(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, En Vogue.
There aren’t many groups burning up the charts nowadays. However, one of the most popular and most successful female groups was En Vogue. The vocal group from Oakland, California was assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. The members were Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson, and Terry Ellis.
Remember when an artist had to know how to “sing” to get a record deal. Let’s take a musical stroll back in time to enjoy good music.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III, who performed under the stage name, Al B.Sure!, turned down a college athletic scholarship to pursue a music career. He first came to the attention of Quincy Jones by winning the Sony Innovators Star Search. In 1988, he released his debut album “In Effect Mode.” It went on to sell over two million copies.
(This is a series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, New Edition.
New Edition is an R & B group that was formed in Boston in 1978. The group consisted of members Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, and Ricky Bell. They have been called the originators of the boy band movement that began in the ’80s and ’90s. Their debut album, “Candy Girl” was released in 1983.
I remember hearing and seeing this group for the first time. When “Candy Girl” came on the radio it felt like they were singing to me. My 14-year-old self fell in love. My best friend, Elaine, and I spent hours perfecting dance steps and singing along. We each picked a favorite as our “boyfriend”. I chose Ronnie. Elaine picked Ralph. I saved my lunch money to buy any teen magazine that had them on the cover. I begged for every album until I got a part-time job and could buy them myself.
New Edition and I grew up together. I was there when Bobby left the group in 1985. I hung in there when Johnny Gill joined the guys in 1988. I supported each of the member’s side projects (BBD (Poison), Bobby (Don’t Be Cruel), and Ralph “Mr. Sensitivity”). I could never get that excited about Johnny although “My, My, My” was a jam. I know some people loved him but I never could.
So here is a musical shout out to the boys from Boston. They captured teen hearts everywhere. And my adult self still has a soft spot for their music.
Where it all began – “Candy Girl”
“Mr. Telephone Man”
“Cool It Now”
“Count Me Out”
“If It Isn’t Love”- I can still do the steps to this one!
“Can You Stand the Rain”
“N.E. Heartbreak”
All grown up – “Still in Love”
“Hit Me Off”
BONUS: I’ve seen them in concert three times and would go again! Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny too!
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. As evidence, I present George Michael.
George Michael rose to fame in the 80s when he formed the pop duo, Wham with childhood friend Andrew Ridgeley. His first solo single, Careless Whisper, appealed to my teenage angst over lost love. I wasn’t the one with “guilty feet” but I just knew in my heart that I would “never dance again.” Here’s to that sad love-sick teenage girl I used to be:
“Careless Whisper”
Of course, George Michael went on to record the classic album, Faith. Here are some of my favorites.
“Faith”
“Father Figure”
“One More Try”
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) w/Arteha Franklin
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Salt ‘n Pepa.
Wherever I drive, my phone is on Google Music or Spotify. Salt ‘n Pepa’s song, “Shake Your Thang” came on and I was insisting transported back to the time of spandex, biker shorts, asymmetrical hair, and door knocker earrings. A time when rap was fun!
Salt ‘n Pepa was formed in 1985 and consisted of three members: Cheryl James (Salt), Sandra Denton (Pepa) and Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella). At the time, rap music was considered a fad and was a male-dominated genre. Then these ladies hit the scene and showed everyone how the ladies could get down.
Their first major hit was “Push It” but here are a few others that I liked.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Full Force.
The Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam post last week got me thinking about the men behind that groups sound. Full Force produced several artists to include Samantha Fox, Bob Dylan, UTFO, ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys.
Their music takes me back to my teenage years of house parties and school “hops”. Jeri curled members are Paul Anthony, Bow-Legged Lou, Shy Shy, B-Fine, Curt-T-T and Baby Gee.
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam.
The year was 1985 and I was a high school junior in total like/lust with a neighborhood boy. He was older (I always did like a more mature man) and I was contemplating the question every young girl must decide. When and who should I lose my virginity too?
This boy was in the running but I wasn’t sure. That’s when Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam came on the music scene. Their song “I Wonder If I Take You Home” was my personal anthem. I played this track off there self titled album over and over. I ultimately decided that he wasn’t worth it (Good call on my part!) but I still love this group to this day.
(This is a new series of posts where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, DeBarge.
When El DeBarge’s latest song, Second Chance (which is beautiful and prophetic) came across the playlist, I was taken back to a simpler time. Back to middle school when I first heard the group, DeBarge. The year was 1982 and I was just beginning to navigate the boy and girl dynamics. The song, “I Like It” was in heavy rotation on the radio and the lyrics spoke to my 13-year-old heart. A teenage boy would have been wise to repeat these lyrics,
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you for quite a while You’re on my mind every day and every night My every thought is you, the things you do Seems so satisfying to me, I must confess it, girl
I like the way you comb your hair And I like those stylish clothes you wear It’s just the little things you do That show how much you really care
They then followed that hit up with “All This Love”. The DeBarge siblings (Bunny, Mark, Randy, James, and El) made a total of six albums, four on the Motown label, before they ultimately disbanded in 1987. Drug addiction and jail sentences have been documented over the years. But I choose to remember the talented siblings that played on the soundtrack of my teenage loves.
“I Like It”
“Time Will Reveal”
“Rhythm of the Night”
Remember the movie “The Last Dragon”? Whatever happened to Bruce Leroy?
In honor of Eight Track /Cassette Tape Day, I’m going to list the albums of my childhood. I’m at the age where I can remember eight-track tapes, but too young to own any. So, this will be a reflection of those cassettes or vinyl albums I owned and enjoyed.
Candy Girl – New Edition
Street Songs – Rick James
Meeting in the Ladies Room – Klymaxx
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
New Edition – New Edition
All for Love – New Edition
Thriller – Michael Jackson
All This Love – Debarge
In A Special Way – Debarge
II – Boyz II Men
Mary Jane Girls – Mary Jane Girls
Rapture – Anita Baker
Before the days of digital downloads, can you name an album you owned on vinyl or cassette?
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. Let me present, MC Hammer.
Yeah, I had the shoes. I had the baggy pants, white shirt with the black vest. I’m not ashamed to admit it. The “You Can’t Touch This” video, I had all the steps down cold. You couldn’t tell me I didn’t.
I miss the time when rap was fun and actually good.
