On this day in 1992, En Vogue released “My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It)”, the first single off their Funky Divas album. To put it in 90s terms, this song was bangin’! You had the perfect harmonies of Dawn, Terry, Maxine, and Cindy, a heavy James Brown sample, and some New Jack swing. It was a recipe for success, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 100. The sassy 60s meets 90s music video also captured the fun dynamic of the group and won them a couple of VMAs. Woah woah woah woaaah!
Christmas came early this year. Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas is You” hit no. 1 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s an amazing feat considering the song came out in 1994. Every year it has grown in popularity, landing at no. 3 last season. It was only a matter of time before it would get to the top spot. Even better, this is Mariah’s 19th number 1, more than any other solo artist and one less than The Beatles. She has also headed the chart in three different decades now. She truly is an amazing artist. And some may say the Queen of Christmas.
Donna Summer ruled the music charts in the 1970s, turning out hit after hit. She and her longtime producer, Giorgio Moroder, had perfected the formula for dance music of that era. In November 1979, they came out with “On the Radio”. The track was written for the Jodie Foster movie Foxes. It’s used throughout, sometimes with Donna’s vocals, other times with just the gorgeous melody providing the film’s score. In the song, her ex-boyfriend writes her a letter, but he loses it before it can be delivered. Luckily, someone finds it and reads it on the radio. Sure, why not. Donna instantly knows it’s from her ex. She’s been pining for him ever since they broke up and this opens up the door for a reconciliation. That’s the power of the radio. The lyrics aren’t really the important part here. It’s more about the feelings that Donna conveys. The song starts off slow like a ballad. Her voice is relaxed and subdued, pulling you in. Then the beat drops and you’re elated as her soaring vocals take you to the dance floor. It’s a fantastic mix of emotions. “Radio” went on to become Donna’s tenth top ten single on the Billboard 100, further cementing her status as the Queen of Disco. “Whoa, oh, oh…”
Another day, another Mariah anniversary. On November 2, 1999 she released her seventh studio album, Rainbow. It followed in the footsteps of the Butterfly album in terms of leaning towards a more r&b and hip hop sound. But she still retained the pop and the ballads. Rainbow would be her last recording with Columbia Records. It produced two #1 hits, her 14th and 15th. A nice way to exit a record label. Here are its twelve songs ranked.
12. Did I Do That?
The question should be why did you do that. As in, why did you make this horribly janky song? She sings about the lousy guy she once dated and how she regrets the relationship. She should regret the lame lyrics, bad sample, and adding Mystikal and Master P to the production. Much like that ex-boyfriend, this song is not worth your time.
11. How Much
In theory, a Mariah/Usher collaboration sounds like a good idea. In reality, it’s lackluster. Their voices don’t mix well together and the song never goes anywhere. Not even the Tupac “Me and My Girlfriend” sample can help it.
10. Against All Odds
A fairly lazy remake. Not much has changed from the original Phil Collins song except for some unnecessary over-singing. The word “now” doesn’t need multiple syllables.
9. Thank God I Found You
TGIFY was Mariah’s 15th number one. However, this syrupy love ballad is one of her weakest. I don’t know why boy band 98 Degrees was featured. They’re nothing more than backup singers here. The remix with Joe and Nas is much better.
8. Bliss
One of Mariah’s vocal strengths is her whistle note. It’s best, though, when it’s used sparingly. So, singing the entire chorus of “on and on” via whistle is a bit much. She could have used a lower register and still achieved the sexy mood she was going for.
7. After Tonight
This is a little too similar to “My All” from Butterfly. Both are ballads that rely on a Spanish guitar. We’ve been down this road before. But it’s a pretty song with great layered vocals that make it seem like she’s duetting with herself.
6. Petals
Mariah laments that she’s searched for security with the wrong people. A marriage to a patriarchal figure that was never going to work or friends who ended up selling her out. It’s a beautifully sad record. But there’s hope because she tells us that she’ll recover at the end.
5. X-Girlfriend
A stalker ex-girlfriend won’t leave Mariah and her man alone. She keeps calling and hanging up and has even been pestering the dude’s mom. Mariah dismisses her with some signature shade, “Hey x-girlfriend, it’s too bad when you had him ya’ll thing didn’t work. But he’s all mine now so stop pursuing him before you get your feelings hurt”. She co-wrote this track with She’kspere and Kandi Burruss, the team behind TLC’s “No Scrubs”. X has a similar sound, but manages to stand on its own.
