with this album, and again I'm addicted to her chocolate references and other meaningful lyrics. At least it's a healthy addiction.
"I be trippin' in so many ways if I
Go a single day without a taste of your love
The finest cuisine of today's world
Five stars, oh you're so gourmet girl."
India, welcome back to my life. It was a rough two weeks without you.
-Beth