Somewhere, maybe at church, I came across a pad with a list of music. Actually, several lists. They were handwritten, and they did not include artists. A few times I had difficulty reading the titles. There were time indicators on this particular roster, suggesting someone putting it together for a specific purpose.
Solid (As A Rock) – Ashford and Simpson. #1 for 3 weeks RB, 12 pop in 1984. I love this song. How is it that they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at least as songwriters? They’re in the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. #3 for five weeks RB, #5 pop in 1967.
Everybody Plays the Fool – The Main Ingredient. #2 for three weeks RB, #3 pop in 1972.
Kiss and Say Goodbye – The Manhattans. #1 RB, #1 for two weeks pop in 1976.
Shining Star – The Manhattans. #4 RB, #5 pop in 1980. The 4:33 running time helped me determine that it was this song, not EWF.
Misty Blue – Dorothy Moore. #2 for two weeks, #3 for four weeks pop in 1976.
Woman to Woman – Shirley Brown. #1 two weeks RB, #22 pop in 1974. There’s a 2012 song by Keyshia Cole, featuring Ashanti that is apparently a cover.
Never Knew Love Like This Before – Stephanie Mills. #12 RB, #6 pop in 1980. She has a Diana Ross quality to her voice.
NOT Curtis
Be Thankful for What You Got – William DeVaughn. #1 in RB, #4 pop in 1974. Here’s a longer version. Some people have understandably confused him with Curtis Mayfield.
Yearning for Your Love – The Gap Band. #5 RB, #60 pop in 1981.
Love Ballad – L.T.D. # 1 for two weeks RB, #20 pop in 1976. A great Jeffrey Osborne vocal.
Footsteps in the Dark – Isley Brothers, 1998.
Never Too Much – Luther Vandros. #1 for two weeks RB, #33 pop in 1981.
Stop in the Name of Love – Margie Joseph. #38 RB, #96 pop in 1971. The running time suggested that it wasn’t The Supremes version. I first heard this on a STAX/VOLT box set.
For the longest time as a kid, I was certain that “Never Knew Love Like This Before” must have been Diana!