CAFFE` LATTE`
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS
(MID-WEEK BONUS) #758-754
#758 READY FOR LOVE India.Arie
'Acoustic Soul' was the breathtaking debut album from Motown artist India.Arie. Aged 25 at the time of its release in 2001, the talent was already obvious. "Ready for Love" is an album track that showcases the singer's vocal texture. The song, written and produced by Arie with Blue Miller, finds the protagonist wanting a relationship. Aware of the highs and lows that love promises, this is a woman prepared for a commitment.
#757 IT'S RAINING MEN The Weather Girls
Paul Jabara was the songwriter responsible for the disco hits "Last Dance" and "No More Tears (Enough is Enough) by Donna Summer (the latter a duet with Barbra Streisand). He co-wrote "It's Raining Men" with Paul Schaffer. The latter is the bandleader for David Letterman's "The Late Show".
It is said that the song was offered to divas including Summer, Streisand, Cher and even Diana Ross. In the end, it was given to Two Tons of Fun. This female duo consisted of Martha Wash and Izora Redman - Armstead. They released the single in 1983. It was included on their LP 'Success'. By now, the women were working under the name The Weather Girls.
Although the song swiftly became a gay anthem and still packs a dancefloor, it was not a major hit song around the world. In the UK, however, the single did reach #2. It made the Top 20 in Australia but failed to crack the Top 40 in the US.
The Weather Girls struggled to follow up this release with another unforgettable song. Wash went on to contribute her (uncredited) vocals on subsequent dance hits by Black Box and C+C Music Factory. In 1998, she recorded an update entitled "It's Raining Men... The Sequel" with RuPaul.
Jabara died in 1994. Redman - Armstead passed away in 2004. The song finally reached #1 in Britain 3 years later, this time as a remake by Geri Halliwell.
#756 EVERY SHADE OF BLUE Bananarama
The female trio Bananarama formed in London in 1981. The following year saw the group appear on the Top 40 for the first time. An impressive string of hits followed, including "Shy Boy", "Robert de Niro's Waiting", "Venus", "Love in the First Degree", "I Want You Back" and "I Heard a Rumour". By 1988, line-up changes started, until the group re-emerged as a duo with original members Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin. Siobhan Fayey (the third founding member) has re-joined the others for special events.
It was as a duo that Bananarama recorded their 1995 single "Every Shade of Blue" for the 'Ultra Violet' album. The song was written by the 2 members with Paul Barry, Steve Torch and Gary Miller. The latter produced the entire album. Although the single failed to attract strong sales, it has helped the female group enjoy a rare longevity. They still record to this day.
#755 LIVIN' THING Electric Light Orchestra
ELO's 'A New World Record' LP was packed with tracks that were lifted as singles or became radio staples. This helped it become one of the best sellers of the 1970s. Lead singer Jeff Lynne wrote and produced the album's 9 songs, "Livin' Thing" among them. It proved to be one of the group's biggest singles, reaching #1 in South Africa and peaking at #2 in Australia. In Britain, the single climbed to #4 and it made #13 in the US.
#754 WALK THIS WAY Run-D.M.C. featuring Steve Tyler & Joe Perry
There are some recordings that mark a shift in public perception. "Walk This Way" is one such example. Until its release in 1986, rap had failed to crossover and attract a mainstream audience. The rap trio Run -D.M.C. formed in 1982 and 1 of its members Run (Joseph Simmons) teamed up with his friend Darryl McDaniels (hence the name Run- D.M.C.). They added another friend, Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay).
Joey's brother had by then formed the Def Jam record label with Rick Rubin. The following year saw the release of "It's Like That". The trio's version of rap was beginning to gain ground, resulting in impressive hits on the American R&B chart.
Mainstream audiences came to the party with the release of their rap remake of an Aerosmith song. "Walk This Way" featured that legendary rock band's lead singer Steve Tyler on guest vocals and its guitarist Joe Perry added his cherished riff. Rock fans loved the fusion with hip hop. Both Aerosmith members had penned the original which reached #10 in 1976. Joey's brother Russell and Rubin co-produced the track.
The track was included on the 'Raising Hell' LP, the first rap album to go platinum. On the US Hot 100, the single peaked at #4, the first rap song to crack the Top 10. Rap had arrived. Today, hip hop is the dominant genre in Western popular music.
Aerosmith benefitted greatly from the revamp. Its success revived interest in the group and they have enjoyed consistent hits since the Run-D.M.C. collaboration, including "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)", "Love in an Elevator", "Janie's Got a Gun" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing".
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