From The Vault: TLC – ‘Girl Talk’

Published: Sunday 6th Aug 2017 by Joe

This week’s From The Vault salutes the ladies of TLC this week. Our pick is 2002’s ‘Girl Talk.’

The feisty track was issued as the lead single from the group’s fourth studio album ‘3D,’ which  served as their first following the passing of member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

‘Talk’ saw the trio press on with the female-empowering / male-bashing formula that made songs such as ‘No Scrubs’ and Destiny’s Child’s ‘Bug A Boo’ such towering hits. This time, TLC were putting men up on game about their need to bring their A-game or run risk of having their tea spilt. An unreleased Left Eye rap is featured in the song as it was the case with half of the album.

Penned by Kandi Burruss alongside Lopes and fellow member T-Boz, the track was a moderate(ish) hit in the US where it peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on the Hip-Hop/R&B tally. It earned the R&B outfit another UK Top 30 too.

The mighty Dave Meyers was tapped to direct the track’s visual. Surviving members T-Boz and Chilli are seen “girl-talking” in the Dirty South, Tokyo and Africa. Boasting trademark TLC choreography. Midway through the video, the three members are reunited thanks to an animated film during Left Eye’s rap.

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With the ladies having just released their last album, it’s interesting to reflect on how strong their catalogue is. It still saddens us when we ponder all the amazing places their careers – as a group and solo acts – could have gone if Lisa was still with us today.

Still, no matter how the story goes, their names are etched in the history books forever and we’re elated to have lived in a world where TLC were the blueprint for everything crazy, sexy and cool in music and culture.

Your thoughts?

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  1. ? + ✈ = ? August 6, 2017

    Damaged should’ve been the 1st single from this album

    • KenKen August 6, 2017

      Damaged really showed how versatile TLCs music is. The fact they can do a rock/pop song and T-Boz voice is so unique.

  2. Caleb August 6, 2017

    I just saw them in concert 1 week ago in Houston and the coolest thing happened. During the last 4 songs Tboz said she wasn’t feeling the love from the audience in the front and said “maybe the people in the back need to come to the front. Come on people in the back.” So I jumped over a rail and moved to the front. Look how close I got to them! It was amazing.
    https://youtu.be/AaQjnb5GuB4
    https://youtu.be/YiW1LdJsKts
    https://youtu.be/72_w3xpEJ3g

  3. GirlGroupFan August 6, 2017

    ? Stilll a bop.

  4. DanYiel Iman August 6, 2017

    This is my jam still!! ?

  5. Honestly Truly August 6, 2017

    Still a bop. I wish they performed it more

  6. DC3 FOREVER August 6, 2017

    For the past month I’ve been on a TLC kick! I’ve played Fanmail into the ground that has been in heavy rotation. I love TLC

  7. Stephy August 6, 2017

    Hmmm Love how TLC gets a nice report about their flops but with Rihanna & Mariah… Y’all drag the mess outta them for projects that’s 10x more successful. Also, y’all don’t shade TLC for basically being a lip syncing washed up act like y’all do Mariah. Biased blog at it’s finest

    • ? + ✈ = ? August 6, 2017

      Tlc dance though. Mooriah stays in one spot like a beached whale ????????????

      • Stephy August 6, 2017

        They can barely dance anymore.

      • ? + ✈ = ? August 7, 2017

        They can dance better than that cow though and 1 has sickle cell.

    • Caleb August 6, 2017

      If you were in middle school at the time the song came out it was very memorable simply because it was all over TRL lol.

  8. Fancy BISH August 6, 2017

    I NEVER liked this song! It’s straight corny lol..I think Pink’s Missundaztood was the initial sound Dallas Austin had for this entire project…you can hear it in Damaged…a more rock/alternative pop sound…and the title song is dope..it has that Outkast feel…Quickie is fun…but yeah, most fans left 3D at the store…and for good reason! And don’t get me started on the album cover LOL..and yes, I own the album! Feel free to test me on the booklet album credits/thank yous if you don’t believe me!

    • guccithisguccithat August 6, 2017

      chile boo…..u dont own no TLC 3D album. why would anyone wanna test you? so you can look it up on google and copy + paste the answer? is that you Beyonce???

      • Fancy BISH August 6, 2017

        You just a stank asss heffa lol…I have the one with the corny asss pop-up in it! Gucci Mane’s sister, is that you?

  9. Martaevia La’wayne August 6, 2017

    TLC FOREVER! They’re the best and their new album is really good!??

  10. Ciah’s Turtle August 8, 2017

    a bopppppp!

  11. Unthinkable (im petty) November 6, 2020

    Actually that rap is one of the last she recorded before she passed. She recorded that specifically for Girl Talk before she passed.

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