Nineties R&B singer Puff Johnson passed away on Monday, following a battle with cervical cancer. She was 40.

Because the Detroit native stepped away from the spotlight a year or so after the release of her 1996 debut album, Miracle, and later made her home in Johannesburg, I doubt I would have taken note of her death except that songwriter Diane Warren shared the news via Twitter (ignore the unfortunate double negative).

I can't not believe that one of the nicest people and best singers, Puff Johnson has passed away. So young too young. #fuckcancercurecancer

— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) June 25, 2020

Johnson had recorded Warren’s “Some Kind Of Miracle,” a ballad that gave her album its name. But my familiarity with Johnson is entirely thanks to The First Wives Club soundtrack, on which the gospel-infused “Over And Over” appeared.

In the U.S., “Over And Over” didn’t crack the Billboard Hot 100, instead ‘bubbling under’ at #118. But over in the UK, Johnson’s single earned a respectable #20 showing in early 1997.

I’ve never actually seen The First Wives Club and never bought the soundtrack. Today I can’t recall how or why, but I became obsessed with the Love To Infinity Stratomaster Mix of “Over And Over,” seeking out the import single that included it.

I can’t help but remain curious why Johnson walked away from music (she did co-write three songs on Leela James’ 2005 debut), but her untimely death reminds us to keep fighting on — whatever our choices, no matter the obstacles — over and over again.

Purchase Puff Johnson – “Over And Over” via Amazon MP3.