mrpunkfunk said:

Rick was the man, insanely talented, sadly the only thing that could destroy him was himself. But the music he left behind is timeless!

I wonder if we'll ever see a Rick James biopic?

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Timmy84 said:

Man, the guy's music, he's so fucking underrated. I was playing "Hollywood" over and over again last week and I listened to "Moonchild" this morning.

His legacy is no where. The only black artist legacy they care about is MJ........Its sad because he was such an original no one sounded like him or could imitate his sound....

Fuck the media for that to happen (and partially to Rick's own demons, I definitely think he still could've been healthy competition if personal issues didn't get in the way of it). It's sad, all that music and the most people can come up with when Rick is discussed is:

1.) "Super Freak"

2.) Drug use

3.) Dave Chappelle/Charlie Murphy/I'm Rick James, Bitch.

Timmy84 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

His legacy is no where. The only black artist legacy they care about is MJ........Its sad because he was such an original no one sounded like him or could imitate his sound....

Fuck the media for that to happen (and partially to Rick's own demons, I definitely think he still could've been healthy competition if personal issues didn't get in the way of it). It's sad, all that music and the most people can come up with when Rick is discussed is:

1.) "Super Freak"

2.) Drug use

3.) Dave Chappelle/Charlie Murphy/I'm Rick James, Bitch.

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

Ghetto Life

Bustin' Out

Money Talks

Fire and Desire

Ebony Eyes

Mary Jane

PDogz said:

Timmy84 said:

Fuck the media for that to happen (and partially to Rick's own demons, I definitely think he still could've been healthy competition if personal issues didn't get in the way of it). It's sad, all that music and the most people can come up with when Rick is discussed is:

1.) "Super Freak"

2.) Drug use

3.) Dave Chappelle/Charlie Murphy/I'm Rick James, Bitch.

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

Yeah in regards to his other material, I hardly even listen to "Super Freak" now.

Timmy84 said:

PDogz said:

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

Yeah in regards to his other material, I hardly even listen to "Super Freak" now.

Me either, I did alot when I first got into Rick, but now I rarely listen to it. I actually like 'Hard To Get' a lot more now.

I listen to "Super Freak" every time Street Songs is on though. I'm not tired of it.

Cinnie said:

I listen to "Super Freak" every time Street Songs is on though. I'm not tired of it.

Same here.

mrpunkfunk said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah in regards to his other material, I hardly even listen to "Super Freak" now.

Me either, I did alot when I first got into Rick, but now I rarely listen to it. I actually like 'Hard To Get' a lot more now.

"Hard To Get" is "Super Freak's" cousin lol. I usually don't like when artist try to copy the same sound as another single. But "Hard To Get" worked. "Throwin down" was a nice follow up album to "Street Songs" & the tour.....

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

mrpunkfunk said:

Me either, I did alot when I first got into Rick, but now I rarely listen to it. I actually like 'Hard To Get' a lot more now.

"Hard To Get" is "Super Freak's" cousin lol. I usually don't like when artist try to copy the same sound as another single. But "Hard To Get" worked. "Throwin down" was a nice follow up album to "Street Songs" & the tour.....

I give honorable mention to GLOW

Rick sho nuff was tryna copy that Prince look too. ruffled sleeves and barrel curls.

Cinnie said:

I listen to "Super Freak" every time Street Songs is on though. I'm not tired of it.

I listen to "Fire & Desire" more than I listen to "Super Freak".

PDogz said:

Timmy84 said:

Fuck the media for that to happen (and partially to Rick's own demons, I definitely think he still could've been healthy competition if personal issues didn't get in the way of it). It's sad, all that music and the most people can come up with when Rick is discussed is:

1.) "Super Freak"

2.) Drug use

3.) Dave Chappelle/Charlie Murphy/I'm Rick James, Bitch.

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

This is similar to the case of Prince and Purple Rain.

