15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 2 | Playlist 🎧

4. Dionne Warwick & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”

💿 Platinum & Gold Collection • 🏷 Sony Legacy • 🗓 2003

Sometimes, the cover version of a song ends up being the definitive version.  This occurs because the covering musician (1) does a more memorable take or (2) the original isn’t considered to be universal classic.  As mentioned earlier, 🎙 Rod Stewart originally recorded the 🎼 ✍ Burt Bacharach and 🎼 ✍ Carole Bayer Sager, 🎵 “That’s What Friends Are For”.  The best and most successful rendition of the song is performed by 🎙 Dionne Warwick, 🎙 Elton John, 🎙 Gladys Knight, and 🎙 Stevie Wonder – aka 🎙 Dionne & Friends.

Dionne & Friends took “That’s What Friends Are For” to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. Just the addition of Stevie Wonder’s harmonica is enough to declare this 🏆 Grammy-winning performance as the definitive take – Oops! Getting ahead of myself!.  The record from Warwick’s album, 💿 Friends, finds her taking the reins first in the first verse.  Her voice is easygoing – pleasant and radiant. Elton John joins her for the final lyric, duetting with her on select lines in the beloved, friendly chorus!

“Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me for sure

That’s what friends are for

In good times, in bad times

I’ll be on your side forevermore

Oh, that’s what friends are for.”

Stevie Wonder arrives in the second verse, showing off incredibly impressive vocals.  He brings more grit than Dionne and is joined by Elton John in the second half. These two have remarkable chemistry. During the chorus, it’s all Stevie, who sets up an equally powerful chorus by Gladys Knight.  That rich alto has rarely been matched.  Finally, John gets his biggest moments, showing off his own soulful, unrivaled vocals on the final chorus, with the return of Dionne and the rest of the friends.

Appears in 🔻:

• Dionne & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 55 (2022)
• Rod Stewart vs. Dionne Warwick: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 26 (2022)

5. Madonna, “Papa Don’t Preach” 

💿 True Blue • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1986

Last time I checked, 🎙 Madonna was a democrat, or, at least, she’s supported democratic politicians for years.  We are well aware that the controversial pop icon wasn’t a fan of 45.   Why do I mention Madge’s political affiliation? Well, her 1986 hit, 🎵 “Papa Don’t Preach”, played better with the GOP (aka republicans) than democrats, at least at the time. Why did republicans enjoy this one more, you ask? Pro-Life, baby!

“Papa, don’t preach, I’m in trouble, deep

Papa, don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep

But I made up my mind, I’m

Keeping my baby, ooh

I’m gonna keep my baby.”

We have a teenage girl who’s become pregnant with her boyfriend.  Rather than have an abortion, she decides she’ll keep the child against the judgment of many folks in her life.  Does her father advise her to abort the child? That’s not clear, but what is clear is that Madonna doesn’t want her father to give her a sermon – she’s taking matters into her own hands.  Furthermore, her boyfriend is going to step up, or so Madonna sings in the second verse: “He says that he’s going to marry me / And we can raise a little family / Maybe we’ll be all right / It’s a sacrifice.” Teenage pregnancy is rarely without controversy. Furthermore, the decision to keep the baby is polarizing. Abortion advocates loathe it.  Pro-life peeps embrace it. Madonna, ultimately, didn’t take a stance.  Controversy sells, so, it’s no surprise this 💿 True Blue gem reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Madonna, “Papa Don’t Preach”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 11 (2022)
• 13 Don’t Songs You Do Wanna Listen To

6. The Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her”

💿 The Ultimate Chi-Lites • 🏷 Brunswick Record Corp. • 🗓 2006

“Well, I know I can’t hide from a memory / ‘Though day after day I’ve tried / I keep sayin’ she’ll be back / But today again, I lied.” Those spoken word lyrics performed by 🎙 Eugene Record grace one of the greatest soul songs of all time, 🎵 “Have You Seen Her”. 🎙 The Chi-Lites were a highly successful soul collective formed in Chicago.  “Have You Seen Her,” one of their biggest hits, was a pop hit, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record originally appeared on their 1971 album, 💿 (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People.

“Oh, I see her face everywhere I go / On the street and even at the picture show,” Eugene Record sings, following the spoken word intro. He continues with the signature lyrics, “Have you seen her? Tell me, have you seen her?” The Chi-Lites are searching for their exes and lament the fact that she’s gone and NOT coming back. “Why, oh why / Did she have to leave and go away,” they sing dramatically, continuing, “Ooh, oh, I’ve been used to having someone to lean on / And I’m lost, baby, I’m lost.” While there’s ample sadness (and falsetto) over the loss and expiration of love, that Eugene Record helmed backdrop is incredibly soulful.  Additionally, the iconic front man penned the record alongside 🎼✍ Barbara Acklin.  Fittingly, towards the end of this five-and-a-half-minute bop, there’s additional spoken word, finding Record continuing to reflect on the loss.  “Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo / Have you seen her? Tell me, have you seen her?” #Classic and honestly, what else is there to say? This record speaks for itself.

