In a Special Way
Encyclopedia
In a Special Way is the third studio album released by family singing group DeBarge
released on the Gordy
label on September of 1983.
and the writing credits varying from El, Marty, James and Bunny, the album reached gold after the releases of the following singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me in a Special Way
", which hit number one on the Billboard
R&B and adult contemporary singles chart respectively.
The album is most memorable for not only its singles but album tracks such as "Stay with Me
" (led by El) and "A Dream" (sung and penned by sister Bunny
) largely due their subsequent sampling in modern Hip-Hop and R&B tracks. The album has been regarded by some critics as a "classic" in the family group's catalog.
DeBarge
DeBarge was a sibling music group of American origin whose repertoire included R&B, soul, funk, and later gospel. Active as a professional recording group from 1979 and 1989, the group was one of the few recording acts to bring success to the Motown label during the 1980s.-Background:Hailing from...
released on the Gordy
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
label on September of 1983.
Reception
Produced, by El DeBargeEl DeBarge
Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American R&B/pop falsetto singer and was the focal point and lead singer of the family group DeBarge throughout the early to mid-1980s....
and the writing credits varying from El, Marty, James and Bunny, the album reached gold after the releases of the following singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me in a Special Way
Love Me In a Special Way
"Love Me in a Special Way" is a song written and produced by El DeBarge and recorded by R&B family group DeBarge, released on the Gordy label. It was the second single from their third studio album In a Special Way.-Overview:...
", which hit number one on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
R&B and adult contemporary singles chart respectively.
The album is most memorable for not only its singles but album tracks such as "Stay with Me
Stay with Me (DeBarge song)
"Stay With Me" is a song performed by popular Motown recording group DeBarge issued on their popular 1983 album, In a Special Way.-Song information:...
" (led by El) and "A Dream" (sung and penned by sister Bunny
Bunny Debarge
Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer-songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge...
) largely due their subsequent sampling in modern Hip-Hop and R&B tracks. The album has been regarded by some critics as a "classic" in the family group's catalog.
Track listing
- All Songs Published By Jobete Music except track 4 (Jobete Music, Irving Music Inc. & Wep Music).
- "Be My Lady" (J. DeBargeJames DeBargeJames Curtis DeBarge is an American R&B and soul singer. He was one of the members of the singing family group DeBarge, who became stars with their 1980s songs "All This Love", "In a Special Way", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now?".DeBarge is also known for his 1984 marriage to...
) (4:15) - "Stay with MeStay with Me (DeBarge song)"Stay With Me" is a song performed by popular Motown recording group DeBarge issued on their popular 1983 album, In a Special Way.-Song information:...
" (M. DeBargeMark DeBargeMark "Marty" DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, trumpeter and flugelhorn player best known for his work as member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge...
/B. DeBargeBunny DebargeEtterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer-songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge...
) (3:45) - "Time Will Reveal" (E. DeBarge/B. DeBarge) (4:17)
- "Need Somebody" (J. DeBarge) (4:31)
- "Love Me in a Special WayLove Me In a Special Way"Love Me in a Special Way" is a song written and produced by El DeBarge and recorded by R&B family group DeBarge, released on the Gordy label. It was the second single from their third studio album In a Special Way.-Overview:...
" (E. DeBarge) (4:13) - "Queen of My Heart" (E. DeBarge) (4:37)
- "Baby, Won't Cha Come Quick?" (E. DeBarge/Fisher) (4:35)
- "I Give Up on You" (J. DeBarge/PrestonBilly PrestonWilliam Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
) (3:45) - "A DreamA Dream (DeBarge song)"A Dream" is a 1983 song performed and recorded by the famed Motown singing family, DeBarge, for their album, In a Special Way. Though the song was not released as a single and was not a hit, the song's key legacy derives from the fame it received from the interpolation of its melody being utilized...
" (B. DeBarge) (4:23)
DeBarge
- Bunny DeBargeBunny DebargeEtterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer-songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge...
: Vocals, Rhythm Arrangements - James DeBargeJames DeBargeJames Curtis DeBarge is an American R&B and soul singer. He was one of the members of the singing family group DeBarge, who became stars with their 1980s songs "All This Love", "In a Special Way", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now?".DeBarge is also known for his 1984 marriage to...
: Vocals, Rhythm Arrangements - El DeBargeEl DeBargeEldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American R&B/pop falsetto singer and was the focal point and lead singer of the family group DeBarge throughout the early to mid-1980s....
: Vocals, Keyboards, Rhythm Arrangements - Randy DeBargeRandy DeBargeWilliam Randall "Randy" DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer and bass guitarist, best known for being one of the original members of the popular Motown singing family group DeBarge...
: Vocals, Bass - Mark DeBargeMark DeBargeMark "Marty" DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, trumpeter and flugelhorn player best known for his work as member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge...
: Vocals, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Additional Personnel
- Bunny Hull, Jim GilstrapJim GilstrapJim Gilstrap is an American singer best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.-Career:...
: Vocal Backing - Charles Fearing, Paul Jackson Jr.: Guitars
- Greg PhillinganesGreg PhillinganesGreg Phillinganes is an active session keyboardist in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, Detroit Michigan....
, Larry Van Nash: Keyboards - "Ready" Freddie WashingtonFreddie Washington (bassist)"Ready" Freddie Washington is an American session bassist who has played with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Aaron Neville, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, B.B...
, James Jamerson, Jr.James JamersonJames Lee Jamerson was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of Motown Records' hits in the 1960s and early 1970s , and he is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history...
, Nathan EastNathan EastNathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
: Bass - Harvey Mason, Jr.Harvey Mason, Jr.Harvey Mason, Jr. is a songwriter, record producer and movie producer. He has written and produced songs for some of the biggest legends in the music industry including Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross as well as today’s superstars like Britney Spears, Jordin...
, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Ricky Lawson: Drums, Percussion
Charts
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||
| 1983 | In a Special Way In a Special Way In a Special Way is the third studio album released by family singing group DeBarge released on the Gordy label on September of 1983.-Reception:... |
36 | 4 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
Adult Contemporary | ||
| 1983 | "Time Will Reveal" | 18 | 1 | 12 |
| 1984 | "Love Me In A Special Way" | 45 | 11 | — |