If we DON'T include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) Moonchild

2) 17

3) Doin' it

If we DO include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) All Night Long

2) Wild and Crazy Love (the sickest bassline of his career.)

3) Moonchild

"All Night Long" even though he doesn't contribute vocals marks the absolute high point of Rick's career. We'll never hear another record remotely like it again.

[Edited 12/5/10 7:44am]

minneapolisFunq said:

PDogz said:

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

This is similar to the case of Prince and Purple Rain.

There's nothing "wrong" with Super Freak, in my opinion. My only issue with that song is how it was played and promoted so much more than many of his other songs, since the time of it's release, that many were not even aware that he had more music out there that was just as good, or as evidenced by the opinions of so many in this thread alone; even better than Super Freak.

And I would agree; Rick is to "Super Freak" as Prince is to "Purple Rain".

minneapolisFunq said:

PDogz said:

I strongly agree that it's sad. One of the things I appreciated most about this thread was that very few people even mentioned "Super Freak". Though Org members are an exceptional group.

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

This is similar to the case of Prince and Purple Rain.

It's overrated. Great song but GOD DAMN how many times people are gonna hear it before they scream. It'll be easy to listen to "Billie Jean" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "When Doves Cry" because at least people know at least 10, 15 or 20 Michael, Marvin and Prince songs but whenever Rick is discussed. This (and to a lesser degree "Give It to Me Baby") are the only songs the media mentions. You may hear a little about "You & I" or "Cold Blooded" but that's about it.

THOUGH no one would argue that last statement.

[Edited 12/5/10 12:42pm]

Timmy84 said:

minneapolisFunq said:

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

This is similar to the case of Prince and Purple Rain.

It's overrated. Great song but GOD DAMN how many times people are gonna hear it before they scream. It'll be easy to listen to "Billie Jean" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "When Doves Cry" because at least people know at least 10, 15 or 20 Michael, Marvin and Prince songs but whenever Rick is discussed. This (and to a lesser degree "Give It to Me Baby") are the only songs the media mentions. You may hear a little about "You & I" or "Cold Blooded" but that's about it.

THOUGH no one would argue that last statement.

When I responded earlier, I was trying to think of one song that everyone immediately thinks of when they think of Michael Jackson (like they think of "Super Freak" whenever someone mentions Rick), and I realized that you can't really tie Michael Jackson to ONE song, lol. That was kind of a nice thing to remember about Michael.

seriousfunk said:

If we DON'T include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) Moonchild

2) 17

3) Doin' it

If we DO include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) All Night Long

2) Wild and Crazy Love (the sickest bassline of his career.)

3) Moonchild

"All Night Long" even though he doesn't contribute vocals marks the absolute high point of Rick's career. We'll never hear another record remotely like it again.

yesss I'm glad others feel the same.

seriousfunk said:

If we DON'T include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) Moonchild

2) 17

3) Doin' it

If we DO include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) All Night Long

2) Wild and Crazy Love (the sickest bassline of his career.)

3) Moonchild

"All Night Long" even though he doesn't contribute vocals marks the absolute high point of Rick's career. We'll never hear another record remotely like it again.

[Edited 12/5/10 7:44am]

Finally, someone else who loves "Moonchild" as much as I do! That's my favorite Rick James song by far. I NEVER get tired of listening to it.

As for "Superfreak", great song, but I have to be in a certain mood to listen to that one. Yeah it's been overplayed to death like "Billie Jean", "Lets Get It ON," "When Doves Cry",etc. I really have to be in a certain mood to listen to some of these overplayed songs. I probably listen to "Superfreak" like twice a year lol.

But "Moonchild" I listen to weekly, ha. Love it.

