Could Have Been You by Lenny Fontana Feat Leee John: A House Gem That Still Kicks
Alright, let’s talk about Could Have Been You, the 2004 House banger from Lenny Fontana and Leee John. Released under the UK label Reelhouse, this little slice of electronic heaven is one of those albums you trip over in a record store (or, ya know, on Spotify) and end up playing on repeat for days. With only two tracks—Lenny’s Original Mix and Soul Sounds Remix—it’s not exactly War & Peace, but man, does it pack a punch.
First off, props to Leee John for absolutely owning the vocals. Dude sounds like he wandered straight out of an '80s soul jam and decided to crash the House party. And honestly? We’re glad he did. The chemistry between him and Fontana feels like peanut butter meeting jelly—unexpectedly perfect.
Now, onto the tracks. Let’s start with “Could Have Been You (Lenny’s Original Mix).” This version is where the magic happens. It kicks off with that signature House beat—four-on-the-floor drums so crisp they might as well be wearing fresh-pressed linen suits. Then Leee John slides in with his smooth-as-butter voice, crooning about love lost or whatever existential crisis inspired these lyrics. Honestly, I wasn’t paying too much attention to the words because my feet were busy doing their own interpretive dance. But hey, isn’t that what House music’s all about? Losing yourself in the groove until reality fades away?
Then there’s the “Soul Sounds Remix,” which flips the vibe entirely. If the original mix is your cool older cousin at a rooftop soirée, this remix is your wild best friend dragging you onto the dance floor at 2 AM. The bassline gets beefed up, the synths go full disco fever dream, and suddenly you're convinced life would be better if everyone just danced more often. There’s something hypnotic about how this remix builds and drops—it’s like watching fireworks explode in slow motion while eating really good pizza. Weird analogy? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely.
What makes Could Have Been You stick in my brain years later isn’t just its killer beats; it’s the way both tracks capture that quintessential early '00s House energy. Back then, House music felt less like background noise and more like a lifestyle choice. Listening to this album reminds me of sweaty clubs, questionable fashion choices, and nights that somehow turned into mornings without anyone realizing it.
So yeah, while Could Have Been You may not have set the world ablaze commercially, it’s one of those hidden gems that deserves a spot in any self-respecting House fan’s collection. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia wrapped in funky basslines and soulful vocals?
Oh, and here’s the kicker—I’m pretty sure Leee John wrote these songs after losing a bet. Like, no one belts out lines like “It could have been youuuu” unless they’ve had a few pints and are trying to impress someone across the bar. Either way, thank God he did. Cheers to that!
