Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song)

"Sweet Thing" is a song performed by American funk and R&B band Rufus with vocals by American singer Chaka Khan, also a member of the band. Initially recorded and released a single in late 1975, it was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975, eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop chart.^[1] The song was co-written by Khan (For her then husband, Richard Holland) and Rufus band mate Tony Maiden and became one of the band and Khan's signature songs. The record appears on the band's fourth album Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (1975).

Cover versions

In 1993, American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige who had a version that was a top forty hit on both sides for a second time with it reaching number twenty-eight pop and number-eleven R&B. This version appeared on her debut album What's the 411? (1992). It became Blige's third top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 1997, contemporary jazz saxophonist Boney James did another remake of the song; it was included on the album titled Sweet Thing. The album's title track included background vocals by original co-writer Tony Maiden.^[2]^[3]

Khan recorded it again for the New York Undercover: a Night at Natalies soundtrack, released in 1998.

Initially, Khan disliked Blige redoing it but eventually Khan befriended Blige and the two singers later sang the song together during a VH-1 Divas Live concert in 2003.

Khan and Blige have since recorded the duet "Disrespectful", for Khan's recent release, Funk This.

UK soul singer Beverley Knight has also recorded a version of the song. Knight's version was recorded for a BBC Radio 2 session and was included as the B-side to her single "Not Too Late For Love". Due to the popularity of Knight's version with her fans, it was later included on her Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight compilation. Knight has since been invited to perform the song at Khan's London O2 Arena date on her UK tour, after collaborating with the singer on her Blige duet "Disrespectful" at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Chart positions

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan version

Charts	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	5
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	1

Mary J. Blige version

Charts	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	28
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	11

References

↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 505.
↑ Jonathan Widran. "Sweet Thing - Boney James | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
↑

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Mary J. Blige singles

Discography

What's the 411?	"You Remind Me" "Real Love" "Reminisce" "Sweet Thing" "Love No Limit" "You Don't Have to Worry" "My Love"

My Life	"Be Happy" "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" " I'm Goin' Down" "You Bring Me Joy" "I Love You"

Share My World	"Love Is All We Need" "I Can Love You" "Everything" "Missing You" "Seven Days"

Mary	"As" "All That I Can Say" "Deep Inside" "Your Child" "Give Me You"

No More Drama	"Family Affair" "Dance for Me" "No More Drama" "Rainy Dayz"

Love & Life	"Love @ 1st Sight" "Ooh!" "Not Today" "Whenever I Say Your Name" "It's a Wrap"

The Breakthrough	"MJB da MVP" "Be Without You" "One" "Enough Cryin" "Take Me As I Am"

Reflections (A Retrospective)	"We Ride (I See the Future)"

Growing Pains	"Just Fine" "Work That" "Stay Down"

Stronger with Each Tear	"The One" "I Am" "Each Tear" "We Got Hood Love"

My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)	"25/8" "Mr. Wrong" "Why" "Don't Mind"

Think Like a Man Too	"Suitcase"

The London Sessions	"Doubt" "Right Now" "Therapy " "Whole Damn Year"

Strength of a Woman	"Thick of It"

Soundtracks	"(You Make Me Feel like) a Natural Woman" "Not Gon' Cry" "Stronger" "The Living Proof"

Guest appearances	"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" "Can't Knock the Hustle" "Lean on Me" "911" "Runaway Love" "Wake Up Call (Mark Ronson Remix)" "Just Stand Up!" "IfULeave" "Remember Me" "This Is To Mother You" "What Child Is This" "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" "Now or Never" "F for You" "Stay with Me (Remix)"

Promotional singles	"Someone to Love Me (Naked)"

Book Category

Preceded by "Inseparable" by Natalie Cole	Billboard's Hot Soul number one single (Rufus featuring Chaka Khan version) February 21–28, 1976	Succeeded by "Boogie Fever" by The Sylvers

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