Diana Ross, Muscles | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 195^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Muscles” by soul icon, Diana Ross.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 195^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Muscles”, performed by Diana Ross.

“They say they have to see / His real personality / But that’s alright for them / Still it ain’t enough for me.” Hmm, Diana Ross desires ‘more’ out of her men. Clearly, the iconic singer is thinking physically on “Muscles”.  Honestly, that’s what she wants: “I want muscles / All over his body.” It’s not unusual to hear songs that focus on physical attraction, particularly arriving beyond 1982, but, what makes this opener from Silk Electric compelling is the fact that it’s almost approached backwards.  How so? Well, typically, the antagonists in the song narrative would focus on a physical connection while the ‘protagonist’ is ‘better’ and ‘deeper.’ focusing on an emotional bond. Looks, hence, would be secondary.  In this case, most women (not antagonists, of course) want the personality and ‘deeper’ things, while Ross wants that banging, gym bod, like #FLEX Adonis!

A prime example of the importance of attractiveness to Ross: “I don’t care if he’s young or old / Just make him beautiful / I just want some strong man to hold on to / I want muscles.”  To her credit, on this Michael Jackson (!) penned and produced gem, age isn’t a factor.  Still, beauty is! Jackson gives Ross a radiant backdrop to work with, including keys and strings.  Vocally, Diana never forces the issues, bringing the sexiness with her calm, cool, and collected vocals.  “Muscles” earned Ross on of her 12 top-10 hits, peaking at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Sadly, this icon has never won a Grammy. Bummer!

🎙 Diana Ross • 💿 Silk Electric • 🏷 RCA • 📅 1982

Diana Ross, Muscles: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 195 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RCA; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]