Rub You the Right Way

Last updated

"Rub You the Right Way"
Johnnyrubyoutherightway.jpg
Single by Johnny Gill
from the album Johnny Gill
ReleasedMarch 28, 1990 (1990-03-28) [1]
Studio Flyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
Genre New jack swing, rockabilly [2]
Length
  • 5:31 (album version)
  • 4:07 (single version)
Label Motown
Songwriter(s) James Harris III & Terry Lewis
Producer(s)
  • Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (album version)
Johnny Gill singles chronology
"Where Do We Go From Here"
(1989)
"Rub You the Right Way"
(1990)
"My, My, My"
(1990)

"Rub You the Right Way" is a song by American singer Johnny Gill, issued as the first single from his self-titled third album in March 1990. The single was written and produced by James Harris III & Terry Lewis. A remixed version of the song exists with a rap verse from CL Smooth.

Contents

Composition

According to Billboard , the song is about sex, more specifically a "man who offers to use his hands wisely during a night of lovin'." [3]

Chart performance

"Rub You the Right Way" spent one week at number one on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [4] [5] The single also peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. [6]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [1] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

"Always on My Mind" is a ballad written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James, first recorded by Brenda Lee and first released by Gwen McCrae in March 1972. Lee's version was released three months later in June 1972. The song has been a crossover hit, charting in both the country and western and pop categories. Elvis Presley's recording was the first commercially successful version of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Think of You</span> 1986 single by Janet Jackson

"When I Think of You" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). It was released on July 28, 1986, as the album's third single. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song is about a person who finds relief and fun in a lover. It was Jackson's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, and also peaked at number 10 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escapade (song)</span> 1990 single by Janet Jackson

"Escapade" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The song was released on January 8, 1990, by A&M Records as the third single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). "Escapade" became the third of the historic seven top-five singles released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)</span> 1988 single by Paula Abdul

"Straight Up" is a song by American recording artist Paula Abdul from her debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988). The song is a mid-tempo dance-pop song with influence from the pop rock and new jack swing genres. Written and produced entirely by Elliot Wolff, the song was released as the album's third single on November 22, 1988, by Virgin Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Am I Supposed to Live Without You</span> 1982 song written by Doug James and Michael Bolton

"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" is a song co-written in 1982 by Doug James and Michael Bolton. The track was originally recorded by Laura Branigan in 1983, charting at number one in both the US and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts. Bolton later recorded his own version of the song that topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a worldwide hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I've Been Thinking About You</span> 1990 single by Londonbeat

"I've Been Thinking About You" is a song by British-American band Londonbeat, released as the lead single from their second studio album, In the Blood (1990). The song was produced by Martyn Phillips, and written by band members Jimmy Chambers, George Chandler, Jimmy Helms, and William Henshall. It became a major worldwide hit, reaching the number-one spot in more than 10 countries—including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States—and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on the Rain</span> 1989 single by Milli Vanilli

"Blame It on the Rain" is a song written by Diane Warren and performed by the German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. It was released as a new track from the group's North American debut album, Girl You Know It's True (1989), and did not appear on All or Nothing (1988), their debut album in other regions. An extended remix of the song did appear on The U.S.-Remix Album: All or Nothing (1989), which served to release the new tracks included on Girl You Know It's True that did not appear on All or Nothing outside of North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Too Sexy</span> 1991 single by Right Said Fred

"I'm Too Sexy" is a song by British pop band Right Said Fred, released in July 1991 as their debut single from their first album, Up (1992). The song was written by band members and brothers Fred Fairbrass and Richard Fairbrass with Rob Manzoli and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, it topped the charts in seven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. In 2023, Billboard magazine ranked "I'm Too Sexy" among the 500 best pop songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can See Clearly Now</span> Song by Johnny Nash

"I Can See Clearly Now" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash. It was the lead single from his album, I Can See Clearly Now (1972), and achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box charts. It also reached number one in Canada and South Africa. The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including a hit version by Lee Towers that reached no. 19 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1982, and another recorded by Jimmy Cliff for the motion picture soundtrack of Cool Runnings that peaked at no. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Close (Next song)</span> 1998 single by Next

"Too Close" is a song by American R&B group Next featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, Rated Next (1997). The song reached number one on the US Hot 100 and R&B charts, topping the former for five non-consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happenin' All Over Again</span> 1990 single by Lonnie Gordon

"Happenin' All Over Again" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman (SAW) for American singer Lonnie Gordon's first album, If I Have to Stand Alone (1990). The song mixed SAW's Europop sound with the blooming Italo house music which was becoming big in the UK charts at the time. It was released as the album's second single on January 15, 1990, and reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, but this 1990 version was never released in the US. A different version of the song was included on Gordon's 1993 album Bad Mood, and this version was released as a US single in 1993, peaking at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on the Billboard Dance chart. In 1998, Gordon recorded the song for a second time and released it as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power (Snap! song)</span> 1990 song by Snap!

