Blessid Union of Souls

This multi-faceted group includes Eliot Sloan (Lead Vocals and Piano), Jeff Pence (Guitar), Tony Clark (Bass), Bryan Billhimer (Guitar), and Shaun Schaefer (Drums).  Founded in Cincinnati by Sloan and Pence in 1990, they named the band after a line from an episode of the television show M*A*S*H.  They purposely misspelled the word “Blessed” as “Blessid,” to guarantee the right pronunciation.  They recorded a demo tape in 1992 and quickly were offered a contract by EMI Records. After two years of calculating craftsmanship, they released “Home,” their debut album, in March of 1995.  “Home” was a huge success partly due to Cincinnati deejays who played the hit single “I Believe” before it was released.  To date, the band has produced five albums, the latest one being “Perception.”  They have an interesting sound and their song “I Believe” carries an inspirational message inside the lyrics.  The song deals with drugs and children, violence in the streets and poverty.  It also tells a short story about a White girl who is in love with a Black man.  She knows her father would disapprove, but she stays because she believes that “love is the answer.”  The song basically states that love can conquer all. “I Believe” was a smash hit single when it came out; it went straight to the top of the Billboard charts and became one of the most played songs of 1995. 

“I Believe” delves into some important issues that most people do not sing about.  It stands out in contrast to some of the more meaningless pop songs that don’t have any messages of real significance. 

Reference: http://www.mp3.com/blessid-union-of-souls/artists/120211/biography.html
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Blessid-Union-Of-Souls-Biography/074C751BE1039F8C482568C70005F6A1