Black Music Month 2014: Stephanie Mills Appreciation

I love this picture (from All Music)

Ah, what can I say about Stephanie Mills? I don't even want to type anything more. Just listen to the music...

************

"I Knew It Was Love"

"I Knew It Was Love" was one of Ms. Mills' first singles. It was recorded in 1974 (when she was 17 years old). The album, Movin' in the Right Direction, was released on ABC Records (then known as Paramount) in 1975.

************

"Be A Lion"

You're bound to jump for joy when you hear Stephanie Mills sing "Be A Lion" in a production of The Wiz. I'm not sure if this video is from the original Broadway production, if it is, Ted Ross is playing the role of the Cowardly Lion.

************

"What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'"

Excluding her recordings for The Wiz, "What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'" was Ms. Mills' first hit single--recorded in 1978 and released as a single in 1979 for her album of the same name.

************

"Never Knew Love Like This Before"

One of the many songs I grew up with! One of the songs that the Classic Soul/R&B station played to death, that is. The song was released as a single on Ms. Mills' album, Sweet Sensation (released in 1980). She also won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance (Female)--her first nomination and win.

************

"How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore"

Listen to Ms. Mills' 1983 rendition of this popular Prince song.

************

"The Medicine Song"

"The Medicine Song" was Stephanie Mills' first Number One on the U.S. Dance Chart and the music video is so 1980s. The single was a track on her 1984 album, I've Got the Cure.

************

"I've Learned to Respect the Power of Love"

Ms. Mills' #1 R&B single, "I've Learned to Respect the Power of Love", was recorded for her 1985 album titled Stephanie Mills.

************

"I Feel Good All Over"

Here is another song I remember hearing on the radio a lot--especially at night. This was another #1 single for Ms. Stephanie Mills, and it was a track on her 1987 album, If I Were Your Woman.

************

"(You're Puttin') A Rush on Me"

Watch Ms. Mills slay the stage singing her hit song, "(You're Puttin') A Rush on Me", live! This song was also released on her 1987 album, If I Were Your Woman.

************

"Home"

Watch Stephanie Mills sing what is arguably her signature song, as she recorded it for her 1989 album, Home. Of course, Ms. Mills had been singing this heartfelt song since she played "Dorothy" in the 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz.


************

"Comfort of a Man"

Here is a personal favorite of mine--also recorded for the Home album.


************

"All Day, All Night"

From her 1992 album, Something Real (and with a very 90s music video), here is Stephanie Mills singing "All Day, All Night".


************

"Born for This"

Finally, listen to "Born for This"--a song from Ms. Mills 2004 album of the same name.


************

I hope you listen to more of Ms. Stephanie Mills' music!

Click here for a general discography (on Wikipedia).