"Shake It Up Tonight" by Cheryl Lynn

Song#:  0698
Date:  08/08/1981
Debut:  88
Peak:  70
Weeks:  7
Genre:  R&B, Dance



Pop Bits:  Although Lynn began singing professionally as part of the national touring cast of "The Wiz," it was her appearance on a TV show that launched her recording career. Prior to "The Wiz" tour, Lynn was a contestant on "The Gong Show," the zany 70s talent program. Her performance got a perfect score, but another act got one as well. Based on audience vote, she lost to a juggler. Later on after the show actually aired, her performance generated interest from record labels and she signed with Columbia Records. Her first single was the platinum hit "Got to Be Real" (#12 pop, #1 R&B) and her self-titled debut went gold. It would be her biggest pop hit and one of only three of her singles to reach the chart (although she had several entries at R&B). This single from her third album only got on the chart for a few weeks, but it reached #5 on both the R&B and Dance charts.

ReduxReview:  When you come out of the gate with a classic like "Got to Be Real," it is going to be hard to follow-up. Lynn's immediate follow-ups were not great, but this late-disco jam heated things up for her. For me, this is just kind of a bland dance tune. It is well-done and she sounds really good, but compared to her debut single it just falls way short.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Lynn co-wrote "Got to Be Real" with David Foster and David Paitch (of Toto). Paitch was also co-producer of the album. At the time Toto was recording their debut album and they used Lynn as a vocalist on the track "Georgy Porgy." The song would be released as the third single from the album and it reached #48 on the chart.

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