"Emergency" by Kool & the Gang

Song#:  2512
Date:  10/26/1985
Debut:  77
Peak:  18
Weeks:  16
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Kool & the Gang's sixteenth studio album Emergency would end up being their biggest selling going double-platinum thanks to three Top 10 Pop hits including the #2 "Cherish." They kept sales rolling along with this title-track single that was able to get inside the Pop Top 20. It was their twenty-second Top 10 at R&B getting to #7 while making a brief #41 appearance at AC. With the album only containing seven tracks, this fourth single would be the last issued from the LP.

ReduxReview:  This album opener has a bit of a "Misled" feel to it in the verses which I like, but it switches to a smooth synthpop sound for the chorus and the song kind of looses me there. For a song titled "Emergency," the chorus should be intense and urgent. It's still a pretty good song from the band, but in their catalog of hit singles this one ends up being forgettable.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  The Gang's 1974 album Light of the Worlds was their second gold-seller thanks to two R&B hits including the #1 "Higher Plane" (#37 Pop). However, it would be another track on the album that would perhaps have the most longevity. "Summer Madness" would not be issued out as a single from the album, but it was selected to be the b-side to the first single and title track of their next album Spirit of the Boogie. While that song would end up getting to #1 at R&B, the b-side started to get some attention and soon it got to #36 on its own. On the Pop chart the two songs would be a double-sided entry that would get to #35. "Summer Madness" would also be used in the Oscar-winning 1976 film Rocky, but it was not included on the soundtrack album. The song would remain a popular entry in the band's catalog and in 1991, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince would sample the track for their #4 Pop/#1 R&B hit "Summertime." That song would go on to win a Grammy for Best Rap Performance, Duo or Group.

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