Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
"Sweet Thing" is a soul single that was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975 eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop side. The song was co-written by Khan and Rufus band mate Tony Maiden and became the band's and Khan's signature songs.
17 years later, in 1992, the song was covered by then up-and-comer R&B crooner Mary J. Blige, whose own unique version reignited into a top forty hit on both sides for a second time with it reaching number twenty-eight pop and number-eleven R&B.
Khan recorded it again for "New York Undercover: a Night at Natalies" soundtrack, released in 1998.
Initially Khan disliked the fact that Blige covered it but eventually Khan befriended Blige and the two singers later sung the song together during a VH-1 Divas Live concert in 2003.
Khan and Blige have since recorded the duet, "Disrespectful", for Khan's recent release, Funk This.
UK soul singer Beverley Knight has also recorded a version of the song. Knight's version was recorded for a BBC Radio 2 session and was included as the b-side to her single "Not Too Late For Love". Due to the popularity of Knight's version with her fans, it was later included on her Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight compilation. Knight has since been invited to perform the song at Khan's London O2 Arena date on her UK tour, after collaborating with the singer on her Blige duet "Disrepectul" at the Montreaux Jazz Festival.
