What is Blackness? Is it the way you drink your Kool-Aid? Does it require you to drink Kool-Aid? Nobody knows.
Now despite not knowing what it really means to be Black, if you are Black there are certain things that you should just damn know. And being as we’re in the business of education here at VSB.com, and Black, we may as well hit you all of from time to time with things that you should know if you’re, well, Black. You can call it a periodic checklist check-in. We’ll just call you Bob.
Exactly.
10. Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
Something about Donny’s version of this song just gets into your soul and makes you happy about Christmas – even if you can’t afford to buy any gifts and your mother has to be the actual Christmas tree. This song has lasted since the 1970s as the national black indicator of the Holiday season. No matter what age or what radio station, ghetto or the suburbs, This Christmas is a mainstay of Black America (and white America too – I heard this in Macy’s a couple of times, though I do live in D.C.)
9. Prince – Purple Rain
When this movie came out in 1984 (holy Batcakes, 1984) there was no denying the impact of this movie and this soundtrack, possibly Prince’s crowning achievement. Whether gangsta or gentlemen, explicit or androgynous, everybody and their mother knew the words to Purple Rain and would sing it loudly…and continues to do so ’til this day. Plus, it proved that a straight Black man could wear a onesie, which if you think about it, did SO much for the Black community.
8. Micheal Jackson – Thriller
It was the biggest song off of one of the biggest albums EVER. I’ve come to realize that folks are generally either Prince or Michael fans. Not that people don’t like both, but folks usually favor one or the other. And if you were a Mike fan, you got the jacket, the glove and learned all the dance moves. Black kids across America were pretending to be a zombied Michael Jackson for Halloween, not realizing that Michael Jackson apparently thinks Halloween is everyday of the year and pretends to be a zombie himself.
7. Marcia Griffiths – Electric Boogie
You want to know the Black folks with no rhythm? Put the Electric slide song on at a party and watch the folks that can’t do it. Guaranteed to be broken out at nearly every Black function within a 12-planet radius, no Black life is complete without knowledge of the song, or at least the dance and knowing when to break it out - basically whenever you damn well feel like it as nobody will ever reject an opportunity to do The Electric Slide. It’s in our DNA.
6. Al Green – Love & Happiness
The kind of song you can throw on at any barbecue or Black occasion and the older of the audience will most certainly start singing, off-key as they wanna be, but because it’s Reverand Al, it’s okay. Plus, he automatically makes everybody think of grits. And what’s more Black than grits?
5. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On?
Poignant, deep, and speaking to the struggle during the Vietnam War of both Blacks and other minorities. Black folks love social commentary in music and nobody did it better than Marvin with this song and ultimately this album. Plus his daddy capped him, which is nothing short of ignant ninja sh*t. Plus, if you ain’t familiar with this song, then you probably don’t know Marvin well which means you probably don’t know any other Black people. Meet some.
4. Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
All Black people should know this song because all Black people should have seen Malcolm X. Or should see it. Seeing Malcolm X should be a requirement of Blackness. I’m gonna see if I can get that Congressionally mandated. And like Marvin, this song is also some activist Black struggle music and a response to Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind”. And ALSO like Marvin, he got caught out there with some shady woman who ended up killing him behind some non-sense, which is ALSO some ignant ninja sh*t.
3. Maze FEATURING Frankie Beverly - Before I Let Go
Is it me or was Maze featuring Frankie Beverly for a very long time. They just never let him join up, huh? This song is akin to the Black National Anthem guaranteed to be played at every Black function where food is present. In fact, if you’re Black and you don’t know this song, you should seek help. And therapy. And Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
2. James Weldon Johnson/John Rosamond Johnson – Lift Every Voice And Sing
The ACTUAL Negro National Anthem. I mean, just cuz. And that means ALL THE VERSES PEOPLE. Not just the first verse.
1. Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday
Stevie’s tribute to Dr. Martin Luther Tha Kang, Jr is quite possibly the most famous song in Black history, mostly cuz its sung at every Black birthday function, and if you listen closely, can be heard being sung on nearly a daily basis by Black people in major metropolitan cities. Because it’s always somebody’s birthday. Hoo-rah.
******
So, did I miss anything?
Related posts:
- Club-Bangers: 5 Songs That Are Guaranteed To Get The Party Started Right and Quickly
- Things Drunk White People Do That Black People Don’t Do…Unless We’re Being Black
- Blackness 101: 10 Things All Black People Should (At Least) Be Aware Of…
- Still Black: 7 Things I Learned While Watching CNN’s Black In America 2
- Ya Unnastand: Things Black Folks Do That White People Don’t Understand
{ 627 comments… read them below or add one }
What about the theme to “Good Times” and “The Jeffersons”??
@Monk,
lmao – hush.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I’m SO sincere though. This songs are more than television themes, they are anthems.
@Monk,
im with you monk…the theme song to good times is my mom’s ringtone when she calls me! lol
@shatani, Im a personal fan of “and then there’s maude”…
@Monk,
@Monk,
You know what? I thought you were being facetious, but you’re right. We used to sing the Jeffersons theme song outside before class when this one boy would walk up.
He walked like George Jefferson, with the swaying arms in the back – hell, that’s just how he walked. But we couldn’t resist. EVERYBODY knew the song, and EVERYBODY knew the walk. So yeah, you’re absolutely right.
It should be listed.
@RedBeanzNRice,
We used to sing the Jeffersons theme song outside before class when this one boy would walk up
by “we” you mean “my classmates” and by “this one boy” you meant “i”, didnt you?
@The Champ,
“by “we” you mean “my classmates” and by “this one boy” you meant “i”, didnt you?”
*chuckling* I think I hate you.
@Monk,
I get to watch the re-runs of Good Times in Kenya every Saturday. I guess this makes it a universal black song and should def make the list
@Monk, Yo! That’s right!!!! I think I learned those in Sunday school after learning Jesus Can Work It Out…Another song all Black folks should know.
@Hostess,
ive never heard that song. we sang this little light of mine!
@shatani,
You’ve never heard “Jesus Can Work It Out”?? You need to youtube that one! Woohoo! That’s some powerful traditional praise music right there!
@PBG,
Please believe it.
@PBG,
OMG that was like my mothers pre game warm up song every sunday morning before church!
@Ziggy,
Welcome (I think)!!!! **Diva Dust v. 2.0 ™**
@Ziggy,
Yes, you are new aren’t you?
Well, here is your ****glitter****! We’re so glad to have you here @ vsb.com where [insert whatever is happening] happens. I’ll add you to the roster over in the Prayer Cubicle.
@Ziggy,
When I was younger my mom’s warm up song was “Be Grateful.”
@VoiceofReason,
That song will just sit down in your spirit, won’t it? Def on my top ten.
@VoiceofReason
Cannot make a gospel playlist without Be Grateful or some Shirley Caesar.
@Ziggy, welcome and sht!t…even though i swear the lil cartoon in the funny papers just popped in my head. lol. *pt-gold stars*
@PBG,
OMG, I remember listening to this song every morning on the Russ Parr Morning Show as I got dressed for school. Thanks for the memory!
@shatani, Does or Do (not sure) the Mississippi Mass Choir sing this song?
@Ivy St.,
I like Trinity United Church of Christ’s version. It’s all mega churchy.
@Ivy St.,
I promise I ain’t shyt for this but, I just youtube’d the song to see a 2520 gospel choir sing it and a Black choir sing it. It made me think of that age old question asked @ every cookout: “Who made this potato salad??”
Draw your own conclusions.
@PBG,
*snicker*
@shatani, Here you go Tani. They were havin’ some chuuch up in there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiQfucwzOYs&feature=related
@PBG,
man,
I needed that this morning. Thank you PBG!!
@blackberry molasses,
You’re welcome. I sorta see it as my duty being the Director of the VSB Prayer Cubicle and all.
@PBG,
yes lawd! i needed that BBJ glitter in my life this morning but uh….do ya’ll think i fall out on the floor and sing jesus can work it out like ‘ol girl when these 2520′s over here start getting on my nerves?
@PBG,
wow, i was so tired before i listened to that! goodness! thanks pb
@Hostess,
Personally I love the Sanford and Son. Holds a special place for me.
@WuDaMan,
That and the theme song to “What’s Happenin”
I’m I the only person that used to add my own words to both of those songs?
@eff yo couch,
no We used to sing ‘Shady Grady Shady Grady …..’ to sanford and son
@WuDaMan,
it was a college knickname and sandford and son became my theme song.
@Monk,
YES, Monk. Just…YES!!! And, for bonus points, the theme song to “Amen”
Turn all the lights of heaven on, shine on me, Turn all the lights of heaven on, shine on me
Turn on the lights, and put me on the honor roll…
Excuse me as I do the Jefferson jig *shuffle, shuffle, crazy feet, twirl around) Y’all don got me started!
@Luvvie,
I’d also add the theme to “Sanford And Son”. Even though there’s no words, all coloreds should know this and be able to make the sounds with their mouths.
@Monk, yes, definitely. we used to get this show in south africa, back in the day….dubbed into seSotho, with unintendedly hilarious effect!!!!
@superwoman,
LOL! I remember those times!!!
@Monk,
**humming the theme song and bobbin my head**
“I’m comin’ Elizabeth!!!!”
@blackberry molasses,
‘don’t make me put these five knuckle across yo fat lip.’ BTW the G is for Gonecatchacase.
@Monk,
Most def. In fact, if I meet someone who is racially ambiguous, I will ask them to hum the sanford and son theme. If they fail, they are no brethren or sistren of mine
@Luvvie,
“racially ambiguous”
are you sure you weren’t a writer for Seinfeld?
@Intellectual Hedonist,
EEWWW Seinfeld?? I rebuke it in the name of the Fatha, the Son, Meshack, Shadrack, and that Billy Goat!
@Luvvie, NOT MESCHACK I loved Designing Women especially when they had that old lady (Berneice?) on there and she would sing “BLACK MAN, BLACK MAN, WHERE DID YOU COME FROM” whenever Anthony walked into the room..he was also in my other most favoritist movie….Mannequin…and then Arsenio Hall killed his a$$ because tv only has room for 1 black mofo with a weird hairline and extra gums…
@Luvvie,
you.DUMB.
Go Sat Down for “the Billy Goat”
@Shay-d,
I love me some Hollywood. He spoke truth!
@ Intellectual Hedonist,
I also like Seinfeld, too. It’s a show about nothing…what’s not to love?
THESE PRETZELS…ARE MAKING ME THIRSTY!
@Luvvie,
So I take it you never saw the episode that Elaine was dating the “racially ambiguous” guy and they spent the entire episode trying to figure out what his ethnic background was…. hillarious!!!!
@Luvvie,
You better watch it talking about billy goats in Chicago. CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER. btw I don’t like Seinfeld either.
Im with you IH…i loved me some seinfeld. i loved how disappointed they both were in the end when they figured out they were both just white folk! lmao
@Shay-d-lady,
“and then Arsenio Hall killed his a$$ because tv only has room for 1 black mofo with a weird hairline and extra gums…”
I’m too through!!! You’re killin me over here and the white folks are lookin’ at me funny (that’s nuthin new but even more so now)!!
@Monk,
oh hell yeah…..
damn…i am old as hell!
@Monk, LOL!! I didn’t even realize I remembered the theme until after I read this and started humming the tune. LOL!
@Monk,
I’d also add the theme to “Sanford And Son”. Even though there’s no words, all coloreds should know this and be able to make the sounds with their mouths.
***nodding head while guffawing***
@Luvvie,
and then you have to jump into double dutch ropes…..
@Luvvie,
*sighs* I always thought it was
“Turn on the light from Heaven Lord, shine on me…”
Turn on the light, and put me on the right road (help me find my way home) turn on the light from Heaven, Lord, shine on me..shine on me..wooooaah shine..aaaayy..
I need you every day, every hour, I can’t make it without you shine, shine, shine (shine on me)
Yeah, I can’t type her rifts, but you get the picture, lol.
@RedBeanzNRice,
Yeah Im pretty sure I made up my version and you’re right but lol I know I ain’t gon remember the RIGHT way or even try lol.
@Luvvie,
But hell, it really doesn’t even matter. We can sing it anyway we like – point is, the song is known, lol.
I used to sing the theme to Good Times at the start of damn near EVERY show, but it took the Dave Chapelle Show to give me the actual lyrics to that muffled part that no one ever knows.
It’s: Hangin in a chow line – good times – ain’t we lucky we got em.
Hell, I thought it was Aging in a sow way – good times – ain’t we lucky we got em.
@RedBeanzNRice,
True story, I just about DAHD @ “Aging in a sow way”. Tears are coming out my eyes b/c that shit made me cackle and I wasnt expecting it
@Shay-d-lady,
“NOT MESCHACK I loved Designing Women especially when they had that old lady (Berneice?)”
I hate that you said that, lol. Although I think Luvvie was referring to the Meshack of biblical times, lol I know EXACTLY who you’re talkin bout.
Berniece was the favorite on the show – oh how she loved some Anthony. *black man, black man where did you come from* That chick made me belly-laugh EVERY time she made an appearance.
*sidenote* Did you know she was one of the social workers on Good Times, when Wilona (mah girl) was trying to adopt Penny? Yep, it’s a fact, and she was just as nutty then as she was on Designing Women, lol.
