A Black History Month Song of the Day - Baby I'm Scared of You - Womack & Womack

Come, if you got real love for me

Stay away, if you got games and tricks for me

I wanna man that means everything he say

And not a boy full of play

Pulling rabbits out of his hat everyday

Oh, baby I'm scared of you

We end our Black History Month and rhythm and blues celebration with one of the most soulful and delicious songs I've ever known.  Back in the 1980's was when I got my first taste of soul and R&B and I haven't stopped loving it ever since.  There were a great many R&B singers from that time that I used to love.  Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle, Melissa Morgan, Melba Moore, Stevie Wonder, Pebbles, Vanessa Williams and so many more hit it big with some great R&B jams of the day.  

I... I don't believe in magic (magic)

I believe in love everlasting

I can't understand that

Husband and wife team, singers and songwriters both, Cecil and Linda Womack, wrote and performed one of my all time favorite and classic soul songs, Baby I'm Scared of You.  The tune is simply soul perfection...the lyrics, the music, and of course the great vocals.  This one was made back in the early days of video (1983) and unfortunately there was no visual to go with this one, but you should definitely check out Baby I'm Scared of You...  

Houdini, Houdini, was great magician

He could crack a lock, from any position

But my heart, is nothing like those locks

And your falling last of my brand of stock

Like little red riding hood, you're the fox

Oh baby I'm scared of you

Song of the Day - Milkshake - Kelis

We continue the last days of Black History Month with a contemporary R&B artist and one of her oldest and biggest hits.  Kelis first came on the scene way back in 1998 and didn't really hit it big until five years later with this funky, sexy jam.  Compared to her music today, this one is sort of, well, primitive.  I am a bona fide fan of Ms. Kelis these days and the music she's doing now is much more sophisticated and adult and I love it just as much.  Milkshake is a classic, though, and that tag line!  So go press play and get down and dirty...   

Song of the Day - Unstoppable - Sia

All smiles

(I know what it takes to fool this town)

I'll do it till the sun goes down and all through the night time

Ohh yeah, ohh yeah

I'll tell you what you wanna hear

Leave my sunglasses on while I shed a tear

It's never the right time (yeah, yeah...)

I put my armor on

Show you how strong how I am

I put my armor on

I'll show you that I am

I'm unstoppable

I'm a Porsche with no brakes

I'm invincible

Yeah, I win every single game

I'm so powerful

I don't need batteries to play

I'm so confident, yeah (I'm unstoppable today)

Unstoppable today, unstoppable today

Unstoppable today (I'm unstoppable today)

Sia's newest album, This Is Acting, is soooo good!  And to prove it, all you have to do is check out this song to see just how good this 12-song set is.  Unstoppable is as good as anything the 40 year old Aussie has ever done.  It's beautifully written, it's got a powerful message and is just simply inspirational!  Check out Unstoppable...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Do You Wanna Funk - Sylvester

Before there was Rupaul, there was Sylvester.  Sylvester James, Jr. was a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles who was really a pioneer of his day.  Sylvester's falsetto voice, catchy lyrics and funky beats helped him score a few hits during the late years of the disco era, including Dance (Disco Heat) and (You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real  His androgynous appearance was considered outlandish at the time, though today we'd think nothing of it.  Sadly, Sylvester died from complications from AIDS in 1988.  His music, though, lives on.

Here's one of my favorite Sylvester songs, and one of my all time favorites.  It's the catchiest of tunes with the funkiest of beats.  I can't listen to this one and not dance.  Enjoy and Happy Friday!  

