Music Friday: 'Late Show' Bandleader Jon Batiste Compares Girlfriend's Love to a Goldmine

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you uplifting songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Jon Batiste compares his girlfriend's love to a goldmine in his jubilant, jazzy 2021 anthem, "I Need You."

In this tune he co-wrote with Autumn Rowe, we learn that Jon met the love of his life when he was a "lil' country boy" and that they fell in love on the boulevard. He adores everything about her, especially how she's so genuine.

In the first verse, he sings, "We done a lot of living / We're working overtime / Don't need another million / You got that goldmine / I love the way you're livin' / 'Cause you're so genuine / You got that something special / Didn't you know? / I just need you, you, oh yeah."

Best known as the longtime bandleader and musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the multitalented artist shows off his wide range of skills in the second single from his fifth solo album, We Are, which was released in mid-March.

In addition to its romantic theme, the song delivers a universal message of unity, hope and empathy.

He told Forbes magazine in 2019 that music has always been a form of community that brought people together and gave them a common purpose.

"That common purpose was to connect to something that couldn't be expressed in any other way: not with words or gestures, but just something that almost transcends reality," he said. "That's really what music is, and it still is doing that today."

Jonathan Michael Batiste was born in Metairie, LA, in 1986. While his parents earned a living operating a grocery store and a hardware store, other members of the Batiste family were forging their reputations as members of a New Orleans musical dynasty. At age 8, Jon played percussion with the Batiste Brothers Band. Three years later, he switched to piano and took classical music lessons.

Later, he attended The Juilliard School in New York City, where he earned a Master's degree in Music in 2013. Barely two years later, Batiste would earn his spot as the leader of Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Please check out the video of Batiste performing "I Need You" at The Red Room in Chicago. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

"I Need You"
Written by Jon Batiste and Autumn Rowe. Performed by Jon Batiste.

We done a lot of living
We're working overtime
Don't need another million
You got that goldmine
I love the way you're livin'
'Cause you're so genuine
You got that something special
Didn't you know?
I just need you, you, oh yeah

Met you when I was a lil' nappy head boy
And I never put down my alto saxophone
Buckjumpin' down on the boulevard
I couldn't wait to blow my own horn
It ain't wrong for you to sing along
Singing this song 'til you die

In this world with a lot of problems
All we need is a little loving
Thank you, thank you
Oh, you make me thank you
Thank you for your love

We've done a lot of living
We're workin' overtime
Don't need another million
You got that goldmine
I love the way you're livin'
'Cause you're so genuine
You got that something special
Didn't you know?
I just need you, you, oh yeah

Met you when I was a lil' country boy
And I never put down that pork chop and salt
Then we fell in love on the boulevard
If you was Jenny, I guess I was Forrest
Nah, it ain't wrong for you to sing along
Singing this song 'til you die

In this world with a lot of problems
All we need is a little lovin'
Thank you, thank you, oh, you make me
Thank you, thank you for your love

We done a lot of living
We working overtime

Don't need another million
You got that goldmine
I love the way you're livin'
'Cause you're so genuine
You got that something special
Didn't you know?

I just need you, you, oh yeah

I just need you, you, you, you, you, you, youuuuuuu

Credit: Screen capture via Youtube.com/Jon Batiste.

Nike Adds Colorful 'Bling' to the Summer Release of Its Ever-Popular Air Force 1 Sneaker

Over the past 39 years, Nike's ever-popular Air Force 1 sneaker has seen more than 1,700 color variations, but this summer the company is introducing a "Bling" version that features vibrant faux jewels interwoven into the left shoe's laces.

Affixed to the upper laces is an octagonal, faceted yellowish-green stone in a bezel setting. The second bauble takes the shape of the famous Nike Swoosh, which is outlined in sparkly, white faux diamonds. The third jewel — also a faceted octagonal stone — mimics the color of an amethyst and is framed by faux diamond accents.

A surprising design element is a black Swoosh that can be seen through the transparent stones.

This summer's release of the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Bling” includes a number of interesting design elements, including vintage-like cream white outsoles and mismatched branded insoles — which happen to complement the colors of the faux gems.

Why would a footwear company add jewelry to a classic sneaker? A style writer for inputmag.com put it this way: "With consumers looking to don more and more bling, sneakers can’t be left bare."

She also wondered if some consumers may purchase the standard AF1 and add the bling on their own, making the end result a completely personalized statement.

Originally created by designer Bruce Kilgore and released in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 has remained at the forefront of fashion, generating about $800 million per year in revenue. The name of the sneaker is a nod to the specially equipped jet airliners that are used by U.S. presidents.

Priced at $120, the "Bling" sneakers are expected to drop in the coming weeks.

Credits: Images by Nike.

Sotheby's to Accept Cryptocurrency as Payment for 101.38-Carat D-Flawless Diamond

In an unprecedented move, Sotheby's will be accepting cryptocurrency as payment for the 101.38-carat, pear-shaped, D-flawless diamond that will be hitting its auction block in Hong Kong on July 9.

The rare gem — dubbed "The Key 10138" — carries a pre-sale high estimate of $15 million and is only the second pear-shaped D-flawless diamond of more than 100 carats to ever appear at auction.

It will be offered in a single-lot live sale, with bidding available online starting June 25. While traditional payment methods will be available, the winning bidder will also have the option to use Ether or Bitcoin, facilitated through Coinbase Commerce, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

"This is a truly symbolic moment," noted Wenhao Yu, deputy chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery in Asia. "The most ancient and emblematic denominator of value can now, for the first time, be purchased using humanity’s newest universal currency. Never was there a better moment to bring a world-class diamond such as this to the market."

Sotheby's called the July 9 auction a "landmark event" not only because of the cryptocurrency option, but due to the extreme rarity of 100-plus-carat D-flawless diamonds being offered at auction. The number is fewer than 10, according to the auction house.

The gem's unusual name was chosen by Sotheby's to capture the past, present and future.

“Diamonds are keys to understanding the history of the Earth, reminding us of our human condition and the transcendental power of beauty," said Yu. "With the name ‘The Key 10138,’ we wanted to celebrate this enlightening virtue, while also alluding to the crucial function of digital keys in the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and cryptocurrency.”

The single-lot sale is part of Sotheby's cross-category Luxury Series in Hong Kong. Featured products will range from jewels and watches to handbags and rare sneakers.

"Over the past year we’ve seen a voracious appetite for jewels and other luxury items from collectors across the globe," said Josh Pullan, managing director of Sotheby's Global Luxury Division. "Increasingly that demand is coming from a younger, digitally native generation, many of whom are in Asia. We’re thrilled to present this exceptional diamond as the highlight of our cross-category Luxury Edit series in Hong Kong and to continue our commitment to innovation by accepting payment in cryptocurrency for this landmark item."

The 101.38-carat gem will be on display at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery from July 3 to 8.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.