"What Cha' Gonna Do for Me" by Chaka Khan

Song#:  0600
Date:  05/16/1981
Debut:  87
Peak:  53
Weeks:  9
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Performing in various groups since she was 11, Khan found success when she joined the group Rufus in 1973. A year later their second LP featured the #3 Grammy-winning smash "Tell Me Something Good" (written by Stevie Wonder). While still with the group, Khan began recording solo albums and her 1978 debut disc included the classic "I'm Every Woman" (#21 pop, #1 R&B). Her third solo disc provided this title-track entry which wasn't a big success on the pop chart, but did become her second #1 R&B hit.

ReduxReview:  There is no question that Chaka Khan is a terrific singer. But sometimes no matter how good the vocalist is, some folks just may not like the voice. I'm kind of like that with Khan. When she is just doing a nice R&B groove or covering a nice standard, I like her voice. But it doesn't usually take long for her to rev up and when she does her voice gets all piercing and screamy. That is what kills her voice for me. There are foghorn singers I really like, but with Khan I think it is the shrill tone of it. For the most part, she does okay with this song even though her chorus voice is a bit annoying and she goes overboard in the final seconds. The song itself is perfectly pleasant R&B, but nothing really special.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Born Yvette Marie Stevens in Chicago, Khan joined the Black Panther Party in the late 60s and adopted a new name give to her from an African shaman, of which the first name was Chaka. Later, she married musician Hassan Khan and by the time she joined Rufus she chose the stage name of Chaka Kahn.

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