UB Celebrates ‘Where I Wanna Be’ 20th Anniversary | Donell Jones Reflects on Release
Today, is the 20th Anniversary of the release of “Where I Wanna Be” by singer/songwriter/producer/musician Donell Jones. The album is a R&B classic! Where I Wanna Be combines lush musical arrangements with modern, hip-hop inspired beats that create a rich collection of sultry ballads and R&B pop tunes.
Solid songwriting skills earned him credits as a songwriter of several hits before his first album release. The two biggest were Usher‘s 1995 hit “Think Of You” and 702‘s “Get It Together.” Around that time, Donell also wrote songs for Silk and Brownstone. He contributed vital vocal arrangements that highlighted Madonna‘s 1994 platinum release, Bedtime Stories.
In 1996 Donell Jones released his debut solo effort, “My Heart.” Which featured his amazing cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” The debut album was followed up by the Platinum-selling sophomore release, “Where I Wanna Be.” “I just wanted to make a record that sounded great, from the beginning to the end.” Donell recently told UB for this feature.
The album was uniquely packaged in the days of compact disc. With two identical CDs, one cleverly designated “for the car,” the other “for the crib.”
With the success of his earlier songwriting projects, “Where I Wanna Be” above all really showcased Donell‘s talent as a songwriter. For Donell it made each song a complete, a personal story. “This album is straight story telling,” Donell said at the time. “Stories about situations guys go through, and situations women go through.”
“On “My Heart,” I didn’t use live instruments, and that’s what I wanted to capture on this album. Personally speaking, I’m a man now. I see life totally different than way I did then.”
Donell at the time also reflected on the motivation behind “Where I Wanna Be.” “What I initially set out to do was incorporate fresh new ideas that would take me, my lyrics and music to the next level. At first I was kind of upset that ‘My Heart’ didn’t do as well as I had expected,” he candidly recalled. “But in time I came to realize that it was an important learning experience that prepared me for my next album. Plus the first one established me as a serious artist, gave me a growing fan base, and later on made me see the bigger picture. See, longevity in this business is my goal, and I think ”Where I Wanna Be’ is an important step in that direction.”
For Where I Wanna Be, Donell assembled a multi-talented group of musicians, including Eddie F. and Darren Lighty. His first single out the gate for the project, “Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me),” was a flirtatious combination of mellow melodies and mid-tempo grooves. “This song is about having fun, going out with the guys, going out to the clubs, you know, just having fun,” Donell shared.
The album’s follow-up single “U Know What’s Up,” features the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. The original version didn’t include the feature. The song was #1 on the Billboard charts for eight weeks. The video just as hot, featured various LaFace artists including Big Boi, T.I., Goodie Mob, YoungbloodZ and Usher.
The title song was Donell‘s personal favorite and the albums third single release. It’s an intimate look at what can sometimes happen in love relationships. “There are a lot of cats out there who get in relationships at a young age,” he explained. “And, years pass, and they don’t really have that chance to get out and be a bachelor. And they want out, so, I think guys could find some comfort in that.”
“This Luv,” a soulfully syncopated rendezvous down lover’s lane, was the final single released from the album. No retail single was released, but LaFace released a video and sent the single to radio.
Other highlights from the album include the midtempo grooves “Have You Seen Her” to the romantic “I Wanna Love You,” Donell‘s gift for creating silky smooth soul is undeniable. It’s a clear deep declaration of unconditional love.
“It’s Alright,” is a tastefully erotic journey of the heart that reaches into one’s very soul and “Have You Seen Her,” a haunting slow-jam that delivers the passion, pain and pathos of lusting for lost love.
“These songs were carefully chosen to make this an album especially for people I love, in like, or just ..uh..’involved,” Donell stated in 99. “It should be played straight through, from first song to last, so they can share, appreciate and enjoy it and each other simultaneously. If it works out like that just 50% of the time,” he added, “then my job is done. “When I was in the studio making this album, I set the mood with candles, incense and soft lights,” Donell shared in his label bio. “That’s the kind of atmosphere that inspires me.”
“All my songs are about familiar situations that men and women go through when dealing intimately with each other,” Jones remarked. “And although every real life scenario on the album isn’t autobiographical, they each have special personal meaning for me that I hope people who get into the record will also recognize and relate to.”
Donell was the winner of the 2001 American Music Award, for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist. From the success of “Where I Wanna Be.”
Through his music and especially this album, you realize Donell totally respects women, in real life as well as artistically. “None of my songs disrespect females,” he declared in his label bio. “You’ll never hear me using the b-word, or explicitly begging them to ‘do me.’ I learned from my parents a long time ago that to get respect from women, you have to give it to them first.”
Inspired by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and other urban music legends, Donell Jones’ musical legacy is still in the making. “When it’s all said and done I want to be remembered as someone whose music had integrity, honesty and came straight from the heart. The more I think about it,” he wisely concludes, “ultimately, that’s exactly ‘where I wanna be.”
As a youngster, Donell found comfort in music. He was influenced by his father Roys Jones, who was a gospel singer, and he would try and imitate him. As he grew older, however, music became more than just a passing interest. He even credits music for “saving his life.” Growing up on >Chicago‘s notorious Southside, Donell found himself caught up in the lure of the streets. “When I was younger I was in a gang that I joined because they had nice things, and I wanted them too. But then I got into music, which changed my life by keeping me inside, focused and out of trouble.”
