![]() Parlez-Vous Francais?
It's troublesome to think that there are tykes out there who think that "Lady Marmalade" was originated by Lil Kim, Pink, Mya, and Christina Aguilera. Labelle's 1974 version was a number one hit, and its "voulez-vous coucher" line could quite possibly be one of the most butchered in music history. Anyone notice how Patti might be more flamboyantly dressed, but has on about 100 lbs less makeup than she wears now? |
![]() Wishing on a reality show
"Wishing on a Star" is a lovely, lull-you-into-romantic-daydreams sort of song that stays in your head long after I hear it. Which is why I've been humming it off and on since a couple on my guilty-pleasure show of the decade, So You Think You Can Dance did a sexy rumba to it a week ago. Dancing shows are my weakness, in case you didn't know. |
![]() Money, Money, Money, Money!
Someone should make the O'Jays' "For The Love of Money" America's theme song for the next few months. Most people really need it. I really need some of those dance moves. |
![]() Temporary Layoffs
In keeping with the Mother's Day theme, here's a clip from Good Times featuring the long-suffering, hard-working Florida Evans, along with a whole lot of overacting. |
![]() The cancellation of the poorly-attended Soul Train Awards is the death knell of Don Cornelius's once-lucrative Soul Train franchise. But you know what? It will live on forever in YouTube. Here's Bobby Womack on a 1975 episode of the show. The dancers are gettin' it. |
![]() No, Really, Don't Leave Me This Way.
Due to somewhat of a Nyquil hangover, I'm having an extremely hard time waking up and facing the world this morning. Actually, I'm not sure I'm really awake yet. I'm sleep-typing. But nothing really gets me in the mood (for being awake) more than a little… disco. Please, Thelma Houston, do your magic with "Don't Leave Me This Way." |
![]() La, La, La, La, La...
Hey, can you sing? If your answer is no and you ever want to clear a room quickly, sing this song at the top of your lungs. Trust me. I know. Minnie Riperton, died in 1979, just four years after this performance. She was 31. Luckily she left behind a daughter to continue her legacy, although, instead of singing, SNL's Maya Rudolph spends her time in the spotlight being funny. |
![]() Al Green In A Bad Suit
By special request, this is Al Green performing "Let's Stay Together," a classic of epic proportions played on the radio and at parties with a regularity that would suggest it is a recent release, in December of 1972. He is wearing what can only be described as a truly awful suit. Hot grits and Jesus were awaiting him in the future, but in 1972 he was still basking in the glow of mega-success without the religious guilt or third degree burns. Enjoy! |
![]() Nobody Beats The Wiz
It's hard to watch a spry, brown-faced Michael Jackson ease down the road in this 1978 clip from The Wiz. At a whopping fourteen years older than him, Diana Ross has managed to age more gracefully. But here they were when they seemed both young and happy, if a little awkward (Ross) and too reliant on the patented double-spin move (Jackson). This is one of my favorite clips from the film, because, when I was a child, I was hiding my face behind a pillow for the rest of it. |