@RedBeanzNRice, LOL I figured from the other references she used but there is only one Meshack in my heathenistic book and he starred on Designing women..LMAO (looking around for lightning)…..
but yeah I remember I have good times on DVD…my favorite is when Mad Dog shot JJ and then Threw himself on the mercy of the court….or the where sweet lenny had jj paint that picture of his girl and she was stans wife from Martin? LOL
@Shay,
“sweet lenny had jj paint that picture of his girl and she was stans wife from Martin”
When Sweet Daddy Williams (Lenny was the dude that used to sell everything from his person… “my name is Lennayyy..and if I ain’t got it, there ain’t anaaayyy”) had him paint that picture of Stan’s wife, and she didn’t like it – the part that had me WEAK was when she stormed out talkin’ mess and James called her a skank. *sighs*
If I was a TV sitcom wife wannabe, I’d marry James. Only problem I had with it was that James ALWAYS rocked those damn camel-colored courduroy pants and same colored velour shirt. But Thelma NEVER wore the same fit twice; neither did Michael. And somehow they ALWAYS had kick-ass food on the table, and NO leftovers.
Hello? Weren’t they supposed to be broke?
@RedBeanzNRice,
They didn’t always have kick-azz food on the table. Remember the time they got the spoiled meat from that store and everybody but JJ got sick?? Florida went down to protest and ended up TV!
@RedBeanzNRice, Was Jay Leno on Good Times too?? I have a vague recollection of him being a clinic patient when JJ thought he had the VD.
@PBG,
Yep, you right – I forgot about that one.
@Hostess,
Yep, he was on there once in the VD episode. I think he was the only patient in the clinic that had a speaking part.
@RedBeanzNRice,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrYCrdJyaDg
don’t fall out of your chair….i almost did!!
@Luvvie,
I quit this entire comment thread you started. Your IG is so infectious.
@Luvvie,
Any excuse to juke n’ jig! LMAO!!
@Monk,
http://americancomedynetwork.com/video.html?bit_id=35016
it gives the song additional meaning no?
safe for work but turn your volume down
@Monk, this comment right here is why i heart you. during the holiday break me, my mom & my sis-in-law all broke into chorus via the jeffersons theme song on the way to the airport. my brother couldn’t help but crack up.
@Monk, you know, i think you’re absolutely right. those would probably be #11 in my book.
i think black show theme songs and black gospel/negro spirituals deserve categories all there own. they’re all important in the world of coloreds. so if you ever run across somebody and think “where yo ppl from??” you can just whip out 1 of 3 lists (if not all 3):
1. top 10 soul songs
2. top 10 negro gospel songs
3. top 10 colored show theme songs
oh, and i think a top 10 hip hop list needs to be up there too. making that 4 lists to choose from.
@Gem of the Ocean,
you killin me with
“negro gospel songs” and “colored show themes”
I’m about to quit you right nah.
Amazingly enough, I’m actually listening to Love and Happiness right now. haha.
Why is that Afro Romance ad still showing up?
Rapper’s Delight…If you’re 53 and under you should know this song. That should include 87% of Black men (life expectancy of about 65) and 80% of Black women (life expectancy 65.5).* Not the full 22 minute version cus that’s just some BS with all those random ass special guest rappers. But the radio edit? Hell yeah!! If it wasn’t so late, I didn’t think my neighbors would call the cops, and the cops would come, I’d call it up on my iPod right now.
What you hear is not a test! I’m a’rappin’ to the beat!!!!
*Estimates
@Hostess,
Beat me to it…
@Hostess,
This is fact. I actually think the lack of Hip Hop on this list prevents me from consigning it.
@Monk, I was thinking that it needed a hip hop and a gospel reference… THis little light of mine, or How Excellent or silver and gold…somethin
@Shay-d-lady,
What about “Stomp”? NO? lol
@Luvvie, not stomp..but maybe his eye is on the sparrow or old happy day the sister act 21 version wack rap and all….
@Shay-d-lady,
I LOVE Sister Act 2. YES! All coloreds must know “Joygful Joyful” with the rap…
“Joyful Joyful Lord, we adore thee
And in my life I place no one before thee
But since I was a youngsta I came to know
That you was the only way to go SO…”
Hehe bonus points for doing the back and forth dance to go with it.
@Luvvie, I was in PRIDE (just say no )in highschool and no I didnt get beat up but we did get booed) and we performed Old Happy day and Joyful Joyful exactly the way it was on sister act 2….LMAO
*Chimes in with the R&B part*
Come and join the choooorus, the mighty mighty chooooorus…
Oh yes!
@Luvvie,
You down with G.O.D? Yeah you know meee!
@Luvvie,
oh yeah, i love love love sister act!! both of them, actually! his eye is on the sparrow is one of those songs that just gives me chills and makes me start to tear up when its sung just right!
and um…is it really “old” happy day? i thought it was oh….ya’ll betta stop playin wit me!
@Shay-d-lady,
LOL @ “old”.
I think it’s “Oh, Happy Day.”
@Shay-d-lady, Oh Happy Day? Hellz yeah. But what about This Little Light Of Mine?? That right there is the hotness.
@Hostess,
whenever i hear “this little light of mine” now i think of that scene in “black snake moan” when chrissy ricci is singing it. basically, i need another “this little light of mine” thought in my head
@Hostess,
yes, you do champ! she’s all off key and got “that sickness!”
@Shay-d-lady,
“How Excellent” is my most favoritest gospel song EVER.
@Monk, How Excellent and I know Ive been changed…neck and neck
@Shay-d-lady,
I’m biased to “How Excellent” because in college, the gospel choir would SANG that joint and damn near everyone would have tears in their eyes literally. Powerful shyt.
*thinking to self*
Damn, hope I didn’t rack up too many hell points for typing that.
@Monk, and you know what same here (highschool though the choir killed how excellent but this one girl her name was Lashondra SANG THE SHYT out of I know Ive been changed…and also is my living in vain) I just got chills remembering it….
@Monk, im partial to “how excellent” myself. i do think that “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” would qualify for required Blackness….
@Shay-d-lady, Wow, How Excellent?
“You finna take Jerome BACK!”
And what about “Order my steps”, this girl on my church choir back in the day would Kill this song.
@meleka,
“teach me how to WALK… in you word…”
our choir KILLS that song. even the choir director be crying.
And they rotate through two altos and a soprano who do the solo… Good Lord have mercy
@meleka,
I LOVE “Order my Steps”. But my FAVE gospel song is “Praise is What I do”. Shekinah Glory Ministry KILLT it
@Luvvie, I Love, LOVE Praise is what I do.
You are officially my homie. Praise is what I do makes me cry like, EVERYTIME.
Love Hezekiah Walker’s version the bestest.
@Monk,
since you mentioned hip hop i’m going to throw this out there to cut up the minotony of the chuch songs..
-Juicy- Biggie Smalls not only should you know all the words but you should be able to relate to it. I’m putting Biggie on the list.
@eysqueen,
-Juicy- Biggie Smalls not only should you know all the words but you should be able to relate to it. I’m putting Biggie on the list.
juicy would be like 4th on my list if i were gonna name relevant biggie songs everyone knows, behind “big poppa”, “one more chance”, and “mo money, mo problems”
@Monk, the reason I didn’t put any hip-hop on the list – though Rapper’s Delight definitely makes a strong case – is the fact that there are lots of Black folks that don’t listen to hip-hop. Period. Especially older or more religious people. However, show me a Black family that won’t play Marvin?
If you don’t know Tupac or Biggie, I can’t necessarily fault you b/c your parents may not have let you listen to it, but if you don’t know Marvin or haven’t seen Malcolm X or something, your parents definitely did you a disservice.
@Hostess,
Yep, Rapper’s Delight – sorry to seem like a biter, but when I was typing, there was no one here but Monk. You beat me to the punch, lol.
@Hostess,
Cosign…every Black person should know “Rapper’s Delight”.
And I don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet, but I think every Black person under 45 should know “Children’s Story” as well.
@PBG,
um…what now?
P-Money, I love this list. And “This Christmas” is truly THE Black Christmas song. Excuse me as I plagiarize myself in an entry in the Christmas Playlist I put on my blog.
“This Christmas – Donny Hathaway (It is not officially Christmastime until you hear this song. And no matter where folks are or what they are doing, when you hear “Hang on the mistletoe, I am gonna get to know you better…” people stop that they are doing to finish it with an enthusiastic “THIS CHRISTMAS!!” You could be in the midst of cussing your archenemy out, talm bout “F*ck you and everything you ever stand for. Don’t call me… “THIS CHRISTMAS” ever again!)”
@Luvvie,
“It is not officially Christmastime until you hear this song.”
I feel this way in regards to summertime when I hear “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.
@Monk,
“I feel this way in regards to summertime when I hear “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.”
TRUEDAT!!!!!
Man, as soon as they play this song on the radio, I start diggin up my sundresses and capri pants out of storage while planning my first BBQ of the season .
@blackberry molasses,
and this is philly, so you know they start tryin to play it in april!
@Monk,
word. that is absolutely the anthem. ‘specially round these parts…
@Monk,
“I feel this way in regards to summertime when I hear “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.”
CO-SIGN!! That song to me is the epitome of summer…the summer of 1991, the year I graduated from high school. Sooo many great memories are attached to that song. I used to lose my mind when the video came on The Box, which was like 45 times a day!
@PBG,
OMG you took it back to The BOX!
Maaaaaannnn! I loved the Box. Especially when your favorite video came on 6 times. I think I requested “Love You 4 Life” by Jodeci like 16 times in one day.
@blackberry molasses,
I credit the Box for helping Outkast blow up. I think they just sat around requesting Player’s Ball all day so people had no choice but to watch the video.
@PBG,
“CO-SIGN!! That song to me is the epitome of summer…the summer of 1991, the year I graduated from high school.”
***creating petition to change “pbg’s” name to “aarp”***
@The Champ, boy stop!
i too agree with the summertime cause that is the fresh prince’s new definition of summer madness. don’t hate.
now i lurve me some ‘this christmas’ but ny holiday just ain’t right until i hear ‘santa baby’ by eartha kitt (R.I.P.)
@Luvvie, although I love that one..the one that most gets me is Silent Night by the Temptation…in my mind..im wishing you a (high voice) MERRY christmas..merry christmas..to (high voice) EEEAAACH one of you..and we mean it…..
i’m with yo shay-d. actually, the Temps’ “Silent Night” (i like to sing both the high AND low parts lol) and Donny’s “This Christmas” are my 2 favoritest xmas songs. they totally get me in the holiday spirit.
@Luvvie,
It’s true, Luvvie. And it took you to help me remember that over this Christmas season. Your Christmas playlist was the sh*t!
@Luvvie,
an addendum to the previous post –
And truth be told, I never even heard Eartha Kitt’s version of “Santa Baby” before I read your list. But, best believe after I found it on YouTube, I recorded and rocked it on Christmas day – along with the usual Christmastime songs!
You go girl!
@RedBeanzNRice,
RIP EARTHA KITT
pouring out some of this green tea
@RedBeanzNRice,
*utter shock and awe*
@RedBeanzNRice,
I’m glad you dug my Christmas playlist. And best believe I jammed to the CD I created with them songs on it ALL of Noel.
Every Black person should know Johnny Kemp’s “Just Got Paid”, especially when actually played on Friday…
@Relax, Relate, Alise, for sure! DAMNIT!!!! this song used to put me in such a great mood, singing along to beat the band, never mind that i’d never even drawn a salary yet…..
@Relax, Relate, Alise,
Ahhhh – the “Black Folk’s Finally Got that Check After Putting up with ‘the man’s BS All Week’” national anthem.
What Black folk couldn’t possibly love this song?
@Relax, Relate, Alise,
*Sigh* unfortunately, the version that pops in my head now is the *NSYNC one. *shakes lilliputian fists vigorously. DANG Justin Timberlake and his jew fro that made me SWOON as a teenybopper
@Luvvie, hangs head in shame.. I too liked the jew fro…and I have all the n sync cds and Back street boys.. im still hood though!@…yall remember the commercial for Darron henson choreographer (he also played Lem on soul food the series) where he goes.. aint no lie..bye bye bye as he is showin the steps to the video….LMAO…
@Shay-d-lady & Luvvie
“I too liked the jew fro”
*dead* @ the “jew fro”. But in retrospect, it really was.
A Jew fro, I can deal with, but I’m just mad that the Justin of now won’t shave that damn scruffy full throat beard he’s rockin. *sighs* It’s just not cute.
@Luvvie, You know that’s because you and your liliputian fists were barely in preschool when the original came out. *snicker*
@PBG,
bwuahahaahah good one baby whisperer
@PBG, *guffaw* i forgot n’sync even remade that joint. i think it’s cause when i heard it, although i did like them overall, i just could not co-sign that sh!t and immediately erased it from my memory.
@Relax, Relate, Alise,
@Relax, Relate, Alise, lol! I love this song!!! This is a good one!
@Relax, Relate, Alise, I swear I dance like that song JUST came out whenever I hear it.
Goodness gracies…we played in band when I was in Jr.High. ~~~~<—wavy lines of flashback and memories.
@PBG,
“~~~~<—wavy lines of flashback and memories.”
*DEAD* ____________
lmao @ ~~~~<—wavy lines of flashback and memories.
good one!! i gotta use that next time i am taken down memory lane…
im absolutely ecstatic!! i get to keep my Black Card! woohoo!!!
i never come out on top with lists like this. lmao!
honestly shat, i think your “blackness” needs to go under review… your coloredness is temporarily suspended. please hand me your black card *holds out hand*
@Gem of the Ocean,
there is no way im handing my black card to someone lighter skinted than me! lmao!
