Rufus, “Tell Me Something Good” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 72^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.  

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 72^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Tell Me Something Good”, performed by 🎙 Rufus featuring 🎙 Chaka Khan.

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“You ain’t got no kind of feeling inside / I got something that’ll sho nuff set yo stuff on fire.” Oh, really, 🎙 Chaka Khan?  Please, continue diva! “You refuse to put anything before your pride / What I got will knock all your pride aside.” Oh, snap! 🎵 “Tell Me Something Good” is one of the best funk/R&B records of all-time, period.  Chaka is the lead vocalist, but “Tell Me Something Good” preceded her solo career.  This no. 3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, hence, is attributed to 🎙 Rufus.

Khan electrifies from a vocal perspective.  She brings plenty of attitude, personality, and power behind her pipes.  Beyond her superb vocals during the tuneful verses, her ad-libs during the crowd-pleasing chorus are equally impressive. Of course, when talking about “Tell Me Something Good,” you can’t omit the playful, breathy, nonsensical vocals that precede the chorus.

“Tell me something good

Tell me that you love me, yeah

Tell me something good

Tell me that you like it, yeah.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

So, beyond great vocals and memorable songwriting, you must commend the musicians and the lit backdrop on 🎵 “Tell Me Something Good”.  The riffs are tight, the groove is cooking, and the nostalgia of this 1974 classic (💿 Rags to Rufus) makes you yearn for music that sounds like this again.

🎙 Rufus featuring Chaka Khan • 💿 Rags to Rufus • 🏷 MCA Records • 🗓 1974

Rufus, “Tell Me Something Good”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 72 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  MCA Records, The Musical Hype]