FlinterFile: Diana Ross- Muscles

Diana Ross released her new album Silk Electric in 1982.

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FlinterFile: Michael Jackson- Farewell My Summer Love

At Motown, they sometimes lose recordings.

FlinterFile: Sigala- Easy Love

In 2015, the DJ Bruce Fielder released his debut single under the name of Sigala. He wrote the song after drinken some beers on Sunday. He took a part of the song ABC by the Jacksons, put a house beat under it and then played it to Tito Jackson… who absolutely loved it. Of course this is no guarantee for having a hit, but he debuted on number 1 in the UK, higher than the original by the Jacksons, who made it to number 8. Enjoy

Sigala- Easy Love

Song of the day: Rockwell- Somebody’s Watching Me

In 1984, Kennedy Gordy (yes, the son of the Motown founder Berry Gordy) recorded a demo with a Motown producer under the name Rockwell. Berry did not believe his son had capacities as an artist, but was convinced the demo could be a hit. Michael Jackson sang the backing vocals, something Kennedy strongly wanted. It would mean the guarantee the single would be a hit, which it was: number 2 in the US and number 6 in the UK. Enjoy

Rockwell- Somebody’s Watching Me

Song of the day: Michael McDonald- Sweet Freedom

In 1986, Michael McDonald (Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers) scored one of his solo hits. The first one had been a duet with Patti Labelle, and this one was made for the movie Running Scared. It was written not written by Michael McDonald himself, as most songs were, but by Rod Temperton, who had previously written for Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. The song hit number 7 in the UK and number 12 in the US. Enjoy

Michael McDonald- Sweet Freedom

Song of the day: Jerry Lee Lewis- Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Today we’re paying attention to one of the earliest covers in pop music. The original recording of this song was done by Big Maybelle, who made her version in 1955. This song was produced by Quincy Jones (who later produced most of the Michael Jackson records). Jerry Lee Lewis first played this song live, and decided to record it in 1957. He knew it would be a hit, though Sam Phillips (the founder of Sun Records) thought it to be too risky. It was a number 3 hit in the US pop chart. Enjoy

Jerry Lee Lewis- Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Song of the day: Bobby Day- Rockin’ Robin

Rockin’ Robin was a big hit in 1958. Leon René wrote the song, using his pseudonym Jimmie Thomas. The song was recorded by Bobby Day, who took the song to number 2 in the US normal chart and number 1 in the R&B chart. In Australia, the song made it to number 9. As a matter of fact, Bobby Day only had this hit, and never returned to the charts… The cover version, made by Michael Jackson, also did well in the charts: it reached number 2 in the US. However, today we enjoy the original

Bobby Day- Rockin’ Robin

Song of the day: Michael Jackson- Love Never Felt So Good

I think Michael Jackson could never have imagined that he would score a number 9 hit in the US after he had died… However, he did. This year, some demo’s were found, some remastering and reworking was done, and then the results were released on the album Xscape. Jackson wrote the song with Paul Anka in 1983. Johnny Matis recorded the song, but the demo with Michael Jackson was until this year not released. Together with Justin Timberlake, the song became a hit. Enjoy

Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake- Love Never Felt So Good

Song of the day: Lesley Gore- It’s My Party

This is one of the songs that I know for a long time now, and which I learned to know from a Jukebox hits CD. It was released in 1963 by Lesley Gore, who would be the one to make the song into a hit. It would be a number one hit in the US, and the first for Quincy Jones to produce (he would later do a lot of work for Michael Jackson). The story actually is very sad, since the girl who has her birthday is left by her boyfriend, who is walking with another girl. Though Lesley Gore made it into a hit, the first recording was done earlier in the year 1963 by Helen Shapiro, who used it for her album. It was released in October, when Gore’s version had been in the charts already, so the original version was seen as a cover! Later, the song was recorded by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin. Enjoy the original:

Lesley Gore- It’s My Party

Song of the day: The Jacksons- Blame It On The Boogie

Today a band which consists out of 5 brothers! It was from the late seventies, which explains the disco sound of the group. It was a performance together with Michael Jackson (a former member of the Jackson 5, but he was doing solo work). The strange thing is that a person called Mick Jackson has written a song which is almost the same, called Blame It On The Boogie. It is said the Jacksons stole it, but no one can prove it… however, we have a nice disco hit here, and that’s what matters! Enjoy:

Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5- Blame It On The Boogie

Summer Song of the Day #6: Madonna- La Isla Bonita

Mmm… do you remember the album by Madonna called True Blue? Yes? Really good, wasn’t it, huh?
It’s my personal favourite of her studio albums, and this song is one of my personal favourites by Madonna, too.
However, it could have been that not Madonna was here, but Michael Jackson. The song was firstly offered to him, but, according to Gaitsch, he refused taking the song for his Bad album.
Madonna got it after him, wrote the lyrics, and recorded it. The result? A very good Spanish summer sounding song which ended on number 6 in the Summer Song of the Day Top 20.
Not bad, is it?

Number 6: Madonna- La Isla Bonita

Song of the day: Janet Jackson- What Have You Done For Me Lately?

You might now think: Who’s that woman and what is she doing on this blog?
Well, let me introduce to you: Janet Jackson, the sister of Michael. And this is, for the people who have not recognized it, the front of her greatest hits album Design Of A Decade: 1986-1996.
Some people think this title is not the right title for this album, since it mainly features songs in the period 1986-1990, but that all does not matter.
Those people probably don’t listen to the album but only discuss about what’s on there.

I listen to the album and hear great songs, and of course, my personal favourite is song of the day.
It’s a song which I think is very nice to hear, it’s What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Song of the day: Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora- When The Rain Begins To Fall

Hi there again,

Today a happy song about something which I don’t want!
It’s made by the brother of Michael Jackson…

Yes, it are Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora with When The Rain Begins To Fall.

And yes, I don’t like rain…

Song of the day: Michael Jackson- Thriller

Hi,

In December, it’s all about the clips and movies with the songs.
One of the best movies by a song ever, and probably one of the longest, is the mini-movie of Thriller by Michael Jackson.

Michael was the first black artist to be shown on MTV, because MTV couldn’t avoid the clips of Michael, which are all pearls.

Have a lot of fun with it!

Song of the day: Trijntje Oosterhuis- Knocked Out

Hello everyone,

It’s friday! Which means, it’s superfriday!

Two new songs, made by Dutch artists.

The first song is made by Trijntje Oosterhuis. She was the singer of Total Touch, which was song of the day a few weeks ago.
Trijntje is for a time making music alone. First mostly jazz, but now Anouk wrote some songs for her. And that gives a completely different view on things!
The song is called Knocked Out.

The second song is a remix. Normally I’m not a fan of remixes, but this one sounds good!
It’s the remix of Bad, made by Afrojack, Usher and of course Michael Jackson.

The song of the week is…. tatatata….. Trijntje Oosterhuis with Knocked out!