Other songs Black folks must know
*Spinners – Love don’t Love Nobody
*Stevie Wonder – Overjoyed
*Teddy Pendergrass – Turn off the lights (I said TURN EM OFF!!)
*Temptations – Just my imagination
*Fugees – Killing me Softly (folks lose their minds at the “La la la la” section)
Thats all I got for now
@Luvvie,
I was thinking about the Fugee’s “Killing Me Softly” also.
“One Time!!”
@Luvvie,
Teddy P needs to stop yelling at folk if he wanna get the draws.
@blackberry molasses,
“Teddy P needs to stop yelling at folk if he wanna get the draws.”
Um hello? THAT’S how he GETS the draws. That damn Billy Mays copied his “screaming at the possible recipients” style of “advertising”.
Truth be told, when Teddy says it, my draws go off before the damn light switch does. Teddy makes a sista gasp, swoon, and turn into a full blown ho sh*t addict. *sighs*
@RedBeanzNRice,
“Um hello? THAT’S how he GETS the draws.”
right? hell, how do you think he ENDED up in that wheel chair?!?!?
LMAO @ “Truth be told, when Teddy says it, my draws go off before the damn light switch does.”
o.m.frikkin.g!! you’re a mess!!
Turn Off The Lights Ho Sh*t
Yelled Out Yo Draws Ho Sh*t
Teddy P Mandated Ho Sh*t
I been done told Teddy stop yelling at me like that.
Ole screaming requests face.
@Luvvie, LMAO for “(I said TURN EM OFF!!)”
Man, if you didn’t add that on there, I would have lol.
What about:
Marvin Gaye: Let’s Get it On
2nd side, Got to Give it Up
Phyllis Hyman: You Know How to Love Me
2nd side – Ain’t You Had Enough Love
Angela Bofill: Tonite I Give In
2nd side – You Could Come Take Me Home
Stevie Wonder, 2nd side: Ribbon in the Sky
(only adding as a second to your listing, cause all of Stevie Wonder’s hits are a key to blackness, but would f*ck up your bandwidth if all were posted. That’s just how MAGNIFICENT he is.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.: You Don’t Have to Be a Star
Blue Magic: Sideshow
Bob Marley: I Shot the Sheriff
2nd side, No Woman, No Cry
ANYTHING by Chaka Khan
ANY and EVERYthing by Parliament and/or Funkadelic
Ohio Players: Fire
2nd side, Skin Tight
Patti Labelle: If Only You Knew
Peaches and Herb: Reunited
Otis Redding: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
Rick James: Mary Jane
2nd side, Ebony Eyes
3rd side, Fire and Desire
Smokey Robinson: Ooo, Ooo, Baby, Baby
2nd side, Tears of a Clown
3rd side, Cruisin
Teddy Perndergrass: Close the Door
2nd side, Come on Over to My Place
The Temptations: EVERYTHING
The Isley Brothers: Caravan of Love
2nd side, Between the Sheets
And lastly, the gateway to hip hop:
Sugar Hill Gang: Rapper’s Delight
2nd side, 8th Wonder
@RedBeanzNRice,
If this list was a place and I was a crackhead, it’d be Baltimore and its limitless “corners”. What this means is, I STAN for it!
@Luvvie,
Aww, ty. But girl, you gotta stop with the crackhead references – either that or I gotta stop having beverages available when you do, cause spitting up on the computer screen and/or the keyboard is NEVER a good look, lol.
@RedBeanzNRice,
i want to know what kind of records you got that have three sides… must be some new technology
@Intellectual Hedonist,
LMAO – you’re a funny one! When I say “2nd or 3rd side” I don’t mean as in the record. I mean as in “sidenote”, lol
@RedBeanzNRice,
I’m visual and grew up in the vinyl era, so my mind was flipping the 45 when I read your list and then I was like whoa!
LOL!
mi e-prima = heyyyyy mrs. dj!
@Intellectual Hedonist, glad it wasnt’ just me…lol. still got my salt with a deadly pepa feat. spinderella on vinyl….talk about memories ~~~~~~~ (borrowing PBG’s wavy memory lines)
@Intellectual Hedonist,
i want to know what kind of records you got that have three sides… must be some new technology
i like little jabs like this. good one
Champ, we all know how you feel about “little jabs”, buddy.
*dead*
@RedBeanzNRice, I’m glad u mentioned Parliament b/c I was fittin to get angry if no one mentioned Atomic Dawg
@Please Excuse Your Significant Other,
I can’t listen to Atomic Dog without wanting to see half naked men HOPPING around.
Even when it plays over the speaker at Macy I half expect to see a Hop pop off.
@Intellectual Hedonist,
“I can’t listen to Atomic Dog without wanting to see half naked men HOPPING around.”
I’m SO mad at you for that comment. LMAO!! I wanna send you to the “go sat down” corner, but I won’t have that authority for another month.
Just know you deserve it, lol.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I’ll send her to the SAT DOWN corner because the nekked Ques with the gold boots…. argh!
Change that argh to an ooh and we’re in business.
Oh, and if we doin P-Funk, we have to mention One Nation Under a Groove…8th Gets hella crunk to that one.
@Intellectual Hedonist,
sad to say but you and me both, e-prima. smh.
@RedBeanzNRice,
If this comment were crystal meth, I’d be a dirty blond white girl in America’s heartland, 23 but lookin’ 47, selling my baby’s diapers for a hit.
It’s really that dayum dope.
@PBG,
“If this comment were crystal meth, I’d be a dirty blond white girl in America’s heartland, 23 but lookin’ 47, selling my baby’s diapers for a hit.”
Between you and Luvvie, I’ve died several mini-deaths from fits of laughter. That comment right there made me choke on my cheese grits. LMAO.
@Ro,
Aww, ty kindly. Baskets of sunshine to you too!!
ummmm yeah. i’m done with you.
@RedBeanzNRice,
This list…. perfection, like a custom made Loubou. Perfection is giving you a mean side eye over the threat of territory being taken, with her old ever unattainable self!!!
Baskets and Baskets full of sunshine for you!!!
I think that Lenny Williams “Cause I love You” should be a close 2nd!
@SouthParkNinja, yeah lenny gotta to be on there..
@SouthParkNinja,
I agree TOTALLY!!
@SouthParkNinja,
Not even a close second – it should be on the list as well.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh ooooh. That man can sing!
@SouthParkNinja, yeah, i made a list of songs and had it down to around 25, and Lenny Williams was in the top 15.
@SouthParkNinja,
you know, i realize that i’m gonna lose a couple points for saying this, but i had never even heard that song before until the “kings of comedy”
@The Champ,
*throat punch*
Really? Daaang.
I’m mad you throat punched first and asked questions later.
you ain’t right twin.
@8th Wonder,
WOW… t-lee is gangta wit hers.
LMMFAO
@8th Wonder,
It was a reflex chickie, I didn’t mean it for it to happen that way…lol
@ Blackberry molasses
*singing*
“I’m so gangsterous with it”
@The Champ, WTF?!?!?!?!? I just can’t…
well i’m not really “black” but i got about 9 outta the 10 covered. i feel good.
@jana.love,
Good for you!
Welcome to the club, there’s dollar store sodas in the trash can filled with ice in the back, help yourself.
@MDUBB,
holla! i hope they got grape. love me some grape soda.
@jana.love,
Naw see, you gotta get on that Strawberry Kiwi!
Uncle Boogie (real name by the way) got some Vodka if you want to mix it, lol.
@jana.love,
If you got 9 of these songs covered and you like grape soda, you may not be “black”, but I’d bet a dollar you got some black in ya…or like some black in ya. *palin wink*
@PBG, dead.
ok. it’s official. i quit you.
@jana.love,
I aint black either gurl and I got 10 out of 10.
@Intellectual Hedonist, I aint black either REALLY????? I thought you were just light skint….
@jana.love,
Huh? What do you mean you’re not really “black”? Why the parenthesis? Does that mean you LOOK black, but aren’t? *confused*
@jana.love,
Don’t feel lonely, girl. Imma come out the closet as a 2520 who still got 8 out of the 10.
Although I wanna know why there’s no Earth Wind and Fire on the list? How can there be no September or Love’s Holiday?
@Luvtheshoes, actually I’m thinking the Black requirement EWF song would be “Reasons”. And it’s in the top 15 with Lenny Williams, though there’s a REALLY good argument for it to be in the top 10.
@Luvtheshoes,
*dead* @ you comin’ out of the closet as a 2520!!
Luvvieeeeee! Speed dial…NOW!!
@Luvtheshoes, jana
damn it to hell! *shock and awe*
does anybody else need to come out the 2520 closet?!?!?!?!? this is an offical welcome committee sponsored question!
don’t be shy and sh!t…commenting all over the BBJ place and the dropping bombs the like of which wendy williams ain’t neva seent on unsuspecting folk*
*said with all kinds of glittery BBJ gold starred love, but damn…don’t be scurred and shit. ya’ll ain’t scary @ us or nothing. unless you’re a 2520 masquerading as an albino midget clown or something cause that’s a whole ‘nother story…
@SouthernGirl,
LOL! Thanks and sh*t
I remember when I first “discovered” ( I was raised in the 90′s,bear with me) Otis Redding, I was singing ‘sitting on the dock of the bay’ for days. @ Lunch,@ Dinner, In class,On the bus….my peers were all into Backstreet and Spice Girls. I had my little sad song and I thought I was being different. My teachers probably thought I was clinically depressed……
Man, I was gonna say The Spinners: Love Don’t Love Nobody, but nevermind.
@Rita,
Raised in the 90′s? I know my math is foggy as hell, but what are you, 12 – 16 years old? You can’t be more than 19.
At any rate, welcome, but do we need to clean up our language in this piece?
Ok, having said that, the Spinners are definitely a key to blackness, as are the Whispers – it’s just that the Temptations and the Four Tops overshadowed the Spinners.
The Spinners were more of a late 60′s group, trying to venture into the 70′s. They had quite a few good songs that could denote blackness.
IMO, just a few:
Ghetto Child (perhaps their only defining 70′s era song)
Rubberband Man
Could It Be I’m Falling in Love
And we can’t forget the duet with Dionne Warwick: Then Came You
@RedBeanzNRice, LOL!! Rita was probably born in the late 80′s.
@RedBeanzNRice, i went thru my Spinners catalog before doing my list too and couldn’t find anything I thought should go in the top 10.
Though let me tell you which Temptations song gave me the most trouble, “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”…”Just my Imagination” is one of my favorite songs of all times, however, Blackness is is “Rolling Stone”…that is the Temptations true contribution to the Black Experience.
@RedBeanzNRice,
um.no…I’m 20 lol…88′
most of my childhood took place in the 90′s
@Rita,
and someone ahead of me mentioned The Spinners,
I was simply agreeing
but thanks for the info.
@Rita,
never mind that last comment. I always write before I think. or reread.
I’m done now.
@Rita,
judging by your multiple replies to your own comments, i’m assuming “rita” is short for “ritalin”.
I chuckled.
@The Champ,
uh. sometimes.
@Rita,
nice to know I’m not the only youngin’ here. =]
@Rita, ok this is random as all get out, but…i blame it on P:)
sitting on the dock of the bay reminds me of a comment 8th wonder made about what a virgin would sing, or something like that. still dying.
*bows*
@overit,
sitting on the dock of the bay reminds me of a comment 8th wonder made about what a virgin would sing, or something like that. still dying.
this is one of the funniest things ive ever read, at least in the last 36 hours
I also think “try a little tenderness or Sitting on the dock of the BAy” by Otis Redding needs to be on the list as well
Aretha_Natural Woman
Mahalia Jackson-Bridge over troubled water
HArry Belefonte-Dayo
@Shay-d-lady,
Was with you until Dayo (hate that fukkin song)!
The rest though are 1st class!
@Shay-d-lady, lawd i lurve try a little tenderness! and add to that when ducky gets all worked up in pretty in pink?!?!?!?! me and my mama love that scene.
We cant forget EWF…Earth, Wind, and Fire!
@SouthParkNinja, yes.. REASONs..the reasons that were here…
@Shay-d-lady,
Now you know REASONS is one of those songs that as soon as you hear it
a. you have to turn it up
b. you can not remove yourself from your vehicle until you are done squeeling the song out
@Intellectual Hedonist, i don’t know why but i used to get really geeked when the Morehouse marching band would play Reasons. or perhaps i was in puppy love struck awe of being surrounded by that many Black men at a football game…*le sigh*
@Intellectual Hedonist,
I pick A and B!! “Reasons” is my jam! Love it!
@SouthParkNinja,
OMG – You saying that makes me wanna turn in my black card. I completely forgot about EWF, but yet I bump them on the weekly. I guess it just becomes a part of you, so much so that you forget. *sighs*
Reasons, After the Love Is Gone, Fantasy, You Can’t Hide Love, I’ll Write a Song for You, Let’s Groove Tonight and September.
Personal favorite: Love’s Holiday
@RedBeanzNRice,
Love’s Holiday is my favorite EWF… **shedding a tear**
@Intellectual Hedonist,
OMG – I HEART YOU! Not too many people know about that cut. But, it’s the best one ever – girl, you know your EWF. I gotta give you the standing O, with 2 snaps in a circle!
@RedBeanzNRice, Chile bye. I love “Love’s Holiday”. That is yet another song I played in my marching band days. Oh, the joys of being in band @ a predominately black JHS, SHS and university in the 80s and 90s. I probably can play any R&B song from the last 30 years on the GD piccolo! And dance down the football field while doing it! LMAO!!
