Expert: Bong Santos - 8/25/2009

Question
I'm looking for a soft-rock song that used to be popular on the adult contemporary circuit in the early to mid 80s. If I remember correctly it was sung by a man from the perspective where his girlfriend suddenly left him to go with another guy, and it just tore him up inside.

The chorus went something like ...

How can it be ... (How can it be? How can it be?)
that you don't love me any more?
How can it be ... (How can it be? How can it be?)
that you don't love me any more?

for years I've been trying to identify this song, and the singer. Do you think you can help me out?

Answer
Dear Damian,

Unmistakeably, that song was HOW COULD IT BE. And would you believe that it was sung by none other than actor/comedian EDDIE MURPHY. It was a duet with vocalist CRYSTAL BLAKE. A cut from the album of the same name released in 1985, it was a minor R & B hit. The album HOW COULD IT BE was more known for its Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit PARTY ALL THE TIME produced by RICK JAMES. Here's its lyrics:

HOW COULD IT BE / EDDIE MURPHY featuring Crystal Blake

Someone told me they saw you girl
With another man
It's breaking my heart
I thought baby our love was strong
And we'll never ever part
How could love end this way

CHORUS:
Ooh...how could it be
That you don't love me
How could it be
That you don't love me anymore
How could it be

I've tried so hard to tell you baby in my heart
That love is no wrong
But left here inside my lonely world
I feel so cold
Yet reluctant to let you know
What we have has passed and gone

I just can't seem to understand
This sudden change
Girl could we regain
The laughter, loving and happiness
That we shared before
Please don't tell me
There is no more
No more (no more, no more)

How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me anymore
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me anymore (I just don't love you anymore)
How could it be, how could it be

So now...
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me anymore
How...how could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me
How could it be (how could it be, how could it be)
That you don't love me anymore
How could it be

(Instrumental)

How could it be


Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines