Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

In my alternate-reality better-than-this world, DeBarge's "I Like It" was a #1 R&B and pop record for about 8 weeks. [Their breakout hit, it spent four weeks stuck at #2 R&B behind the juggernaut that was "Billie Jean." It only scraped to #31 on the pop chart, because honkies don't know what's good for 'em.] This single is amazing, funkier than it should be - especially for a midtempo record - and funkier than you recall, chances are. Randy's bass pops and sways, bending-never-breaking, while El and James' keybs add just the right spice to the proceedings. Really, though, it comes down to less those elements than Bunny's creamy backing vocals and most of all - oh, most of all - El's indestructible vox, especially that falsetto, while he rides the track out on, vamping like he's Aretha or something. He sends chills up and down my spine, trust. Not to mention how encouraging the line "when I'm all alone with you/you know exactly what to do" is.