@PBG,
“I probably can play any R&B song from the last 30 years on the GD piccolo!”
Not the piccolo! I pictured you as more of a tuba or an oboe player. Well go head then, Ms. Pied Piper, lol.
@N.I.A.
VERY close second. Damn near all of EWF’s songs are the sh*t. Kinda like Jodeci’s songs.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I actually played the oboe before I played all my other band instruments (clarinet, flute/piccolo, alto sax and percussion), but because the oboe is a classical instrument and too delicate for the field, I only played that in concerts. I picked the piccolo to march w/because of the size. When your marching down MLK Ave in the parade for his holiday, you want something you can put in your pocket and keep your hands warm on the breaks! LOL!
@RedBeanzNRice,
Love’s Holiday is my shyt!! You Can’t Hide Love is a close second.
@SouthParkNinja,
you can’t acroynize earth, wind, and fire. you either gotta call them their full name, or “the elements”
like a tribe called quest. or a pimp named slickback.
@Gem of the Ocean, DOA @ a pimp named slickback.
I Forgot To Be Your Lover- William Bell
Hearbeat- Taana Gardner
I’m Every Woman/ Tell Me Something Good-Chaka Khan
and I got one for you Luvster, the original Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack… but Lauryn Hill did do it up and I fully admit to giving my all into my hairbrush mic at the ‘la la la la la la, woooaaah, laaaa ah…’
@blackberry molasses,
“Hearbeat- Taana Gardner”
Heartbeat, you make me feel so real – LOVE IT!
@blackberry molasses,
Oooh, I can’t forget the ‘alternative’ electric slide song
Candy by Cameo
I can feel it when you walk…oww
HAAAAY!
@8th Wonder,
“Even when you talk, its all over me. Its like can-day (can-day)..”
This post gonna have me on youtube all day!!
@blackberry molasses,
you know what… I just watched that video and realized that all of Cameo was prally “trapped in the closet” together.
I mean really, homie was wearing thigh high shiny pleather boots, a black unitard and a red thong with gumby haircut and a dangly ear ring.
They 80′s made being ambiguously gay the thing to do.
@blackberry molasses,
dead @ “I mean really, homie was wearing thigh high shiny pleather boots, a black unitard and a red thong with gumby haircut and a dangly ear ring.”
@blackberry molasses,
I Forgot To Be Your Lover- William Bell
Yes ma’am!!!! On the beat alone…lol
@miss t-lee,
damn straight…that is *the* joint….
@KingPine,
Yessir!
wait…what about Jesus is Love by The Commodores?
@Rita,
Ya know what? For some reason, I always preferred the Monifa version.
@Rita,
“Yeeaaaaah, yeah! Yeeaaaaah, yeah! Yeeaaaaah, yeah!”
@Rita, I love that song! Heather Headly and Smokie Norful have a version out now that is awesome.
@PBG,
you know they tried to get me to do this as a solo in the chior…
@WuDaMan,
You made me think of my uncle who SWEARS he can “sang” and quits his church 4 times a year cuz they won’t let him sing a solo. His wife always makes him go back though.
@PBG,
“…my uncle who SWEARS he can “sang” and quits his church 4 times a year cuz they won’t let him sing a solo.”
*belly laughing wit tears coming out my eyes*
@PBG,
BWUAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA
His story reminds me of the ‘Hold My Mule’ song
@PBG
“You made me think of my uncle who SWEARS he can “sang” and quits his church 4 times a year cuz they won’t let him sing a solo.”
Okay this just brought tears to my eyes. HAHAHAHA
@Rita,
u lost me on this
George Clinton – Atomic Dog.
I Will Survive, disco or otherwise.
EWF – September
And up to a certain point – Nuthin’ But A G Thang…
@Maximillian, Roo to Geroge Clinton
@Maximillian,
“George Clinton – Atomic Dog.”
That’s another one! I also LOVE (“We Can Funk”)
But see, he was the lead in Parliament/Funkadelic – so he falls into the category of overall GENIUS for all 3 entities.
So ANYTHING he had/has a hand in HAS to be an intrinsic part of being black, with regard to music.
@Maximillian,
I agree with “G-Thang”.
Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh- The Show.
I’m sorry, 35 and under should def. know this song.
Bonus songs are “monalisa” and “la di da di”
@meleka, i concur. Please add Microphone Fiend by Rakim too
@Please Excuse Your Significant Other,
And if you wanna add Rakim, you can’t forget “My Melody”
@meleka, I LOVE ThE SHOW… and I was so mad that the wack a$$ VH1 countdown didnt have it in the top 10..it doesnt get the props that it deserves because its local (shout out to playa fly) but ur uh I Love that joint!!
@Shay-d-lady,
“it doesnt get the props that it deserves because its local ”
6 minutes, Doug E. Fresh you’re on…
Oh, it gets props – but it doesn’t get the props it deserves because of La Di Da Di. See, it’s just that Doug E. put out 2 masterpieces during a short time frame, and one took the lead.
That lead just happened to be La Di Da Di. Even Snoop bit off of it.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I listen to that song everyday on the way to work, and “All the Way to Heaven”
@meleka, I would say 40 and under should know “The Show” and “LaDiDaDi”. Doug E. Fresh is dayum near 50 himself now, right?? lol!
@meleka,
I’m sorry, 35 and under should def. know this song.
Bonus songs are “monalisa” and “la di da di”
Do I get a bonus for “Teenage Love” as well? lol
Down her in Florida, “Before I Let Go” is the club song that means, “It’s time for you to take yo a$$ home!” Is this true for other places?
When the DJ spins this, it means brothas better go into overdrive pimp mode cause the lights about to come on and we all know that’s the worst time to pick up a girl in the club.
@MDUBB, i think that is a universal thing. In NY and in Philly
@Please Excuse Your Significant Other,
That’s cool to know that it’s more or less a universal thing, i love that song!
@Please Excuse Your Significant Other,
Definitely universal. It’s the same in Houston.
@MDUBB,
“we all know that’s the worst time to pick up a girl in the club.”
LOL! I never understand why this time period is so awkward. I mean does dim lighting help someone’s appearance THAT much? I mean yeah everyone is sweaty but it’s not like the lights are going to come on and you realize she has 3 arms.
@Ivy St.,
I mean does dim lighting help someone’s appearance THAT much?
yes.
“I mean yeah everyone is sweaty but it’s not like the lights are going to come on and you realize she has 3 arms.”
You’d be surprised, homie.
@MDUBB,
Yo do yall still get down to that Michael Jackson/Barry White song-de-song *doing the city boy*
@WuDaMan,
“*doing the city boy*”
Are you from Florida?
@WuDaMan,
You know it man, we got more dances in Florida than the entire rest of the world combined I think, lol.
@ VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka TANGLE JIG P
just so you know, the Macy’s soundtrack is nationwide, its like XM radio. They play the same songs at the same time. So Donny Hathaway playin in your DC Macy’s was also playin’ in Macy’s in Pacatello Idaho.
The more you know
**que C list celebrity and shooting star**
@Intellectual Hedonist, bite your tongue chica. John Krasinski is NOT c list. and he can get all the shooting stars he wants!
I believe that all Black people know the words to Heatwave’s “Always and Forever”, regardless of whether or not they have ever heard it. It comes with your soul.
@Sister Toldja,
This song makes me think of “House Party” every time I hear it.
@Monk,
“You so warm and fluffy…like a buttermilk biscuit”
@Sister Toldja, i love that song. it reminds me of when i was a little girl. i used to sing it word for word when my dad would play it in the house.
@Sister Toldja,
“It comes with your soul.”
STAMP!!
…did anyone say “Amazing Grace”? (cousin to “Lift Ev’ry Voice”)
Being true to the nature of the GRitS, I’m gonna have to add the Black Baptist Church Devotional Moan. Even if u didn’t know that the Deacon w/the lisp was actually lining the hymns til u were 17, u knew the melody of the call and response.
…something about it eases ur mind and puts babies to sleep.
@Resident GRitS,
…something about it eases ur mind and puts babies to sleep.
sounds like you’re describing a pedophile
*blink*
@8th Wonder,
(looks at 8th)
Scrolled all the way down and not one Stylistic’s song. ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’, or ‘People Make the World Go Around’, because if you weren’t there when it came out, you probably at least heard in on the boom ass Crooklyn Soundtrack.
You know good and well that ‘Always and Forever’ by Heatwave has everybody thinking they can all of a sudden sing falceto for no damn reason.
@Captain Morgan,
“Crooklyn” is one of my most favorite movies ever. That soundtrack was incredible.
@Captain Morgan,
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE “Betcha By Golly Wow”
bot the Stylistics and Prince’s remake
i love this song. but i got sick of it after i was an AKA debutante and we had to do our choreographed group “dance” to Prince’s remake with our stupid little nosegays. it was sooo extra… *shrugs*
I haven’t read the comments yet but no Aretha Franklin???????????
How about Ooh Child by The Five Stairsteps?
The O’Jays – Love Train
@YGB,
…good ones, both.
Whew, so I don’t eat chicken and I don’t drink Kool-aid…am I still Black?
And good list!!
I have to agree 100% with all of them…there is only one more that I must add.
Lenny Williams- Cause I Love You
I have all of the others listed on my Ipod and I swear whenever Before I Let Go comes on in the club I’m finally ready to party…a party isn’t a party without that song…that and a few Michael Jackson dance joints and a couple of Kelly’s Chocolate Factory hits, lol.
*turning on Ipod to jam out while getting dressed*
@Teacia, I’m not a fan of Kool-aid either. Not only does it stain rugs, it just doesn’t taste good or healthy.
I don’t fry my chicken, I bake it. It still taste good.
I think we are both still black.
@Ivy St.,
how can something taste “healthy”?
@Ivy St.,
If Kool Aid doesn’t taste good its cause u made it wrong. Also those that drink Kool Aid are not really concerned about the health aspects of it.
Also those that drink Kool Aid are not really concerned about the health aspects of it.
obviously.
@Ivy St.,
you know i’m with you on this chica. if it’s not H2O or all natural orange or grapefruit JUICE, i don’t buy it. and i prefer to bake my chicken as well– but i will eat a buffalo chicken wing on a Tuesday at a particular “taverny” bar in a certain shady area of Pgh. i’m just sayin…
“Family Reunion” by The O’Jays is a must!
@AO,
I had come back just to add this. It’s a song that covers any and everybody in your family.
Jus a couple of my additions
Eric B and Rakim – Paid in Full
Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves the Sunshine (No one remebers this song till they hear it)
Kool and the Gang – Summer Maddness
Chuck Brown – Bustin’ Loose
Junkyard Band – Sardines and Pork and Beans
(maybe its just cause i’m from DC but how y’all not gonna have Chuck on tha list)
there are my additions
@Stix,
“Junkyard Band – Sardines and Pork and Beans
(maybe its just cause i’m from DC but how y’all not gonna have Chuck on tha list) ”
thank you ….. my day has been made
@KingPine, Mine as well. In fact, that was the perfect smack on the azz to punctuate an incredible week for me.
@Stix,
Paid in Full is my jam!!!
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
*fist up*
I wake up singin that joint
i like the movie too…
@Stix, “Eric B and Rakim – Paid in Full”
This song is in my top ten favorites. It reminds me of stories my dad will tell me from his youth.
@Stix,
I like how u think but many negroes I have come across lack experience with this list I am sad to say
@Deviant, and that is a sad sad fact…..
@Stix,
I try and keep my distance from these people as much as possible
@Stix, “Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves the Sunshine (No one remebers this song till they hear it)”
OMG!!! I love this song!! I never knew who made it!
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
Roy Ayers is the effin man, Gotta Find A Lover is that sh!t.
Runnin Away
Brooklyn
Coffy is the Color
if you don’t know Roy Ayers you should be denied music access cause youre wasting it. Go do your research now.
@Deviant,
Oh!!! Coffy is the Color is my ish! Most people don’t know about that one.
@VoiceofReason,
My pops put me on to it in high school. Made me watch all those 70′s movies and listen to the soundtracks
@Deviant, You got me Deviant. I do know Running Away, and I’m listening to Gotta Find a Lover as I type. And I like.
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
You gotta like. Your blackness demands it.
@Stix, good list. though really, JY? like 12 people outside of DC who aren’t from DC know who JY is or have heard that song.
however, E.U. “Da Butt”…well now that’s just universal.
@Panama Jackson,
… thank you Spike Lee and School Dayze….
i don’t see Bobby Blue Band nowhere…..
Parliment
Sly….
Come on now
and what about EU?
lawd
@KingPine, LOL!!
I just added EU to my list 2 seconds ago!!
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
yeah….i like how you think
*nods approval*
@KingPine,
I forgot about P Funk..shame on me
Flashlight and Atomic Dog (especially if you went to college) are madatory
@Deviant,
everyday i come on vsb….and every day…i get blip done at work….smh
theme from the black hole
@KingPine,
ooooo
Mothership Connection (The Second Coming)
look for it..its the sh!t
@KingPine,
i’m about to crank up the box..now.
pray for me
@KingPine,
all right now we gettin somewhere. Down home blues
Do the dog catcha why must I be like that
que sera sera what ever will be will be
doin the butt
I just want to add. the Anita Ward “ring my bell” *VSS CHIOR SING*
@WuDaMan,
yeah…i used to hate em…moms had me cleanin the crib to bb and bobby….for YEARS i’d get a nervous tick when i heard em…
now i can’t get enough
how come nobody put the gap band?!
