OTD. March 27, 1989 Happy 33rd Anniversary To Jody Watley “Larger Than Life”

The second platinum solo album featured Top 10 Singles “Real Love”, the groundbreaking “Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim along with the ballad “Everything.” The 4 and final single was the mid-tempo “Precious Love.”

The album featured photography by legendary fashion photographer Steven Meisel and a change in the visual style and look to a more fashion forward aesthetic also incorporating designer looks with street style. T

The now classic “Real Love “ video directed by David Fincher remains one of the most nominated in MTV Awards history with 6.

“Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim is the first original song pairing a Pop / R&B artist with Rap/Hip Hop verses to crossover into the Top 10 on multiple charts.

1989

Real Love (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP

# 2 Hot 100

# 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles

# 1 Hot Dance Club Play

Friends featuring Eric B and Rakim (J. Watley, A. Cymone, Rakim, Eric B) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP

# 9 Hot 100

# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles

# 7 Hot Dance Club Play Singles

Everything (G. Cole, J. Newton-Howard)

# 4 Hot 100

# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles

# 11 Adult Contemporary

Jody Watley “Everything” Live Unplugged 2022 New On YouTube

Jody Watley performs a poignant unplugged rendition of her Top 10 crossover ballad “Everything” from her second solo album “Larger Than Life.”

Watley celebrated the 35th anniversary of her massive blockbuster self-titled album in true festive style coupled with a birthday balloon drop into the audience on Friday, January 28th at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego. The sold-out concert began with a standing ovation from her fans when the Grammy award-winning iconic singer appeared on stage. Watley’s 90-minute set did not disappoint! She delivered a high-energy performance from beginning to end. To the surprise of the audience, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time onstage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.

Happy Anniversary ‘Everything’ – January 20.

In the excitement of Inauguration Day 2021, I forgot to post this as Happy Anniversary to “Everything” from my second album “Larger Than Life.” I’ve blogged previously that January has always seemed to be a great month for my music – and it’s my birth month as well.

I love performing this song live in concert, full version or unplugged it’s always a heartfelt part of my show and emotional fan favorite.

“Everything”

Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! My 6th Top 10 Hot 100 Single as a solo artist.

Written by: Gardner Cole, J. Newton-Howard!

*Chart History*

#3 – Hot R&B

#11 – Adult Contemporary

Official Video:

Rewind. November Releases. Throwback Thursday.

A couple of releases in my ongoing and diverse catalog from November.

November 18, 1989:

“Everything”

Peaked at #3 on the Billboard R&B chart!

November 15, 2008: 

“A Beautiful Life”

 Peaked at #5 on the Billboard Dance chart.

Happy 31. Jody Watley -Larger Than Life.

Happy Anniversary to my sophomore solo album released March 25, 1989 :: featured the Top 10 hits “Real Love, “Friends” (ft Eric B. & Rakim ground breaker) “Everything” “Precious Love”

The title “Larger Than Life” remains a metaphor to dream big, do things larger than you can imagine, be memorable – be fabulous .. larger than life darling!

Photography: Steven Meisel

Jody Watley- ‘Everything’ on Pose FX

The third single from my second second album “Everything” a Top 5 Hot 100 and R&B hit was featured on Pose FX last night! It’s the third of my solo classics (Don’t You Want Me, Looking For A New Love ) to be included on the groundbreaking Emmy nominated show.

Jody Watley. New BTS Video on Youtube.

Last weeks performance of one of my solo Pop/R&B classic hits was one of the best of the countless times I’ve performed it over the decades. My voice still retains it’s unique resonance and tone – though time has given it more depth. In soundcheck, I usually like to break the songs down to either piano and vocals, acoustic and so on before we bring all of the instruments in. There’s something more intimate that happens when the listener is just with voice and a lone instrument. No frills, vocal gymnastics and distractions – just the lyric and delivery to really touch a person in a different way.

Here’s a snippet from soundcheck of “Everything.” Make sure to subscribe to the Official Jody Watley YouTube channel : Subscribe

Coming up in August a variety of concerts and appearances – two with my full band and show August 16 New York, Sony Hall August 17 opening for Jeffrey Osborne in Atlanta Mable House Barnes Amphitheater.

 

As well if you’re in Honolulu September 7 – don’t miss a very special Jody Watley ‘Unplugged.’

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Jody Watley – “Larger Than Life Album” Turns 30

Albumism: Happy 30th Anniversary to Jody Watley’s Second Solo Album “Larger Than Life” Originally Released March 27, 1989 – Read it Here on Albumism

Happy Music Anniversary to my second solo album “Larger Than Life” featuring Top 10 singles “Real Love” the groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B & Rakim “Friends” the ballad “Everything” as well as the beautiful “Precious Love” :: The album cover with photography by legendary fashion Steven Meisel and Art Direction by Lynn Robb and I, is also in 1000 Album Covers published by Taschen.

Jody Watley Performs a Solo Classic with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

 

Here’s a snippet of one of my performances with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra “Best Hits 80’s Meets Symphony..” singing one of my Top Ten hit singles “Everything.”

I wore a red suit and mock turtle neck from Theory as one who usually doesn’t wear the color and funked it up with street-style attitude with new red shades from a new line I stumbled across, nude Louboutin pumps and my signature jumbo hoops with added sparkle. Red in this case represents my passion for living and life..I’d had a custom tux made but it wasn’t ready in time..

jodywatley_red_preshow_tokyo_philharmonic