Music of the Day, 8 October 2023
correcting any wah-wah guitar deficiencies among us
Yesterday’s feature helped put today’s earworm in my mind, in large part because I want an antidote for the bad news that seems to be accumulating and accelerating. I probably haven’t heard this song since the 1980s, but it’s just what I need today.
At the time of this song’s release, I was barely a teenager and not yet sensually/sexually aware. Although I grokked its meaning, I was much more interested in and affected by the musical style. Off of Rufus’ 1974 album Rags to Rufus, “Tell Me Something Good” was the band’s biggest hit. It hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Cash Box Top 100 for one week. Rufus also won a Grammy in 1975 for it in the Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus category.
Chaka Khan’s inimitable singing style propelled the song up the charts, and led to the band’s name change for its next album; it went out as “Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.” Since I’m not sure I’ve heard any other songs by her, I don’t know if the style of “Tell Me Something Good” is typical of Khan; but I aim to discover the answer by the end of the day.
Everything about this song hits hard for me. I’m a sucker for funk. The slow tempo makes it burn even hotter, and encouraged this clumsy white girl to believe she could groove to the music. Khan’s “legato staccato”1 style of singing the verses is something I haven’t encountered elsewhere; it’s effective on its own and is a tasty contrast to the chorus.
I could go on and on about every aspect of this song,2 but let’s cut to the chase: here’s the goods.
Even the album’s cover art is delectable and pure ‘70s. The belt reminded me of learning the basics of macramé in high school Art 1, which was the highlight of the course for me.
Dinner was late last night, and I’ve a mountain of dirty dishes to see to. A playlist of great, funky songs is just the ticket to get me through the mess. Please leave your suggestions in a comment, including YouTube links if you’re so inclined (I’m not on Spotify).
I call it this because the notes aren’t truly staccato (short); the words are fully voiced, but there are gaps between them, making them seem relatively short. The technique masterfully builds anticipation.
One of my mother's faves.
You've never heard Chaka Khan's I Feel For You? One of the first songs to meld a rapper with an R&B singer.
And yes, long live funk!