My Cherie Amour (Intro)

Song Meaning

Nnenna Freelon's spoken-word "My Cherie Amour (Intro)" isn't a song so much as a portal. It's a brief, unguarded invitation into the emotional landscape that informs her artistry. More than a prelude, it's a confession setting the stage for what's to come. Freelon positions herself not as a distant star, but as a fellow traveler who understands the ache of unrequited longing. The "Wonderland" she alludes to isn't some fantastical escape, but the complex inner world where childhood crushes and adult emotions intertwine. The vulnerability is striking. Freelon frames her rendition of "My Cherie Amour" with a personal anecdote: an admission of youthful infatuation with a boy oblivious to her existence. The humor she injects—"Of course, he was in the 5th grade"—doesn't diminish the underlying sentiment. Instead, it acknowledges the universality of such experiences. We've all been there, haven't we? Pining for someone who barely knows we exist, the object of our affection a distant, shimmering figure. Ultimately, the intro's song meaning lies in its honesty. It transforms a familiar tune into something deeply personal, tinged with the bittersweet nostalgia of first love and the quiet satisfaction of knowing, years later, that the tables have turned. "He is very sorry now," Freelon quips, a playful yet poignant reminder that time and perspective can alter even the most deeply felt emotions. It's an invitation to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts, attuned to the subtle frequencies of longing, memory, and the enduring power of a childhood crush.