"Sweet Sensation" by Stephanie Mills

Song#:  0210
Date:  06/14/1980
Debut:  83
Peak:  52
Weeks:  6
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Like the previously covered Irene Cara (Redux #0207), Mills was a showbiz vet before the 80s arrived. In fact, Cara and Mills performed together as children in the Broadway musical "Maggie Flynn" in 1968. But it wasn't until 1975 that she hit the big time when she was selected to play Dorothy in the original Broadway cast of "The Wiz." However, music success was difficult to establish and it took three labels and three albums before she started to see some action on the pop and R&B charts. This lead title-track from her second successful album was a minor pop entry, but did reach #3 R&B.

ReduxReview:  This mid-tempo jam is a bit lackluster. Mills has a terrific voice and this song just does not come up to that level. Not bad, not great. Shrug.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Although the facts are a bit of a mystery, while Mills was performing in "The Wiz," Michael Jackson would often see the show and they struck up a friendship. It has been said that the pair did have a brief relationship, but then it has been written that Jackson indicated it was only a friendship.  2) Cara's "Fame" debuted on the chart the same week as this Mills song. In addition to performing on Broadway together in "Maggie Flynn," in 1980 Cara briefly took over the role of Dorothy in "The Wiz" on Broadway, the role originated by Mills.

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