The Black Girl Inside
One of the good things about blogs is that sometimes you will expose things about yourself that up until that point, no one else really knew. One of the bad things about blogs is that sometimes you will expose things about yourself that up until that point, no one esle really knew. So, why should today be any different?
You know how when talk shows like Maury Povitch and Ricki Lake have transexuals on, the guests always say something like “I felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body?” Well, sign me up for Oprah. Lately I have been feeling like a black girl singer trapped in a tone-deaf white boy’s body.
Well…that’s a bit of an exaggeration. I am content with the body I have, relatively speaking…and I have no desire to possess a chocoate cootchie…or any flavored cootchie, for that matter. But, I’m afraid there may be a black girl lurking inside. Not a sassy, “oh no you di-int,” Chadiqua black girl like some people I know. Just a hot singer.
For several months now, I have been getting into black female singers. Somewhat by accident, somewhat on purpose. It’s not an entirely a new thing. When I was in high school I was way into EnVogue. But I thought they were pretty hot, looks-wise, as well as sound-wise, so that was as much about being inside a black girl as it was being a black girl inside. And admittedly, the same could probably be said about Beyonce today. (She could honestly make me question my homosexuality.)
I guess I have always had a preference for female singers, anyway. Of any race. (Don’t come near me with Celine Dion, though). But a black girl can sing a song like nobody else…except Whitney Houston….I still, and always will love Dolly’s Parton’s recording of “I Will Always Love You” (my favorite song) more. Whitney’s version is too over done.
Now, before you all start thinking that my inner black girl is taking possession and rearing her weaved head, don’t worry. I’m not dancing around the house singing into my hairbrush, popping my hips, and waving my arms around. I’m still a stiff country boy who is doing good to just bob his head and shuffle his feet to the beat. For me that’s groovin’.
The black girl inside of me isn’t trying to turn me into her, she’s just making me appreciate what she can do. And whoever she is, she’s old school. I mean really old school. Like “before I was born” old school. She’s Gladys Knight. She’s Aretha Franklin. She’s the Supremes.
That’s what started it. A little while ago, something made me buy one of those cheap CD’s you find in bins at the drug store. (Something or someone? Like someone in a wig and a beaded dress lying dormant deep inside me?) It was a Motown Greatests CD, and I really took to it. I liked it. I liked it a lot. Particulary the Supremes. (I actually like the Temptations, too. So, I guess there’s five slick black dudes deep inside me, too. Lordy, I just pray that Little Richard ain’t in there somewhere. “Mashed Potatos and Gravy..Whoooo!”)
Of course, like a ivy leaguer vacationing with his parents in Martha’s Vineyard, I’ve kept my black girl secret from most people. I’m already considered a weirdo around here because I’m not that into country music. Although, I do like older country from the 50’s and 60’s, so that takes some of the heat off. Seems like music-wise I am pretty old school no matter the style.
That’s what one friend who is aware of my music preferences said, anyway. Consequently he introduced me to the singer I am most into at the moment. I had never listened to jazz before, but when I heard Nancy Wilson, a whole new world opened to me and I can’t get enough.
I can’t explain any of this. It just is what it is. Although, I have found out from Granny that my mother was a Gladys Knight and the Pips fan, too. They were at their peak around the years that I was born, so she was probably listening to them a lot while she was carrying me.
Maybe it’s not that I’m currently discovering the black girl inside. Maybe thirty-one years ago, I was inside discovering the black girl. And now the secret’s out.
September 15th, 2006 at 6:23 am
Three to add to your list:
Sarah Vaughn, Dakota Staton, and Della Reese (the old stuff).
Check them out — you’ll see. And that picture is a riot!
September 15th, 2006 at 9:39 am
Martha’s Vineyard has had a black community for many, many years! So Ivies can get down! Curtis has made some great suggestions. May I add Billie Holliday,Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald?
September 15th, 2006 at 10:39 am
i’ve always gravitated toward female singers myself. i think it’s probably because in a pop/rock/country style, there are more female singers who can actually sing well, then there are male singers who can. although she’s not black, one of my favorite older singers is Karen Carpenter (of the Carpenters). you might give them a look-see, and if you do i hope you like them!
September 15th, 2006 at 10:52 am
I had the pleasure of seeing Gladys Knight in person when she opened for Ray Charles at Lincoln Center some years ago. I just love her. My favorite is Your Face. The woman is amazing. I also like the Five Stair Steps’ O-O-H Child (Things are going to get easier) that came out in 1970. I found that song very comforting as I was growing up. The lead singer was female. There is a lot to be said for soulful singing. Hey, great photoshop job!
September 15th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Ick, I can’t believe someone put Karen Carpenter in the same class as Nancy Wilson or Aretha Franklin.