4. Crybaby
Mariah is crying over a breakup and unable to sleep, even though she has a new guy in bed next to her. Diva problems. This is a cool mix of r&b, hip hop, and a tiny bit of a jazz on top. Snoop Dogg pops up to deliver a smooth verse, tying it all together.
3. Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)
Every true steadfast Mariah fan, including myself, has a story about how her music got them through a difficult time. She often writes songs about persevering, overcoming an obstacle, and believing in yourself. CTTA is one of those. She sings about people telling her she doesn’t matter at all, trying to break her down. But she won’t let them snuff out the light that she has inside her. It’s a message that resonated with me at the time and continues to inspire today.
2. Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker is a fun pop song with a dash of hip hop courtesy of Jay-Z. I especially like his “Want a piece of paper, scribble down I hate ya” line. Mariah easily built a bridge between the pop and rap worlds in the 90s. These days it’s commonplace for pop stars to feature a rapper on their songs. But she was one of the pioneers.
1. Heartbreaker (Remix)
As much as I love the original, the remix of Heartbreaker took the song to the next level. Mariah recruited Da Brat and Missy Elliott to add a new flavor. Brat kicks things off with her line, “Guess who’s back in the motherfucking house, with two big tig ol’ bitties for your mouth”. And Missy raps/sings about how she has “that good thang”. All this is done over a sample of Snoop Dogg’s “Ain’t No Fun”. Once again Mariah takes elements of hip hop and makes it her own. That’s why she’s often imitated, but never duplicated.
Is November 1st too early to start listening to Christmas music? Apparently, Columbia Records didn’t think so when they released Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas on this day 25 years ago. They didn’t even let people have Thanksgiving dinner before hitting them with the jingle bells. Mariah was apprehensive about doing the project at all. Back then a Christmas album was something older artists did at the end of their careers. At the time, she was 24 and had only racked up four years in the music business. Releasing MC turned out to be a smart move in the end since it went on to become one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all-time. So, put on your Santa hat and slide down this ranking of the album’s ten songs.
10. Jesus Born on this Day
I can’t get behind a children’s choir. I get the sentiment and why someone thought it would be cute, but their little voices make this track sound cheesy. This isn’t Barney’s Christmas album.
9. Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child
Mariah goes for a more traditional gospel feel with this one. The results are boring. It’s the song you would fall asleep to in the middle of a church service.
8. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Eh. Santa didn’t need come to town this time.
7. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
This is a perfectly fine cover, but the song is so associated with singer Darlene Love that nobody else should attempt it. Not even Mariah.
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)
Short and sweet, but still very pretty. Hark, indeed.
5. Silent Night
A beautiful traditional track. It’s the song you put on while sitting by a cozy fire.
4. Joy to the World
A rousing rendition that actually exudes joy. Even better is the live performance from 1994, where Mariah really breaks it down with an enthusiastic choir. Feel, feel feel it!
3. Miss You Most at Christmas Time
The second-best original song on the album. It finds Mariah pining for her guy during the holiday season. Typically, Christmas music focuses on the happier, joyous side of life. But I like a sadder song too. The holidays can be a melancholy reflective time for some. Why not wallow in you egg nog for a little bit.
2. O Holy Night
I’m not one for traditional religious Christmas music, but this version of OHN has always won me over. Her vocal here is gorgeous. Deep, rich, and moving. The backup singers add to the fullness of the track. And the high note near the end always makes me happy.
1. All I Want for Christmas is You
The moment you hear the first music box-like notes on that keyboard, you know Christmas is coming. Literally. Then Mariah’s kinda-a capella vocal comes in, followed by those loud booms. It really sound s like something that came out of the 60s/Phil Specotr/wall of sound era. At the same time, it’s fresh and modern. So, the song can appeal to anyone. That’s why it has lasted so long and is still relevant. Last year it made it to the #3 spot on the Billboard 100. Hopefully it goes to #1 for this year’s anniversary. That would be quite festive.
