Forget Me Nots

Infobox Single
Name = Forget Me Nots
Artist = Patrice Rushen
from Album = Straight From the Heart
Released = April 26, 1982
Format = 7" single
12" single
Recorded = 1982
Genre = Funk
Length = 4:45
Label = Rhino
Writer = Terri McFadden
Patrice Rushen
Freddie Washington
Producer = Patrice Rushen
Certification = Gold
Last single = "Never Gonna Give You Up"
(1981)
This single = "Forget Me Nots"
(1982)
Next single = "Breakout!"
(1982)

"Forget Me Nots" is a 1982 hit recording by R&B singer songwriter Patrice Rushen.

Originally deemed by record label executives as a "flop", Rushen bravely released the song and to her better judgement, the song became a Top 40 (#23) pop and Top 5 (#2) R&B hit on the "Billboard" charts and is the hit she's most notable for. Patrice Rushen was nominated for a Grammy Award on the Grammy Awards 25th anniversary for Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The bass line is particularly recognizable, and was performed on the record by session bass player Freddie Washington.

The song has been heavily sampled by artists in different genres including George Michael's "Fastlove" (which samples the song near the end), Will Smith's 1997 blockbuster smash, "Men in Black" and, on the same year, by the french rapper MC Solaar on "Les Temps changent" from his funk-inspired "Paradisiaque" album. In 1996, Eurodance/Dance-pop duo La Bouche covered it on their remix album, "All Mixed Up".

In 2006 jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour collaborated with Patrice Rushen and South African singer Zamajobe on a cover version of the song for his album, "Smoke 'n Mirrors". Zamajobe sang the lead vocal, with Rushen on background vocals, Fender Rhodes and an organ solo. The version featured a brief African rhythm interlude. [ [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=25882 Smoke 'n' Mirrors] , by Woodrow Wilkins, AllAboutJazz.com, June 14, 2007 ]

In 2007 German dance project Vinylshakerz released their version of Forget Me Nots.

References