美國白人R&B歌姬［蒂娜瑪莉］──靈魂抒情曲──［If I Were A Bell／假如我是一只鈴］

Early morning whispers to me

I was taken unaware

I remember sunlight creepin

In the window over there

The day had promised true love

Smiles awaken as we rise

Our golden slumbers long gone

Only you got in my eyes

And now Ill never be the same

Cause you made me over

If I were a bell, baby, I would ring

Tell the whole world that you are my everything

If I were a bell, baby, you would know

That you are my only lover and its wonderful

If I were a bell

Baby, I would ring each day for you

Early morning it talks to me

I was taken by surprise

I remember fingers floating

As you held me hypnotized

The day had promised true love

Smiles awaken as we share

Our golden slumbers long gone

Only you and I were there

And now, Honey, Im not the same

Cause you made a brand new me, yes

If I were a bell, baby, I would ring

Tell the whole world that you are my everything

If I were a bell, baby, you would know

That you are my only lover and its wonderful

If I were a bell, baby

I would ring from the hilltops

Ring from each and every day mountainside, yes, oh

If I were a bell

Baby, I would ring through every valley

Tell the whole world bout these tears of joy I cry

If I were your bell

Baby, I would ring each day for you

And no one

Could ever tell me what to think, to feel, to say or do

Listen, sugar

Im gonna sing about you one more time

If I were a bell,

If I were a bell baby, I would ring... Baby, I

Tell the whole world that you are my everything

If I were a bell,

If I were a bell baby, you would know

Baby, only you would know

That you are my only lover and its wonderful

If I were a bell

Baby, I would ring each day for you...

Just for you

I guess thats not a mature thing for me to say, baby

Im just gonna let the bells talk for me

As the flicker turns to flame and passion rises hot

I have no choice but to carry the choice, but to carry a torch

Come here, Honey

Let me make it all right

Im gonna ring for you, baby

You know the part, baby

And its from the heart,

Its from the heart

Its from my soul,

From my soul

I ring for you

I ring for you, oh

Just for you,

Just for you,

Just for you, just

Oh, baby, I still do

Tell the world Im ringin for my baby, Im ringin for you

１９９０年７月, ３４歲的美國白人靈魂／R&B歌姬蒂娜瑪莉（Teena Marie）發行第九張大碟［Ivory／象牙］（Epic出版）

蒂娜參與專輯１３首歌創作,且全權製作, 加入時興的New Jack Swing, 嘻哈等曲風

獲得不錯樂評

［Heres Looking At You］未打入Billboard單曲榜, 拿到副榜－R&B榜＃１１

１９９０年１０月, 蒂娜推出第二單曲［If I Were A Bell／假如我是一只鈴］

由瑪莉獨自譜寫　並製作成一首靈魂抒情曲, 蒂娜展現她婉轉的R&B歌喉

［If I Were A Bell］依舊未入Billboard單曲榜, 而登上副榜－R&B榜＃８──這是本大碟四首單曲中名次最高者

不過歌迷顯然對瑪莉新樂風接受度不高,

［Ivory］只登上Billboard專輯榜＃１３２, 而登上副榜－R&B專輯榜＃２７, 皆為其事業最低

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzLyTIvmhDQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuBz-TI2LUg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0iAyUQg1cA

live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHcB0c6BeMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvOMFngfvEY