“My Love Is for Real” repents of romantic mistakes, pledging to set things right, as do “Missing You” and “Cry for Me.” Other tracks (“Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up,” “If I Were Your Girl”) promise relational loyalty.
How much of “Get Your Groove On” talks about dirty dancing and how much refers to sex is anyone’s guess. Either way, it’s trouble. The pulsating “Sexy Thoughts” and “Crazy Cool” also glorify breathless ecstasy with no mention of marriage. “Ho-Down,” a song about taking revenge on a gossip, mentions a back-seat sexual encounter.
Abdul avoids explicit content, but relies heavily on sensual, suggestive lyrics. It had been four years since her last album. As a comeback attempt, Head Over Heels trips over its own feet, stumbling into erotic preoccupations.