"The Power" is a song by German Eurodance group Snap!, released as their debut single. It was released on 3 January 1990 as the lead single from their debut studio album, World Power (1990). The song reached number one in Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and Zimbabwe, as well as on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Rap charts. On the Billboard Hot 100, "The Power" managed to reach number two for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My, My, My (Johnny Gill song)</span> 1990 single by Johnny Gill

"My, My, My" is a number-one R&B single by American singer-songwriter Johnny Gill. As the second single from Gill's second self-titled album, the hit song, with backing vocals performed by After 7, as well as a jazz solo performed by saxophonist Kenny G, spent two weeks at number-one on the US R&B chart, and made the number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It was also Gill's only song to reach the Adult Contemporary singles chart, where it peaked at No. 32. In 1991 the song won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Male. It's also known to be Johnny Gill's signature song. This song is listed as BMI Work #1039724.

"Kiss You All Over" is a 1978 song performed by American group Exile, written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. It was included on the band's third album, Mixed Emotions (1978), and featured lead vocalist Jimmy Stokley and guitarist J.P. Pennington on vocals. On the American Top 40 broadcast of May 26, 1979, Casey Kasem reported that Chapman stated his source of inspiration for "Kiss You All Over" was "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" by Barry White. The song was a number one single in the United States, but proved to be Exile's only big hit in the pop market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Around the World (Lisa Stansfield song)</span> 1989 single by Lisa Stansfield

"All Around the World" is a song by English singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her debut studio album, Affection (1989). It was released as the album's second single on 16 October 1989 by Arista Records. It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. The song received favorable reviews from music critics. Songwriters, Stansfield, Devaney and Morris, received the 1989 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. "All Around the World" was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, Stansfield was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The song became the first of two UK number-one singles for Stansfield and the first of eight top-ten hits she would achieve in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Don't Forget My Number</span> Song by Milli Vanilli

"Baby Don't Forget My Number" is a song by German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. The track was released in December 1988 as the second single from their debut album, All or Nothing (1988), as well as its American counterpart, Girl You Know It's True (1989). It became the first of their three number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989, earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Worldwide, the single reached the top 10 in seven other countries and was certified gold in Australia, where it charted for 36 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Talk Just Kiss</span> 1991 single by Right Said Fred

"Don't Talk Just Kiss" is a song by English pop trio Right Said Fred, released as the second single from their debut album, Up (1992), in November 1991. The song features uncredited duet vocals by American R&B and dance music singer Jocelyn Brown, although she appears in the accompanying music video, which was directed by James Le Bon. It reached number three in the United Kingdom in December 1991 and became a top-10 hit in several international territories. The single was released in the United States in February 1992, peaking at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do Me!</span> 1990 single by Bell Biv DeVoe

"Do Me!" is a song by American musical group Bell Biv DeVoe. The song was released in 1990 as the second single from the group's debut album, Poison (1990). A remix is included on the group's WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album, released in 1991. "Do Me!" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number eight in New Zealand while also charting in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Gill discography</span> Artist discography

The discography of Johnny Gill, an American R&B singer, consists of eight solo studio albums, thirty-seven singles, and three official compilation albums. In addition to solo albums, he has recorded one duet album with Stacy Lattisaw, as well as three albums as a member of New Edition and two albums as a member of supergroup LSG. Gill is also a member of supergroup Heads of State, but the group has yet to release an album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Floor (song)</span> 1993 single by Johnny Gill

"The Floor" is a song by American singer-songwriter Johnny Gill from his fourth studio album, Provocative (1993). The track, a dance and funk song, was written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and was released as the lead single from Provocative on May 4, 1993, through the Motown label. American band Mint Condition performs the "floor" chants on the song, with member Stokley providing additional background vocals.

References

  1. 1 2 "American single certifications – Johnny Gill – Rub You the Right Way". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. Josephs, Brian (July 20, 2012). "The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs". Complex . Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  3. M. Tye Comer; Mariel Concepcion; Monica Herrera; Jessica Letkemann; Evie Nagy; David J. Prince (February 11, 2010). "The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time". Billboard . Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Johnny Gill Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Johnny Gill Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Johnny Gill Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  7. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 113.
  8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1321." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  9. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7978." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  11. "Johnny Gill – Rub You the Right Way" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  12. "Johnny Gill – Rub You the Right Way". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. "Johnny Gill Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  15. "1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.