30 Day (R Kelly) Song Challenge, Day 14: A Song No One Would Expect You To Love

‘Used to me Spending’

Buried on the soundtrack for little known movie In Too Deep, ‘Used to me Spending’ takes the chorus Kelly loaned Biggie’s ‘Fuck You Tonight’ and stretches it over five sexed-up minutes. Recorded in 1999, this was Kelly at the height of his sleaziness; before legal troubles would force him watch his mouth a little more. Back in the day not even rumours of a marriage to 15-year-old Aaliyah could water him down, and on ‘Used to me Spending’ he makes a sly announcement: “If your ID’s up to age, you’re gonna get some 12 play”. 12 play being Kelly’s often used pseudo name for sex. While the language he uses here may be somewhat brusk, Kelly has always been a lover. ‘Fuck You Tonight”s chorus was a straight declaration of intent, but the newly written verses just chart the deed itself. The sex he so often describes is always sulty, fun and without misogynistic undertones. This is where he truly excels. Kelly can write a love song about sex. Few other singers can turn themselves so completely to the deed, whether it is in the writing or the performance, to sound genuinely in love with love making. Here, Kells soulful voice creates a sweaty, three-dimensional haze that makes ‘Used to me Spending’ – with its G-Funk whistle, gentle guitar fiddles and real sense of intimacy – an underrated gem.