Lionel Richie - You Are (L. Richie, B. Harvey Richie) ~ Erwin Lazaro 140

Here’s another request long overdue.   This time the request comes from my cousin Jamie “Meming” Vannoy!  Also, this is my second post of this song since the audio output for my first post of this cover was not acceptable.   Jiminy Cricketsss!   This is for my cuz!  It's gotsta be Top Notch!

When “You Are” hit the airwaves I was spending a lot of quality time and building precious memories with my little sis “Tina”, my cousin “Chonining/Chonini” and his sis, my cousin “Meming”.  Those are unforgettable times.   I started driving and I drove the four of us all over town.   We’d play tons of football and outdoor games.   We spent hours at the video arcades, though I have to admit that the hardcore gamers were Chonining and me.   My cousins would sleep over.   We were inseparable during those times.   I have countless memories of happiness and laughter between the four of us.   I’m so grateful and absolutely Blessed to have those incredible memories.

Lionel Richie and so many now legendary musicians of the day kept the radio alive and kicking within our homes!   “You Are” is a BIG favorite for my cuz and its perfect because everything about “You Are” represents my cuz Meming to a “T”!   The cheerful music and lyrics are perfect matches for her!   It’s no wonder that the moment she hears it playing, she can’t help but sing along!   Every Time!!!   And, out of the four of us, Meming was always the Energizer Bunny!   Her high energy was always accompanied by Big Smiles too!   My family is so very Blessed to have two “cheerleaders”.   Meming is one and my Auntie Marissa is the other.   The ohana spirit is remarkably strong in both of them and our family certainly needs that!

“I’m sorry it took so long to cover “You Are” but I hope my cover was worth the wait, Meming!   Keep spreading your infectious cheer!!!   I pray that the daily lives of our growing families keep nurturing the love and appreciation that we have for one another, forever and ever.   Amen.”

From Wikipedia:
"You Are" is the title of a popular song from 1983 by the R&B singer-songwriter Lionel Richie.  "You Are" was written by Richie and his then-wife, Brenda Harvey Richie.   It appears on his self-titled debut solo album, which came out in 1982.   Released as the follow-up single to his number-one hit song "Truly", "You Are" reached the top five on three major Billboard music charts.   On the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, the song spent two weeks at number four in early 1983.  It peaked at number two on the R&B chart and spent six weeks at number one on the adult contemporary chart.  In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 43 on the British pop chart.   "You Are" is a romantic song, although with a more upbeat arrangement than many of Richie's slower ballads, including a horn section.