A POLL Bizarre ~~~ It's the ILM 80's R&B TRACKS POLL ~~~ RESULTS THREAD!!!

https://img.discogs.com/xOkggRJOAh1V7CdivfsxLKi2kRs=/fit-in/551x557/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-535155-1314832924.jpeg.jpg
187. Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
246 points, 6 votes
https://youtu.be/7YvAYIJSSZY

Let's be real: there's well over 300 legitimately great '80s R&B songs. Some very worthy choices were inevitably going to get the shaft. There truly is no justice in the world.

That's cool, though I do prefer DJ Bobo's version.

jesus

this isn't even a song, let alone R&B

x+x+ post

"a little bit of jazz" and all the other great prelude tracks of 80-83 were so ubiquitous in nyc, i've always wondered if madonna has copped to their influence, she would have heard them in clubs and just walking down the street. if you listen to "gonna get over you" by france joli in that context, it really does predict madonna's early singles (to my ears)

Weren't most of Madonna's early singles produced by Jellybean Benitez, who was definitely part of that NYC scene? That might explain the similarity.

Mark Kamins, producer of "Everybody," would have been around too.

"somebody's watching me" definitely should not be higher than a lot of these other classics, but i will rep for it!

coincidentally I finished Tim Lawrence's wearying but essential Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980-1983 last week.

Were there any '90s artists from the 'Berry Gordy's relatives have to eat, too' subgenre (a la Rockwell and LMFAO)?

https://img.discogs.com/DGYSoJxIYCneL9mKIgg1FHEaWkw=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2232187-1433366436-7229.jpeg.jpg
186. The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt
247 points, 6 votes
https://youtu.be/pzxwZ6wjDAM

Too low!

An amazing song, that one is, so smooth and evocative! And the Tom Moulton mix is even better (but that one wasn't done in the '80s).

coincidentally I finished Tim Lawrence's wearying but essential Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980-1983 last week.

wearying is right, I'm mean I'm totally obsessed with that scene, was around then and went to many of the clubs mention etc but jesus this book wore me out. more of a data dump than a book!

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185. Babyface - It's No Crime
249 points, 3 votes
https://youtu.be/lECDTb2G1hY

I fucking love the beat on this thing. Reminds me of Duran Duran's "I Don't Want Your Love."

yessss love this song

"Stand on the Word" should be in the top 20, wtf is it doing so low?! Shame on you, ILX, I would've expected everyone to include it in their ballots.

― Tuomas, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 15:46 (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

right, lots of things I voted for turning up so obv TOO LOW but this SotW not being top 20 is a shock to me

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184. K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Give It Up
249 points, 6 votes
https://youtu.be/IeqtAB1WgEw

Oh. I guess I neglected to vote for 'Give It Up'? Really should have.

... mmm-yeeeeaaaahhh no.

I forgot to vote for it. It's the only KC-sung single I love. Lots of airplay in freestyle-dominated Miami.

https://img.discogs.com/dHieYcexXcVTQfVW0xvqE-_HQtc=/fit-in/500x463/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2174984-1384028679-8065.jpeg.jpg
183. Teena Marie - Lovergirl
251 points, 5 votes
https://youtu.be/1fyWgjhe_Zg

... mmm-yeeeeaaaahhh no.

Yeah, that one didn't ultimately have the moxie to make my final cut.

I think I would've been more inclined to throw 'Square Biz' a vote over 'Lovergirl' but, alas, my ballot wound up Teena-free.

i don't know a lot of teena's music but among what i know "square biz" is the only one i actually like

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181. Alexander O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight
253 points, 3 votes
https://youtu.be/TIsOQR3NBCQ

too fucking low omg

https://img.discogs.com/J5YH9OFV6mbENaGvnsp33R4Q9qo=/fit-in/600x604/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5725752-1457459095-9940.jpeg.jpg
180. Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
253 points, 6 votes
https://youtu.be/my-Q2UzdxHE

Teena Marie is an acquired taste, especially her self-produced ballads after 1983.

I can't decide which is lovelier: If You Were Tonight or Sunshine

the former but not by much

given what this poll seems to be yielding now i'm gonna go ahead and guess "sunshine" will not make it at all

https://img.discogs.com/QMSygzNC2OvHGdCk3Mc4bBkod_w=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-348643-1390663088-1627.jpeg.jpg
179. Pointer Sisters - Jump (For My Love)
253 points, 7 votes
https://youtu.be/uyTVyCp7xrw

an awesome happy fun jam that i think i voted for

still kinda unthinkable to see it above some of these others tho ;_;

Coulda voted for that, but got the latent "more pop than R&B" voice in my ear

r&b radio often was quite poppy around that time and the pointers straddled that then-narrow gulf w/ ease

everyone should be way more into teena marie than they are

I love Teena, but loathe "Lovergirl."

Ah shot I honestly thought It's No Crime would be right up there, I could listen to it on a loop, never fails to cheer me up

*Ah shit obv. Nights Over Egypt is just aural chocolate too

I love Teena, but loathe "Lovergirl."

― insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Tuesday, May 9, 2017 11:22 AM (eighteen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

couldn't even begin to understand this chain of reasoning

"I need your lovin," "square biz," "behind the groove" ... there are tons of Teena jams that are on another sonic planet from "Lovergirl."

I'm also partial to 'Ooh La La La'.

i'm impartial to that one

ppl were dogging lovergirl in the other thread for sounding briefly like the intro to a tv newscast but i think it's one of her great fake prince jams

i should've nominated "lips to find you," not that anyone else would've voted for it

https://img.discogs.com/hZIJ_j1e5x6tEPEo0PY3bkOij90=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-224118-1366706677-1541.jpeg.jpg
178. Timex Social Club - Rumors
255 points, 5 votes
https://youtu.be/ADwVvT7-5_0

Good one! Also, possibly the first time I ever heard the word "gay" used That Way.

I never warmed to this song (prefer Club Nouveau's second single) but I don't mind – and I love the art.

Wow, I'd actually never heard this one before, but a what a great tune!