In 2009, Mariah Carey released her twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. I’m a huge Mariah fan. HUGE. I’ll get into that more in another post. Despite my devotion, though, I can be honest and appropriately critical. This isn’t one of my favorite albums in her catalogue. However, there are still some gems worth re-examing.
14. The Impossible
A dreary little song that Mariah wrote about her then husband Nick Cannon. It’s just…ugh. Two slow, boring, and vocally dry. I never liked Nick, so an ode to him wouldn’t win me over. Luckily, they divorced.
13. Standing O
This doesn’t get a standing ovation from me. It’s basically a “he did me wrong song”, which she has done better on so many other occasions. Throw in some overly written, yet unimaginative lyrics and you have a very blah track.
12. Angels Cry
A perfectly fine ballad about the end of a relationship. That’s all, just fine. I can’t say anything bad about it. On the other hand, I can’t say it’s a song I play very often. The big note at the end is nice though.
11. Candy Bling
This one is all about throwbacks. Mariah reminisces about young love while sampling from Ahmad’s “Back in the Day”. Normally I’d love a song full of nostalgia, but this drowsy number doesn’t do it for me. It could have been much livelier. If you want a better Mimi nostalgia-filled song, listen to “Dedicated”.
10. I Want to Know What Love Is
Ever since she scored a #1 hit with her cover of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There”, Mariah has typically had a cover song on every album. Some work very well and others don’t. Foreigner’s IWTKWLI falls into the latter category. This seems like she threw in a cover just because. She doesn’t really change the song up much aside from adding a gospel choir. It’s a bit lazy actually.
9. H.A.T.E.U.
Hate U stands for “having a typical emotional upset”. Basically, Mariah has broken up with her man and she can’t wait to get to the part where she hates him. Right now, she’s in the “I’m hurt, but I still love you phase”. This track is just alright. Pretty vocals, especially the whistle notes, but overall, it’s nothing terribly memorable.
8. More Than Just Friends
The sample really makes “Friends” pop. Here we have Notorious B.IG.’s “One More Chance”. Adding Mariah to the mix makes for a good combo.
7. Ribbon
Mariah’s guy has her wrapped up like a gift with a bow on it. The imagery could use some work, but the hip-hop beat and her smooth vocals go well together.
6. Languishing
This may be a short interlude, however it’s still one of the best tracks on Memoirs. Mariah loves to include an emotionally stirring song on her albums, usually near the end. Languishing is a very simple yet incredibly powerful piece of poetry.
5. Inseparable
Mariah and her boyfriend have broken up and it’s a given that they’ll get back together. One of them needs to stop being stubborn and pick up their damn phone. A smooth sexy track that you can’t help but your nod your head to. It contains interpolations of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”, which add a nice element.
4. Betcha Gon’ Know
The opener to the album. It’s unusual for Mariah in terms of the tone, pace, and structure. And that’s what makes it interesting. She sings about catching her man cheating. He doesn’t know she knows, so she has plenty of time to plot her revenge. And she’s gonna lalalalaugh in his face. For real, for real.
3. It’s a Wrap
This is a modern-day doo-wop song. It begins with a gorgeous high note played over a dreamy melody and continues with an explanation of why she’s done with her trifling man. Mariah is known for throwing big words into her songs. Here it’s “acquiescent”. I’m sure some fans had to look it up. To put that into a verse along with a threat to “call Maury Povich” is delightful songwriting.
2. Up Out My Face
The second-best kiss-off song on the album. Mariah reads her ex within an inch of his life. She tells him that she should have had another mechanic another her hood, orders him to quit calling her from his mama’s house, and claims the Harvard class of 2010 couldn’t even figure out a way to put them back together. Oh, and she cc’d all of his friends about his lame ass. Email burn. The kicker is the reprise with a marching band getting into the spirit. Break!
1. Obsessed
“I was like, why are you so Obsessed with me?” And with that Mean Girls quote, we have the #1 track. The lead single off the album, Mariah wrote this after Eminem was running to the tabloids saying they’d hooked up. No, Slim Shady, it never happened. She hit back with a song talking about a lame douche bag who’s obsessed with her. The shade in this song is amazing. “You a mom & pop, I’m a corporation. I’m a press conference, you a conversation.” Aside from the lyrics, the beat, overlapping vocals, and feel good vibe make this the standout entry of Memoirs.
