One of my all-time favorite slow jams!! Please check out Heatwave's "Always and Forever" and "The Groove Line" - both are such a vibe. Love you guys - keep smiling!
Rod Temperton was a funk master, besides Heatwaves hits he wrote quite a few songs for Michael Jackson, Thriller, Rock With You and Off the Wall among them. RIP Rod.
Can confirm: I was totally into Bad Brains, the Clash and X Ray Spex when this song arrived out of nowhere. It was an instant classic that was adored by everyone who heard it.
@@davidhuggan6315 I just listened to and watched the video of Come on Home by Myles Sanko and I LOVE it! I'm going to check out more of his music. Great suggestion! Thank you so much!
For more chemistry between singers, and from a couple who were married to each other, check out "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)" sung by the first African-American married couple to host a network television series. The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show, which aired on CBS in the summer of 1977, came about due to this number one hit record which is definitely worth a reaction.
Another Favorite of mine! The Chemistry, the vibe and the blending up this group is remarkable! And this is what we are missing in today's music. Timeless.
This song would absolutely take me away back then! I was 13 or 14, and I remember sitting in my room just daydreaming when it would come on. FYI: Champaign referred to the city in Illinois, not the drink. The drink is champagne. Also, the female backup vocalist ended up marrying Michael Day, who played keyboards.
@@donkey3187 I actually had more fun in high school than college. For many people who went to college, they enjoyed those times even more. Those were good times too, but high school was better….for me.
@@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13 Yah, I hated ttthe immaturity, the clicks, the lack of independence,, the having to be in school with a lot of people who didnt want to be there. College was better in all of those respects for me.
@@donkey3187 i totally get what you’re saying. Very valid points. I went to a big high school, 10-12, from August 1979 to June 1982, with about 1,800 students in a Kansas suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. I used to hear from students at other local,high schools (particularly in richer areas) how cliquish their school was. Our school was middle, middle class mostly. I was very happy to say that our high school wasn’t nearly that cliquish compared to others. There were different groups we all were in, but mostly everyone got along. I had friends who were in drama and forensics like me, but I had good friends who were jocks and cheerleaders too, and friends who were stoners (or freakers as we called them). No one was really too stuck up. We all mostly got along. That helped to make high school much more fun. We had a lot of drunken parties, and pot was almost always there too. I was very involved in school, studied hard, but partied hard too. During my first year of high school (10th grade), on many weekends we would have what we called “row parties” at a drive-in theatres. Our cars would line up in rows, and we would drink heavy with beer bongs and hard liquor and smoke pot. I was 15 then. Crazy times.
The lovely female lead, Rena Jones, eventually married the smooth dude bass player Michael Day, who's rocking it and killing it in this video ( he sadly passed away from cancer in 2001 at just 48). This is such a great romantic song...
The male lead is Pauli Carman. The female lead is Rena Jones. They were not a couple, but Rena and the keyboard player Michael Day got married some time after this recording. Michael Day passed away from cancer in 2001.
The septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, United States, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Leon Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffit on percussion and drums. The origins of Champaign can be traced back to a group called "The Water Brothers Band." Their lineup comprised Dana Walden on keyboards and vocals, Howard "Leon" Reeder on vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, Keith Harden on vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, Scott Karlstrom on bass, and Bobby Carlin on drums. Members Walden, Reeder and Day would eventually become part of Champaign. The song was originally released in 1975 by an earlier incarnation of the group, then called the "Water Brothers Band". It was released as the B side of their single, "Have You Ever Been Lonely?" on Sky Records. The single didn't chart. It was re-recorded by Champaign, and it was Champaign's version that became a hit single. "How 'Bout Us" peaked at number 4 on the soul chart and was one of three releases to make the Top 10 on the soul chart. It was on the Hot 100 chart for 23 weeks, peaking at number 12 on June 6, 1981, and also reached the top of the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks. Jet magazine listed the song in its "Soul Brothers Top 20 Singles" list for May and June 1981. Champaign's membership included former Water Brothers members, Walden, Reeder and Day. Casey Kasem played a portion of the Champaign version on his 'American Top 40' radio show. He then played the entire version of the Water Brothers release. This was broadcast on June 6, 1981 COVER VERSIONS: The song has been covered as a duet between established blue-eyed soul singer/musician Grayson Hugh and noted R&B singer Betty Wright; their version, from the soundtrack of the 1989 film True Love, peaked at number 30 on Billboard's R&B chart, crossing over to number 67 on the pop singles chart and number 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Also, a cover by American country music group Girls Next Door peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1990.
There other song that did well was Try Again. Other 80's r&b/funk (some may have started in the 70s) - Slave - Just A Touch of Love, Watching You, Slide; The S.O.S. Band - Just Be Good To Me, Take Your TIme (Do It Right); Midnight Star - Freak-A-Zoid; Atlantic Starr - If Your Heart Isn't In It, Secret Lovers, Always; Skyy - Call Me; Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage.
Yeah, the little bit I've heard of today's music sounds like something you'd hear if you went to a strip club. There is good music out there, just not as common as it used to be.