7. The Temptations, “I Wish It Would Rain”

💿 I Wish It Would Rain • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1967

“Sunshine, blue skies, please go away / My girl has found another and gone away.” That’s a bummer for sure, 🎙 David Ruffin! Ruffin sings lead on 🎙 The Temptations’ top-five pop hit (peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100), 🎵 “I Wish It Would Rain.” He continues singing grittily on the disheartened verse, “With her went my future, my life is filled with gloom / So, day after day I stay locked up in my room / I know to you, it might sound strange / But I wish it would rain.”

“I Wish It Would Rain” finds The Temptations at their best. 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Norman Whitfield and 🎼 ✍ Barrett Strong cook up a surefire classic, with Whitfield also locking down the production.  This is 60s soul gold with its exceptional backdrop, high-flying lead, and supporting vocals.  You can feel the love pain that Ruffin is experiencing with this dynamic performance.  Furthermore, the lyrics just put it out there:

“‘Cause raindrops will hide my teardrops

And no one will ever know that I’m crying (Crying, crying, crying)

Crying when I go outside

To the world outside my tears, I refuse to explain.”

Men cry too.

Appears in 🔻: 

• The Temptations, “I Wish It Would Rain”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶53 (2022)
• 14 Enjoyable & Remarkable Wish Songs

8. Tammy Wynette, “Stand By Your Man”

💿 Stand by Your Man • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 🗓 1968

“Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman / Giving all your love to just one man / You’ll have bad times / And he’ll have good times.” 🎙 Tammy Wynette deservingly won a 🏆 Grammy Award for the classic, 🎵 “Stand by Your Man”.  Wynette wrote “Stand by Your Man” alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 Billy Sherrill, who also produced the record.  Still, this gorgeous, lushly produced, dedicated tune to one’s man raises some eyebrows.  Is “Stand by Your Man” intended to be controversial? No, but even when it was released in 1968 (💿 Stand by Your Man), some considered it antifeminist and certainly not progressive to women’s liberation.  That makes sense, considering how Wynette seems to suggest women should ‘stand by their man’ even when he’s a dog.

“But if you love him

You’ll forgive him

Even though he’s hard to understand

And if you love him

Oh, be proud of him

‘Cause after all, he’s just a man.”

Wow! Why should a man get a pass because he’s a man? Why should a woman accept any and everything from a man? Wynette has made it clear she wasn’t trying to be political, though is it shocking that a record like this one comes off as such? We should acknowledge this record as one of the greatest, most memorable country songs of all time but also acknowledge that hopefully, most of us have moved beyond the idea that women should “take one for the team” and allow their men to do any and everything and expect forgiveness.  Women shouldn’t be complacent.

Appears in 🔻:

• Tammy Wynette, “Stand by Your Man”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 9 (2022)
• 15 Great Songs All About Men!

9. Commodores, “Sail On”

💿 Midnight Magic • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1979

“I know it’s a shame / But I’m giving you back your name / Yeah, yeah.” Uh-oh! It’s the D-word – divorce! That’s right, 🎙 Commodores’ 1979 classic, 🎵 “Sail On” (💿 Midnight Magic) is about the end of a marriage.  Written by the iconic lead singer of the band at its height, 🎙 Lionel Richie, he wasn’t going through divorce at that time.  Still, the narrative of this crossover R&B/soul cut is absolutely brilliant.  It’s no surprise this soft-rock (yacht rock), country, and pop-infused joint reached no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Yes, I’ll be on my way

I won’t be back to stay

I guess I’ll move along

I’m looking for a good time.”

So, the man who is going through this breakup is moving on – “sail[ing] on down the line.” In the second verse, he asserts, “A small town boy like me / Just wasn’t your cup of tea / I was wishful thinking.” Apparently, Lionel, apparently.  Fed up with trying to preserve it, on the grand bridge – essentially the centerpiece in this particular song – the protagonist lets go: “Sail on, honey / Good times never felt so good.” Beyond the personal narrative that’s not personal, the music is utterly sublime.  Harmonized vocals, piano and guitar accompaniment, strings, horns – it possesses the total package. The grandest moment, of course, is the ‘bridge’ (again, essentially the chorus for this record).

