Mary Jane Girls, All Night Long | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 89th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “All Night Long” by Mary Jane Girls.  

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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 89^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “All Night Long” performed by Mary Jane Girls.

“All night long / All night long.” Ooh-wee! Oh, snap! The Mary Jane Girls comprised Joanne McDuffie (lead vocals), Kimberly Wuletich, Yvette Marine, Cheryl Bailey, and Candice Ghent.  A short-lived girl group, Mary Jane Girls released two albums, including the 1983 self-titled album. “All Night Long” is the seventh track from Mary Jane Girls.  The late, great Rick James (1956 – 2004) wrote and produced it. “All Night Long” missed the pop charts but impacted the R&B and dance charts.  Notably, this 80s R&B classic samples the bass line from another 80s R&B gem: “Risin’ to the Top” by Keni Burke. It has been sampled many times, including the Mary J. Blige song, “Mary Jane (All Night Long)”.

Given the song title, it should come as no surprise what Joanne McDuffie sings about.  “You got me shook up, shook down, shook out / On your lovin’ and boy I can’t wait to get started lovin’ you,” she asserts in the first verse.  Ooh-wee, child! The sentiment is similar in the second verse, where “something’s got me so delighted, baby / I see your face in everything I do.” Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels! One of the best lines comes during the bridge: “Climb up the ladder, don’t stop / My love’s waiting when you reach the top / I’m gonna give it to you / All night long.” Beyond the romantic, innuendo-laden lyrics, the vocals and music are electrifying.  Not only is Joanne’s lead on-point, but the background vocals are glorious, too.  The harmonized moments are particularly ear-catching. Rick James composes and produces a mean musical backdrop. That fat bass line fits perfectly – the straw that stirs the drink! The keys, guitar, drums, and saxophone 🎷 solo are enticing as well.  All told, “All Night Long” remains a surefire vibe from the 1980s.  Why wasn’t this a pop hit? That is the question! Regardless, this is a fun, infectious, and unforgettable sexy joint.  “Come on up, boy, don’t be late / What I got for you won’t wait / All night long.” Yes ma’am!