"Just Be Good to Me" by The S.O.S. Band

     What’s goin’ on party people? You picked a great time to check out the Dial, as today we bring you a classic 80’s post-disco funk track that has gotten feet moving on the dance floor for well over 30 years now. Prepare yourself for “Just Be Good to Me” by The S.O.S. Band!

“Friends tell me I am crazy… and I’m wasting time with you. You’ll never be mine.”

Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, The S.O.S. Band (short for “Sounds of Success”) are primarily remembered by pop radio audiences for their US #3, US #1 R&B hit from 1980, “Take Your Time (Do It Right) (Part 1)”. As this was their only top 40 entry, the group is indeed a one hit wonder on the pop chart. Though it is worth noting that they charted eleven top 20 hits on the R&B singles chart before disbanding in 1991.

“Just Be Good…” was released as a single from the band’s 1983 “On the Rise” LP, at a time when the act consisted of eight members, including Mary Davis on lead vocals, Jason Bryant on keyboards, Billy Ellis and Sonny Killebrew on saxophones, guitar work courtesy of Bruno Speight, bass slappin’ by John A. Simpson III, drums and percussion by Jerome "J.T." Thomas, and additional percussion and instrumentation (like the flugelhorn!) by Abdul Ra'oof.

A woman’s declaration that she will remain devoted to her lover despite her friends’ warnings, so long as he treats her well, “Just Be Good…” was an R&B chart smash, stopping one position short of the top at #2, but despite this success, the post-disco funk track stalled at US #55 pop, nearly reaching the halfway mark of the hot 100. Our friends across the pond however, embraced the song more warmly than pop radio did in the states, causing the tune to reach UK #13 on their singles charts.

“Friends are always tellin’ me… you’re a user.”

Written and produced by the legendary team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who brought us tons of great hits like “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” (Cherrelle, and later, Robert Palmer), “Tender Love” by The Force M.D.’s, “Human” by the Human League, “Diamonds” by Herb Alpert, most of Janet Jackson’s hits from her entire career, and multiple hits by Alexander O’Neal, New Edition, Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill, Karyn White… the list goes on and on. Seriously, just look up the list of songs these guys have had a hand in creating. It’s staggering.

The S.O.S. Band’s classic has resurfaced on the charts in various forms over the years, including a 1990 cover version by Beats International retitled as “Dub Be Good To Me”, (though the actual words remain unchanged in the song itself), and a 1996 remake by Deborah Cox under the original title. The lyrics were also interpolated by Destiny’s Child in their collaboration with rapper Silkk the Shocker for 1998’s “Just Be Straight with Me”, and the lyrical melody was quoted by Usher in his 2014 single “She Came to Give It to You”.

I find it interesting that none of these versions, (not even the excellent original!) cracked the top 40. I wonder if a modern act would be able to take a cover of this tasty track into the top 10 where it rightfully belongs, but knowing my luck, (and the current musical landscape), it would probably end up being recorded by somebody with questionable talent like Flo Rida, Ed Sheeran, or Nicki Minaj. Blecch.

“Friends always seem to listen… to the bad things that you do… you never do them to me…”

Unlike most songs I’ve featured on the Dial, which are favorites that have resided in my personal CD and vinyl collection for years, “Just Be Good…” was actually rediscovered by me just this past September, when I was listening to a ‘80s R&B playlist online. I didn’t recognize it the title at first, but those opening a cappella notes really grabbed my attention! Then the Roland drum machine kicked in, closely followed by the otherworldly bass, distorted guitar, and groovy synths, and I instantly flashbacked to 1983, and couldn’t believe I had gone at least 30 years since hearing this exceptional slice of ‘80s post-disco funk!

Memories of hearing this all over the radio in ’83 were fresh in my mind once more, and back then, I assumed the tune was a top 10 smash, but this was only because of the “Washington DC effect”. That was the phenomenon in which sizable R&B chart hits crossed over rather frequently to our Maryland based top 40 stations. As I grew up about an hour south of DC, (Charles County representing!) I heard a lot of R&B, soul, and early hip hop tracks that didn’t chart highly nationwide, but sure played to enthusiastic audiences in DC, and the nearby Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

Okay, I’m done rambling now. Check out the tune below, and leave me a comment if you remember dancing, roller skating, or just grooving out to this tasty soul jam. And keep it tuned to Kyle’s Radio Dial, because the more you listen… the MORE you remember!

“People always talkin’ ‘bout… your reputation… I don’t care about your other girls… Just be good to me.”