"Tonight" by Kool & the Gang

Song#:  1809
Date:  02/25/1984
Debut:  68
Peak:  13
Weeks:  18
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  After a bit of a slump in their career, Kool & the Gang got back into the Pop Top 10 with the #2 hit "Joanna." The gold-selling ballad would also reach #1 at R&B and #2 at AC. For a follow-up, they chose this track from their album In the Heart. It would peak inside the Top 10 at R&B (#7), but just missed that mark at Pop.

ReduxReview:  The Gang gets back to an R&B groove with this tune and it works out well for them. It's not vastly different from some of their previous upbeat singles, which were becoming a bit stale by this time, however it does have the advantage of featuring a memorable chorus and a solid groove. I wouldn't rank it among their best, but it was certainly better than some of their more recent efforts.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  "Joanna" was a hit overseas as well reaching #2 in the UK in a double-sided hit with "Tonight." However, prior to that the track "Straight Ahead" was issued as a single. It wasn't a major hit, but it did reach #15 on the UK chart. The song was later released in the US as the album's third single, but it could only muster a #49 showing at R&B while missing the Pop chart completely.

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