@KingPine,
ooooo you is right w/ that one Gap Band please.
@KingPine, lol…y’all really think there should be 100 songs in the top 10. LOL.
i love it though.
@Panama Jackson,
lol hell yeah…….and when i get my pink slip….i’m sendin my grub bills to all y’all here at vsb
i owe man….it’s a good day today
I would add Tony Tone Toni
—Lay Your Head on My Pillow
—Whatever You Want
Mary J. Blige
—Real Love
Jodeci
—Come and Talk To Me
E.U
—Da Butt
William Devaughn
—Be Thankful For What You Got
(Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back ‘
You may not have a car at all
Just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you got.
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean)
That’s all I have for now….
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
Slick Rick
—Children’s Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRC4ziQpb5I
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
Bone Thugs N Harmony – 1st of tha month
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
One of the flyest welfare anthems ever made. Me and my college friends made a re-mix of the video. It is hysterical. Now I gotta go home and find it
@blackberry molasses,
You and your college friends ALL get retroactive corner time for that!! OMG! Bwaaahahahaaaa!
@PBG,
“calling up X, CC, Jr, CM, RG, and DG…”
ladies and gents, please join me in the Ig Corner…. we gettin punished on some shyt we did in Spring ’00.
We did it because that’s how we felt when we got our financial aid disbursments… went crazy for the first few weeks of the semester like we didn’t have to make it to the end.
@blackberry molasses,
LOL!
you could always tell when people starting getting their financial aid refund checks
@blackberry molasses,
lmao @ you and your roommates making a video to this. HILARIOUS!!
kinda reminds me of when i was in memphis (college years) and me, my bffitwww and 2 other friends made a “video” in the car to “knuck if you buck”. yeeeeeah about that. smh. i have nothing else to say about it… *hangs head in shame*
Did anyone mention ‘You’re All I Need/I’ll Be There For You’ by Method Man & Mary J Blige?
Cherelle & Alexander O’Neal – Saturday Love
@Maximillian, “Did anyone mention ‘You’re All I Need/I’ll Be There For You’ by Method Man & Mary J Blige?”
Def. a classic
@Maximillian,
I think I’m the only person that hates that song. I don’t like Mary J and that song is one of those causes where heavy airplay make me loathe it more. Plus there were greater songs on that album. I loved Mr Sandman.
@Deviant,
Plus there were greater songs on that album. I loved Mr Sandman.
both the rebel INS and the rza killed that sh*t
@Maximillian,
“Cherelle & Alexander O’Neal – Saturday Love”
Yep – we used to roller skate to that joint. Always a favorite.
The list is on point guys.
I don’t know why, but if its wasn’t for the 20 degree temperatures, I’d go outside and do the electric slide and see how many folks start doing it with me.
That soug is THAT uniting. LOL
@Nicki Sunshine,
I don’t know why, but if its wasn’t for the 20 degree temperatures, I’d go outside and do the electric slide and see how many folks start doing it with me.
you’re lying and sh*t
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince – Summertime
MJ – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough & I Wanna Rock with You
@Jarrod Halsey,
The Fresh Prince song dont count as strictly a black song. He crossed borders years before that song came out. thats just a summertime anthem. Way more 2520′s rode to that than any dark folks any of us know.
@Deviant,
It’s still ours though. Its a song by a Black man on a show about Black people. We can’t claim the “Full House” theme.
I know the theme to “227″.
@Sister Toldja,
I wasn’t talking about the show I was talkin about the music he made with Jazzy Jeff. I only knew white guys that rode to that or had his tapes.
Though I do like music from the 60′s-80′s time period, does this time period have to be the only time period that represents black culture/unity or whatever you’d like to define it as? I am vaguely familiar with most of the songs but all of them don’t have “that” effect on me (could be due to my age or the age of my parents). How long will these songs have an effect. I know music from this time period will not be obsolete as these songs are all still relevant. A few generations from now many may not ever here some of these songs. With that said is their anything more recent/current (90′s to present) that define or create some sort of black unity?
I’m all about Mary J. Blige but I don’t think she will stand the test of time.
I’m all about Mary J. Blige but I don’t think she will stand the test of time.
@Ivy St.,
BLASPHEMY!!!!
@eff yo couch,
she is right. I will go a step further and say she blows chunks
@Deviant,
You know these are fighting words right?
I’m not going to front, I didn’t see the big deal about Mary when she first came out. That’s because I seen her in concert early on in her career and like Deviant said, “she blew chunks”. It sounded like she was screaming instead of singing.
But over time she has got wayyyy better, specially during her live shows, despite the fact she has diarrhea of the mouth.
If you don’t think Mary will stand the test of time, then who else from her era will? Who else from her era is a bigger star or has had more impact on R&B?
I was making one of my “weekly visits” to New York recently and on the radio I heard this new song with Lil Wayne and Keyshia Cole remaking one of Mary’s classics (the song “I love you” feat Smith & Wesson) and it was horrific to say the least!
I’ve been DJing for a long time, and I bet you any amount of money that I can pack an empty dance floor just playing nothing but Mary classics. And yes I’ve done this a few times.
Even when I play for the 2520′s, they know and sing her shyt word for word!
@eff yo couch,
You have saddened me that they attempted to remake one of the only Mary joints I like (w the Roy Ayers sample) with Smif n Wessun (which is the reason I like the song). I loathe Lil Wayne and Keisha Cole more now than I already did.
What people dance to makes no difference to me. Most of the stuff I like doesn’t play in clubs. Ive never seen anyone do more than a head bob to any Fab 5 song.
“If you don’t think Mary will stand the test of time, then who else from her era will? Who else from her era is a bigger star or has had more impact on R&B?”
I dont know and it makes no difference to me. She still sucks a$$ to me.
“Even when I play for the 2520’s, they know and sing her shyt word for word!”
This is really meaningless. 2520′s sing Taylor Swift word for word too, should I like that?
@Deviant
“This is really meaningless. 2520’s sing Taylor Swift word for word too, should I like that?”
Okay this just made me chuckle uproariously. Wait is that an oxymoron?
@Deviant,
I am with you, Deviant. I don’t get the hooplah about Mary J. as well. I like the person, just not the music.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase.,
all she shows me is that if you are a young woman that is not all the way tone deaf with a tolerable voice and somewhat bangable that if you get with a voice coach and a stylist you too can be rich and famous. Thats why I don’t like new R&B. She is exhibit A.
@Deviant,
I don’t know not one Taylor Swift song
@Luvtheshoes,
I think she had a song about princess and dragons .
idk,I’m stretching,far
@Ivy St.,
“I’m all about Mary J. Blige but I don’t think she will stand the test of time.”
I completely and totally co-sign….lol
@Ivy St., honestly, i don’t think most of the songs that have come out in the past 2 decades will stand the test of time. the language of them alone dates most of them. further, folks stopped trying to make music for the soul, and started trying to make music for profits which I think tended to reduce the quality.
now granted, you have some folks who’s music will last forever who are more recent, like D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar album, or some of Erykah Badu’s music. thats music that sticks to your ribs.
Or even some of Bilal or Amel Larrieux’s music (first CD mostly and I do realize that’s a stretch). or even Jilly from Philly.
and i’m kind of on the fence with Mary. i don’t actually like anything of hers past Share My World.
i’ll put it this way, 20 years from now, will anybody be listening to Cash Money? no. Will folks still be listening to EWF. yep. those are true classics for a reason. the music just meant more. sad but true.
though i’m sure folks will STILL be playing “put it in your mouth” 20 years from now. and “ain’t no fun” and “T.R.O.Y” and Mary’s version of “I’m Going Down” and “Nuthin’ But a G Thang”
@Ivy St.,
Though I do like music from the 60’s-80’s time period, does this time period have to be the only time period that represents black culture/unity or whatever you’d like to define it as?
this is actually a great question.
i think we have a tendency to automatically assume anything (movies, music, tv, athletes, etc) from that era is inherently better than anything today, and that annoys the f*ck out of me
@The Champ,
In the case of music I just like that sound (when it comes to R&B) better. I say this but realize my favorite artist is ODB. 2nd place is George Clinton. There is no competition.
Everything else (movies, TV, especially athletes) you would have to be crazy to say back then was better than now.
I just pulled up A CHANGE GONNA COME because I think I only heard the chorus or something. Or maybe nothing at all since I am listening to Aretha sing it right now and its foreign. But the rest of the songs are A game
@Keisha, The song is played in the Malcolm X movie towards the end, when he has sort of an epiphany that something is going to happen….
when he’s getting ready for his last speech
@Keisha,
You gotta hear Sam Cooke’s version.
Or even Seal’s new version of it.
These are the only 2 renditions I’m feeling. It’s been butchered several times over…lol
@miss t-lee,
I’m really not feeling Seal’s version. Something about it just doesn’t feel right to me. Interestingly enough, I like Leela James’ version because of her vocal style. I love that raspiness.
@blackberry molasses,
Oh word? I’ve never head the Leela James version…off to youtube.
I’m a Seal stan though…so I’m biased…lol
@miss t-lee,
I love me some Seal like a fat kid loves cake, but he needed to leave that song alone.
@blackberry molasses,
and Leela James’ album version is the best. If i could still send mpegs, I would give it to you. She sang it for her mom and i cried.
@blackberry molasses,
IDK—I just found it on youtube and IDK—it’s not hitting me at all…lol
@blackberry molasses,
I love me some Seal like a fat kid loves cake
how much love is that exactly??
@blackberry molasses,
I don’t like Seal’s version! I like him too, but R&B/Soul is not his lane.
Now, believe it or not…Wayne Brady (yes, that Wayne Brady) sings the HELL outta that song on his CD that I recently got. He does a phenomenal job w/that song. Matter of fact, that entire CD is very solid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tMAW7lI4OQ
@PBG,
Wayne Brady?
Oh hecky naw…I didn’t like his version either…lol
i looooove me some Wayne Brady. i like his version, i think he did a good job.
@miss t-lee, as far as i’m concerned, Sam Cookes orginal is the ONLY version worth listening too. i feel that strongly about it.
@Panama Jackson,
Thank You!!!
@Panama Jackson,
*nodding head*
@miss t-lee, The Sam Crooke version was better. still haven’t checked out the Seal Version. Aretha is okay.
I read a study that the 1992 riots could have been prevented or at least stopped mid-way if the police had brung out a sound system and threw on the Electric Slide.
Okay that wasn’t in no damn study but I do think it could have been possible
@eff yo couch, lol. interesting how i agree with you.
Silent Night – the Temptations
@Deviant,
This is my absolute favorite Christmas song. Especially the brotha singing bass!!!
@Deviant,
Thank you!!!
I went the entire holiday season without hearing this, and had to YouTube it. Unacceptable, WPGC and WKYS. Unacceptable.
Also, I was telling one of my quasi-black friends from Rochester, N.Y., about not having heard it and she had no idea what I was talking about. To which I replied, “you’re not black if you haven’t heard that song.” I will be forwarding her this post.
@WordSmith,
my dad had a christmas album with this Donnie and more of the black christmas classics on it (I think there was some jackson 5 on it too) that he would play every december for as long as I can remember. If I do not hear these songs I cannot get into Christmas at all. I just can’t.
Movies:
*Cooley High
*Roots
*The Color Purple
Music:
*Motown-point blank. period.
*Earth, Wind, and Fire
Misc:
*The Afro
*The Cadillac
Oh yeah, I’M BACK! Happy New Year and all that jazz!
@As Is
*Kneels @ “The Color Purple” throne*
@PBG,
I can quote that movie line for line. Pick a scene, any scene.
“You and me, us never part…”
@blackberry molasses,
The scene where Ceiley is bathing Shug, the morning after she came to the house the first time.
And….scene! lol
@As Is,
Shug: “What you starin’ at?
Celie: *looks down* “Nuthin”
Shug: “Ain’t you never seen someone naked befo? Go on then look.”
@As Is,
I don’t get the appeal of The Color Purple. Someone explain this to me. Why is it so revered?
@Deviant,
Really? That movie is awesome.
@pgh muse,
why? I found it quite depressing. I also refuse to believe no one combed their hair back then. I know the comb was invented way before the setting of that movie how come no one used one? Were they too poor? They didn’t sell combs in the general store?
so depressing movies can’t be good or revered??
i mean, yeah, it has some depressing truths. but hell, i dont know many stories that take place in the rural south in the 1930s that are particularly chipper.
@Deviant,
Great cinematography, brilliant acting, powerful storytelling, relevant subject being tackled in depth.
There you have a cocktail of what makes genius movies genius.
i definitely agree it was a good movie.
but the book was MUCH better (which is typically the case given our imaginations creating the scenes but…). to me, the movie really stands apart from the book as it took a very different direction and almost ended like a different story all together.
I’m an 80′s baby so . . .
Anything by New Editon
Eric B & Rakim – Eric B is President & I know you got soul
Summertime – Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Poison–Bell Biv DeVoe
Let’s Chill–Guy
@miss t-lee,
Poison was my crew’s jam during my 3rd year in law school. We requested that song at every party, like it was brand new. LOL!!
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
I STILL act a fool when they throw it on during the “old school” set between the reggae set and the before the party’s over slow jam set…lol
@miss t-lee, i actually toyed with “poison” as a top 10 pick just to see how many folks would be pissed.
