Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Fifty years ago a singer named Lyn Collins released a funk record that would become a very influential song in hip hop; samples from it were used in dozens of rap songs.  That record, written and produced by James Brown, was “Think (About It).”

“Think (About It)’ only made it to #66 on Billboard’s Hot 100, but did reach the top 10 on the Soul chart.

If you’re familiar with “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, you will instantly recognize the distinctive “Woo-Yeah” sample that is the heart of “It Takes Two.”  A 1989 article in Spin magazine ranked it as the greatest single of all time!  (Spin was obviously trying hard to be hip.)

On its own, “Think” is a fun listen.  The grooves are funky and support Collins’ muscular growl.  Her performance is worthy of the female empowerment lyrics.

Hey, fellas
I’m talking to you, you and you too
Do you guys know who I’m talking to?

Those of you who go out and stay
Out all night and half the next day
And expect us to be home
When you get there

But let me tell you something
The sisters are not going for that no more
‘Cause we realize two things
That you aren’t doing anything for us
We can better do by ourselves

So from now on, we gonna use
What we got to get what we want

So, you’d better think, think
Now’s the time when we have
That’s the thing I never will forget

Collins died in 2005 at the age of 56, from heart disease.

Enjoy… until next week.