Happy Sunday, Dialophiles!
In order to start this October week in a delightful way, the
Radio Dial features the lesser-heard, now generally obscure, original version of
a song that nearly topped the charts in 1986 in a different incarnation.
1984 saw the release of R&B chanteuse Cherrelle’s debut LP
“Fragile”, which contained one of the earliest compositions from iconic
songwriting team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On”.
Telling the tale of a woman’s apology and rebuttal to a man’s
unwanted and awkward advances, “I Didn’t Mean To…” featured a black & white
music video that acts as both a tribute to, and spoof of, King Kong. The single reached US #8 on the hot R&B singles
chart, but failed to make a major impression on the hot 100, settling only for
#79. Nevertheless, I recall seeing this video twice on NBC’s “Friday Night Videos”, and though it’s amusingly
low budget, the image of King Kong reaching into Cherrelle’s apartment was one
that stuck with me for years.
As you watch the video, note the animated bouncing jungle plants
(straight from cartoons of the ‘30s!), Cherrelle’s exposed shoulder (ahhh, ‘80s
fashions!), and Kong’s breakdancing routine on the roof of what has to be a
very reinforced apartment building!
Of course, by now, you should recall that “I Didn’t Mean To…” reappeared
on the airwaves two years later, in a rocked-up version by Englishman Robert
Palmer as a follow up to his career defining smash “Addicted To Love”. Palmer’s version hit #2 in ‘86, far eclipsing
the success of Cherrelle’s original. As great as Robert’s rendition is, I always
felt the lyrics to be more believable when sung by a woman.
When last heard from, Cherrelle brought us 1999’s “The Right Time”, featuring her cover of Patti
Austin and James Ingram’s ’82 quiet storm ballad “Baby Come To Me”.
So give it a spin, and allow Cherrelle’s soulful voice and uptempo
beat to work their charms on you… just remember… for goodness sake, she’s not
trying to turn you on.
“You read… me
wrong. I wasn’t trying to lead you on…
I want a friend… I didn’t mean to turn you on.”
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