The above jazz suggestions are otherwise great (Sarah Vaughn is incredible, as is Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holliday’s tragic life comes through so well in her voice). Add in Etta James and Lena Horne. If you want access to a bunch of this stuff in MP3 format to test-listen, let me know.
I think you have the Motown sound pretty well covered.
September 15th, 2006 at 11:45 am
I really like Latrice, though she’s way too overproduced for your tatses
September 15th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
You had better be worrying more about how the Vols will handle the Fla GAYtors than your inner black child. (lol) I am rooting for your team against the other orange and blue team! We are facing an orange and royal blue team. GEAUX VOLS! GEAUX TIGERS! KICK THEIR ASSES!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Go’on Girl!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
and here my thing is i’d rather be a back-up singer. I’m so much more about being a Pip than a Gladys.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
I think quite a few gay men have an inner black girl. You can keep Beyonce. Lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls (Nicole) would make me question my homosexuality.
Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Etta James, Billie Holliday, Stephanie Mills, Heck I’ll throw in Jennifer Holliday, Regina Belle, & Shirely Bassey.
I grew up listening to a lot of the motown music. Even learned to do all the dances they did back then. I like 50’s and 60’s music. Even in the Country Genre. My mother was a Go-Go dancer back in that time. (not a stripper)
September 15th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
First, let me say how I laughed out loud at your good Photoshop job. So funny!
Second, I hope Chad isn’t racist with his Chadiqua like Shirley Q. Liquor is (and says he isn’t - puhleaze).
(I really don’t think Chad is, though, based on what I read.)
Third, hearing Tamyra Gray sing is enough to make me rethink the whole homosexual thing. Yeah, Beyonce is nice in small doses to me. I really had my fill of her during the first two albums of Destiny’s Child. It’s moreso her father that I’m tired of but he’s not in the spotlight, so she’s the first line of defense concerning my love/hate relationship with her.
Fourth, I think it’s so cool (and I thank you) that you are sharing your “secret.” I was going to recommend Etta James but someone beat me to it. Nina Simone is great, too, but, again, beaten to it. If you want to hear Jennifer Holliday or Nina Simone, let me know.
Otherwise, keep on rockin’ wit yo bad self, brotha! You GO, girl! (snap snap)
September 15th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Guys, Oleta Adams, especially singing “Get Here”, can tear me up every time. On Cds - Circle of One or The Best of Oleta Adams.
To really hear a skinny white man channeling a black woman singing listen to Chet Baker on CD My Funny Valentine.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
As long as the basics have been covered, let me suggested Ernestine Anderson.
And if you don’t mind a little bit of white girl swing/blues — Candy Kane.
September 16th, 2006 at 8:15 am
I didnt get the top picture until i read the comments. I just saw the two at the left and didnt think to look at the one on the right.
It is an irony of our culture that many str8 men get into the macho heavy metal shouters, leaving the gay men to appreciate the femmes. When you mix in the number of whitebois who like blackgurls, it is downright confusing.
September 16th, 2006 at 9:38 am
OMG that pic is just too much! Great music is great music the race of the recording artist doesn’t make a difference to me but I’m black so I guess it’s a white thang and i wouldn’t understand
September 16th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Very rarely do I comment twice, but this post is just begging for it. The photoshopped Supremes is Hy-larry-ous! The person who mentioned Oleta Adams is sooo right, which made me think of Diane Reeves another standout.
September 16th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Lets not forget Tanya Blunt and Lauryn Hill…..His eye is on the sparrow has never been done quite so well.
September 16th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
You’re definitely not the only one, Tony! I have for years told my friends I have an “inner black woman.” Her name is Shaniqua, and she fantasizes about singing back-up for Tina Turner.
And of course my music collection covers all those beautiful black divas - Diana, Tina, Sarah, Dinah, and even Queen Latifah.
You go, girl!
September 17th, 2006 at 5:22 am
I’ll also suggest Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. I’ll be eternally jealous of a friend who saw Nina live in Germany in the 80s…
September 17th, 2006 at 8:58 am
Are you sure you ain’t got more than one? [and don’t think I didn’t knotice that you picture yourself as Diana. Honey you got it bad. So gets yo fine ass over here and lets sing a purdy little song for the mens in cell block Q. I’ll lead since your dress looks better than mine.
Kisses,
kb
September 25th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
One reason I enjoy your blog is because I’ve come to expect the unexpected from you.
Your inner black chick did not disappoint, nor did the lead in photo. Hysterical!
What a great and unique way to provide your readers some insight about you.
If you’re checking out female singers - with emphasis on old school and black; you’ve got to give a listen to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Legendary ladies with a knack for expression, mood and tone.
Your blog especially resonated with me. I canso relate!
I’m a black man who cannot do without my daily Carly Simon fix.
Nobody does it better baby!!!
Aloha! Big Island of Hawaii Style…