Wednesday, January 28, 2015

"Jump to It" by Aretha Franklin

Song#:  1150
Date:  08/21/1982
Debut:  83
Peak:  24
Weeks:  12
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Aretha's first two albums for the Arista label got her back in the R&B Top 10 thanks to two singles that accomplished the same feat ("United Together" hit #3 and "Love All the Hurt Away" with George Benson reached #6). Despite the success, her Arista albums were not the smash comebacks that were most likely hoped for under the guidance of Clive Davis & Co. Her third attempt would rectify that. Newly minted R&B star Luther Vandross was brought on board to produce and supply songs for "Jump to It." The influx of fresh talent seemed to do the trick as this first title-track single jumped up to #1 on the R&B chart - Franklin's first since 1977. The album was a major hit spending seven weeks at #1 and going gold. Franklin also received a Grammy nod for Best R&B Performance, Female. On the pop chart, the single became Franklin's first Top 40 entry since 1976.

ReduxReview:  Composers Vandross and Marcus Miller created the right song at the right time for Franklin. This tune really pushed her music into the 80s and it sounded fresh and fun at the time. The production is a bit dated now, but the single is still a fun listen. It's really the point where Franklin finally ditched her old 70s-style R&B and looked towards the future. The change would keep paying off for her throughout the 80s.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In 1987, Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

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