"Encore" by Cheryl Lynn

Song#:  1789
Date:  02/11/1984
Debut:  87
Peak:  69
Weeks:  8
Genre:  R&B, Dance



Pop Bits:  The last time Lynn was on the Pop chart was in 1981 with the #70 "Shake It Up Tonight" (#5 R&B, #5 Dance). A couple of follow-up singles just barely missed getting on the Pop chart, but this song from her 1983 album Preppie finally did the trick. The track would be highly successful at R&B becoming her second #1 while getting to #6 at Dance. Unfortunately, it would be Lynn's final single to reach the Pop chart and her last album to get into the R&B Top 10 (#8). She would continue to record throughout the balance of the decade, but her only success would be 1989's "Whatever It Takes," which got to #7 at R&B.

ReduxReview:  I was excited to hear this as I love Jam & Lewis' work (see below). Plus, it hit #1 at R&B, so it should be pretty great. However, I was a bit disappointed. The groove is fine, but there is not much of the Jam/Lewis stamp on it and the song doesn't really go anywhere. Plus, Lynn is a much better vocalist than what is heard here. It work out well for everyone, but they have all done better work.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  For her Preppie album, Lynn co-wrote a few of the songs and produced all of the tracks except for this single. The song was written and produced by the up-and-coming team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jam and Lewis were beginning to have success working with The S.O.S. Band (two R&B Top 10's) and others, but it was this song that finally got them a #1 hit at R&B. It would lead to more work and in a few years their songs would start topping the Pop chart. Over time, they would become the most successful songwriting and production team in chart history getting sixteen Pop #1's and twenty-six R&B #1's. Their streak began with this hit.

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