Disco Diva: 2011-10-23

"Baby I'm Burning" was a 1978 song written and performed by Dolly Parton that was part of a double-A-sided single "Baby I'm Burning"/"I Really Got the Feeling".
Released from Parton's RCA album Heartbreaker, after the success of the title single, "Baby I'm Burning" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1979, and also became a surprise hit on the disco chart, peaking at number 15.
In addition to the standard 45-rpm single, an extended dance single, entled "Dance With Dolly" was released, including an extended dance version of the song, intended for airplay in discos and dance clubs.

I Really Got the Feeling

While "Baby, I'm Burning" did get some country airplay in late 1978 and early 1979, it was the flip side — "I Really Got the Feeling" — that caught on with country music fans.
The song was a pop-styled ballad, written by Billy Vera, that bore no resemblance to the disco feel of "Baby, I'm Burning." The subject matter of "I Really Got the Feeling" was about a woman who falls in love with a man at first sight, citing him as a virtuous individual. She plans to stay with him for the rest of her life, regardless of "what my Daddy might say."
"I Really Got the Feeling" became Parton's 10th No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Singles hit in January 1979.

"Best of My Love" is a disco song by the band The Emotions released as a single from their album Rejoice (1977). The song was composed by Maurice White and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire. Earth, Wind & Fire would later team up with the Emotions for the 1979 hit "Boogie Wonderland". "Best of My Love" won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and also won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.
The song was listed at #87 on The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs. and it was the third biggest Pop song of 1977 and the fifth biggest R&B song of 1977."Best of My Love" has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Song description

The song has an upbeat vibe, with a prominent bass line and horns accenting the drums between the verses and chorus.

Chart performance

The single achieved huge success, remaining on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 5 non-consecutive weeks. The song managed to stay at the top spot of the chart for four consecutive weeks until it was dethroned by Andy Gibb's "I Just Want To Be Your Everything". The single returned and spent an additional week on top of the Billboard Hot 100. On the disco chart, "Best of My Love" would peak at number eleven. Eventually, the single received a Platinum certification from RIAA, becoming The Emotions' biggest hit to date and their only single to receive a certification.

Covers

The song has been covered numerous times by various artists, including Christina Milian with Carol Duboc and Minae Noji (featured in the film Be Cool), Sakura, Dee Lewis (1988) and Lisa. Mary J. Blige also covered the song in 2004 for the GAP clothing store company. Pop diva Sheena Easton covered the song for her disco album "Fabulous" in 2001. Phoebe Snow does a version on her 1989 album Something Real with a horn section backing her up that includes Randy Brecker, Tom Scott and John Faddis.
The song has also been used in reality shows, such as in Australian Idol 2006, in which it was sung by Lavina Williams, in the fourth season of American Idol, in which it was sung by Vonzell Solomon, in the second season of Pinoy Dream Academy, in which it was sung by Liezel Garcia, and in the sixth season of the American Dancing with the Stars (Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska danced to it in the sixth week of competition).
There is also a Dutch version of the song, sung by former Dutch Idols-finalist Dewi Pechler. This version is called "Het Beste Van Mij" and is an exclusive airplay single for the Dutch radio station 100%NL. In 1994 C.J. Lewis did a cover it reached #13 in UK

Usage in film

The song has appeared in many films, including Boogie Nights (1997), Summer of Sam (1999), The Wendell Baker Story (2005), Mission Impossible III (2006) and The Holiday (2006).
The song was also used in various TV spots for the 2010 dramedy "Why Did I Get Married Too?"
The song was also covered by Christina Milian, Carol Duboc and Minae Noji featured in the film Be Cool (2005).

Derivatives

"Best of My Love" was allegedly sampled without permission in Mariah Carey's single (ironically called Emotions), resulting in a lawsuit.
The rap group 3rd Bass sampled the song in their song 'Brooklyn-Queens'
The tune was used for WNBC-TV in New York to promote their News 4 New York newscasts in 1980.
R&B Artist Tamia samples "Best of My Love" for her track "Falling For You" from her self-titled album, Tamia
B-Rock and the Bizz sampled the bassline for their song "My Baby Daddy".

The Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisted of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson.

History
Origins and early years

Joseph had prayed for talented children before the girls were born, and wasted no time in developing their musical skills. As soon as the girls could talk, he began teaching them music skills, and had them practice in the basement of their home on the south side of Chicago. When Sheila, the youngest, was five years old, they began singing in church choirs and were known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams. Joseph's son, Joseph, Jr., one son, five daughters. In 1968, the girls changed their name to The Emotions, and released their first album, So I Can Love You, the following year. The album's title track, written by Sheila, was a minor hit single, as was "The Best Part Of A Love Affair". In 1969 the girls were asked to be part of a summer outdoor concert in Rochester NY. The group caught the eye of The host of the concerts, Herb Hamlett the powerful soul DJ of WCMF FM. Father Joe was the groups guitarist and formed a friendship with Hamlett, that brought the group bookings and headliners in NewYork State.

