It’s been 20 years since Ruben Studdard won season two of American Idol and subsequently released his debut album Soulful in December 2003. The Velvet Teddy Bear is still going strong, and to commemorate his 20th anniversary in the music industry, he has a new album on the way. Before he delivers the project entitled The Way I Remember It later this month, Big Rube drops the single “W.I.F.E.”
As the title suggests, “W.I.F.E.” is all about the lucky lady in Studdard’s life, and he spells out everything he loves about her. “W is for the warm, wonderful ways you wiggle what you wear over your waistline,” he begins his spelling lesson on the opening verse. It turns out that “W.I.F.E.” is a clever acronym, and Ruben breaks it down on the chorus. “When I found everything, I’ma spell it out / W I F E, when I found everything,” the happy husband croons. “A special kind of woman made a man outta me.”
Ruben Studdard’s The Way I Remember It will be his first new album since his 2018 Luther Vandross covers album Ruben Sings Luther and his first album of original material since 2014’s Unconditional Love. “W.I.F.E.” is the second single from the collection, which was led by the title track “The Way I Remember It” back in May. He has the third and final single to come on Friday, October 13th before the album is released on Friday, October 27th.
Take a look at The Way I Remember It cover art and tracklist below after you listen to “W.I.F.E.” and view its visualizer. We were kinda hoping that Rube would update his very first single “Sorry 2004” into “Sorry 2024,” but we don’t see that amongst the new album’s 10 songs. Nonetheless, we’re excited to hear what Ruben Studdard has to say on this project.
Ruben Studdard The Way I Remember It tracklist:
1. Gretzky
2. W.I.F.E.
3. Masterpiece
4. The Way I Remember It
5. Everybody’s Type
6. Magic
7. Cigars & Brims
8. SMH
9. Eyes Closed
10. Picture Perfect