A Black History Month Song of the Day - Goin' Back to Cali - LL Cool J

I'm going back to Cali, rising, surprising

Advising realizing, she's sizing me up

Her bikini - small; heels - tall

She said, she liked, the ocean

She showed me a beach, gave me a peach

and pulled out the suntan lotion

Now I thought that was fast, but this girl was faster

She's lookin for a real good time

I said, "Close your eyes, I got a surprise, "

and I ran away with the bottle of wine

A very monumental era in black music history was the dawn of the rap age in the early to mid-1980's. It all began with the early and primitive sounds of the Sugar Hill Gang and went big time mainstream a couple of years later with the trio from Hollis, Queens known as Run DMC.  Before the genre morphed into hip-hop (some have returned to calling it rap these days), another fellow from Queens by the name of LL Cool J carried DMC's torch into the late 80's and beyond.  LL had a string of hits in those days and perhaps none cooler than this one, a slow, steady jam about, well, California life. So if you were ever a fan of the genre, click play below and relive the smooth stylings of LL Cool J and Goin' Back to Cali...

Song of the Day - Pump It - Black Eyed Peas

Today is Hump Day, and I think we need a little something fast and furious to give us that boost to make it the rest of the way to the weekend.  Love the video too!

Song of the Day - Blow - Ke$ha

Free Ke$ha!

I'm sure that many of you may have been following, or at least been aware of, the whole Ke$ha saga in her lawsuit with SONY.  To make a long story short, the talented dance music singer/songwriter lost her case in which she tried to get out of a contract with producer Dr. Luke and his Kemosabe Records, within the SONY family.  Ke$ha claims the producer drugged, raped and abused her a decade ago, all of which he denies.  Any-who, the court sided with SONY and Luke and now the only way for Ke$ha to record new music is with them.  Sad!  Read the full story on Rolling Stone here and in the meantime check out one of my favorite Ke$ha tunes... 

   

A Black History Month Song of the Day - Touch Me In the Morning - Diana Ross

Touch me in the morning

Then just walk away

We don't have tomorrow

But we had yesterday

From the 60's we move into the 70's with one of my favorite singers, Ms. Diana Ross.  Back then many were appalled by her less than amicable departure from the Supremes, but nonetheless one of the original divas took the word by storm as a solo artist, racking up 27 Top 40 singles, 6 of which hit the top spot, including this one.  Touch Me In the Morning was Diana's second #1, following the smash Ain't No Mountain High Enough.  The song is beautifully written, and although I'm not sure many of us would be begging for the kind of heart rending separation she's looking for after such a beautiful romance.  The tune is a little on the sad side, but when she gets to that chorus...bam!

If I've got to be strong

Don't you know I need to have tonight till you're gone...

A Black History Month Song of the Day - Be My Baby - The Ronettes

The Supremes.  The Marvalettes. Martha and the Vandellas.  The Shirelles.  The Ronettes.  The 1960's was the the beginning of a new era in music, one which has endured throughout the years with other acts such as the Spice Girls, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, Destiny's Child, TLC, Pussycat Dolls, and so many more.  Yes, I'm talking about girl groups.  All of these ladies have left their own indelible mark on the music world and there's no coincidence that much of the music falls under the realm of rhythm and blues.  R&B and dancing have always gone hand in hand and the dancometer has been bouncing through the roof since the days of these early gals.  Here's a classic tune from 1963...it's Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes performing Be My Baby...

Song of the Day - Calm Down - Katy B, Four Tet & Floating Points

I am very excited about Brit dance artist Katy B's newest album, Honey, which is due to be released in late April.  I first discovered Katy back about two years ago during the height of her last album, Little Red,  To me, she's a perfect dance artist, with a low, sultry voice and deep, bass-y beats.  I loved almost every song on Red, and from the sounds of things on Calm Down, I'm gonna love Honey just as much...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Can You Feel It - The Jacksons

Back in 1980, not long before Michael Jackson's huge breakout that was Thriller, he and his brothers recorded a very good dance album called Triumph.  Of the several hits to come off of this record (Walk Right Now, Lovely One, This Place Hotel) , this one got me the very first time I heard it and is probably my favorite Jacksons' tune of all time.  The song  was sampled and reworked in 1998 for The Tamperer's clever and equally funky Feel It, which only made me love this original even more. Check out Can You Feel It and go out and have a great Friday...

