Street Songs (album)


Street Songs is the fifth album by American musician Rick James, released in April 1981 on Gordy Records. "Give It to Me Baby", the lead song and single from the album, became James' second number one single on the R&B chart. It spent five weeks at the top spot. The fifth song on the album, "Super Freak", was also one of James' biggest hits. A Deluxe Edition was released in 2001 containing an additional 17 mixes and live versions of the album tracks. Although the song "Fire and Desire" was not originally released as a single, the song itself received much airplay on R&B radio stations and has since become a classic hit.

Reception

The album became an immediate success upon its release, eventually reaching number three on the US Pop chart and spending twenty weeks at number one on the US R&B chart. The album was certified platinum in the US in July 1981. By 1983, the album had sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide. At the 1982 Grammys, James was nominated for Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance for the album while being the first African American male artist to be nominated in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category for the song "Super Freak".

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Rick James, except where noted.
;Side A
  1. "Give It to Me Baby"
  2. "Ghetto Life"
  3. "Make Love to Me"
  4. "Mr. Policeman"
;Side B
  1. "Super Freak"
  2. "Fire and Desire"
  3. "Call Me Up"
  4. "Below the Funk "

    2001 Deluxe edition

;Disc One
;Disc Two
  1. "Introduction"
  2. "Ghetto Life"
  3. "Big Time"
  4. "Come Into My Life"
  5. "I'm a Sucker for Love"
  6. "Square Biz"
  7. "Fire It Up"
  8. "Love Gun"
  9. "Do You Want Some Funk "
  10. "Mary Jane"
  11. "Super Freak"
  12. "You and I"
  13. "Give It to Me Baby"

    2002 Remastered edition

Personnel

Performers
Musicians

Singles

Certifications

Later samples