In September 1989, Janet Jackson released her iconic Rhythm Nation 1814. Her record company wanted a sequel to the successful Control album. Janet had other plans, choosing to make a concept album focusing on racism, poverty, and substance abuse, among other social issues. She threw in some romantic ballads and pop songs too. The formula turned out to be winner. Rhythm went to the top the Billboard charts and sold 12 million records. Here is a ranking of the 12 tracks.
12. Lonely
Lonely is pretty basic and boring. Don’t isolate yourself, let others in, blah blah. It’s like a step-by-step guide for hapless loners.
11. Someday is Tonight
This is sequel to “Let’s Wait a While” from Control. Janet lets her boyfriend know she’s finally ready to go all the way. Eh, this wasn’t worth the wait. It tries too hard to be sensual and ends up sounding very cheesy.
10. Livin’ in a World (They Didn’t Make)
Janet sings about children being corrupted by a shitty world that adults have created A valuable message that gets lost in a sappy ballad. The kids deserved better than this.
9. Alright
I was never a huge fan of Alright. It’s a cute dance track, but nothing special. Great video, though.
8. The Knowledge
The concept here is knowledge equals power. In order to change the world, we need to begin with the children, giving them an education and stressing tolerance. I like her delivery over the hip-hop beat here.
7. State of the World
This a better message song than “Livin’ in a World”. It’s a catchy jam with powerful lyrics about homelessness, bullying, and crime. Something to think about while you dance.
6. Black Cat
Janet lets her inner rock star out in an unexpected turn from her normal sound. She makes the shift effortlessly and rides that electric guitar for all its worth.
5. Escapade
This is the perfect road trip song. Getting away with your friends and cranking up radio, as you did in the pre-Spotify days. It makes you want to sing-a long and save our troubles for another day. Indianapolis!
4. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
A sexy fun song. She sings about how people doubted her relationship with her guy because they were so different. In the end, they proved their friends wrong. The video for Love was a big departure for Janet. She was showing more skin and being flirty with the viewer. Giving us a taste of things to come.
3. Come Back to Me
The strings sound amazing on this track. I also like how she uses her lower register as she’s begging her lover to return. My favorite part is when she goes silent for a few seconds and you think it’s over, until she comes rushing back with another verse. It’s a beautiful song.
2. Rhythm Nation
This feels like Janet’s version of “Fight the Power”. She talks about coming together to push back against injustice. In an interview at the time, she said that she felt a responsibility to use her music as a way of inspiring people and bringing about change. Rhythm became a battle cry that resonated for a generation.
1. Miss You Much
I’ll tell your mama, I’ll tell you friends about how much I love this song. It’s classic Janet. A vibrant dance track with a bombastic sound. The other day I heard it played in a new movie and I couldn’t help but dance in my recliner seat. Thirty years later, this is still a hit.
Twenty years ago, Christina Aguilera released her self-titled debut album. The late 90s were all about teen pop acts, with Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC dominating the charts. 18-year-old Christina fit right in, but at the same time her incredible voice made her stand out from the crowd. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and went 8x platinum. Let’s rank its 12 tracks.
12. When You Put Your Hands on Me
You know what Christina Aguilera doesn’t need? Auto-tune. Yes, the sound effect was very popular at the time (thanks, Cher), but that doesn’t mean it should have been used. It makes the song sound dated and cheesy.
11. Blessed
Blessed equals boring. It’s a nice song, but far too simple and slight. I’d listen to this one if I needed something to help me sleep. Zzzzz
10. Somebody’s Somebody
A frequent problem with this album is that the songs sound like they were written for an older artist. “Somebody’s Somebody” is a prime example. I would expect to hear this on a Celine Dion album. No, I’m not calling Celine old. I’m just saying this adult contemporary track is more up her alley than a teen pop star’s.
9. Love Will Find A Way
Christina sings about getting through the bad times in a relationship. Don’t worry about the bumps in the road, love will find a way. Eh, I don’t believe it. But it has an ok breakdown/bridge, making it kind of danceable. This could be someone’s jam.
8. Reflection
This was the featured song in the animated film, Mulan. Not surprisingly, it sounds very Disney. A grand, sweeping track about trying to find your way in the world. It doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the album though. This feels like she’s going backwards to her Mouseketeer days.