Song of the Day - Shoop - Salt-N-Pepa

I finally saw the Deadpool movie last night and all I will tell you is that if you like superhero movies (sorta!) that are full of exciting action, cool special effects  and lots and lots of belly laughs, then this one is a must see.  If you have already seen the movie, then you'll get my choice for today's song.  I sat there during the credits bopping and singing the whole way through  for the song's second appearance in the film. Love it!  

A Black History Month Song of the Day - I - Kendrick Lamar

One of the most talked-about performances at the Grammys this year was one by Mr. Kendrick Lamar, a bona fide neo-soul extraordinaire.  Well, this is the song of his that started it all for me, the funkdafied hip-hop soul that is I...  

Song of the Day - Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson, feat. Bruno Mars

Last night was the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and I did not watch it at all.  Something about awards shows...they're not what they used to be (which is a topic for another time!).  The Grammys, though, are one of the most prestigious of awards shows, and of course it's still quite an accomplishment for a musical act to win one.  This funky jam, by producer Mark Ronson, won the Grammy for Record of the Year, which is no surprise.  Though I got tired of it fast from waaayyyy too much airplay, it is a special tune and I don't know anybody who didn't love it lots at one time or another.  Check out Uptown Funk... 

Song of the Day - Hypnotized - Akon

Here's a brand new classic from Senegalese-American singer/producer Akon.  Unfortunately there's not much information out there on the tune, only that it's not connected to an album...so far.  There is no video, but the song is good enough simply in its audio version, which you can check out right here... Love it!

Song of the Day - All the Lovers - Kylie Minogue

Happy Valentine's Day to all the lovers out there!  Enjoy!

Song of the Day - Mundian To Bach Ke - Panjabi MC, featuring Jay Z

Here's a hot, frenzied dance track where east meets west, as Jay Z joins forces with British-Indian deejay Panjabi MC for Mundian To Bach Ke, or Beware of the Boys.  The tune was originally recorded as a bhangra song by Punjabi artist Labh Janjua back in the 90's, mixed by Panjabi MC in 99, (along with a little help from Jay Z) and re-released to great success in 2002.  The jam cleverly samples the musical track to Busta Rhymes' infectious Fired Up with the quick-paced string signature of bhangra music and the results are, well, hot!  Check out Mundian To Bach Ke...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Hush Hush - Pussycat Dolls

Here's a little neo-disco for your Flashback Friday that'll be sure to get you in that weekend party mood.  It's gonna be cold outside this weekend and dancing will surely keep ya warm...

A Black History Month Song of the Day - Be Without You (Remix) - Mary J Blige

Let me see you put your hands up...

The history of black music would not be complete without the sounds of the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Mary J. Blige has been kicking it for years now and this very talented lady has grown in leaps and bounds since her early days of down home funk.  Yes, from her monumental debut, What's the 411?, to 2014's mature The London Sessions, Ms. MJB has a deep and varied catalog.  Oh, it was hard to choose just one song to post here today, but when it got down to it, I picked one of her greatest dance/club hits, of course, a remix of a stellar ballad from her 2005 The Breakthrough set, which represents something she added to her repertoire as a dance singer with the great remix of No More Drama in 2001.  Here's the hot hot remix of Be Without You...

Song of the Day - The Devil's Tears - On June, featuring Tesity

Here's a tune I just recently discovered via satellite radio.  There's not much out there on the song itself, so I'm not sure exactly who On June, nor Tesity are, but the tune is classic chill.  It's got that hypnotic, melancholy feel to it that I love so much, and the background beats make it danceable. Very cool tune!  Check it out...

A Black History Month Song of the Day - I Proceed - Ciara

I know that labeling some of these posts as Black History Month might seem a little shallow for the occasion.  Well, this is a music blog and to me, rhythm and blues is a genre of music that transcends all and has its roots in African American history.  I've always loved R&B and so I like to take advantage of this occasion to highlight some R&B songs I love, and in today's case it's a funky groove by singer Ciara, with a lil help from Missy Elliot.  Check out I Proceed...