@Panama Jackson,
hee-hee!!!
lol. Good list! Here’s my contribution
- The Greatest Love of All – Pre Bobby Whitney Houston
- Between the Sheets – The Isley Brothers
- For the Love of You – The Isley Brothers
- Superstar – Luther Vandross
- Zoom or Hello Lionel Ritchie
- Everyday People – Sly and the Family Stone or Arrested Development… depends on ur generation
-Somewhere over the Rainbow – Patti Labelle
-What’s my name- Snoop
-Juicy – Notorious BIG
-CREAM – WuTang
-Brenda’s got a baby -Tupac
-Dear Mama – Tupac
-I missed the Bus – Kris Kross lol
- Baby Baby Baby TLC
-Red Light Special TLC
- My Life Mary
- That JayZ song w/ Pharell on the hook (can’t think of the name) with the chorus “Im a Hustla Baby I just want u to know… ) I’m haven a brain freeze…this was the JAM that summer it came out…
ummm there’s more but I have to work. lol
@pgh muse,
I’d add ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’ for Lionel pick
@pgh muse,
where you talking about Frontin by Pharell?
“I was just frontin….”
Did someone already put We Shall Overcome on this list?? Anyone who has the right to vote should know that song.
Also, I can tell who is younger than 25 because they tryna bring is extra recent hits. Their songs are extra generational. LOL
@Hostess,
Come on! That one makes me want to put up ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’
You should hand in your black card if you don’t know at least 2 quotes AND 2 songs from the movie “the 5 heartbeats”.
“My office hours are from 9 to 5″
@eff yo couch,
“Every night I gotta prove my love!”
“You ain’t neva gon’ be shyt, cuz I ain’t shyt!”
@eff yo couch,
“is there a heart, is there a heart in the house tonight. Stand up!”
@eff yo couch,
“Can’t nobody sang like Eddie King, Jr.”
A heart is a house for love, and I’ve learned, that it don’t take much to break. *singin*
But yeah, I think Suge Knight watched that scene a lil too much, lol. (My office hours…)
The scence with the drunk Eddie Cain Jr at the let-out of the concert had so many classic lines
“ZANGGGGGGGGG”
“Nights like this, I wish rain drops would fall-ha-ha-ha-all”
“how does if feel to be me”
@eff yo couch,
‘nah man that’s my music’ *pushes man away from piano*
‘Is there a heart in the house tonight’ *harmony* ‘Stand up’
‘chior boy take em to church’
‘LOVE LOVE LOVE’ *chior boy does holy dance on off into back stage*
lmao that movie is classic
@eff yo couch, yeah, i agree on that. any Black household that doesnt own that movie (i actually have it on VHS and DVD) is fakin’ the funk.
@Panama Jackson,
It took forever for that movie to come out on the DVD format, and when it finally did I was the first person in the store.
@eff yo couch, I got the one that had the movie AND the soundtrack in the case from Walmart in Daytona Beach 2yrs ago. You would have thought I hit the lottery the way I was celebrating up in there!!
@eff yo couch, I own two DVD’s, Sparkle and Five Heartbeats. I also had them both on VHS.
My fav song in FHB was the one where they went into the audience. It wasn’t on the soundtrack and they don’t sing the entire song in the movie…
Just in case he’s not all that he seems…Here’s my number…
That’s some cold shyt right there!
@Hostess, I need to get “Sparkle” on DVD. I love that movie and the soundtrack is awesome! We just had it on netflix about a month ago. My daughter fell in love w/that movie.
@Hostess
Wait you ONLY own 2 CDs?
From my mother who is over 50…
The chorus of Self Destruction
Let’s Get It On
Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m proud. You have to at least know the chorus
Bob Marley–One Love
Theme from Shaft
@Hostess,
I am impressed your moms knows Self Destruction. My mom surprised me when she put De La Soul (Hey How Ya Doin..the answering machine song) on her answerting machine. She is 50.
@Hostess, theme from Shaft and pretty much ANY James Brown song were contenders for the top 10 for me. they barely got beat out.
Yo Panama, I am truely appreciating how you worked hard to solidify and punctuate this list.
@Hostess,
I want to dedicate a song to you Hostie cakes.
War – Why Can’t We Be Friends.
@WuDaMan, To you I dedicate:
WAR! What is it good for? Absolutely nothin’!
When old songs come on, it’s typical that I know all the words (to songs that came out decades before I was born). If old folks are standing by they give me a look. I’m more than happy to explain to them that growing up, I was subjected to 1310 WMTG Motown Gold whenever my mom and I were in the car.
@Hostess,
Your mother is a great woman and a wonderful mom for that.
@Hostess,
I love your mama.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase., And My momma (and Old D. B) luh da kids!
Zap & Roger – More Bounce and Computer Love
Afrika Bambaata & Soul Sonic Force – Planet Rock
-If you are black (especially if you’re black and from the hood) this song activates a chromosome in your DNA that makes you pop-lock and break instatntly.
RBL – Bammer Weed
DJ Magic Mike – Drop that Bass (maybe more regional with this song)
Kraftwerk – Numbers (same affect on your DNA as Planet Rock)
James Brown – (too many songs to list)
@Humble_One,
lol…should these songs be on the list, or did you just start naming sh*t thats on your ipod?
“Is it me or was Maze featuring Frankie Beverly for a very long time. They just never let him join up, huh?”
I always thought it was because Frankie wanted to shine.
@VoiceofReason,
me too….
@VoiceofReason
In his white linen suit!
@V Renee, With the hat to match! LOL!
Quick hip hop/r&b (urban… lol) updated list:
Juicy, Big Poppa, & One More Chance – Biggie
Dear Mama – Pac
If I Ever Fall In Love – Shai
Nuthin’ But a G Thang – Dr. Dre & Snoop
Elevators – Outkast (Meee and Yoooooooou…)
Movies:
Coming to America
Blazing Saddles
Love Jones
The Color Purple
Malcom X
Five Heartbeats
And… *drumroll* The Jacksons: An American Dream lol
@SouthernCharm,
can I replace Love Jones with Boomerang?
@Deviant,
Yes. lol!!!
@Deviant,
I LOVE LOVE LOVE love jones.
@pgh muse,
always thought that movie sucked b@lls
@Deviant,
I too didn’t get what the hype was all about. LOVED the soundtrack though
@blackberry molasses,
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.
The soundtrack was the best thing about Love Jones.
*sniggle*
@Deviant,
BLASPHEMY! It was a great love story.
@pgh muse,
the Last Dragon had a better love story
@Deviant,
lol… hmmm that’s up for debate. But i love the Last Dragon too, so I won’t.
@Deviant,
I was joking. I’m really not one to watch love stories. if thats the only redeemabkle quality about the movie thats probly the reason I didn’t like it.
@pgh muse, Yes it was. And the soundtrack was perfection.
@PBG,
Yes ma’am!
@ Deviant,
It was also a very prettily made movie. The cinematography was beautiful. And at time when most black movies coming out were gangsta movies. It showcased a segment of the black community that wasn’t shooting up everything or c-walking. love jones is my shyt. love it. hasn’t been a better made black love story since.
@SouthernCharm,
I’d like to add to your movies:
Let’s Do It Again
Friday
Boomerang
@RedBeanzNRice,
good choices! how could i forget Friday?
@SouthernCharm,
“how could i forget Friday?”
ESPECIALLY on a Friday, lol. You just need more coffee, that’s all. ; )
@RedBeanzNRice,
lol… i’m on it!
@SouthernCharm,
Add “The Temptations”.
@PBG,
“The Temptations”.
Oh my damn – LOVE that movie.
And even though it’s not really a “black movie” can’t NONE of yall front and act like “Old Yeller” ain’t a part of your blackness!
“Ain’t nobody comin to see you, OTIS!”
@8th Wonder,
aaaahahaahahaahahaaaaaaa
I love all of those songs. “Before I Let Go” … *fans self* I have some very pleasant memories to THAT song.
I think I’m gonna have to go take a personal moment in the ladies’ restroom.
@Cheryl,
Sharing is caring on VSB
@eff yo couch,
if i share too much tho, i get looked at funny.
Very impressive list.
And NO one can sing This Christmas like Donny Hathaway. If you aren’t in the Christmas spirit that song will definitely get you there.
@Black Girl Thinking, I liked the way Chris Brown sang it in this holiday…..but Donny was first
@Keisha,
“liked the way Chris Brown sang it in this holiday”
**eye twitches**
Chris Brown sang WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?
*dry heaves*
@blackberry molasses, don’t heave bbmo, woo woo woo. no one can touch donny but CB did a pretty good job.
@BGT, welcome! *pt-gold stars* did you drop in during my hiatus or are all the way new?
@Black Girl Thinking,
welcome and sh*t
Troop – “Spread My Wings” and “All I Do is Think of You” (even though the Jackson 5 sang it 1st)
DeBarge – “Rhythm of the Night”
El DeBarge – “All this Love”
Stevie Wonder and Jermaine Jackson – “Let’s Get Serious”
Sheila E – “Glamorous Life”
I’ll come up with more later.
@VoiceofReason,
i love Glamorous Life. Like really. I stan 4 that song.
Did someone say “We Are the World”?
@Deviant,
Excuse this submission. One of the voices spoke out of turn. It has been properly chastized and corrected on the “black”-ness of this song. The voices have decreed it and so we must obey.
@Deviant,
Whew I’m glad you got that malfunction under control it was starting to mess w/ me.
@Deviant,
Speaking of “we are the world”, what about that tribute song to Martin Luther King? I can’t think of the name of it, but it featured Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, Whitney Houston, Stacy Lattisaw, Stephanie Mills, New Edition, El DeBarge, Run DMC, Full Force, etc.
“sing celebrate, sing sing celebrate, for a king celebrate”
And when is Obama going to get his song. I’m not talking about the millions of songs already dedicated to him, I’m talking about a song with everybody on it (except Jim Jones & Soulja Boy) paying homage.
@eff yo couch,
bet money if they make one it will be horrible. There will never be another “Self Destruction”
Aight I gots to put up some o my favs. (not mentioned cuz they was already mentioned Earth Wind and Fire, James Brown)
Zap and Roger (most any of em but emphasizing on I wanna be your man and computer love more bounce to the ounce)
Michael Jackson w/ or w/o the jackson 5
The Isley Brothers
Kung Fu Fighting
Bill Withers
S.O.S. band take your time
confunkshun
Luffa
Barry White
I’ll be back
speaking of coming back here’s classic gospel
The Winans ‘Question Is’
The Clark Sisters ‘you Brought the Sunshine’
Commissioned ‘Running Back to You’ or ‘Ordinary Just Won’t Do’
@WuDaMan,
Bill Withers
I love Bill Withers….
“Just keep on usin me, till you use me up.. “
Michael Jackson w/ or w/o the jackson 5
@WuDaMan,
I’ll take Michael singing with his brothers (aka big nose Michael) anyday.
And why do we classify a certian part of a singers career by their looks.
example: fat Luther Vandross vs Skinny Luther
and did anybody mention Luther at all today? I’m about to do a CTRL+F and see!
@eff yo couch,
good question
at some point he went from making R&B to bigtime pop stuff. His stuff from Off The Wall could be mentioned to be included on this list but I would think anything after that (up to 92) is in the category of We Are The Wrold…everyone worldwide that was alive has heard it a million times.
“Can You Feel It?” the song from the last Jacksons album. I loved that when I was a kid. The video had them in space or something. I just had to say that
@Deviant,
okay odd but true story my homeboy was playing that album. Some of his lil nephews were around and was like, ‘hey that is cool. who is that singing’ he told em ‘look it is MJ.’ they was like that’s not MJ it looks nothing like him. *insert the silence of a space vacuum*
@WuDaMan,
who is that singing’ he told em ‘look it is MJ.’ they was like that’s not MJ it looks nothing like him. *insert the silence of a space vacuum*
LOL! This reminds me of my lil sister who once asked me if it’s true that MJ used to be black. Sad, sad, sad!
@YGB,
I’m sad too. So sad I’m from Gary INdiana too. smhh
@YGB,
This reminds me of my lil sister who once asked me if it’s true that MJ used to be black.
WOOOOOOOOWWWWW
This is both funny and sad. *smh*
@WuDaMan,
damn i forgot about SOS…. “just be good to me” has to go on the list…
@WuDaMan,
S.O.S. band was the bomb! Especially their whole Sands of Time album. *sighs* The good ole days.
Y’all folks got some really good songs –
I went thru the lists and added a gang of songs that I think are pertinent to the Black Experience from some of your lists. Here are some additions:
Came0 – Candy
EWF – Reasons, Love Holiday (I do actually agree with this one)
Aretha – Natural Woman/I’ll Never Love A Man
Diana Ross / Gloria Gaynor (pick your version) – I Will Survive
Otis Redding – Sitting By The Dock of the Bay
Lenny Williams – Cause I Love You
Heatwave – Always and Forever
Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly
The Temptations – Papa Was A Rolling Stone
James Brown – whole catalog really
Stylistics – Betcha By Golly Wow
Diana Ross & Supremes – Baby Love, hell, their whole early catalog
Pretty much all of early Motown
Curtis Mayfield – Shaft and his Curtis Album (i.e. If there’s Hell Below//We People Who Are Darker Than Blue)
And the beat goes on…
There probably does need to be a separate hip-hop and gospel section.
@Panama Jackson,
“And the beat goes on…”
dangit, forgot that song too! Was jammin to that in traffic this morning. Kept me from killin ninjas on the Ben Franklin Bridge
@Panama Jackson,
Hecks yeah extreme cosignage on James and Curtis
Hey Panama My mind’s ear heard Don Corneleous reading the post cuz of how he would *throw it to the scramble board*
@Panama Jackson,
You know who else?
