‘I Want Your Love’ is a CHIC classic – written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It’s always been a favorite of mine and so I put my spin on it for my full length ‘The Makeover.’ With various remixes including the main version by New York’s legendary DJ Spinna. In 2008 the single ended up at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts and Number 1 Club Top 40 and Number 2 Commercial Pop on British Radio. Since then it’s become a staple in my live show as well..and for those that don’t understand the context, this is a reminder blog post about it. It’s definitely a highlight of many in this decade for me..just realizing that we are nearing the end one with 2020 on the horizon.
Music Week, UK (their equivalent of BillBoard Magazine). 12/01/08 – drawing parallel with Rihanna who wasn’t born when I first hit the charts in Shalamar, a teen at the time myself.
One of music’s most unpredictable and venerable artist’s Jody Watley’s newest triumph comes on the heels of her new group Jody Watley & SRL’s UK Soul Hit “The Mood” Alex Di Cio Remix, Watley scores another hit in the jazz or radio format ‘smooth jazz’. Check the latest radio and chart updates below.
iHeart Radio – Smooth Jazz Channel
WAEG-FM North Augusta, GA
WCHD-HD2 Dayton, OH
KWDR-FM Kennewick, WA
WKSC HD-2 Chicago, IL
KDXA HD-2 Des Moines, IO
KSOF HD-2 Fresno, CA
WSRW HD-2 Grand Rapids, MI
WMAG HD-2 Greensboro, NC
WLRQ HD-2 Melbourne, FL
WUBT-HD2 Nashville, TN
WMGF-HD2 Orlando, CA
KKCW HD-2 Portland, OR
WSNE HD-2 Providence, RI
WBTJ HD-2 Richmond, VA
KFBK-HD2 Sacramento, CA
KMJM HD-2 St. Louis, MO
KODJ HD-2 Salt Lake City, UT
KISC-HD2 Spokane, WA
COOL-FM Panama
KCCB-AM Corning, AR
WVSU-FM Birmingham, AL
KKLI-FM Colorado Springs, CO
WAJD-FM Gainesville, FL
WBHQ-FM Beverly Beach, FL
WSBZ-FM Walton Beach, FL
WUCR-FM Butler, FL
WCLZ-FM Portland, ME
WRMO-FM Bangor, ME
WHFC-FM Bel Air, MD
WLDR-FM Traverse City, MI
WVLY-FM Sundbury, PA
KQXT-FM San Antonio, TX
SmoothJazzFlorida.com
Smooth Jazz Florida Plus HD
Smooth Jazz Tampa Bay
Smooth Jazz Nox Miami
Smooth Jazz Tampa
Smooth Jazz Wave Boca Raton
Smooth Jazz CD101.9 New York
Smooth Jazz Mix New York
Radio Indigo Bangalore/Goa India 99.1
Aramco Saudi Arabia
CJCV-FM Winnipeg
Boracay Beach Radio – 97.3 FM Philippines
Smooth Jazz Top 20 Show Airplay iHeart Radio – Smooth Jazz Channel
CD101.9 New York
KCCB 1260AM Corning, AR
KDXA HD-2 Des Moines
KKCW HD-2 Portland
KKLI 106.3 FM Colorado Springs
KODJ HD-2 Salt Lake City
KSOF HD-2 Fresno
KWDR-FM 93.5 and 102.3 Kennewick, WA
KZIZ-AM 1560 AM Seattle, WA
Radio Indigo Bangalore/Goa India 99.1
WAEG-FM 92.3 North Augusta, GA
WBHQ-HD-3 Beverly Beach, FL
WBTJ HD-2 Richmond
WCHB 1200 AM/ 99.9 FM Detroit, MI
WCLZ 98.9 FM Portland, Maine
WHFC91.1 FM Bel Air, Maryland
WKSC HD-2 Chicago
WLDR HD-2 Traverse City, MI
WLRQ HD-2 Melbourne
WMAG HD-2 Greensboro
WMJM HD-2 St. Louis
WRMO 93.7 FM Bangor Maine
WSJF-DB Smooth Jazz Florida
WSNE HD-2 Providence
WSRW HD-2 Grand Rapids
WUCR 107.9 FM Lake Butler, Florida
WVLY 100.9 FM Sundbury/Selinsgrove, PA
WXCT 98.3 FM Grand Rapids, MI
ARAMCO Saudi Arabia
Boracay Beach Radio-97.3 FM Philippines
CJCV 99.1 FM Winnipeg, Canada
COOL-FM Panama