7. I Turn to You
The third single released from the album and the weakest in my opinion. It’s a very Whitney-like ballad, circa 1991. Nothing’s wrong with that. But Whitney had better material. There’s nothing special here.
6. Come on Over
After the release of the album, Christina went back into the studio and souped up “Come on Over”, adding some new lyrics and a breakdown. It was definitely an improvement. But if I’m judging the original, with all its hollow generic pop sound, it lands at #6.
5. Obvious
Sometimes you don’t need a lot of production for a song. Just Christina’s voice and some keyboards will do. This ballad is uncomplicated, yet powerful, and quite beautiful.
4. So Emotional
“So Emotional” is a enjoyable playful song. I like the layered vocals and easy mid-tempo beat. It was originally intended to be released as a single and I wish her record company had done so. It would have been a better choice than “I Turn to You”.
3. Love for All Seasons
Christina promises to be there for her man through winter, spring, summer, and fall. That’s ambitious and versatile. Another great example of a strong vocal that keeps amping up and enriching the song. It sounds like something Babyface would have produced.
2. What A Girl Wants
A close runner-up to the top spot. “Girl” was the second single off the album and her second #1. It’s a fun blend of pop and r&b. This is the song you blast on the radio and “car dance” to. Yes, that’s a thing. It’s what a girl…or a boy wants.
1. Genie in a Bottle
This has to be number one, there’s no contest. It has sultry vocals, lyrics full of innuendo, and a timeless melody. Definitely the song you want for your introduction to the world and ultimately one of your signature tracks.
Twenty years ago, Destiny’s Child released their second studio album, The Writing’s on the Wall. It would go on to be certified 8x platinum, launch four hit singles, and garner multiple Grammy nominations. Instead of focusing on that success most people remember the revolving DC lineup at the time. Originally it was Beyonce, Kelly, LaTavia, and LeToya. Then LaTavia and LeToya were dropped. Michelle and Farrah were added. But Farrah got kicked out pretty quickly. So, by mid-2000 the group was a trio. That’s a lot of change for the Children. But the one constant was an impressive R&B album that deserves more attention than the controversy going on at the time. So, let’s celebrate TWOTW and rank its 14 songs.
14. Sweet Sixteen
This isn’t so sweet at all. SS deals with a young girl looking for the love that she was never given growing up. She meets a bad guy, gets pregnant, and ends up alone and sad. It’s a cautionary tale for other teenagers not to move so fast. A very well-intentioned, but oh so boring tale. The lyrics are clunky and the melody itself is fairly stale. And in the end, it’s an after-school special set to music. But I’ll give it a few points for sampling Diana Ross’ “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To).
13. Hey Ladies
Hey Ladies (and gentlemen) could this song be more basic? So, this woman’s boyfriend is doing her wrong. He’s lying and running around on her with a Tenderoni. He’s got to go…got to go. This dumb song needs to go as well. It’s supposed to be an anthem for women to get rid of their crappy men, but it doesn’t stir up much energy. I’ve heard better rallying songs. Some, from Destiny’s Child!
12. Confessions (featuring Missy Elliott)
These are some lame confessions. In a couple of verses, she tells her man about the things she did behind his back. Cheating, taking his credit card to buy some clothes, blah, blah. Nothing really scandalous. What’s surprising is how tired this song is. You’d think a DC/Missy Elliott collaboration would be on fire. Not so much as it turns out.
11. Now That She’s Gone
Kelly’s ex has come crawling back after getting dumped by his current chick. He treated his now-ex much better, so he has a lot of nerve trying to step to Kelly again. It’s a pretty dick move. This one is just ok. Not horrible, nor great. My biggest question is why is the song over 5 minutes? The story could have been expressed much more succinctly.
10. Stay
A nice ballad. The vocals are beautiful. But it’s fairly tame. The melody is quite dated, sounding like something from the 80’s or early 90’s. And the writing is weak. She’s begging her man not to leave her, promising to grant all of his wishes if he doesn’t walk out. Really? That’s too desperate. Just let him go, girl.
