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Street Songs

 
Album Review: Street Songs
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Street Songs

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  • Artist: Rick James
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1981
  • Total Time: 34:46
  • Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Disappointed because Garden of Love wasn't as well received as it should have been, Rick James made a triumphant return to defiant, in-your-face funk with the triple-platinum Street Songs. This was not only his best-selling album ever, it was also his best period, and certainly the most exciting album released in 1981. The gloves came all the way off this time, and James is as loud and proud as ever on such arresting hits as "Super Freak," "Give It to Me Baby," and "Ghetto Life." Ballads aren't a high priority, but those he does offer (including his stunning duet with Teena Marie, "Fire and Desire") are first-rate. One song that's questionable (to say the least) is the inflammatory "Mr. Policeman," a commentary on police misconduct that condemns law enforcement in general instead of simply indicting those who abuse their authority. But then, the thing that makes this hot-headed diatribe extreme is what makes the album on the whole so arresting -- honest, gut-level emotion. James simply follows what's in his gut and lets it rip. Even the world's most casual funksters shouldn't be without this pearl of an album. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Give It to Me Baby Rick James Rick James (4:07)
Ghetto Life (Lyrics) Rick James Rick James (4:20)
Make Love to Me Rick James Rick James (4:48)
Mr. Policeman Rick James Rick James (4:17)
Super Freak (Lyrics) Rick James, Alonzo Miller Rick James (3:25)
Fire and Desire (Lyrics) Rick James Rick James (7:19)
Call Me Up Rick James Rick James (3:54)
Below the Funk (Pass the J) Rick James Rick James (2:36)

Credits

Rick James (Synthesizer), Rick James (Bass), Rick James (Guitar), Rick James (Arranger), Rick James (Keyboards), Rick James (Producer), Rick James (Main Performer)
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Wikipedia: Street Songs (album)
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Street Songs
Studio album by Rick James
Released 1981
Recorded December 1980 - January 1981
Genre Funk, R&B
Length 34:46
Label Gordy (Motown)
Producer Rick James
Professional reviews
Rick James chronology
Garden of Love
(1980)		 Street Songs
(1981)		 Throwin' Down
(1982)

Street Songs is a 1981 Rick James concept album. Most of the songs on the record deal with prostitution. The fifth song on this album, "Super Freak", was one of James' biggest hits. A Deluxe Edition was released in 2001 containing an additional seventeen mixes and live versions of the album tracks. The song "Ghetto Life" was featured in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and later sampled in Busta Rhymes' song "In The Ghetto". "Super Freak" and "Give It to Me Baby" are also featured on the soundtrack of the videogame Scarface: The World Is Yours. The song "Give It To Me Baby" is featured on EA's "Skate."

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Rick James; except where indicated

  1. "Give It to Me Baby" (4:08)
  2. "Ghetto Life" (4:20)
  3. "Make Love to Me" (4:48)
  4. "Mr. Policeman" (4:17)
  5. "Super Freak" (James, Alonzo Miller) (3:24)
  6. "Fire and Desire" (duet with Teena Marie) (7:17)
  7. "Call Me Up" (3:53)
  8. "Below the Funk (Pass the J)" (2:36)


2002 Remastered Edition

  1. "Give It to Me Baby" (4:08)
  2. "Ghetto Life" (4:20)
  3. "Make Love to Me" (4:48)
  4. "Mr. Policeman" (4:17)
  5. "Super Freak" (3:24)
  6. "Fire and Desire" (duet with Teena Marie) (7:17)
  7. "Call Me Up" (3:53)
  8. "Below the Funk (Pass the J)" (2:36)
  9. "Give It to Me Baby" (12" Version) (5:42)
  10. "Super Freak" (12" Version) (7:05)


Deluxe Edition

Disc One:

  1. "Give It to Me Baby" (4:08)
  2. "Ghetto Life" (4:20)
  3. "Make Love to Me" (4:48)
  4. "Mr. Policeman" (4:17)
  5. "Super Freak" (3:24)
  6. "Fire and Desire" (duet with Teena Marie) (7:17)
  7. "Call Me Up" (3:53)
  8. "Below the Funk (Pass the J)" (2:36)
  9. "Give It to Me Baby" (12" Version) (5:42)
  10. "Give It to Me Baby" (Instrumental) (6:48)
  11. "Super Freak" (12" Version) (7:05)
  12. "Super Freak" (Instrumental) (3:33)

Disc Two: (Recorded Live at Long Beach, California, July 30, 1981)

  1. "Introduction" (1:46)
  2. "Ghetto Life" (4:21)
  3. "Big Time" (7:08)
  4. "Come Into My Life" (4:14)
  5. "I'm a Sucker for Love" (8:28)
  6. "Square Biz" (7:01)
  7. "Fire It Up" (3:35)
  8. "Love Gun" (5:42)
  9. "Do You Want Some Funk (Interlude)" (2:22)
  10. "Mary Jane" (10:39)
  11. "Super Freak" (4:21)
  12. "You and I" (11:48)
  13. "Give It to Me Baby" (6:05)

Later Samples

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