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- “Super Freak” One of Rick James’ most recognizable hits, “Super Freak“, is a 1981 funk and soul classic. Released as the second single from his album Street Songs, it proved to be an immediate success, topping the R&B and dance charts on the Billboard Hot 100.
- “Give It To Me Baby” A classic hit from the 80s, “Give It To Me Baby” is an iconic song by the influential artist, Rick James. Synthesizing funk, soul, and rock, it became one of his most popular singles.
- “Ebony Eyes” Released in 1983, “Ebony Eyes” was a single from Rick James’ fourth studio album, Street Songs. It was written and produced by James himself and featured the vocals of Smokey Robinson.
- “Glow” Included in Street Songs, the single “Glow” is unmistakably in the style of Rick James, featuring his signature energy and passion. The funk-infused song, written by James and Alonzo Miller, is a tribute to the beauty of women and is celebrated by a mix of keyboards, bass, and drums.
In 1981, James released his most successful album, Street Songs, which included career-defining hits such as "Give It to Me Baby" and "Super Freak", the latter song becoming his biggest crossover single, mixing elements of funk, disco, rock, and new wave. James was also known for his soulful ballads such as "Fire & Desire" and "Ebony Eyes".
- 2 min
- Charles Aaron
- The Mynah Birds, “It’s My Time” b/w “Go on and Cry” (1966) After going AWOL from the Navy and fleeing to Toronto, Canada, James "Rick James" Johnson eventually ended up in a local rock group called the Mynah Birds, which featured future members of Buffalo Springfield and Steppenwolf.
- Rick James, “My Mama” b/w “Funkin’ Around” (1974) In the decade-plus between the Mynah Birds and his first solo album, James moved to California, got a gig as a Motown staff songwriter (Spinners, Marvelettes, etc.)
- Rick James, “You and I” (1978) Finally finding redemption at Berry Gordy's personal Motown imprint, Gordy Records, James unleashed his brash "punk-funk" movement with this gloriously strutting single, which boasted a colossal synth-bass groove, James' boa-tossing vocal panache and double-entendres directed at his ex-wife.
- Rick James, “Mary Jane” (1978) The second single from Come Get It! was a tour de force of everything that permitted those Prince comparisons and earned James the cachet to walk his dirty boots into Eddie Murphy’s house and proclaim, “Fuck your couch, nigga!”
His most popular album, 1981’s Street Songs, launched him into superstardom thanks to the hit singles, “Give It to Me Baby” and “Super Freak”, the latter song becoming his signature song ...
Listen to music by Rick James on Apple Music. Find top songs and albums by Rick James including Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby and more.
Listen to the Rick James Essentials playlist on Apple Music. 14 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 22 minutes.
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Listen to Bustin' Out: The Best of Rick James by Rick James on Apple Music. 1994. 27 Songs. Duration: 2 hours, 24 minutes.
