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Wishing On A Star
Do Your Dance Album: In Full Bloom (1977) |
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About six months ago, the music world lost Norman Whitfield. Whitfield was one of the driving forces behind the Motown label, writing and producing a jaw-dropping litany of hits including “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Smiling Faces Sometimes,” and “War (What Is It Good For).” After leaving Motown in the early 70s, Whitfield stole some of the label’s underused assets and started his own eponymous shingle.
Whitfield Records biggest success was the 1976 soundtrack album for Car Wash, with the title track, “I Can’t Get Next To You,” and “I’m Going Down” representing on the singles charts. Their follow-up record, In Full Bloom didn’t include a hit as infectious as “Car Wash,” but still produced a few memorable tracks.
Your high school girlfriend (or you) loved “Wishing On A Star”; if you’re a modern, liberated dude, you may have a soft spot for it too.
While Whitfield is primary thought of as a songwriter, “Do Your Dance” showcases his formidable production skills. It starts out as a high-energy disco/funk track, but as the track morphs in its final minutes, it feels like the birth of house music.
Whitfield fell onto tough financial times towards the end of his life, and was indicted for tax evasion in 2005. Why do so many musicians from the 50s and 60s have trouble finding an honest accountant?