Photography: Victoria Pearson Art Direction and Design: Lynn Robb / Jody Watley Velvet Cone Bra Bra: jean Paul-Gaultier Signature Jumbo Jody Watley Hoop Earrings
One of the positives of Twitter is being reminded of things like this – on August 10 hit single “Don’t You Want Me” was released. Written by Jody Watley, Franne Golde and David Bryant. Franne and I became best friends since the day we met for this session. It’s one of the few songs I’ve co-written and shared lyrical tasks – songwriting is so personal; but we all hit it all so well. Bernard Edwards from CHIC and Power Station was the producer and the remix which was the version that to it to the Hot 100 and the top of the Billboard Dance charts is by Francois K.
The video would be directed by Dominic Sena and would star my now ex-husband and former collaborator and co-producer Andre Cymone. My brother John is also in the video which was filmed in downtown Los Angeles.
#TBT #Classic “Everything” cover art from my 1989 second solo album ‘Larger Than Life’ my commerical Pop/R&B era. #4 Hot 100, #3 R&B, #11 Adult Contemporary – beautifully written by Gardner Cole and composer James Newton-Howard produced by Andre Cymone, with me at the helm as executive producer. I still love singing it – 25 years later, I’m proud to say that about all of my songs. I never wanted to sing anything back then or now – that would make me feel regret and not age well. The song remains a crowd pleaser. The cover is simple and understated but still very chic and timeless. I’m wearing a custom made burnt orange velvet dress that I designed and was tailored by Sylvia Payne-Loveless the oldest sister of Andre Cymone who used to sew for me from time to time back then.
The dress:
– the dress, also worn in my Meisel sessions.
Jody Watley “Everything” Official Video, my daughter make a brief onstage appearance which is one of my favorite moments in this live tour documentary style, day in the life on the road film: http://youtu.be/gD0GJrm8lYE
“She’s one of the most prominent visionaries of her era, and one whose influence remains a key touchstone in contemporary pop music.” -Dean Van Nguyen, Wax Poetics Magazine 2014, Issue 57 Cover Story
Jody Watley set to be a part of a posthumous “Duets” album in the works for one of the legendary voices of soul music, the late great Teddy Pendergrass.
“Paradise” is scheduled for a summer 2014 release, with another single “Dancer” scheduled for May. Check out what Watley has to say about her inspiration for the project: Here. “Dancer”written and produced by Jody Watley and Italy’s Luminodisco will follow the UK Commercial Pop and Soul Top 10 and Billboard Hot Dance Play Top 20 “Nightlife.” View Jody Watley Discography
Billboard Dance Portal: “NIGHTLIFE” is Jody Watley’s 19th Top 20 hit on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs reaching #18. Jody Watley ‘s string of 7 Billboard DANCE #1 records began with 1987’s “Looking for a New Love”#tbt -1987 self titled debut album spawned 5 Top 10 Billboard Dance hits and 3 #1’s! Since then, Jody Watley earned 11 more Billboard Dance Top 10 records and 4 more Dance Club Song #1’s! Most recent Billboard Dance Club Songs #1 record was 2007’s “I Want Your Love.” #JodyWatley#itsinthemusic#hastalavistababy#popculture
The journey continues!