@@GUNNER67akaKelt Yes, the musical standards for contemporary musicians in 2023, has really dropped over the decades, and certainly since the turn of the century in 2000. Back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, almost all recording artists could play an instrument with a decent level of proficiency. They could also sing (without auto-tune). Auto-tune was invented in 1997, by the way. Also the songwriting process was a real craft. Melody was important. Musicianship was important. Those days are long gone, and I don't think it will ever come back and enjoy the broad popularity of decades past. Also as a 58 year old black musician, I have to say this: rap and hip-hop has really lowered the standards of contemporary music. It hard for black people under 40 today, to even contemplate that there was a time in pop music where NOT ONE black artist used the n-word, c-word or b-word in their songs that were hits! Ever! Period! It's the rap and hip-hop community that brought that crude expression into the culture. You don't see that vulgarity with black people in jazz, contemporary jazz, old school R&B, the blues, disco, gospel, contemporary gospel, etc. It's only in rap and hip-hop. It's just awful! In closing, I would like to say a big thank you to Champaign for this amazing song! A true classic! How About Us. Enjoy! Cheers, Sam.
@@samaduampoma2449 /agreed I'm a 55YO white man and was a big fan of R&B back in the day. This song and 'Try Again' were frequently playing in my tape player, lol. I miss that music, too. Among other types. Even the rap back then didn't have to be vulgar. I mean, I'm no prude, but there's such a thing as taking it too far. Anyway, things change, especially tastes in music. Maybe It'll get better.
Don't remember this band or the name of this song, but as soon as I heard the opening notes I immediately thought, "I know this song!" Love when that happens!
When I hear this song I remember my older cousins, coming to spend holidays by my grandmother. We would climb on the roof top and look out, we'd drink cherry wine (in our family that's what the kids drank) at weddings or parties, nobody is an alcoholic now. We'd eat all the fruits that there was, we'd go to the rivers. This song was always on the radio. It's a total classic. I love the childhood I had with all my family always around, there is so many of us
This reminds me of a time when we had true musical ARTISTS. They were in it because of the craft and a passion for music; the fame and money were happy byproducts, not the primary concern like today. There was no social media fame to chase or to be had.
I love this group! The 80’s were when they were at their height. They’re basically known for 2 hits ‘how ‘bout us’ (reached #4 on the R&B charts) and ‘Try again’ (reached #2 on the R&B charts). If you react to them again it should definitely be Try Again their other hit song.
Omg, yes, and what a couple of hits they were! As young teens, my sis and I used to sing along to these songs, they were just such sweet and feel-good songs! I hope they can listen to "Try Again" as well! Also, I hope they get around to checking out Stanley Clark & George Duke's "Sweet Baby". That song was out I believe around the same year, and is just as if not more beautiful!
Fun fact. I am from Rantoul, IL which is about 20 miles north of Champaign, which is where Pauli is from. Many years ago I worked with Pauli Carmen's younger brother (and I hate that I can not remember his name) at Caradco, a window factory. He needed a ride home, so I offered to take him home. If memory serves me, he only lived a few houses down from me. Anyway, I was engaged at the time and his brother said he would ask Pauli if he could sing at my wedding. He had a show coming up, but said if he hadn't, he would have. How amazing would that have been?? Anyway, it's fun story for me to look back on. I love that y'all react to all these older bands. Makes my gma heart happy :)
The lady singer married the keyboard player "Michael Himick." Today they are still married and sing gospel music and run a Christian fellowship radio station. No the lead singer and the woman were not romantically involved. Though you'd think so the way they sang together. Her name is Rene Himick.
This is Champaign, Illinois from which the band derives. I lived in Champaign for many years. It is also the hometown of REO Speedwagon and Ludacris. Alison Krause grew up in nearby Urbana.
Man, I haven't heard this song in years. That's part of the fun of following your channel, it reintroduces me to music I already know but just don't hear any more. This is the only song of theirs I know so I don't have another suggestion for Champaign but I will recommend another song in this style and that would be "Everybody Plays The Fool" by Aaron Neville. You reacted to him once in a duet with Linda Ronstadt but it's been awhile and Aaron's voice is so smooth.
Good song this ,really smooth, and and love the sax, I can remember people smooching to this one at Disco's. Another good 80's one of this type is 'In your eyes' by George Benson-Colin Ward
Hi Guys! Her name is Rena Jones, and she was not involved with the lead singer. In fact, she wound up marrying the guitarist with the dark beard, Michael Day.
A few other great duets would be Teddy Pendergrass and Stephanie Mills singing "Feel the Fire" Peaches and Herb singing "Reunited" Ashford and Simpson singing "Is it Still Good to You"
Geezus... I heard this song on the radio so many times but never knew/saw the group behind it. So glad to see you enjoying this... thank you so much for this!
Jay you talking about champagne made me think of another singer who goes by the name of Evelyn 'Champaign' King. She had a song called "Shame" from 1978 that you might like. It's got a great saxophone solo. Just a fabulous r&b track. But the longer version is better...
WHO'S HOLDING DONNA NOW - DeBarge 1985 R&B Soul Perfection one of the best R&B and Soul from this awsome decade the group that brought you Rhythm of the Night that also was part of an awesome 80s movie called The Last Dragon 1985 also Highly recommend this Super Heart Felt song , Who's Holding Donna Now ( 1985) the Drums and Bass alone is Top tier sound Fantastic Romantic R&B Soul songs to remember. 🎸 🎹 🎻 🥁 🎵🎶