The Delfonics – Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind this Time)
@Panama Jackson,
Came0 – Candy
yuck. i’m envisioning that guy’s red steel cup he would wear over his privates. ughhhh.
Has anyone mentioned Sweet Thing (Rufus & Chaka Khan) or Through the Fire (Chaka Khan)
@N.I.A. thinkingofamasterplan….,
i don’t know about all black people… but i LOVE Through the Fire. This is like one of my all time favorite songs.
Freddie Jackson – Rock Me Tonight & You are My Lady
And I don’t know why this popped into my head, but “Ease on Down the Road” from the Wiz
@VoiceofReason,
That Freddie Jack “Rock me tonight is STILL my joint”!
@VoiceofReason,
I think anything off of the Wiz is a qualifyer for a music Black people should know.
soooo i didn’t get very far past the 1st comment. all the responses is a bit overwhelming and i have a major headache lol.
but Peej’s list comprises of songs Black ppl should know and that’s the only qualification. but what if there are Black ppl who KNOW these songs (and others mentioned throughout the comments section) but don’t LIKE these songs?? what does that mean (if anything at all)??
just curious…
@Gem of the Ocean, that you need to eat some collard greens, STAT.
LOL for some reason this made me think of an Office episode when Michael says “colored greens” and when he’s told they’re called “collard greens” he’s like “don’t be silly. black people aren’t called collard people” or something like that.
anyway..
@Gem of the Ocean,
Good point. People used to threaten to take away my Card because I’m not a Luther Vandross fan. It’s not that I dislike his music, it just doesn’t do anything for me.
And this is off topic, but my Card will never be revoked based on my chicken consumption alone. It’s my favorite food and I’m not ashamed. Lol. Sometimes I purposely order it around 2520s and wait to see if any are bold enough to make a comment.
lmao your chicken consumption prompted me to think of a Dave Chappelle stand up bit. *smh* too many random recalls of television happenings. sorry.
@Gem of the Ocean,
“all the responses is a bit overwhelming and i have a major headache lol”
I KNEW something was wrong, cause you weren’t up in here. Aww, Senorita, I hope your head feels better soon!
lol thanks girl. actually, the reason i have been a bit geM.I.A. is becuz i have been running around the city.
but my head still hurts and me no know whyyyy.
@Gem of the Ocean,
lol. i know u ain’t crazy..**securing my package as i type** ok, cool…
But you might get proof when i feel like u gonna treat a brotha right now…two way street ova here. email address pls…I might surprise u one day!! lol
@Tx10inch,
Step away from the crazy before its too late!
pay no attn to 8th no wonder. i’ve been telling VSB for months now to get their pest problem under control…
you give me your email address. pretty pleeeeeease *batting lashes*
@Gem of the Ocean,
texans4evah@yahoo.com
@Gem of the Ocean,
Hey Gem!
You neva told me you 4give me? **rubbing chin** I gave you my mink blanket and everythang in yesterday’s post. SMH.
heyyyyyyyyy Tx10inch!!!! *waving and batting eyes*
i forgive you. nothing like a mink blankey to put me in a forgiving mood. besides, it’s sooo cooooooold here int he P. burrr.
@Gem of the Ocean,
4sho, got my e-boo back!! **pops collar**
**blastin “don’t wanna be a player no more” by Joe in da background**
Ima do right by you anna mae!!
you betta do right!! i need a do right MAN!!
and ummmm it’s Gemmie Mae, to you, thanks.
@Gem of the Ocean,
and ummmm it’s Gemmie Mae, to you, thanks
???? Gemmie Mae?
i mean, my name isn’t “anna”
@Tx10inch,
yussuh, Gemmie Mae. I gave her that name yestadiddy. If you came out to play more, you would know these things
speaking of coming out to play. i’m serious about that 10inch proof….
@Tx10inch,
the two of you are freaking hilarious. You better treat Gemmie right, or we finsta have WORDS. And errybody around here knows what I mean when I say that.
let him know, BBMo!! i dont wanna be the one responsible for his VSB moniker being “TxNoInch”. that would just be a waste of…ummm *cough*… equipment.
@Gem of the Ocean,
**blank stare** oh lord..u crazy ain’t u?
LOL im kidding!!!!!!!! no man is worth an arrest warrant.
Yes…yes she is.
Good luck.
Aif, you’re dead to me! you’re not my sister, you’re not my friend, you’re nothing to me!!
Excuse me,
E-twin…. Gemmie Mae? can we play nice and not scare the men? Please?
@Gem of the Ocean,
Sisterfriend deez.
nah, i’m good.
I quit you.
Shalamar (before Howard Hewitt went solo) – For the Lover in You
Rene’ and Angela – You Don’t Have To Cry/ Your Smile
Karen White – Superwoman
En Vogue – Hold On
SWV- Weak
@WordSmith,
“Rene’ and Angela – You Don’t Have To Cry/ Your Smile”
Ya know, I LOVE “You Smile”, but for some reason, it never got the credit it deserved. Besides that, there were too many versions of it out there. But still, a very underrated song.
Did anyone post LTD-Love Ballad?
I haven’t scanned all of the comments, so maybe I missed it.
@miss t-lee,
AAAAawwweee Niguh yeah! THAT’S THAT THANG!
@WuDaMan,
I knew you’d approve….lmao!!!
@WuDaMan, Yes, that’s the jam! I love it!
Ok so uuumm yeah… dont know all the verses to the anthem…
A Kirk Franklin song gotta be in there somewhere… Dont know which one was the most commercial… probably Stomp…
and of Course fresh prince summertime…
@Eb,
A Kirk Franklin song gotta be in there somewhere… Dont know which one was the most commercial… probably Stomp…
the “sing because i’m happy and sh*t” song probably is
YAY! I know them all. My Black card is still good.
@Erika,
***deleting reply originally posted because it would have been a bit too snarky***
coo.
I don’t know #3 or #7, but since I am half Black, I only need to know 5 out of 10. That means I am more Blacker per percentage point, and way ahead of my Black curve!
@Liz,
*picking up mouth off of the floor*
This is just pure Blasphemy!!! I’m sorry but even the 2520′s even know #7. And you haven’t been to a real cook-out unless you hear number #3 playing somewhere. There’s no excuse!!!
@Liz,
Well thanks for opening the floor, Liz.
I was slightly ashamed to fess up that I only know about roughly 5 (I guessed for This Christmasalthough I didn’t know it was Donnie Hathaway).
It makes me feel a teensy bit better. But it really ain’t all my fault if growing I listened to more salsa, rumba and merengue than I did Motown. Blame the folks.
Ashford and Simpson- Solid
Luther Vandross- Never Too Much
Atlantic Starr- Always
For us youngins…
Biggie and Puff- Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems
don’t hate. you know you would rap along to the biggie verse like you actually had federal agents mad at you… at the age of 13.
@laylah,
“don’t hate. you know you would rap along to the biggie verse like you actually had federal agents mad at you… at the age of 13.”
Egad! Who was 13 when this song was out??
*goes back to snappin’ beans on the VSB porch*
@PBG,
Luvvie was prolly younger than that.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase.,
Unfortunate,y I was younger than 13 when that song came out. But I still know the words.
B.I.G. P.O.P.P.A
No info, for the DEA
Federal Agents made cause I’m flagrant tap my cell (BTW big words in rap songs jar me sometimes, lol)
I think you can add almost any line dance in with the Electric Slide.
the Cha Cha slide
Cupid Shuffle
Wild Wild West
Mississpi Slide
Soul City Walk
Bus Stop
Then again it’s more of a regional thing, because in some parts of the country other line dances are more popular and have different names. But I think the Cupid Shuffle, Electric and Cha Cha Slide are universal.
@eff yo couch,
I was mad when the jungle slide came out and I went to a caberet and foud out there is another one w/ some turn to it Lawd have mercey
@eff yo couch,
**wackness alert**
I got bullied into going to a ‘line dancing’ class where they teach all the complicated ones. I will be serving my 3 hour sentence on Monday night.
@blackberry molasses,
What gets me is that they got a line dance for every damn song. Mom dukes is into that shyt real heavy. They even have a freaking TV show called “Soul Line” that comes on public access. But don’t feel too bad, in some parts of the south it’s worse.
@eff yo couch,
In the chi, we also have the Juke Slide
Silent Night by the Temptations. Preferably as a duet with a soprano and a bass.
*I apologize if this has been listed already…too lazy to get through all 369 commets
The Panamanian suggested that I come through and check out today’s topic and a very interesting topic it is. There are so many responses to this thing that it is overwhelming just to figure out where to begin…
It seems like people lost track of the topic…the topic was 10 Songs That All Black People Should KNOW, not should LIKE. So throwing in Shalamar, Rene and Angela, and Phyllis Hyman is not reasonable since there are many Black people who have no idea of who they are. They just did the Phyllis Hyman “Unsung” episode on TV1, so you know that they realize that she was not super popular…
I will agree with the Good Times theme song and the Cha-Cha Slide. Whether you like them or not, everyone has heard them. I did not go to one single Christmas party this past year where they did not play the Cha-Cha Slide. I also think that Fontella Bass’s “Rescue Me” could go in there (Aretha did not sing this) as well as the Temptations “My Girl”, which might be the most recognizable guitar riff in music…I will have to think on this some more…
@Maverick,
Good point and sh!t. I actually discovered Phyllis Hyman via one of Panama’s posts (there was a comparison b/w Sade and Phyllis or something like that). I had never heard of her or heard her songs before.
VSB: where new music is discovered daily.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase., maverik,
it’s funny how attached we all are to what we know and grew up with cause when someone mentions something that has meaning to you that they didn’t know/are just learning about it can really throw you. i knew about phyllis cause my mama liked her (and she was in school daze ya’ll) and her voice was so ridiculous that it blows my mind that people don’t know who she is.
i wonder though how much of this is based on people only being familiar with something once they hear it (which i am guilty of sometimes and some people have mentioned on here today) and people really not having any idea who certain people/songs are…
Maverick
“Songs That All Black People Should KNOW”
Sorry but ALL black people SHOULD KNOW at least ONE Phyllis Hyman song – “You Know How to Love Me” – it’s just a fact. And if you don’t AT LEAST know it, then something was missed and it’s just a crying shame.
@RedBeanzNRice,
Even for folks not raised in the US? Or is there an exception for those?
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase.,
Nope. That’s the “something” that was missed, lol.
Ummm, really…are we really saying that all Black people have even heard of Phyllis Hyman??? I don’t think this is even the case…we have to take ourselves out of the equation. Some people listen to more music than others. So when you look at it like that, you have to think of songs that people have heard through all walks of life, whether they heard the song on a commercial, a TV show, on the street, in a movie, etc. And we all know that Phyllis Hyman does not even have one of those songs…
@Maverick,
“in a movie, etc. And we all know that Phyllis Hyman does not even have one of those songs”
Lest ye not forget “School Daze”, my dear. To my recollection that was a movie – a black movie at that. And she sang in that movie, the song was called, if I make no mistake “Be One”.
Now if you ain’t seen School Daze, then your black card is REVOKED, lol.
Sorry for the extra posts – the reply wasn’t working earlier for some reason.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I love School Daze! I saw it in the theater. I need to add it to my “Black Cinema” collection.
@RedBeanzNRice,
Sorry to say but this is another instance where everyone just aint on it. Even if you saw school daze you still may not know that was her singing.
@Deviant, I completely agree. And some Black people don’t even like Spike Lee movies…like I said, think of older Black people. Hell, think of younger Black people…anyone who is 21 and under did not grow up with School Daze…
@PBG,
I know right? It was one of the first movies I bought when I got my first credit card, lol.
@Deviant,
“Even if you saw school daze you still may not know that was her singing.”
*sighs* This pains me to no end. EVERYONE black should recognize her, at least know one of her songs, and give her the props she deserves for having contributed to the black experience.
Youngstas, I tell ya.
@RedBeanzNRice, I don’t know if I would make it out like Phyllis Hyman was one of the big contributors to R&B, much less the Black experience. I think you might have some personal bias toward Phyllis…Phyllis Hyman was not a groundbreaking R&B singer…she was good, but not something that everyone would know…
@Maverick,
Well, I’m not particularly biased, but she’s a FANTASTIC singer – it’s just a fact.
And again, “You Know How to Love Me” is a song that EVERY black person should know. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. So there.
*sticks out tongue and walks away*
@RedBeanzNRice,
Phyllis Hyman was a fantastic singer… very under the radar.
@RedBeanzNRice,
I didn’t know who she was when I saw it ( I was only about 15 or so), but thank goodness I was @ the movie w/my Mother and she educated me, as I do my own children now. My kids know about all the music, good & bad, new, old and REAL dayum old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlDDM8ozE9c
Did anybody say OPP or Hip Hop Hooray?!?!
Those are definitely songs all Black people know or have heard.
What about “Before I let you go” by Blackstreet?
Gets major rotation in tha Ipod.
And “Forever my Lady” by Jodeci?
Probably mentioned already, but worth mentioning again IMO..
@”H-town” formerly Tx-T.I.,
Imma need you to go back to your other handle because when I see H-town, I think of my girl whose nickname is Htownshorti.
And also, TX10Inch was just more tounge in cheek
Just my humble opine.
@blackberry molasses,
No prob. Long as Champ and Panama don’t have an issue wit it. Gotta sho respect to the VSB’s and not cause no disruption up in here. lol. Is this message approved Champ/Panama?