9. If You Leave (featuring Next)
Matching up DC with fellow R&B group Next was a good decision. Their voices blend well together on this track about two people contemplating leaving their current partners for each other. The song itself is kinda repetitive and it ends with a lot of wailing from both groups. But it’s not so bad for the most part.
8. She Can’t Love You
It’s hard to name a more sultry and shady song. Beyonce sees her ex’s new girlfriend and basically comes to the conclusion that this chick sucks. She could never compete with B. But, really, who could follow that first act? This new girl was doomed from the start. I like Beyonce’s husky vocals on the verses. Even better is the sample of Bola Sete’s “Bettina”. The Brazilian guitarist’s original track adds so much flavor.
7. So Good
This is a kiss off to all the haters who thought DC would fail. They want them to know that they’re doing so, so, so good. It sounds like a precursor to DC’s “Survivor”. Same concept of boasting about how they’re doing much better than those people who doubted them. There’s even a similar presenting of their album sales receipts. It’s not so, so, so, good, but it’s alright.
6. Bug A Boo
This Bug A Boo is doing way too much. Calling non-stop, following Beyonce everywhere, emailing her like whodunit. It’s pretty serious if she wants to break her lease so she can move. On the flip side, who knew a song about a stalker could be so fun? This is a bombastic track that anyone can dance (or stalk) along too. Also, there are so many great outdated references. MCI, pagers, AOL! Very 1999.
5. Where’d You Go
Oh, baby where’d you go? Beyonce’s man has dipped out on her (seriously) and she’s dying for him to come back. It’s driving her crazy. Again, girl, let him go. But in the meantime, you have this smooth track to comfort you. I love all the layered vocals here. Whoa, whoa, whoa…
4. Temptation
Basically, DC is tempted to forget about their man and run off with another. His body is calling them. This could have been a single from the album. It’s playful and sexy. Also, “Oops, I forgot I got a man” is the best random lyric on this album
3. Jumpin’, Jumpin’
This was the last single released from the album, but far from the weakest. I love how the song revs up an explodes sonically. I challenge you not to bounce around with them. And the quick vocal delivery really takes you there. While making it nearly impossible to sing-a-long accurately.
2. Bills, Bills, Bills
This is a close runner-up for the top spot. Clever writing and a wicked beat. It’s the best She’kspere production on the album. Everyone assumes it was about a woman demanding that a man take care of her financially. But really, she’s asking him to be on par with her. He’s been taking her money, car, etc. She doesn’t want a scrub…. that’s another She’kspere song.
1. Say My Name
One of the best songs of 1999. Period. And definitely the best on the album. There was a time in 1999/2000 when you couldn’t escape it. On the radio, in a club, or on TRL. And I didn’t mind. Once you heard that opening chorus and those chords, you were hooked. There’s the relatable sing-song lyrics, a masterful production from Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild 99!), and beautiful vocals from all the ladies. It deserved to be a number #1 hit and a lasting legacy for this amazing group. Better say their names!
I heard “My Sharona” for the first time when I saw Reality Bites in 1994. In the movie, Winona Ryder’s character and her friends are raiding a gas station food mart when the song comes on the radio. They ask the clerk to crank up the volume and start dancing manically, next to the twinkies. It’s a wacky scene made more memorable by the song choice.
The dunna dunna dun dun beat (as the professionals call it) really stays in your head. I wonder if The Knack knew they were creating such an earworm back in 1979. Lead singer Doug Fieger wrote the song about his actual girlfriend, Sharona. It’s basically about some guy trying to get with the hot girl he’s obsessing about. Simple and to the point lyrics. But the beat, stuttering vocal delivery, and guitar riffs make it more impactful. It’s also a bit of a throwback itself, with a sound some have likened to the bands from the British Invasion in the 60s. The track went to #1 on the Billboard 100 in the summer of ‘79, staying there for 6 weeks. And it became The Knack’s best-known song.
In the 80’s, Run-D.M.C. sampled “My Sharona” (without permission from The Knack) for their song “It’s Tricky”. The music goes perfectly with their rap, reinventing it for a new audience. Funny enough, I first heard “It’s Tricky” when I saw Can’t Hardly Wait in 1998. This just proves that movie soundtracks can introduce you to great songs from the past you wouldn’t have otherwise heard.
Whoa!
NostalGeoff 