Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, as our retrospective segments, ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay,’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our latest feature – Chart Rewind – serves as a variation of our Retro Rewind assay to salute an entire era of music history.
This week we’d like to give attention to ‘Giving Him Something He Can Feel’ – the second single from En Vogue‘s iconic sophomore album, ‘Funky Divas.’
Join us inside:
Having revisited their career Hot 100 high when ‘My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)’ – the first single from their second studio effort ‘Funky Divas’ – reached #2 on the tally, En Vogue switched up their strategy with their next attempt to reach the chart’s crown.
Slowing things down with the seductive ‘Giving Him Something He Can Feel,’ the quartet tapped their revamp of the Aretha Franklin classic (most famously found aboard the 1976 ‘Sparkle’ soundtrack) as the second single from the ‘Divas’ album – a move that quickly proved lucrative.
By the time the tune’s Stefan Würnitzer-directed music video was lifted to airwaves, it was already zooming up the charts. Iconized for those figure-hugging red dresses and equally sizzling dance moves, the Dawn Robinson-led slow jam cracked the top 10 this week in 1992 and earned the group their third trip to that region of the Hot 100 (following previous hits ‘Hold On’ and ‘My Lovin’ which both peaked at #2).
While ‘Feel’ eventually peaked at #6 on the main hit list and was certified Gold by the RIAA, it rocketed to #1 on the R&B chart (their fifth career visit to that list’s summit).
And, despite garnering no love from the Recording Academy at the next year’s GRAMMY ceremony, the song did manage to become a staple among EV fans and easily one of the most memorable music videos in modern R&B history.
Look below to see who joined the ladies in the top 25 this week 28 years ago.
Hot 100 This Week in 1992
Hot 100 This Week
Click here to read this week’s full TGJ Chart Check: Hot 100.