Ruler Of My Heart
Black Acid Soul
‘Ruler Of My Heart’ written by Allen Toussaint and originally released in 1963 by Irma Thomas is a beautiful, timeless song. Over the decades, many musicians have sung it. Otis Redding adapted Toussaint’s original into his magnificent ‘Pain In My Heart.’ Linda Ronstadt and Norah Jones recorded stunning versions and one of my favorite rock bands, Madder Rose with the fantastic Mary Lorson, also did a great take on their 1995 EP, The Love You Save. However, even the great Ronstadt can’t quite reach the depth of heart-aching pain, loneliness, love, desire, and soul that Thomas achieves in the original.
I have always found the opening line intriguing as Irma’s original sang:
Ruler of my heart
Robber of my soul
Changing just one word may not alter the song's essence, but it definitely influences how it is articulated. Many interpretations of the song sing its opening lines as:
Ruler of my heart
Driver of my soul
Yet, others have it:
Ruler of my heart
Lover of my soul
This song is overflowing with love and heartache, conveying profound emotions of longing. However, the word "Robber" connotes theft, "Driver" indicates control, and "Lover" alludes to a deep reciprocal love & partnership in which the singer pines for a reunion with their soulmate. While the song evokes a feeling of poignant yearning desire, I also interpret it as a beautiful tribute to love and companionship.
In 2022 I was in Istanbul and went into a record store and heard the most incredible rendition of ‘Ruler Of My Heart’ playing on the shop speakers. Intrigued, I approached the guy working there and inquired about the record. He presented me with an album titled Black Acid Soul, which had a font and design vaguely similar to Black Sabbath's Master of Reality album art. The back cover featured only the words ‘Lady Blackbird,’ in the same design as the front art, but in black-on-black ink. Devoid of any identifiable photographs, track listings, or supplementary details on its minimalist cover art, I was curious to learn more about the artist and the album. The guy in the shop informed me she was “American” and that the album was “fantastic soulful jazz.” Gazing at the cover, the album title alone tempted me to purchase it right then, and there. However, considering that the artist was American, I decided I could easily find the album back home and tasked myself to only purchase records in Turkey that I couldn’t find in the States.
After exploring Turkey for a couple of weeks, we flew to London to visit family and friends and went to Portobello Road. At the market, I popped into Rough Trade Records, and while thumbing through the records, Lady Blackbird's ‘Ruler Of My Heart’ started playing. Taking this as a sign that the album was crying out to me, I searched for Black Acid Soul, found it, and decided to buy it.
While Irma’s original is incredible, Lady Blackbird’s version is arguably even better. Deron Johnson’s staccato piano notes effortlessly fall from his delicate fingers and John Flaugher’s double bass moves its steamy rhythm. However, Lady Blackbird’s rich, smooth yet sultry voice drives the haunting melody. It is as much a homage to Irma Thomas, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald as it is a fresh take on the 61-year-old song. Her pain is real and she pours raw emotion into the smokey jazz number. Every note Lady Blackbird sings resonates from the depths of her soul. Her longing to be reunited with her loved one is expressed through the heartfelt plea of "Come back, come back, come back."
Lady Blackbird is the stage name for Marley Munroe who released a couple of pop singles before connecting with producer Chris Seefried and began recording jazz ballads. Her debut album, Black Acid Soul, was released in 2021 and has since become a hit in the UK and across Europe. Its album name is misleading as there's nothing psychedelic about it. Instead, the acid burns through you with her towering voice that melts deep into your heart. The album features eleven unassuming, stripped-down, soulful, and heartfelt jazz compositions, seven of which are stunning cover versions. Blackbird shines as she allows her voice to take center stage and truly makes the songs her own. Her rendition of ‘Ruler Of My Heart’ is simply breathtaking. Despite its bittersweet undertones, the song beautifully captures a profound yearning for love, and Blackbird’s emotional vocals are left tattooed onto your soul.
Today is my 29th Wedding Anniversary and our 32nd year together. My wife and I met while working at a summer camp in rural Pennsylvania. She was a professional dancer and actress in London and I was about to start my Master's degree program in New York. We maintained a long-distance relationship for two years before the advent of the internet and social media. Throughout that time, I frequently made her mix tapes interspersing songs with my spoken words. I would spend hours picking out the perfect tracks, arranging their running order, decorating the tape cover, writing a long letter, and then excitedly posting it overseas. The first tape I made her opened with Irma’s original version of ‘Ruler of My Heart.’ It was my way of conveying my desire for her return as we were apart.
After completing my Master's degree, I decided to relocate to London. To remain in the UK, I had to meet with immigration officers at the Home Office in Croydon, South London, and provide evidence of our long-distance relationship. We surrendered a box filled with our handwritten letters and my tapes, as proof of our two-year relationship. London became our new home, I began my teaching career, and we eventually married, had children, and resided there for many years before deciding to move to the United States. Although I doubt the immigration officers listened to my tapes, if they had, they would have heard songs that conveyed the depth of my love for the woman I knew I wanted to spend my life with.
To my life partner and the ruler of my heart - I love your soul and everything about you. Thank you for always being there. 💜🥂
To my soulmate, life partner and ruler of MY heart, I love you from the bottom of my soul x
Allen Toussaint was a singular musician, songwriter and producer. The New Orleans music scene was very fortunate to have him in their ranks.
Because of legal wrangling, Redding lost songwriting credit for "Pain", with the credit instead given to "Naomi Neville" (a Toussaint pseudonym).