This week it's an all-female rumble in the soul jungle to see which girl group comes out on top. Sorry, fellas, there's no mud or Jello involved. This virtual Battle of the Beats pits those '80s fantasy ladies, The Mary Jane Girls, up against the '90s around the way chicks, SWV with their songs entitled "All Night Long." These groups are about as different as night and day, but the music has a central theme: loving your man all night long. Can I get a soul clap?
The Mary Jane Girls were the love children of Rick James and weed. Group members Joanne "Jojo" McDuffie, Candice "Candi" Ghant, Kim "Maxi" Wuletich, and Ann "Cheri" Bailey all played dress up in outfits to match their sexed-up personas. They released "All Night Long" in 1983 and the ode to rooftop loving became a hit and will still fill the dance floor during an old school set. Quite frankly, if this song doesn't make you move, then you really need to check yourself into a funeral home.
When SWV popped up on the scene, they were a little rough around the edges. I remember back in the day a comedian on Def Comedy Jam once said they looked like Jodeci in drag. Ouch! Despite the trio not being glamour girls, Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons truly were Sisters With Voices. And by the time their cut "All Night Long" landed on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, these young ladies stepped their style game up and were polished to perfection. And the song? It was as sexy as a kiss upon the collarbone.
So what's it gonna be, folks? The flirtatious dance floor classic or the soothing slow jam?
I have an idea how of this is gonna go down, so I'd like to apologize in advance for the mollywhopping SWV is about to receive in the comments section. Thanks.
Mary Jane Girls: "All Night Long"
SWV: "All Night Long"
