"Dance Wit' Me - Part 1" by Rick James

Song#:  1048
Date:  05/29/1982
Debut:  83
Peak:  64
Weeks:  9
Genre:  R&B, Funk



Pop Bits:  James hit a career peak with his multi-platinum album "Street Songs," which featured the #3 R&B hit "Super Freak" (#16 pop). His next LP, "Throwin' Down," contained the already-released Temptations collaboration "Standing on the Top" (#66 pop, #6 R&B), so this song could be considered the second single from the album. Although it did as well as "Super Freak" at R&B, peaking at the same #3, its pop fortunes were not as bright. Without a significant stand-out hit, the album could only manage a gold showing, which was a disappointment following the highly successful "Street Songs."

ReduxReview:  James was still pushing out solid pieces of funk and this one is no exception. However, none could come close to the high standards he set with "Super Freak" and "Give It to Me Baby." He would end up wearing down his own formula over the next couple of albums, but during this time it was still fresh and fun.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  James became a staff songwriter for Motown in 1968. Under the name Ricky Matthews, he would work with the Spinners, Marvelettes, Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers, and others. He eventually would get a record deal with A&M as Rick James and record a single in 1974 called "My Mama." Lack of interest from that label, and a couple others, lead him back to Motown where his debut LP for them, "Come Get It!," became a platinum seller in 1978.

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