@”H-town” formerly Tx-T.I.,
its cool and sh*t
@blackberry molasses,
Not so much tongue in cheek as blatant advertisement… that cannot even be proven.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase.,
says who?…
i kid, i kid…
@Tx10inch back in da house!,
glad your back
@blackberry molasses,
4 sho. thanks for the campaign and ish….
for official e-boo’dom to commence, i’ma need some proof… i’m just sayin…
@Gem of the Ocean,
for official e-boo’dom to commence, i’ma need some proof… i’m just sayin…
lmao!! Whateva you need, pimpin can proceed…
*giving side eye*
you supposed to be tryna do right. now you talkin bout pimpin proceedin?!?! uh uh!! please don’t turn me into Taraji P. Henson in Baby Boy and treat you like Jody!! don’t make me do it….
@Gem of the Ocean,
*Standin up from chair* Now wait just a minute woman!! **Sits back down on second thought,
drops head and mutters** …ok.
yes, e-boo. just sat down. *pats e-boo on the back* don’t be tryna cause a scene up in herrr. i run this.
@Gem of the Ocean,
*snickers*
I can guarantee you that my parents have not heard OPP, Hip-Hop Hooray, Before I Let You Go or Forever My Lady…we gotta think about the older people also. This is about ALL Black people, not just YOUNG Black people…
@Maverick,
**Budwieser Wazzzzup voice** true..true.
@Maverick,
Idk… u don’t think ur parent’s ever HEARD OPP or Hip Hop Hooray? They may not have liked it, or paid it much attention, but u don’t think they even heard those songs?
@pgh muse, yeah, I am going to say that my parents have never even heard of those. And I know alot of parents who have probably never heard of them. When was the last time that you heard either of them and you weren’t at a party? Neither of those songs has really crossed over generations…they are popular amongst young people, but not outside of that group…
@Maverick,
I understand, but even as a teenager, parents see or hear what their kids are listening to. And now, because these songs aren’t popular they aren’t in regular rotation, but when they came out they were bumping everywhere… i know my parents heard my music. Even if they thought it was crap. My dad laughed at Outkast and wouldn’t let me listen to Wu Tang… but he heard it.
@pgh muse, you are assuming that everyone has kids at some point and that they even have young kids. What I mean by young kids is kids that are our age, who grew up on Tribe, Outkast, Spice 1, Snoop/Dre, etc. When people become grandparents, they are no longer aware of what kids are listening to…
@Maverick,
You are nitpicking… of course I can’t pinpoint everyone’s personal circumstance. There are people, maybe even Black people that live in Amish country PA and don’t have radios… should I consider them too? These were popular songs, and unless people didn’t have ears at the height of their popularity, or didn’t have MTV or BET, then i think they heard these songs. I could be wrong.
@Maverick,
Your parents haven’t heard those songs? Exactly how old are your parents? Both mine are over 50 and will do a lil’ jig @ the cabaret to those joints.
@PBG, my parents are in their 50′s, but both are from the South and listen to lots of blues and R&B. So if it is not Motown or Bobby Blue Bland/Marvin Sease/Johnny Taylor/BB King, they are not listening to it…
Since this is music Black People should know -
From the God Father of Soul – James Brown… Say it Loud, Feels Good, and A Man’s World. And also Hendrix’s The Star Spangled Banner. At Last – Etta James, Hound Dog – Big Mama Thornton. Anything by Nina Simone, Brown Skin- India Arie… I’ll b back
@pgh muse, if you are going to say James Brown, I would say “I Feel Good” is in there…Etta James’s “At Last” would only register with older Blacks. My brother is 21 and he has never heard Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle”, much less Etta James. Hendrix, Nina Simone and India Arie are also not artists that have crossed over to all pockets of Black America…there are many people who could not name a single Hendrix or Nina Simone song. And India Arie does not have a single song that popular to even throw in this mix…
@Maverick,
At Last would register with a lot of people because it’s been remade several times by several different artists – most recently by Beyonce – but since we’re talking about what people should know… i offer this version. How do you know that your brother has never heard Doggystyle? I will agree with you about the obscurity of Nina Simone, and maybe even the Hendrix version of the Star Spangled Banner – but not really on that one, because it’s been used in lots of movies, commercials and the such and people may not know what it is or the who’s it is… so I think that’s a pretty far reaching song. And India Arie’s Brown Skin is very popular. There is no blanket black experience… but if you survey a large group of black people I’ll bet the majority of them have heard that song.
@pgh muse,
I couldn’t tell u anything about any song Inida Arie has made
@Deviant,
1.
@pgh muse, you are absolutely correct…there is no blanket Black experience. But at the same time, we can reasonably argue the popularity of songs. Alot of us are throwing out songs that are nostalgic for us, but were not that popular…especially if you look across generations. Maze’s “Before I Let Go” is still played today…Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” is still played today. Even Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” might be more recognizable than alot of the songs that people are throwing out there. So while there is not one universal Black experience, I am looking at the longstanding popularity of these songs and basing my opinion on that…
@Maverick,
i hear u. And i understand what ur saying. There are songs that have longevity and songs that don’t and i think that there is a difference between a song that will be lengendary and a song that will die when it’s season has passed. This Christmas is popular because it’s a Christmas song. If we’re talking about music for the sake of music, then there are songs that will be given life again in the next generation, songs that have been chopped and sampled that people hear and don’t even know what they’re listening to… so, and this is just my opinion, i think that in each generation there is music made that transcends generational barriers, and taste barriers, cuz it’s just a good song. And may be reborn by another artist in the future.
@pgh muse,
whats 1. mean?
@pgh muse, I agree that sampling and remakes have given many songs life far after their intial release. But we are talking about specific versions of songs that we feel people should know. I love Keni Burke’s “Rising to the Top”…now Doug E. Fresh (Rising to the Top), Mary J. Blige (Love No Limit) and LL Cool J (Paradise) have all sampled it, extending its impact across generations. But the younger people who listen to those songs have no idea of what Keni Burke’s Rising to the Top sounds like. So every Black person wouldn’t necessarily know that version of the song…that is what we are talking about…
@Deviant, u are 1 black person that doesn’t know that song. I’m not saying that there aren’t more… but ur just one so far.
@Deviant,
I don’t really have an ear for any recent R&B artists cause to me few have done anything that really stands out like the old stuff does. I’ve heard her songs and I know some who say she is good but she doesn’t do jack for me to stick in my mind enuff. I probly have heard that song but it wasn’t remarkable enuff to me to stick in my brain or make me pay attention so I tuned it out like elevator music.
@Deviant,
But u admit that you have heard it. Right. doesn’t mean u liked it or not. Just that u heard it.
@pgh muse, one thing that we need to make a distinction on is are we saying that people should know these songs because of historical value or because of popularity? If we are saying historical value, I can see how Big Mama Thornton is in there…if we are saying because of popularity though, we have to realize that her songs have not really stood the test of time. I was going off of the popularity angle…
@Maverick,
How many people have heard the Elvis Presley version of the song? I heard variations of it on kids shows, in movies… in a lot of different arenas. I give the credit to Big Mama Thornton bcuz it’s her song, not his. But it’s a very popular song.
@pgh muse, that is like saying that people should know that “Walk on By” by Dionne Warwick, just because Isaac Hayes covered it, or “A House is Not a Home” by Burt Bacharach just because Luther covered it. That is not the case…half of the people reading this probably didn’t know the original songs. So you listed the Big Mama Thornton song, not the Elvis song. I don’t think every Black person would know the Elvis version, much less the Big Mama Thornton version…
@Maverick, Hmmmm… I hear u. Idk. The media is a powerful vehicle.. Maybe not… but when i hear songs like that on Kidz Bop commercials, i think it’s pretty far reaching… I think lot’s of American people period have heard that song. they may perceive it as an Elvis song. But it’s not.
@pgh muse, I think by Panama listing the artists that made these songs, he is specifically looking at those versions. So while some songs may be covered over and over again, we are looking at the particular versions that Black people should know because those versions are just too popular not to know. He put “This Christmas” up there because every Black radio station plays it on Christmas Day. Maze’s “Before I Let Go” seems to play at most Black social gatherings. And even though line dances are popular, I would say that the Cha-Cha Slide is probably the most popular one. So we are looking at the particular versions of these songs and judging their popularity, not whether or not the song has has many cover versions…
@Maverick,
And we have to consider the vehicle of delivery. If people listen to urban radio they are going to hear what’s hot. Period, cuz hot songs play 45 times per day. This Christmas is a Christmas song, and Stevie’s Happy Birthday is a birthday song, so these are occassions for people to keep on ritualizing this music. Beyond those occassions, and Lift Every Voice and Sing (and that’s assuming people even teach their kids about that song cuz their not going to get it from school) and the electric slide… there are not very few song’s that can be said to be songs that all black people know… But i understand what ur saying. And agree with you.
@pgh muse,
I was surprised nobody mentionned Hendrix.
Those two I have definitely heard of growing up.
I am going to throw William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful” in there (“…diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with the gangsta lean…”), as well as Chic’s “Good Times”. I think that through a combination of television, movies, commercials and sampling, everyone knows these songs in one way or another…
@Maverick,
good choices
Anita Baker anyone?
@YGB,
I would say no
@Deviant, I would also agree that Anita Baker does not make the cut…
@Maverick,
BOOO!!
@YGB, hey, I will play the villain in this then. There is not one Anita Baker song that could be considered a song that ALL Black people should know…period.
@Maverick,
I love me some Anita, but I must agree
@YGB,
I will say yes. Or at least, I want her to be on there.
@Sula 2.09. Requirements Gathering Phase.,
i say yes too, Sula e-twin.
Proud Mary, Tina Turner – every black person should also know the dance.
Night Time is the Right Time, Ray Charles – remember Rudy breaking it down with the “Baby, Baby” on the Cosby Show.
Secret Garden ala Quincy Jones.
@shhwhisper,
why we gotta know the dance?
@Deviant,
Cause that means you watched the movie.
@shhwhisper,
que?
@Deviant,
Are you asking why you should have seen What’s Love Got to Do with It? Don’t take it so serious. Just eat the cake Anna Mae.
@shhwhisper,
don’t make me take off my shoe in this car
@shhwhisper,
So funny you mention the Tina dance. That’s how the kickboxing instructor described a move yesterday. The 2520 were a bit dumbfounded, but the sistren and brethren got it down to a t.
I haven’t read all the posts but what about The Big Payback by James Brown??!!!!!
“get down wit my girlfriend….that ain’t right!!!”
@This Just In,
Sold me out for chicken change
oh no
Told me that they had it all arranged
I thought for sure this 1 was gonna come up somewhere way back in the gospel convo…but “God is tryin to tell you somethin”! Hell I watch The Color Purple just to hear that song (which BTW should be #1 on the pre-req for blackness movie list).
And speaking of Blackness…what about the Sounds of Blackness “Be Optimistic”? And Whitney Houston’s Superbowl National Anthem?
@Imperfect,
I thought for sure this 1 was gonna come up somewhere way back in the gospel convo…but “God is tryin to tell you somethin”! Hell I watch The Color Purple just to hear that song (which BTW should be #1 on the pre-req for blackness movie list).
the movie list is coming a week from today, and, although i wont give everything away right now, i can assure you the color purple wont be number one
@The Champ,
“God is tryin to tell you somethin”!
that part makes me all misty eyed with a filled heart…. I loves me a good Jesus Jam!
Is it me or is ?uestlove a silent drumming bootsie collins?
*sashaying out the corner in my VSB shirt and “choosing pants”*
I completely co-sign w/ MONK (and my other eFam) on the theme songs and I would like to respectfully submit “I’ll Take You There” by the Staples Singers…DAYUM I miss ya’ll!!! email a ni99a sometimes!
*slowly turns so you can admire my DOPE-osity, proceeds back to my throne where the wlls meet*
@GOODENess,
Goody Goody Gumdrops!!! You know the corner has been singing a sad love song like Toni since you been gone!
Suprised none of Luther’s songs made the list.
Anything by Al, Marvin, Luther, or Maze feat FB reminds me of cleaning my mom’s house on a Saturday morning. That was and still is the best music to dust and vacuum too!!
Late is better than never… and no list is complete without love…. kinda.
anyways. I would like to propose “Love’s Theme” – The Love Unlimited Orchestra. no words just music. It is credited with teaching my father that black people could do anything, including write classically based pieces if they put their mind to it. and it solidifies the greatness that is Barry White.
Download LEGALLY and enjoy. :-*
wait a minute, wait a minute. 4got Moments in Love by Art of Noise…
“Before I Let Go” being played means you are most likely in one of two scenarios:
#1.) At a black cookout
#2.) At the club right before the lights come on and they tell you to leave
Hey there,
Al Greene is the one!!!
You only have one sistas on the list!! What about Chaka??
Congrats on your newest award!!
The peeps could use an infusion of votes in these last two days o the Weblog Awards!!
The Field Negro – currently 6th out of 10
Best Individual Blogger
Pam’s House Blend – currently 4th out of 10
Best GLBT Blog
TransGriot – currently 9th out of 10
Best GLBT Blog
Tariq Nelson – currently 9th out of 10
Best Religious Blog
Black Women, Blow The Trumpet! – currently 5th out of 10
Best Small Blog
NuVision For A NuDay – 9th out of 10
Best Diarist
Zuky – 6th out of 10
Best Hidden Gem
I hope that I am not the only one who doesn’t know song # 7. Marcia Griffiths – Electric Boogie