The Emotions
The Emotions | |
---|---|
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 1962–present |
Labels | |
Members | Pamela Hutchinson Sheila Hutchinson Wanda Vaughn |
Past members | Jeanette Hutchinson Theresa Davis Adrianne Harris |
Website | theemotionsweb |
The Emotions are an American Grammy Award-winning soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago, Illinois. The group started out in Gospel but later delved into to R&B and Soul. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.[1][2][3]
History
Beginnings
The girl group was originally a gospel outfit known as the Heavenly Sunbeams. They eventually became an r&b/soul act with a popular following in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Soon being renamed as The Emotions, they signed with the Memphis based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 60s. Under the production of Issac Hayes and David Porter the girl group issued their 1969 debut album entitled "So I Can Love You" on Stax.[1][4][5] [6]
So I Can Love You rose to no. 43 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. The album's title track also got to nos. 3 & 39 upon the Hot R&B Songs and Hot 100 charts respectively.[6][7][8][9] Another single entitled The Best Part Of A Love Affair rose to no. 27 upon the Hot R&B Songs chart.[10][11]
As well the girl group went on to release their sophomore LP entitled Untouched in 1972 upon Stax. The album cut Show Me How rose to no. 13 upon the Hot R&B Songs chart.[12][13]
The Emotions then started to work upon their third studio album. Due to be entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience this LP was supposed to be issued by the label during 1972 but wasn't as a whole. With Stax going on to become defunct in 1975, the group then left the record label altogether.[1][14]
Above and beyond
The girl group then joined up with Columbia Records where an association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest level of success.[1] With Charles Stepney and White's production, The Emotions issued the 1976 album Flowers on Columbia. Flowers rose to no.5 upon the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. As well Flowers was certified Gold in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America.[15][16] The album's title track got to no. 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. Another single being I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love rose to nos. 4 & 13 on the Dance Club Songs and Hot R&B Songs chart respectively.[17][18][19][20]
During the following year, Jeanette left the group to give birth to her second child, Pili. As is so youngest sister Pamela was brought in to record upon their next album. Entitled Rejoice this LP was also issued during 1977. White and Clarence McDonald also co-produced the single "Best Of My Love" which spent five weeks at number one on the US pop chart in 1977. In 1978, Jeanette returned to the group. In collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire, the group scored big with the single, "Boogie Wonderland", which was a top ten hit in 1979.[1]
During that year the Emotions issued their sixth studio album again produced by White entitled Come into Our World upon Columbia. Come into Our World rose to no. 35 upon the Top R&B Albums chart. The album cut What's the Name of Your Love? also got to no. 30 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[21][22][23] The group continued to record together during the 1980s, and were signed briefly with Motown Records. Their last recording to date was 1996's The Emotions Live released on their own record label, Sunbeam Records.[1]
The Emotions provided background vocals upon Nancy Wilson's 1989 album A Lady with a Song and jazz group Urban Knights's 1995 LP Urban Knights I. They also served as background vocalists upon George Duke's album Illusions of the same year as well as Smokey Robinson's 1999 album Intimate.[1][24]
Pamela Hutchison eventually rejoined the girl group during 2000.[1] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 single "All in the Way". All in the Way rose to nos. 13 & 25 upon the Adult R&B Songs and Adult Contemporary Songs chart. This track featured upon EWF's 2003 album The Promise which was also produced by Maurice White.[25][26][27] As well the girl group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti La Belle where they performed "Best Of My Love".[28] Within September of that year Songs of Innocence and Experience was finally released in part by Stax.[14]
During 2013, the Emotions moved to Stardom Records, which is owned by Stylistics lead singer Eban Brown. The girl group went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a Hip Hop/R&B single entitled "Life". This track was written by Terrace Martin and Wanda Vaughn's three daughters.[29] The Emotions went on to appear as a featured artist upon Martin's 2016 Grammy nominated album Velvet Portraits.[30][31]
Influence
The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Salt n Pepa, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest and Notorious BIG.[32][33][34][35]
Singers such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Mary J Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group.[32]
As well they've been covered by artistes such as Phoebe Snow, Minnie Riperton, Marcia Hines, Jade, Patti La Belle, Maysa, The Temptations, Samantha Jade and Sheena Easton[32]
Accolades
Grammy Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Best Of My Love | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus | Won |
1980 | Boogie Wonderland | Best Disco Recording | Nominated |
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
Record label | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [36] |
US R&B [37] |
AUS [38] |
CAN [39] | |||||||||||
1969 | So I Can Love You | — | 43 | — | — | Volt | ||||||||
1971 | Untouched | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
1976 | Flowers | 45 | 5 | — | — |
|
Columbia | |||||||
1977 | Rejoice | 7 | 1 | 64 | 29 |
| ||||||||
1978 | Sunbeam | 40 | 12 | — | 66 |
|
Columbia | |||||||
1979 | Come into Our World | 96 | 35 | — | — | ARC/Columbia | ||||||||
1981 | New Affair | 168 | 46 | — | — | |||||||||
1984 | Sincerely | 33 | — | — | Red Label | |||||||||
1985 | If I Only Knew | 54 | — | — | Motown | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums
- Charting compilations
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Record label | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US [36] |
US R&B [37] | |||
1977 | Sunshine | 88 | 39 | Stax |
1996 | Best of My Love: The Best of the Emotions | — | 77 | Legacy |
Singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [40] |
US R&B [41] |
US Dan [42] |
AUS [38] |
CAN [39] |
NLD [43] |
NZ [44] |
UK [45] | |||||||
