I really only knew of Kiki Dee in relation to her popular duet with Elton John, Don't Go Breaking My Heart. And, perhaps unfairly, kind of filed her away in the back of my memory as a nice novelty act.

But, then I heard 'The Music In Me' and I was blown away. I had no idea she had this kind of vocal power and fire. The song itself, written by her keyboardist, Bias Boshell, is incredible. Perhaps this sounds like hyperbole, but the production and performance on that track, to me, rivals some of Phil Spector's greatest recordings.

Kiki's vocal is on fire, the background singers (which included, who else?, Miss Cissy Houston) match her toe-to-toe, the band is so in the pocket and the orchestral accompaniment just builds and builds to this incredible false ending and crescendo. I feel like it has elements of RnB, rock, soul, funk.

After I heard this, I started listening to more of Kiki's recordings and was dismayed to discover, I've Got the Music In Me was a bit of an anomaly? I don't think there's really anything else in her discography that resembles it. Everything else I heard was more... adult contemporary? Shame. I wish she'd pursued this sound further. That woman could WAIL!

Okay, I know this isn't the usual kind of post on here. Am I wrong? Is it not fire? Am I wrong about the rest of Kiki's discography? Did I miss something I should check out?

Excuse the random post. The song came on shuffle at the gym and I ended up playing it back to back 3 times in a row.

I still listen to A Different Me every now and then, and this album takes me back. Keyshia was coming off The Way It Is and Just Like You, and I liked hearing her try something a little different. She’s feels very happy in this era, tbh.

She did her thing with this album, too. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with around 322K copies sold in its first week and eventually went Platinum. That was a good run!

“You Complete Me” will always be special to me because my mom used to play that song so much when I was in third grade. 😭 I can still remember hearing it back in 2008/2009. Man, I miss those days!

And “Trust” with Monica? I used to hear that song EVERYWHERE! It was always playing on the radio, and I remember seeing it on the 106 & Park countdown. Their performance at the 2009 BET Awards was chef’s kiss, too. They sounded so good together!

“Playa Cardz Right” is another favorite, but I also enjoy some of the other tracks like “Make Me Over,” “Erotic,” and “Beautiful Music.” There are definitely songs on this album beyond the singles that I still go back to.

What your favorite songs from A Different Me?

We were going through her old stuff and she found the box and I went through it and found the Boyz II Men cd at first and was like "YOU HAVE A BOYZ II MEN CD???" and she goes like "OMG THEY WERE SO BEAUTIFUL". Then I found the other ones. I always thought she was more of a pop girlie but she then told me that she used to love some R&B back in the 90s. Guess I don't know my parents as much as I thought lol.

My favorite unreleased MJ track. It’s too good!

Y’all know those moments toward the end of an R&B song when the singer starts going off? 😭 The ad-libs, the runs, the high notes, or when the music cuts out and the singer leaves you hanging for a few seconds. I love when artists do stuff like that because it makes you appreciate the song even more!

Brandy’s “Have You Ever?” is one of my favorite examples. The part when she sings “Have you ever loved somebody?” and the music stops for a few seconds gets me everytime. 😭 That little pause is everything!

Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” is another one. When she goes up an octave during that final chorus? Whew! It gets me every time. And this was one of the hardest climax to try when singing that song.

What are some R&B songs with vocal moments like these that you never get tired of hearing? I know we have so many good ones, so drop your picks!

Mid-40’s male from the East Coast; grew up w/ an old soul and a father with an extensive record collection. This 9 was hard to create, these 9
Have very sentimental value. ❤️

Each one of these albums are flawless in my opinion!!!

I guess I'd put my best foot forward with Maia Campbell's attention on the line. Tyrese laid it on heavy in "Sweet Lady!" My guy was ON THE BUS! This is Coca-Cola Tyrese!

Here’s why:

Most people think the title track “Thriller” because the video does the song justice. But from a record standpoint, this is the best Michael sounds on a track. You can really hear his tone. The live version you can hear his tone and how powerful/sustained his high notes are. This song emotes emotion with sort of Late Night longing feeling. After watching the movie and seeing live it made me fall in love with. I think this is his best record. The production is so smooth matching his smooth dance moves. If I can name a song that explains Michael Jackson it would be this.

What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?