Category Archives: Mary J. Blige

MUSIC MONDAY (Female Edition)

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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY

This is one of my favorite Janet Jackson tunes. I had the biggest crush on her for years, and I attribute it to this video. So hot!

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Classic Madonna. No one has ever accused her of not speaking up. She’s a talented, brutally frank woman, and that powerful combination has paid huge dividends for her career.

REHAB

I love Amy Winehouse’s voice. Her sound is a great throwback and nod to the singers of the 60s, and the great tunes they created.

JUST FINE

Mary J. Blige has been through so much, and music has been her way of expressing the range of dramatic peaks and valleys that have characterized her life. I love this woman.

MUSIC MONDAY

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HOLD ME KNOW (1983)

This generally regarded as their best tune, and one of the most memorable songs of the early ’80s. It’s one of my favorites for sure.

MOTOWNPHILLY (1991)

Not their best work (which would come on their sophomore album), but a great introduction to the music scene, and emblematic of the early ’90s R&B which was infused by the new jack swing sound.

FAMILY AFFAIR (2001)

It’s hard not to like anything Mary J. Blige touches. Super-producer Dr. Dre produced this great track. No female singer in modern history (not even Mariah Carey) has had such continuous success over so long a period.

HARDER TO BREATHE (2002)

Maroon 5 rocked this tune. I like them because they weren’t apprehensive about using influences from other musical genres to compliment their decidedly mainstream rock sound.

MUSIC MONDAY

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KING OF ROCK (1985)

The group Run DMC rocked! This was their first big hit, and one of the most influential songs in hip hop history. The loud lyrical delivery was complimented by heavy guitar riffs.

DESIRE (1988)

This was the lead single from U2′s album, Rattle and Hum. It ranks as one of their best. And it is certainly worth the money to see them perform it live.

BE HAPPY (1992)

This is song is not regarded by folks as one of her “classics”. But I disagree. I like this record. Mary’s work from the early ’90s was produced by a young, up and coming artist name Puff Daddy (now known simply as “Diddy). They rocked it on this cut.

YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME (2003)

This is simply great music. It has this delicious, infectious, neo-soul, 70′s sound. Unknown to most, the producer of this awesome tune is Kanye West. Great collaboration.