The Black music that inspired me
I would not have become a singer/songwriter had I not first heard music written and performed by Black musicians. I have never understood how some white folks can love Black music but fail to stand up for the rights of Black people. I ask all white people to join me in dismantling anti-Black racism.
Now, here is some of the glorious music that has inspired me over the years - check it out while you stay safe and well!!
Stevie Wonder: I Wish; That Girl; Uptight (Everything's Alright); You Haven't Done Nothin'; Sir Duke
Earth, Wind & Fire: After The Love Has Gone; September; Saturday Night; That's The Way of the World;
Can't Hide Love
Fifth Dimension: Wedding Bell Blues; Save The Country; Stoned Soul Picnic; One Less Bell To Answer; Workin' on a Groovy Thing; Last Night (I Didn't Get To Sleep At All); Aquarius (Let The Sunshine In)
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On; Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler); Ain't That Peculiar;
Got To Give It Up; Trouble Man
Joan Armatrading: Warm Love; I'm Lucky; No Love; I Love My Baby; Temptation
Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation; State of the World; Let's Wait Awhile
Bill Withers: Ain't No Sunshine; Harlem
Prince: 1999; Money Don't Matter; Let's Go Crazy
Martha and the Vandellas: Dancing In The Street; Heat Wave; Nowhere to Run
Chic: Good Times; Le Freak
The Commodores: Brick House; Sail On; Easy
Billy Preston: Nothing From Nothing; With You I'm Born Again; Will It Go Round in Circles
Nina Simone: Sinnerman; That's All I Ask; Young Gifted and Black; Mississippi Goddam
Margaret Bonds: Montgomery Variations IV; Troubled Water
Donna Summer: She Works Hard for the Money; Last Dance
Little Anthony and the Imperials: Hurt So Bad; Goin' Out of my Head
Michael Jackson: The Way You Make Me Feel; Billy Jean; I Just Can't Stop Loving You
Sade: Paradise; Haunt Me
The Brothers Johnson: Stomp; I'll Be Good To You
Aretha Franklin: Do Right Woman, Do Right Man; (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman; Freeway of Love
Al Jarreau: After All; We Got By; Never Explain Love
Natalie Cole: I've Got Love on my Mind; This Will Be; Pink Cadillac; Our Love
And some individual tunes: Ziggy Marley: Rebellion Rises; Bob Marley: Get Up Stand Up; Michael Kiwanuka: Black Man In A White World; Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive; Alicia Keys: Fallin'; Mavis Staples: Turn Me Around; Whitney Houston: Saving All My Love; Perri: Feels So Good