"She's really someone special in my life...she's my moonchiiiiiiiild"

[Edited 12/5/10 13:01pm]

PDogz said:

Timmy84 said:

It's overrated. Great song but GOD DAMN how many times people are gonna hear it before they scream. It'll be easy to listen to "Billie Jean" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "When Doves Cry" because at least people know at least 10, 15 or 20 Michael, Marvin and Prince songs but whenever Rick is discussed. This (and to a lesser degree "Give It to Me Baby") are the only songs the media mentions. You may hear a little about "You & I" or "Cold Blooded" but that's about it.

THOUGH no one would argue that last statement.

When I responded earlier, I was trying to think of one song that everyone immediately thinks of when they think of Michael Jackson (like they think of "Super Freak" whenever someone mentions Rick), and I realized that you can't really tie Michael Jackson to ONE song, lol. That was kind of a nice thing to remember about Michael.

Cinnamon234 said:

seriousfunk said:

If we DON'T include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) Moonchild

2) 17

3) Doin' it

If we DO include the Mary Jane Girls, then:

1) All Night Long

2) Wild and Crazy Love (the sickest bassline of his career.)

3) Moonchild

"All Night Long" even though he doesn't contribute vocals marks the absolute high point of Rick's career. We'll never hear another record remotely like it again.

[Edited 12/5/10 7:44am]

Finally, someone else who loves "Moonchild" as much as I do! That's my favorite Rick James song by far. I NEVER get tired of listening to it.

As for "Superfreak", great song, but I have to be in a certain mood to listen to that one. Yeah it's been overplayed to death like "Billie Jean", "Lets Get It ON," "When Doves Cry",etc. I really have to be in a certain mood to listen to some of these overplayed songs. I probably listen to "Superfreak" like twice a year lol.

But "Moonchild" I listen to weekly, ha. Love it.

"She's really someone special in my life...she's my moonchiiiiiiiild"

[Edited 12/5/10 13:01pm]

"Moonchild" is that knock!

I almost put "Moonchild" on my list too. It's definitely up there.

Timmy84 said:

PDogz said:

When I responded earlier, I was trying to think of one song that everyone immediately thinks of when they think of Michael Jackson (like they think of "Super Freak" whenever someone mentions Rick), and I realized that you can't really tie Michael Jackson to ONE song, lol. That was kind of a nice thing to remember about Michael.

It's simply because Rick never achieved the level of success that Prince and Michael had.

The bigger the artist, the more familiar people are with their music, that's all there is to it.

It's not the particular song associated with Rick that annoys me, it's the fact that people look at him as a punchline and have no idea how influential/important he was/is when it comes to music.

minneapolisFunq said:

It's not the particular song associated with Rick that annoys me, it's the fact that people look at him as a punchline and have no idea how influential/important he was/is when it comes to music.

...that, for me, also.

1. you and I

2. mary Jane

3. Fool On The Street

minneapolisFunq said:

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

I love "Super Freak".Back in the summer of 81,when it was released as a single,it was the coolest thing on the radio.Insanely catchy with a New Wave sound,memorable synth hook and bassline,even a shout-out to the Temptations who are singing backup vocals.It's one of Rick's classic jams but because it became so huge,many fans are sick of it.

I still listen to it all the time,but I prefer the 12" extended version,which takes the song to another whole level

Bustin Out of L 7

Spacey Love

Fire & Desire

SoulAlive said:

minneapolisFunq said:

What's wrong with Super Freak?

I could understand the disappointment if it was a bad song.

I love "Super Freak".Back in the summer of 81,when it was released as a single,it was the coolest thing on the radio.Insanely catchy with a New Wave sound,memorable synth hook and bassline,even a shout-out to the Temptations who are singing backup vocals.It's one of Rick's classic jams but because it became so huge,many fans are sick of it.

I still listen to it all the time,but I prefer the 12" extended version,which takes the song to another whole level

Wordd

Xtended mix rox

I don't think that anyone dislikes 'Superfreak', it just got soooo much exposure, and he had other songs that were waaaay better, but at the end of the day, its clearly his signature song.

And on a side note, the majority of his 12" mixes are dope!!! I've been really rocking out to 'Big Time' lately!