THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

850-Deee-Lite-Groove Is in the Heart.

1990-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.13. Once the Groove is in you’re heart, if you’re lucky, and have the right mindset, it may well spread to all of those other vital organs as well.

Deee-Lite were formed in New York City, New York, United States, in 1986, by Kierin Kirby, who goes by the stage name of ‘Lady Miss Kier,’ and Dmitry Brill, who goes by the stage name of ‘Supa DJ Dmitry, the pair would also become romantically involved with each other during the course of the bands early years. Deee-Lite became a trio in 1988, when they were joined by Dong-hwa Chung, who goes by the stage name of ‘Towa Tel.’ Towa Tel would leave the group after the release of Deee-Lite’s second studio Album in 1992, with Ani Q. Schempf, using the stage name ‘DJ Ani,’ being his replacement. In 1994 Kier and Brill brought their romantic relationship to and end, and Deee-Lite officially split in 1996. Dee-Lite took inspiration for their name from the 1936 song, ‘It’s De-Lovely,’ written by Cole Porter, (1891-1964) that song is also mentioned in ‘Groove Is in the Heart,’ in the line,’Just de-lovely and delicious.’

Dee-Lite are best remembered for their musical experimentation, and an eclectic mixing of genres, including, ‘House,’ techno,’ ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Ambient,’ and Funk. Their discography includes three studio Albums released between 1990-1994, and 12 singles released between 1990-1995, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,’Groove Is in the Heart,’ is their only top 40 entry, when reaching Number 4, while in the UK, they have charted within the top 40 twice, with this songs follow up single, ‘Power of Love,’ reaching Number 25, also in 1990.

‘Groove Is in the Heart’ was the debut single from Deee-Lite, and was taken from their debut studio Album ‘World Clique,’ from August 1990. ‘Groove Is in the Heart’ features at least 10 musical, or vocal samples, with Herbie Hancock (see also best songs 713) given songwriting credit for the tracks main riff, which is built around his 1966 song ‘Bring Down the Birds.’ The three members of Deee-Lite at that time are also co-writers, along with Jonathan Davis, who goes by the stage name of ‘Q-Tip,’ who provided the songs ‘Rap.’ The other guest performers on ‘Groove Is in the Heart’ are, Bootsy Collins, (see also best songs 612-340-143 and 88) who sang backing vocals, Maceo Parker, (see also best songs 612-270-143 and 88) who played saxophone, and Fred Wesley, (see also best songs and 612 and 88) who played the trombone. Other samples on ‘Groove Is in the Heart’ include, the American ‘R&B/Soul’ singer Vernon Burch, (1955-2022) with his 1979 song’ Get Up,’ which samples it’s drums, crowd noise, and slide whistle. Some of the percussion on ‘Groove Is in the Heart’ is sampled from ‘Jam on the Groove,’ which is a 1976 song by the American percussionist Ralph MacDonald, (1944-2011) and the beat that ‘Q-Tip’ raps over, is taken from the 1966 song ‘Uptight,’ by Billy Preston (1946-2006) (see also best songs 737.)

‘Groove Is in the Heart’ is one of the unluckiest songs to have not been a UK Number 1 single (see also best songs 576.) In September 1990 the song peaked at Number 2 on the chart, with the compilers from ‘Gallup’ admitting that the song, and the previous weeks Number 1 single, ‘The Joker,’ by the Steve Miller Band, (see also best songs 715) had sold approximately the same amount of units during the previous week, and therefore it was too close to be split. The rules which dated back to the 1980’s said that the song which had increased it’s sales the most from the previous week would be placed the higher. Following complaints from Deee-Lite’s record company, ‘WEA,’ the rule, of which this song had been the only victim, was scrapped and joint positions were once again allowed. It was totted up that only eight record sales had separated the two songs in the week ending September 15th, 1990.

‘The chills that you spill up my back keep me filled with satisfaction when we’re done, satisfaction of what’s to come. I couldn’t ask for another, no, I couldn’t ask for another. Your groove, I do deeply dig, no walls, only the bridge, my supper dish, my succotash wish.’