Appears in 🔻:

• Commodores, “Sail On”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 65 (2022)

10. Teddy Pendergrass, “Close The Door”

💿 Life is a Song Worth Singing • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1978 

🎙 Teddy Pendergrass, a soul musician firmly planted in the Philly soul movement, had some success on the pop charts as a member of 🎙 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and as a solo artist.  Teddy peaked at no. 25 with arguably his greatest of greatest hits, 🎵 “Close The Door”, his sole gold single. It graces his platinum-certified, 1978 sophomore album, 💿 Life Is a Song Worth Singing. “Close the door / Let me give you what you’ve been waiting for,” he sings, in the famous opening verse. He continues, romantically and sexily, “Baby, I’ve got so much love to give / And I wanna give it all to you.” Pendergrass was the ultimate sex symbol, further amplified by his commanding, soulful baritone 😍.

Further enhancing this classic are Philly soul proponents  🎼 ✍ Kenneth Gamble and 🎼 ✍ Leon Huff.  Gamble and Huff were a match made in heaven for Pendergrass, who excelled singing their masterworks.  The reason why Pendergrass urges to ‘close the door’ is simple – sex.  Sure, he has an emotional connection but it’s crystal clear that physical pleasure is a must as well.

“I waited all day long

Just to hold you in my arms

And it’s exactly what I thought it would be

Me loving you and you love me

Close the door, baby

And let me blow your mind

Plenty good lovin’ all through the night

And then again, and then again, when the morning comes.” 

Ultimately, Gamble and Huff give, dare I say, sex-positive Pendergrass a surefire bop that’s still fresh more than 40 years later. This is the perfect soundtrack for making love.

Appears in 🔻:

• Teddy Pendergrass, “Close The Door”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 64^th (2022)

 11. The Winstons, “Color Him Father” 

💿 Color Him Father • 🏷 Metromedia • 📅 1969

“There’s a man at my house, he’s so big and strong / He goes to work each day, and he stays all day long.” That’s admirable.  Furthermore, “He comes home each night, looking tired and beat,” he never frowns, asking “How’s my child?” As these lyrics suggest, 🎙 The Winstons deliver a special record that highlights how special a loving, dedicated father is on 🎵 “Color Him Father” from their 1969 album of the same title.

“I think I’ll color this man father

I think I’ll color him love

Said I’m gonna color him father

I think I’ll color the man love, yes, I will.”

The chorus is incredibly memorable and more importantly, thoughtful and touching.   Making “Color Him Father” even more thoughtful is the fact that we learn this man who is ‘colored’ father isn’t the biological father! See Exhibit B, the second verse:

“Our real old man, he got killed in the war

And she knows she and seven kids couldn’t of gotten very far

She said she thought that she could never love again

And then there he stood with that big wide grin

He married my mother, and he took us in

And now we belong to the man with that big wide grin.”

Wow, the feels, the feels, the feels given off this top 10 (no. 7) Billboard Hot 100 📈 hit. Also, deservedly, The Winstons were nominated for a 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

Appears in 🔻: 

• The Winstons, “Color Him Father”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 41 (2022)
• 10 Commandment Songs: A Few Kept, Most Broken

12. Stevie Wonder, “He’s Misstra Know-It-All”

💿 Innervisions • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1972

“He’s a man with a plan / Got a counterfeit dollar in his hand / He’s Misstra Know-It-All.” 💿Innervisions is one of the greatest albums of all time. It marks one of three albums that soul legend 🎙Stevie Wonder was awarded the highly coveted 🏆 Grammy for Album of the Year.  Innervisions features just nine songs but all nine are hits. Among my favorites is the closing cut, 🎵 “He’s Misstra Know-It-All”.

On “He’s Misstra Know-It-All,” Stevie Wonder has a ‘bone to pick’ with somebody – maybe an assortment of folks.  Arguably, the top candidate that this gospel-infused soul gem is purported to be written about is disgraced President Richard Nixon.  Regardless of whom he’s referencing, it’s clear that he finds this person or persons deceptive, untrustworthy, and self-serving.

“If he shakes on a bet

He’s the kind of dude that won’t pay his debt

Oh, He’s Misstra Know-It-All.”