Jeanette was married in 1970, amd gave birth to her first son, Chicha. A close friend, Theresa Davis, a former member of Our Ladies Of Soul began to sing with the group. The following year, the Emotions released Untouched, their second album, which featured hits such as "Show Me How" and "If You Think It". During their Stax years, they were produced by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. By 1976 and the Flowers album, they had left Stax and Jeanette had returned to record and perform. Flowers included the hits "Flowers" and "I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love". Later Pamela began to tour live performances with the group while Jeanette pursues individual personal goals.
Success with Earth, Wind & Fire

Their association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest success. With White's assistance, the Emotions released the albums Rejoice and Sunbeam in 1977 and 1978. Maurice White-co-produced with Clarence McDonald the single "Best Of My Love" spent five weeks at number-one on the US pop chart in 1977. Jeanette left in 1977, to give birth to her second child, Pili. Their sister, Pamela began to sing live dates. In 1978, Jeanette sang on every album ever recorded by the group in collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire on another single, "Boogie Wonderland", which was a top 10 hit in 1979. The group continued to record together during the 1980s, and were signed briefly with Motown Records at one point.
The Emotions today

The Emotions, continue to perform with Wanda, Pamela, and Sheila and released a final album in 1996 which Jeanette is recorded live with her sisters; as Pamela has never recorded with them. They continue to perform and make personal appearances. Wanda has three daughters, two of whom plan to enter the music industry themselves.
Influence

The Emotions' 1972 Stax track "Blind Alley" formed the basis for Mariah Carey's 1993 Billboard chart-topping hit "Dreamlover" and also the famous "Pink Cookies In a Plastic Bag" by LL Cool J. Carey continued to show her love with the 1991 hit "Emotions", which samples "Best of My Love". "Blind Alley" was previously sampled in 1988 for Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Steppin'". The Cheryl Lynn hit "Got To Be Real" is based on the bridge of "Best of My Love". Late 1970s family trio, The Jones Girls, was also influenced by the Emotions' sound.

Discography
Studio albums
Year Album Chart positions US
certifications
Record label
US US
R&B UK
1969 So I Can Love You — 43 — — Volt (Stax)
1971 Untouched — — — —
1972 Songs of Innocence and Experience Unreleased
1976 Flowers 45 5 — Gold Columbia
1977 Rejoice 7 1 — Platinum
Sunshine 88 39 — — Stax
1978 Sunbeam 40 12 — Gold Columbia
1979 Come into Our World 96 35 — — ARC
1981 New Affair 168 46 — —
1984 Sincerely 206 33 — — Red Label
1985 If I Only Knew 203 54 — — Motown
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
Compilation albums
Year Album Chart positions Record label
US US
R&B
1978 Chronicle — — Stax
1996 Best of My Love: The Best of the Emotions — 77 Legacy
1998 The Emotions — — Sony Music
1999 Love Songs — — Legacy
2002 Super Hits — —
2004 Songs of Innocence and Experience...and Then Some! — — Stax
2007 Best of the Emotions — — Mastercuts
"—" denotes the album failed to chart
Singles
Year Single Chart positions
US US
R&B US
Dance UK
1962 "Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney" — — — —
1964 "Good Old Days" — — — —
1967 "I Can't Stand No More Heartaches" — — — —
1968 "Somebody New" — — — —
"I Can't Control These Emotions" — — — —
"I Love You, But I'll Leave You" — — — —
1969 "So I Can Love You" 39 3 — —
"The Best Part of a Love Affair" 101 27 — —
1970 "Stealing Love" (A-Side) — 40 — —
"When Tomorrow Comes" (B-Side) — — —
"Heart Association" — 29 — —
"Black Christmas" — — — —
1971 "You Make Me Want to Love You" — 47 — —
"If You Think It (You May As Well Do It)" — — — —
"Show Me How" 52 13 — —
1972 "My Honey and Me" 113 18 — —
"I Could Never Be Happy" 93 23 — —
1973 "From Toys to Boys" 112 37 — —
"Runnin' Back (And Forth)" — 91 — —
"Peace Be Still" — — — —
"What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas" — — — —
1974 "Put a Little Love Away" 73 53 — —
"Baby, I'm Through" — 82 — —
"There Are More Questions Than Answers" — — — —
1976 "Flowers" (A-Side) 87 16 — —
"I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" (B-Side) 51 13 4 40
1977 "Best of My Love" 1 1 11 4
"Don't Ask My Neighbors" 44 7 — —
"Shouting Out Love" (A-Side) — 31 — —
1978 "Baby, I'm Through" (re-release) (B-Side) — 59 — —
"Smile" 102 6 — —
"Whole Lot of Shakin'" — 44 — —
1979 "Walking the Line" — 58 — —
"Boogie Wonderland" (with Earth, Wind & Fire) 6 2 14 4
"What's the Name of Your Love?" — 30 — —
1980 "Where Is Your Love?" — 75 — —
"Come into Our World" — — 95 —
1981 "Turn It Out" — 48 50 —
"Now That I Know" — 68 — —
1984 "You're the One" — 34 — —
"You're the Best" — 52 33 —
"Are You Through with My Heart?" — 87 — —
1985 "Miss Your Love" — — — —
"If I Only Knew Then (What I Know Now)" — — — —