Give It to Me Thriller

I was driving somewhere recently--can't remember where exactly.  But, as you know, I love to listen to the radio while I'm driving.  I heard "Give It To Me Baby" by Rick James, and I think it came on the radio a few times.  Must have been an 80s weekend or something.  Anyway, I hadn't heard this song much, and I certainly did not remember the AMAZING brass line in the background.  I was really blown away by the brass playing.  It is not easy, and these guys just rip those licks out of nowhere.  I'm still floored as I write.  Meanwhile, I had never seen the video, so I took a look and thought, YUCK.  Oh wow.  It has to be the most disgusting video I've ever seen.  It's not like it's really graphic.  I mean, it really isn't.  Just something about Rick James.  Yikes.  I know--he did have talent to a certain extent, but he just seemed so gross in this video.  I think it was his lips or something.  I honestly don't know, but I can say that this is one song that is TERRIFIC on the radio--and should probably have stayed there without the video.  Or, maybe they could have filmed it with him on stage--brass band tearing it up along with him.  Now that would be awesome.

When I did a bit of research on the song, I read a comment somewhere claiming "Thriller" was a "rip-off" of this song.  I thought, "huh?"  So, this evening, I was listening to "Give It To Me Baby" and definitely could hear the bassline, and "Thriller" DOES sound similar.  Oddly enough, the "Thriller" video has scared the daylights out of me since it was released--and I was just a little girl back then in 1983.  So, I thought it would be perfect to pair the two -- given the similar bassline and the fact that both videos creep me out.  I can't really decide which is scarier...  I've posted them, but I'd probably be scared to watch them.  You may be more brave.  Enjoy!

Superfreak

Sorry I have been away for so long.  I was in Chicago all of last week for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  Yes, I realize I am a band geek.  Anyway, I came back this afternoon to find a reminder on Facebook about a "Rick James Behind the Music" episode airing tonight on VH-1.  Thought it would be the perfect opportunity to look at "Supefreak."

I imagine everyone in the world has heard this song - or at least the bassline.  MC Hammer sampled it in his hit "You Can't Touch This," so I am sure there are 80s and 90s kids who have heard this song in one way, shape or form.  Always amazes me when you hear sampling or a "remake" and the younger generation does not recognize the 80s tune within.  Anyway, "Superfreak" is kind of silly and giggly to those of us who grew up in the 80s.  We all know it is about an "adventurous" girl, but mostly, this song just has a very cool bassline.  It also has a pretty decent saxophone solo, which in the video clip I've included from "Solid Gold" is played mysteriously by someone not moving any fingers but rather his hips.  Hmmm.....   I think I have two favorite parts of this song: (1) the opening two lines, and (2) the "she's alright" operatic break.  I think I actually stopped listening carefully to the lyrics after the first to lines, because the word "mother" just resonated in Rick's delivery.  "She's a very kinky girl, the kind you don't take home to mothaaaaahhhh."  Yup, that is what I hear.  I then read a bit about the song, and Rick James described the "she's alright" part as "operatic." and I suppose it is.  I always thought of it more as "gospel" style.  "She's alright, she's alright, that girl's alright with me yeah."  Definitely a cool part.  Makes me wonder what the rest of the song would be like in that style, or maybe how his voice would have sounded on some gospel songs.  Well, I do hope you enjoy this song.  There is an official video, but I thought the "Solid Gold" one was pretty fun.