Song of the Day - Love On Top - Beyoncé

Basking in the afterglow of another Super Bowl performance, which happened to be a well-done, energetic performance of a brand new song, Formation, Beyoncé is getting ready to take on the music world by storm once again.  Though I've already heard very mixed reactions to the song, and the performance, to me...well, I loved them both.  The song is very R&B, with lots of funk thrown in for good measure, and the video is pretty darned entertaining, as well.  

The new song will apparently play as the lead-in to a new album and ensuing tour (announced on the singer's YouTube page, which you can check out right here.).  Though the vid is too new to be shared here, you can check it out on the singer's YouTube page.  In the meantime, here's a favorite from Bey's under-appreciated 4 album.  Check out the sunshiney Love On Top...

Song of the Day - Jock Jams Megamix

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let's get ready to rumble...

Good morning and Happy Super Bowl Sunday.  Today's game, between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos takes place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, should be a good one for those who love the sport.  As for those for whom the game is not so important, this year's halftime show sees British pop-rock band Coldplay headlining, with former headliners Beyoncé and Bruno Mars joining in.  Admittedly I've never really been a Coldplay fan (I know, I know!), so I am not rushing to my DVR to record it.  But in the spirit of the game, here's an old stadium favorite...

Song of the Day - ScheiBe - Lady Gaga

I don't speak German

but I can if you like...

DeviantArt

It's been awhile since I've posted anything Gaga, and being that she's got a lot of things coming up I figured now would be a good time to post a tune.  First of all, the AHS actress will be singing the national anthem at tomorrow night's Super Bowl.  Then, the singer will be receiving the very prestigious Jane Ortner Award from the Grammy Museum for her dedication to education in the arts. You go Gaga!

It seems like forever since she released her last true Gaga album, ARTPOP, but I'm hearing that a new Gaga record is on the way for 2016.  Fingers crossed.  In the meantime, it's Saturday and a good time for a great dance song.  ScheiBe, from the Born This Way album, was never a pop hit, but a definite fan favorite.  The nonsensical German lyrics, electronic beats and a killer hook give this one the most unique of sounds and is one of my personal favorite Gaga tunes.  Check out a live version (with spotty audio) and the original audio version below if you like.  Enjoy and Happy Saturday!

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice White 

December 19, 1941 - February 3, 2016

Yet another celebrity has been lost as Maurice White, founder of the hugely successful R&B/disco band Earth, Wind & Fire, has passed from complications of Parkinson's Disease.  We celebrate his legacy with this, one of the band's most successful songs, Boogie Wonderland...Enjoy!

Song of the Day - Something In the Way You Move - Ellie Goulding

The more I listen to Ellie Goulding's Delirium, the more I'm loving it!  It seems that after her successes with dance music producer Calvin Harris, the British songstress has really embraced the genre.  The album is high on fun, dancey tunes and the ballads, which were in much higher abundance on previous efforts, have diminished (though the slow ones here are really good, too!). Here's a favorite that's as happy as it is dancey.  Check out Something In the Way You Move...

A Black History Month Song of the Day - No Diggity - Blackstreet, with Dr. Dre and Queen Pen

February is Black History Month, and so throughout the month, John's Music World will be peppered with songs that represent a vital base for much of the music in the world, and that's some good old fashioned R&B.  Today's our first entry with a funky jam from back in 1996 by the boys known as Blackstreet and with a little help from some friends.  Check out No Diggity...

Song of the Day - Shake - Little Boots

Victoria Christina Hesketh, also known as Little Boots, is a British recording artist who's been around for quite some time now, though I only just discovered her through a friend a couple of months ago. The two songs I know of hers, one off of her most recent 2015 album, Working Girl, and this one, off of her 2013 sophomore record Nocturnes, are both pretty hypnotic, beatsy dance tunes that are very easy on the ears. Check out Shake.  You might just find something new to like!    

Song of the Day - The Hum - Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. Ummet Ozcan

Here's a hot dance jam that's been getting a lot of airplay lately.  Those hums remind me of the Wicked Witch's soldiers from the Wizard of Oz, only humming a more sexier, dancier tune.  Check out The Hum...