THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
503-Minnie Riperton-Lovin’ You.
1975-Number 2 single.
Best Bit-At 3.23. I bet you’re surprised to see that I’ve included the birdie song.
Minnie Riperton was born Minnie Julia Riperton, on November 8th, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she died on June 12th, 1979, from breast cancer at the age of 31. Minnie Riperton’s parents recognised her remarkable vocal abilities from a young age, and sent her for Operatic vocal training, however the young Riperton was more interested in ‘Soul,’ R&B,’ and ‘Rock Music.’ At the age of 15 Minnie Riperton joined the all girl group ‘The Gems,’ providing backing vocals for some of the songs recorded on the Chicago based ‘Chess’ record label, most notably for the American ‘R&B’ singer Fontella Bass, (1940-2012) on her 1965 hit ‘Rescue Me’ (Billboard Number 4 & UK Number 8.) With ‘The Gems,’ who also used different names, she featured on many mid to late 1960’s singles. including the song ‘My Baby’s Real,’ recorded in 1967 as the ‘Starlets,’ which over the years has achieved cult status with ‘Northern Soul’ fans and remains a favourite. In 1966 Minnie Riperton also recorded her first solo single called ‘Lonely Girl,’ using the name ‘Andrea Davis.’ Also that year she joined the ‘Psychedelic Soul’ band ‘Rotary Connection.’ which had been created by Marshall Chess, the son of ‘Chess Records’ founder Leonard Chess, (1917-1969) Minnie Riperton appeared on all six ‘Rotary Connection’ Albums between 1967-1971.’ It was in 1970 that she released her first solo Album ‘Come to My Garden,’ before going into a period of semi retirement from music in order to raise a family. In 1973 an employee for ‘Epic Records’ persuaded her to record again, which would lead to her most successful commercial period.
The discography of Minnie Riperton includes six solo studio Albums released between 1970-1980, and 14 singles released between 1972-1980, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, four of her studio Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘Perfect Angel,’ (1974) making Number 1, while on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Lovin’ You’ has charted within the top 40, when reaching Number 1. In the UK, Minnie Riperton has also had only the one top 40 hit with ‘Lovin’ You,’ which peaked at Number 2.
‘Lovin’ You’ was the last of three singles released from Minnie Riperton’s second solo studio Album ‘Perfect Angel,’ from May 1974, the song was co-written by Minnie Riperton and her husband Richard Rudolph, (see also best songs 735) with the production being by Rudolph and Stevie Wonder (920-843-834-682-570-366-205-152 and 65.) Richard Rudolph had began composing ‘Lovin’ You’ as far back as 1971, and then further developed it after their daughter was born in 1972. Minnie Riperton developed the final melody, while Rudolph wrote the lyrics and the bridge. When ‘Epic Records’ asked Minnie Riperton whom she wanted to produce the Album, she chose Stevie Wonder, who to avoid contract conflicts with ‘Motown Records’ was credited under the pseudonym ‘El Toro Negro,’ which is Spanish for ‘Black Bull,’ as Stevie Wonder’s astrological sign is Taurus. Stevie Wonder also wrote two tracks on the Album, the title track ‘Perfect Angel,’ and ‘Take a Little Trip,’ as well as playing many instruments, including acoustic piano, electric piano, and harmonica. Stevie Wonder had asked Riperton and Ruldolph to come up with a tune that they had considered to be their ‘most embarrassing song,’ Riperton mentioned a lullaby she sang to her daughter ‘Maya’ to put her to sleep at night, so that she and Rudolph could spend some ‘grown up time.’ Minnie Riperton has said that during the recording of the song’s demo, the bird chirping was recorded accidentally, she has said that it was kept in the song since it ‘Seemed to work,’ and was included on the song’s final version. On the day of recording, Minnie Riperton’s daughter Maya Rudolph was in the studio, and Riperton can be heard singing her daughter’s name at the end of the song, but only in the unedited, or Album version. The song fades out early in the radio edit because the powers that be felt that the repeated ‘Maya’ was being overdone, and that it could be misunderstood as a religious chant.
Minnie Riperton had a ‘five-octave vocal range,’ and is best remembered for her use of the ‘whistle register.’ The whistle register, which is also called the ‘flute register,’ or ‘flageolet register’ is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the ‘modal register,’ and ‘falsetto register.’ This register has a specific physiological production that is different from the other registers, and is so called because the timbre of the notes that are produced from this register is similar to that of a whistle. I am sure that it will come as no surprise whatsoever, that Mariah Carey (see also best songs 822) states Minnie Riperton as a significant influence.
‘No one else can make me feel the colours that you bring. Stay with me while we grow old, and we will live each day in springtime. ‘Cause lovin’ you has made my life so beautiful, and every day of my life is filled with lovin’ you.’