Soul-Sister Spotlight: Betty Wright

Today I want to share with you the second installment of my Soul-Sister Spotlight series. This time the spotlight is on soul-sister, Betty Wright. I'm sure most of you have heard about her. She has enjoyed a good amount of success since she emerged on the R&B music scene in the late 1960's. She was never as huge as some of the more well-known female soul singers, like Aretha or Diana, but she had a few hits I'm sure most of you are familiar with.

Like most R&B singers of that time period, Wright began singing gospel music at her childhood church in Miami. At the young age of 15 she scored first hit, "Girls Can't Do What Guys Can Do." It wasn't until the following decade, however, that she released her signature tune, "Clean-Up Woman." Reaching the top five on Billboard's pop and R&B charts, "Clean-Up Woman" would be Wright's highest ranking hit. Over the 70's and 80's she released a whole slew of funky, soulful tunes. She enjoyed continued success in the 90's and 2000's after several popular artists, like Mary J. Blige and Beyonce, sampled her music in songs such as a remix to "Real Love," and "Upgrade U."

I discovered Betty Wright while living in Chicago. I heard one of her songs in a restaurant one evening, and quickly recognized that hers was the kind of voice that would provide me hours of soulful groovin'! I picked up one of her greatest hits, and have subsequently found other releases of hers over the years. The song I am sharing with you today is called "Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!" It was released in 1975, and it reached #28 on the Billboard R&B charts. It's one of my favorites, because it showcases everything I love about Betty Wright. I love her gritty, tough voice. Her music is funky, playful and upbeat. She speaks strongly for women everywhere, who have had to deal with one of those no-good, snake in the grass kinda men! You should definitely try to pick some of her stuff up, if you haven't already! Thank you Betty Wright for your undeniably important contribution to the soul music. We love you for it!

Have a great afternoon. I'll chat with you guys soon.

Love, Josh

P.S. Most of the facts I used in today's post come from Betty Wright's Wikipedia page.