It was at a BRE (Black Radio Exclusive) music convention that Donell‘s career would escalate from local celebrity to potential international superstar. There, singing with an R&B group for anyone who would listen, he met Eddie F, President of Untouchables Entertainment. “Eddie liked us, and later signed us to his production company,” Donell recounted. After unexpected internal problems with the other group members (who decided to drop out of the deal). Within a month of their meeting, he was signed to Untouchables/LaFace Records as a solo artist/songwriter.
When speaking on “Where I Wanna Be” during the release Donell stated;
“This recording experience has shown me that by collaborating with strong creative people like Eddie F and Darren, my own singing and songwriting skills have grown. That’s what makes this album the best record I’ve ever made, and one of the reasons I’m so proud of it.“
His next album, Life Goes On went Gold, while Journey of a Gemini debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. A hits compilation was released in 2007, the same year Jones subsequently parted ways with LaFace.
As an independent artist, he dropped The Lost Files via his Candy Man Music. A collection of unreleased songs in 2009. He then signed with eOne Music and collectively released Lyrics in 2010 and Forever in 2013. This year, along with Jon B. he released “Understand,” for Jon‘s upcoming album.
Speaking with Donell for this feature, we asked him what can we expect next? “My fans can expect a masterpiece album, in 2020.” He continued “What they’ve been looking for…I’m about to give them in 2020.” We ready!
All of the songs on “Where I Wanna Be” have a beginning, middle and end that leave a lasting emotional impression.
Donell recently told us “The album stood the test of time because it’s the truth! It’s exactly how I was living my life at the time.”
20 years later, the music sounds just as good and current today, as it did when it was released.
We’ve followed Donell‘s journey throughout most of his career and here are some of our favorite
Donell Jones UB Quotes:
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UrbanBridgez: What would you personally like to see change with the current state of R&B music?
Donell Jones: Some of the things I would liked to see change is and I’m not knocking anybody when I say this. But I don’t think there is enough love for the music. I think mostly everybody is talking about how much money they got and who they wanna bang out. And I think that those songs are very easy to write. You know it doesn’t take alot of thought. I wanna do something meaningful, put something out there that people can actually get something from. Like if you’re in a relationship and something is going wrong. Just make songs that people can actually sit back and listen to and get some type of guidance from.
UrbanBridgez: “Wish You Were Here,” “He Won’t Hurt You” and “I Hope it’s You” are my all time favorite Donell Jones songs, what are your top 5 favorite songs from yourself?
Donell Jones: Wow man that’s great thanks. I would have to say my top 5 would be “Where I Wanna Be,” “Waiting on You,” “Think About It,” “Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be Part II)” and “I’m Gonna Be.”
UrbanBridgez: What artists or producers that you haven’t worked with yet, would you like to?
Donell Jones: Man I gotta say Dr. Dre! Just his sound and every track that he does, yeah Dr. Dre would be the one producer I would love to work with.
UrbanBridgez: What’s your method of writing a song?
Donell Jones: I don’t really have one. Sometimes I come up with the lyrics and then do the track, other times I come up with the track and later add the lyrics. It’s just different each time around, sometimes something has to happen and I’ll come up with something. Some days I’m lazy and don’t feel like doing anything.
UrbanBridgez: You mentioned starting your own label, what was your motivation behind that & what’s the name of it?
Donell Jones: It’s called Candyman Music! The motivation behind it was basically just not being a priority for the other labels I was at. I think my most successful album was “Where I Wanna Be,” and I still think that could of did alot better than it did. Just never really being a priority to my label and I don’t think I ever was. So that was my motivation for starting my own label.
UrbanBridgez: What’s your best memory of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes?
Donell Jones: Oh wow, it was one time me and her did this show together in London for an awards show. Man it was just a really great performance, we had a good time and there was just so much energy on the stage, that would have to be my best memory of her.
UrbanBridgez: What’s your opinion of the current state of R&B;?
Donell Jones: I think with the release of Usher’s last album which was just so incredible, it’s bringing R&B; back to the front with great music. I think to keep it going something else has to come out and seal the deal. I think this time around I got it and my album can be that for R&B.; My problem is just making people aware of the album and it’s coming then when it’s released, the fact that it’s in stores.
UrbanBridgez: Have you ever heard a song recorded by another artist that you wished you had recorded?
Donell Jones: I don’t think that has really happened, but I’ll tell you something close that’s funny. A lot of songs I turned down for this album (Journey of a Gemini) submitted by producers I’m starting to hear some of them on the radio by other artists and it’s funny because I’m like damn I wish I would of recorded that song after all.
UrbanBridgez: Do you still keep in contact with Eddie F.?
Donell Jones: Oh yeah, no doubt! Eddie is my boy, I mean he is the one that brought me out, the one that believed in me. We’re always in contact, man that’s like my big brother.
UrbanBridgez: What are you thankful for this year?
Donell Jones: To just be alive man. I’m thankful to be given a fourth shot, some artists don’t make it to album two. To still be here almost ten years later as an artist. I’m thankful I came out at a time when R&B; was really happening and people took a listen to me and gave me a chance. They took a liking to my music.
