Tyrone Davis, In the Mood | Throwback Vibez

In the 107^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “In the Mood” by Tyrone Davis. 

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 107^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “In the Mood”, performed by Tyrone Davis. 

There is just one question to ask: Are you In the Mood with Tyrone Davis??? Tyrone Davis is best known for his top-five Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Turn Back The Hands of Time” – one of the premiere soul joints of all-time .  Even beyond his ace in the hole, as well as another gem, “Can I Change My Mind”, Mr. Davis would impress once more near the end of the 1970s with “In the Mood”. While “In The Mood” wouldn’t impact the pop charts, it did earn a top-10 showing on the R&B charts.  Notably, this slick record has been sampled many times, including prominently in Alicia Keys’ 2021 song, “LALA (Unlocked)” from KEYS.

So, what makes “In the Mood” an awesome throwback vibe? First and foremost, it’s those soulful pipes of Tyrone Davis.  That man right there could S-A-N-G! Furthermore, the vibes on this particular song are sexy! Is there any doubt of Davis’ intentions? “Come here, baby / Girl, I wanna make sweet love to you, oh-oh,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Just like ice cream / And honey, my love is gonna make you melt.” WOO! Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, which definitely puts you in the mood: “Ooh-hoo / Are you in the mood, baby? / Hoo-hoo / Are you in the mood, yeah / Hoo baby.” Throw in those “la-la-la(s)” that Keys borrowed for her song, and “In the Mood” is L-I-T !

Tyrone Davis • In the Mood with Tyrone Davis • Columbia • 1979

Tyrone Davis, In the Mood: Throwback Vibez No. 107 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Columbia; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]