1964 | "Good Old Days" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
1967 | "I Can't Stand No More Heartaches" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
1968 | "Somebody New" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"I Can't Control These Emotions" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"I Love You But I'll Leave You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1969 | "So I Can Love You" | 39 | 3 | — | — | 40 | — | — | — | |||||
"The Best Part of a Love Affair" | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"Stealing Love" (A-Side) | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"When Tomorrow Comes" (B-Side) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
1970 | "Heart Association" | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Black Christmas" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1971 | "You Make Me Want to Love You" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"If You Think It (You May As Well Do It)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"Show Me How" | 52 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1972 | "My Honey and Me" | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"I Could Never Be Happy" | 93 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"From Toys to Boys" | — | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1973 | "Runnin' Back (And Forth)" | — | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Peace Be Still" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1974 | "Put a Little Love Away" | 73 | 53 | — | — | 79 | — | — | — | |||||
"Baby, I'm Through" | — | 82 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"There Are More Questions Than Answers" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1976 | "Flowers" (A-Side) | 87 | 16 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |||||
"I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" (B-Side) | 51 | 13 | 4 | — | 67 | — | — | 40 | ||||||
1977 | "Best of My Love" | 1 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 21 | 9 | 4 | |||||
"Don't Ask My Neighbors" | 44 | 7 | — | — | 88 | — | — | — | ||||||
"Shouting Out Love" (A-Side) | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1978 | "Baby, I'm Through" (re-release) (B-Side) | — | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Smile" | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"Whole Lot of Shakin'" | — | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1979 | "Walking the Line" | — | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Boogie Wonderland" (with Earth, Wind & Fire) | 6 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
"What's the Name of Your Love?" | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"I Should Be Dancing" | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | — | ||||||
1980 | "Where Is Your Love?" | — | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Come into Our World" | — | — | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1981 | "Turn It Out" | — | 48 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"Now That I Know" | — | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1984 | "You're the One" | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"You're the Best" | — | 52 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"Are You Through with My Heart?" | — | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
1985 | "Miss Your Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
"If I Only Knew Then (What I Know Now)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h The Emotions Biography at AllMusic
- ^ a b "The Emotions". Grammy.com.
- ^ "From The Andrews Sisters To Pussy Riot, The Most Influential Girl Groups Of All Time". vh1.com.
- ^ "The Emotions". waxpoetics.com.
- ^ "Grammy Winners Reunite to Prove They're 'Bigger Than Bubblegum'". latimes.com.
- ^ a b "The Emotions: So I Can Love You". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: So I Can Love You (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: So I Can Love You (Hot 100)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: So I Can Love You (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: So I Can Love You". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: The Best Part Of A Love Affair (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Untouched". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Show Me How (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ a b "The Emotions: Songs of Innocence and Experience". Allmusic.com.
- ^ a b c d "The Emotions". RIAA.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Flowers (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Flowers (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Flowers (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: What's the Name of Your Love?". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Come into Our World". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Come into Our World (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Smokey Robinson: Intimate". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: The Promise". Allmusic.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: All In The Way (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: All In The Way (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.com.
- ^ "70s Soul Superstars". PBS Hawaii.
- ^ "The Emotions reunite for a history making performance". Chicago Now.com.
- ^ "2017 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees". Los Angeles Times. 6 December 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ "Terrace Martin: Velvet Portraits". Allmusic.com.
- ^ a b c "The Emotions". Who Sampled.com.
- ^ "Best of My Love (The Emotions)". Genius.com.
- ^ Kelley, Frannie (November 4, 2011). When Old School Was New: Big Daddy Kane's 'Ain't No Half-Steppin'". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (April 3, 2006). Mariah Carey's record-breaking career. The New Yorker. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Emotions: Billboard 200". Billboard.
- ^ a b "The Emotions: Top R&B Albums". Billboard.
- ^ a b David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ a b "The Emotions: RPM Charts". RPM. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "The Emotions: Hot 100". Billboard.com.
- ^ "The Emotions: Hot R&B Songs". Billboard.com.
- ^ "US Charts > The Emotions". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "NLD Charts > The Emotions". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ^ "NZ Charts > The Emotions". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ^ "UK Charts > The Emotions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
External links
- The Emotions official website (inactive)
- The Emotions Fan Page A fan page on Facebook
- The Emotions at AllMusic