"Outstanding" by The Gap Band

Song#:  1375
Date:  03/12/1983
Debut:  79
Peak:  51
Weeks:  8
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  The R&B outfit's album "The Gap Band IV" would be their biggest success hitting #1 R&B (#14 pop) and going platinum. The album's first two singles, "Early in the Morning" (#1 R&B/#24 pop) and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (#2 R&B/#31 pop), were certainly instrumental in its success. This third single would just be the icing on the cake. Although it stalled halfway up the pop chart, it was another smash at R&B hitting #1 - their third to do so. They would continue to have more success at R&B throughout the 80s and early 90s earning seven more Top 10's including a fourth #1, but this song would mark an end to their pop chart days.

ReduxReview:  After the great funk outings of "Early" and "Bomb," the band goes for a slinkier groove. As much as I'd like to do something dorky and say that the song is "outstanding," I really can't. It is definitely good, but it's not one of my favorites from the band. However, I am able to say that the vocals are outstanding. The lead vocal is what saves this from being a mid-tempo bore.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Samples of this song have been used by many artists over the years. Songs by Mary J. Blige, Madonna, R. Kelly, and even Shaquille O'Neal have used samples from this track. Detroit rocker Kid Rock fully covered the song in a live performance. It was chosen to be the closing song on his 2006 concert album "Live Trucker."

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