Released: 1989
“Whip Appeal” is a sultry 90’s R&B classic by Babyface that centers around the concept of love, connection, and the unique ‘whip appeal’ only the one you love can have on you. It reflects on the depth and strength of an intimate relationship, the powerful magnetic pull that keeps a person tied to their significant other, even when facing the routine and mundane aspects of life.
Opening verses “Somebody told me there’d be trouble at home…’Cause we never talk a lot when we spend time alone” highlight a common perception that the lack of verbal communication implies trouble in a relationship. Babyface flips this stigma saying it’s non-verbal communication that keeps them tight. This ‘whip appeal’ doesn’t need words, it’s a soul to soul language – a unique vibe only they understand.
‘Whip appeal’ is an interesting slang phrase encapsulating that irresistible attraction and influence one person exerts on another. Expressed through the chorus, “Has that kind of whip appeal on me…Keep on whippin’ on me work it on me Whip all your sweet sweet lovin’ on me.” The ‘whip’ acts as both a metaphor for the intense allure and a descriptor of the relationship’s dynamic; it’s passionate without crossing into the realm of control. It’s a voluntary surrender in love, an acceptance of the intoxicating power the other person has over you.
Babyface further emphasizes this whip appeal phenomenon when he sings, “When we go to work how the day seems so long, The only thing I think about can’t wait ’til we get home.” The longing throughout the day proves how potent his partner’s whip appeal is – his mind fixated on returning home to the connection they share.
The repeated lines, “Whatever you want babe…It’s alright with me…” underscore the depth of his feelings. He’s with whatever his lover desires.
“Whip Appeal” extols the mesmerizing power of a deeply satisfying love, paying tribute to the sometimes wordless, indescribable connection that exists in a truly profound relationship. It’s an ode to the enchanting, almost hypnotic influence that the right person can have over you. It’s a timeless classic that reminds us of the transformative power of love, so keep on whippin’.
