"I Need Your Lovin'" by Teena Marie

Song#:  0405
Date:  11/22/1980
Debut:  90
Peak:  37
Weeks:  14
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Marie was one of the few white artists signed by Berry Gordy for his Motown label. When starting on the label, she ended up connecting with soul/funk star Rick James and he ended up producing and writing most of her debut album "Wild and Peaceful." Oddly, the album featured no photos of Marie (a marketing ploy so she would not get dismissed by R&B fans and radio) and initially listeners thought she was black, due to her soulful voice and music. But that cover was quickly blown when she became the first white female artist to guest on TV's "Soul Train" where she performed her #8 R&B hit "I'm a Sucker for Your Love" with Rick James. Her next album "Lady T" was a gold seller as was its follow-up "Irons In the Fire," which featured this song - her first pop chart entry. "Irons" was her first album that she fully wrote and produced and it also became her first R&B Top 10 album peaking at #9. Although she had very few pop chart songs, she continued putting singles on the R&B chart where she would rack up 29 entries. Sadly, she passed away in 2010 of what was considered natural causes at age 54.

ReduxReview:  I don't know very many Teena Marie songs, but I'm thinking I really should. She is a terrific singer/musician and can write some solid tunes. This one I seems vaguely familiar in the chorus, so I must have heard this at some point. I wasn't so much into R&B/soul back in the day, so I'm sorry I missed out on this song and Marie. This is an excellent groove and really should have been a Top 10 hit.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Marie's real name was Mary Christine Brockert, but she was basically known as Tina. This eventually turned into Teena and by the time her debut album came out, she was known as Teena Marie. Later on, she also got the name Lady Tee (or Lady T) from Rick James. With her success in the R&B field, she also gained the title of the "Ivory Queen of Soul."

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