Photography: Victoria Pearson. Design Lynn Robb and Jody Watley
My trip to Washington D.C. had a few twists and turns, but ended in a tremendously well received standing room only crowd at The Howard Theatre. The concert was a perfect way to put the cap on my limited engagement summer series of concerts which included The Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Jody Watley, The Howard Theatre. Photo (c) 2013: Mark Sutphin
Jody Watley Live In Concert at The Howard Theatre. Photo (c) 2013: Jay Boucher
Jody Watley LIVE at The Howard Theatre. Photo (c) 2013 DARRICK
Jody Watley by Larry Webb (c) 2013 via Facebook
With an appearance on Washington D.C.’s Fox 5 Morning Television (almost ruined by a driver that didn’t show up causing me to be late and miss my first time slot – and a last minute save by another company and driver – Uber!), all was well in the end; but I don’t like to be late and felt bad though it was out our control. In those times, we have to just roll with it, make adjustments; the ole’ keep calm and carry on mantra!
Jody Watley with Allison Seymour from Fox 5 WTTG Morning News. Photo Jody Watley Music (c) 2013
Hmmm…
Though I had many problems with my feature in The Washington Post; among them -being referred to as ’80’s starlet’ ‘”Starlet?” I found it a bit demeaning. My continued artistic progression as an artist, songwriter and producer is consistent. I’ve remained on the charts whenever I’ve released music, though I moved away from Pop/R&B crossover a long time ago. I’m not looking for a new groove, rather continuing to make fresh grooves after decades in this business. Having had success in each decade with high charting singles is something I’m very proud of. It isn’t easy for artists to have hits, one, two, (or any for that matter) in any era. To make an initial major impact on my first two albums as a trendsetting pioneer in many aspects and then to continue on spanning decades in various genres and primarily in dance music should be notable not disposable or completely ignored. References to my looking for a ‘comeback’ didn’t come from my mouth – I despise that term, especially since it’s not fitting for me. While we’re at it, I also don’t like the term “old school”, though thankfully not included in the article. Classic, just like they refer to rock and roll – black music and artists should be given the same respect over time not relegated to some throwback nostalgia tag; unless it’s what is requested or marketed purposefully.
I’ve never left music, even with raising my children and taking time to live my life. I’m not looking for a comeback in today’s pop music climate. My next single ‘NIGHTLIFE’ is simply another step in my musical journey and evolution as a working artist. Neither am I looking for a new groove beyond a continued progression and a desire to write and release quality music while I’m still making it. The overall tone of the article was very marginalizing and reminded me why I don’t like doing interviews. A lack of homework on really knowing the subject beforehand goes a long way. I’ve learned most come with an already formed preconceived notion. Many of my fans felt the same way and posted as such under the link to the article on my Facebook page and felt that props nor respect weren’t given – rather lumping me in general terms of ‘the 80’s’ when I’m so not that – not stuck there and have continued to have success. The writer also insinuated my embrace of social media was confirmation that I was looking for a ‘comeback’, when in fact I’m just like any other savvy artist young or legacy music artist who embraces the times and appreciates the forum to connect and build the Jody Watley fan community. It’s my observation that when writing about rock stars no matter when they started or how old they are now, more reverence is given. It’s like someone taking your resume, not reading it and assuming who you are or labeling you something that you doesn’t represent what you’re about. Ironically, I read a post from author Paulo Coelho titled “Why I’m not giving that many interviews.” Paulo chooses to use his presence on social media to promote his work and tell his story.
OK, that off my chest – I’m not mad at the full page, that was earned in a solo career at 30 years now. We must always take every experience and learn from it. There’s a lesson in everything even if we can’t see it at the time. Seeing and reading the article online was one thing – however it was another deal to see it and be reminded of the traditional newspaper weekend edition – can’t be too grouchy about that. I just wish the young writer had really written a piece that brought people up to speed while considering the need to condense information reflecting some semblance of who I am as a a progressive artist and writer continuing to do things on her own terms -given the high profile nature of the piece – even if conveyed in a sentence or two.
No matter what – I’m grateful to still be here at a high level, doing what I love for my corner of the universe with a healthy mind, body and spirit – bringing joy to the people who support me through my artistry, growth and evolution.