Notably, Wonder even drops profanity, albeit only a damn (“Give a hand to the man / You know damn well’s got the super plan / He’s Misstra Know-It-All”). Soulfully, Wonder continues to paint this individual as flawed (“He’s some kind of fella / Thinking of only himself / He’s Misstra Know-It-All”). Amazingly, the icon still makes a critical song like 🎵 “He’s Misstra Know-It-All” still sound bright, upbeat, and sunny. The energy and soul he infuses could easily make you mistake this classic as a gospel song.  Instead, he questions the morality of some individuals.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Stevie Wonder, “He’s Misstra Know-It-All”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 4 (2022)
  

13. The Stylistics, “Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)”

💿 The Stylistics – The Original Debut Album • 🏷 Amherst • 🗓 1971

“Stop, look / Listen to your heart, hear what it’s saying / Stop, look / Listen to your heart, hear what it’s saying / Love, love, love.” Yes, 🎙 The Stylistics, YES! 🎵 “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)” marks a stellar joint by this stellar soul collective.  Like some of the big hits off 💿 The Stylistics (1971), “Stop, Look, Listen” was penned by 🎼✍ 🎛 Thom Bell and 🎼✍ Linda Creed. Bell helps to craft that lush, signature Philly soul sound, one of the best things to come out of the 1970s. Ample credit also goes to lead singer 🎙 Russell Tompkins, Jr., who sounds amazing, wowing with a ripe falsetto.  The theme is matters of the heart, but have they ever sounded better than in the hands of this fivesome?  Tompkins and company encourage allowing yourself to L-O-V-E on this magnificent opener!

“Though you try, you can’t hide

All the things you really feel, this time decide

That you will open up, let it in

There’s no shame in sharing love you keep within.”

The Stylistics ‘put in work’ on this entire The Stylistics album beyond 🎵 “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)”.  Honestly, music just doesn’t sound like this anymore. “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)” is a surefire classic gem!

14. Smokey Robinson, “Quiet Storm” 

💿 A Quiet Storm • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1975

“Soft and warm, a quiet storm / Quiet as when flowers talk at break of dawn / Break of dawn…” Sigh, few soul musicians are smoother than 🎙 Smokey Robinson. FACTS! The 🏆 Grammy-winning, iconic singer/songwriter is simply one of the very best, period. With countless hits, it’s easy for a song like 🎵 “Quiet Storm” not to get the love it deserves.  Sure, “Quiet Storm” didn’t achieve top-10 status on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did peak at no. 61 – it had some impact. Even if it hadn’t, this is another stellar Smokey Robinson classic.  It commences his 1975 album, 💿 A Quiet Storm.

“Quiet storm

Blowin’ through my life

Oh, quiet storm

Blown’ through my life

Oh, blow baby.”

“Quiet Storm” doesn’t keep it short and sweet – it’s nearly eight minutes long!  Smokey had a lot to say, haha, and it’s ALL UTTERLY SUBLIME.  As always, he sings beautifully, flaunting that gorgeous, soulful tenor.  “You short-circuit all my nerves / Promising electric things / You touch me and suddenly there’s rainbow rings.” Ooh-wee, his pen, alongside 🎼✍ Rose Ella Jones, is sharp.  Oh, and let’s not forget the production – warm electric piano, smooth guitar, robust bass, and lush backing vocals – helmed by him and another legend, 🎛 Willie Hutch. Gorgeous! Smokey manages sexiness and classiness simultaneously.  A must-hear, nearly 50 years later!

15. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “I Miss You”

💿 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes • 🏷 Epic • 📅 1972

“(Ooh) Oh, I / … Oh I / I miss you, baby.” 🎵 “I Miss You” is one of the preeminent soul classics.  🎙 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes lay claim to this gem from their 1972 album, simply titled, 💿 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.  One of my favorites by the soul collective, the collective had bigger pop hits, with 🎵 “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” leading the charge.  Regardless, “I Miss You” matches their pop juggernauts in quality. 

Listening to the full-fledged, nearly-nine-minute version of “I Miss You” is like experiencing heaven on earth.  The lush, soulful production by 🎛 🎼✍ Kenneth Gamble and 🎛 🎼✍ Leon Huff, who also penned the record, helped usher in that beloved Philly sound. To this day, Of course, Pendergrass highlights the yearning, and heartache of the lyrics, backed up by those Blue Notes.  “Ever since you went away,” he sings, “I ain’t been doing nothing but / (Thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking).” He’s in his head, in his feelings because he’s heartbroken, so much it’s affected everything, including that “Drinking, drinking, drinking…”  Basically, Teddy, Harold, and those Notes are trying to cope for this lost love, but it hurts so much: “Without you, I don’t know what to do with myself, what to do with my time.” Personally, I find its dramatic execution, and those slow, soulful vibes to be one of the most relatable representations of heartbreak through song.  Damn that no. 58 peak – 🎵 “I Miss You” ranks among the best of all time! 

Appears in 🔻: 

• Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “I Miss You”: Throwback Vibez🕶️🎶  37 (2022)
• 15 Intriguing Miss or Missing Songs
• Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes vs. Anthony Hamilton: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 24 (2022)