You Keep Me Hanging On- Vanilla Fudge: This is a song written by the super production team of Halland-Dozier-Holland. It was originally a 1966 hit for Diana Ross & The Supremes, but just one year later psychadelic rockers Vanilla Fudge released their version on the debut album Vanilla Fudge. It was their first and most successful single to date.
Dreams- Fleetwood Mac: This song is off the bands the 11th album, Rumors, but the second with Stevie Nicks and that other guy. Trivia: did you know Rumors is the 10th best selling album of all-time? Who knew! This is one of my favorite tracks, but let’s face it, anything with Stevie Nicks is good quality! So enjoy this track from one of the best selling albums of all-time! Who knew that adding a few more people into the band would re-introduce a whole new sector of fans. I love Stevie Nicks and I think Fleetwood Mac was a better band with her than without!
Human- Human League: This is the third track from the British group’s 1986 album, Crash. Although the band had a more pop/synth sound, this track had a very R&B sound to it. It had a lot of powerful undertones in its lyrics. This was a big hit back in the 80s. The album as a whole had much more R&B feel to it, and not many Brit acts were doing R&B influenced tracks. Or I should say that those acts weren’t getting radio play during the mid-80s.
Happy- Surface: Surface was that smooth R&B band from the 80s that just sang sow jams. This is the second track off their 1986 debut album, Surface. This R&B trio had a few hits with : Shower Me With Your Love, The First Time, Close than Just Friends & Never Gonna Let You Down. Unfortunately the band broke up in 1994, and in 2005 Surface member David Townsend was found dead at his home.
Do Right Woman- Aretha Franklin: Taken off of Aretha’s 11th studio album, I Never Loved A Man the Way I Love You. This was Aretha’s “breakthrough” album, especially with the standout Otis Redding cover “Respect.” This album was ranked #83 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time, and ranked #1 in Q Magazine’s 100 Greatest Albums ever. I do not have to go into why Aretha is one of the most notable R&B singers, but if you did know, just listen to this track. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two.