tight people of the day: the contours

So, this coming Monday is the 50th birthday of Motown Records. Holla! I will be eating a slice of cake to celebrate Berry Gordy and the empire he built. The sound of Motown has truly changed my life and increased my amounts of happiness on a daily basis. In honor of that coming birthday celebration, I want to feature a classic Motown band today, The Contours.

When I listen to The Contours, and especially their biggest hit "Do You Love Me," I just want to do the Twist all over the place. I start to think I can really dance when I hear this song. I want this played at my wedding as my husband and I run out and high five everyone, right after they announce Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Gosling. Just kidding! But seriously, this song is pure fun. Everyone loves this song. If it doesn't get your toe tapping or just your shoulder slightly moving, I'm afraid you might be dead inside to the joys of life. This song is also really tight because it gets really quiet AND THEN COMES BACK. At parties I'm the asshole that screams, "IT'S NOT OVER YET!" and ruins it for everyone. Sorry about that. This tune also features some super awesome song talking, which makes my world go round and round. Who doesn't love a sweet little talking intro? Also, how much is the lead singer shouting in this song? So tight.

The Contours were one of the very first soul groups signed to Motown. Berry Gordy was a bit skeptical of them at first. But in one of his finer bidness moves, he had them record "Do You Love Me" in 1962 and the rest is history. This song was originally intended for The Temptations! Good thing The Contours got their paws on it. Amazingly, it only went to #2 on the charts. Good thing it went to #1 IN MY HEART.

"Do You Love Me" had a bit of comeback when it was featured in Dirty Dancing in 1988. Crazy for Swayze. It charted again thanks to the movie. Several members of the group are still performing today and playing Contours songs. For the record, I would love you even if you couldn't dance.

The Contours - Do You Love Me

hall & oates - sara smile

I am so obsessed with this song. I won't beat around the bush - I have a thing for Hall & Oates. This song is so simple and soulful. This needs to be played at every backyard gathering or just while I pour cereal. I love it that much.

This song is from the 1975 album Daryl Hall and John Oates. Simple title, y'allz. Look at their crazy make-up. I'm jealous of that cheek rouge. Someone was taking care of them that day. Look, the bottom line is this: this band has been a part of some of my favorite dance party memories. Thinking about a group dance circle jamming to "Maneater" puts a smile on my face instantly. Ain't nothing better.

Apparently, Daryl Hall wrote the song for his gf at the time. Her name was Sara. Le duh. Anywayz, I read the two were a couple for 28 years, but they never tied the knot and they actually broke up in 2001! Say it ain't so! I can't imagine having a song written about me period, much less a totally tight slow jam like this one.

Hall & Oates - Sara Smile

tight people of the day: gladys knight and the pips

I just love Gladys and the Pips. First of all, how tight is the group name "The Pips?" I mean, who does that? Gladys is adorable as hell and doesn't put me off as a frontwoman. She makes me feel all calm and happy inside while her nifty little Pips dance and sing behind her using one microphone and a lot of awesome leg work. Now, I don't claim to be some Gladys Knight expert, but I do know this group hails from Hotlanta and sings some really great R&B and soul. Old school, son. I wish I could get the group from, like, 1967 to perform at my wedding. Could happen. Anything is possible if Sarah Palin was picked for a running mate. I digress.

Obvi, the biggest hit of this group's career was the beautiful and amazing "Midnight Train to Gerogia" which is still covered by drunk Texans in karaoke bars across the state. Haters to the left! This would definitely be my karaoke pick. I just want to wail on the "I'vegottago" part at the end. Also, who doesn't love pretending to be a train engineer on the "Woo woo!" part. So tight!

Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia

tight people of the day: kashmere stage band

One of the best kept secrets in Texas. This is a group of students from Kashmere High School in Houston, Texas who rocked funk and soul in their high school band. Yes, instead of occasionally busting out a slightly funky number at the football game for the old folks to slap their knees to, these kids went all out. They have a super tight album, even. They were led by the musical guru and ultimate baller Conrad O. Johnson, who believed in the power of being awesome. He led the kids to many championships but also was just super tight. Conrad just passed in February of this year, but he is getting down with some funky bidness up above, for reals.

This band has been sampled out the ass by DJs, all who deserve a medal of honor for making this work known. How baller are these dudes? I mean, seriously. And they are just teens. Amazing. I have a compilation of the Kashmere Stage Band (Texas Thunder Soul) that has songs from the kids ranging from 1968-1974, which obvi are the golden years anyway. Included in that cd is a documentary about Conrad and the kids, which is def worth a watch. Give them a listen and be impressed, y'allz.

THE BALLER CONRAD O. JOHNSON

Kashmere Stage Band - Boss City

Kashmere Stage Band - Take Five