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favorite luther vandross songs, luther vandross, luther vandross birthday, luther vandross tribute, soul music, soul music icons
by vivrant thang on luther vandross
Today would have been Luther’s 57th birthday. I really miss that man. I grew up on his music. As the child of a baby boomer, I had no choice!
I vividly remember that day in July when he passed. I was on my way to the mall and heard the news on the radio. For some reason I didn’t have my cell so I pulled off the road to call my mother. She was practically in tears. We attended the Essence Music Festival a few days later, which he always closed out. They had quickly pulled together a moving tribute, in which Gerald Levert took part.
TOO. SOON.
I was in Philly this weekend for the Steve Harvey/Mo’Nique comedy show and had a chance to hear Danny Clay perform – a man who many swear is Luther reincarnated. Normally that would get the major side-eye from me. [thanks SB!]
However, this man here could be the truth. Danny is a former inmate that called into Steve’s morning show and just started singing. Steve told him to hold on and the rest is history. He’s taken Danny under his wing and now he’s opening for him on his “Still Trippin” tour. Luther’s mother also heard him sing before she passed and gave him her stamp of approval.
In my opinion, there will neva eva eva – in this lifetime or the next – be another Luther. His voice just can’t be duplicated. I will say that Danny definitely comes the closest I’ve ever heard. I would book him to sing Here and Now at my wedding. 🙂 I look forward to his original songs because his voice is indeed – so amazing.
Let’s celebrate Luther today. Here are me and The First Lady’s favorites. What are yours?
*update: Head on over to DJ Diva’s spot and cop her hot Luther mixes: Slow Jams and Fast Mix.
Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (Superstar -originally Delaney/Bonnie and Until – Stevie Wonder classic)
(STILL trying to recover from the massacre at Little Ursher)
A House Is Not A Home (gives me chills- if you only watch one, this is it!)
note: originally sung by Dionne Warwick, who is in the audience and is understandably moved to tears)
Love Won’t Let Me Wait
(remake of Major Harris classic)
Anyone Who Had A Heart (remake of 1963 Dionne Warwick classic)
(highlight of the So Amazing All Star Tribute album is the duet with Luther and Elton John)
Wait For Love
(this song has got me through some rough times!)
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 
I’ll jump first (in no particular order):
Dance With My Father
Make Me A Believer
Other Side Of The World (heck the whole The Night I Fell In Love Album)
Superstar
A House Is Not A Home
Never Too Much
She Loves Me Back
I find it hard to limit my choices, so I’ll stop there. I could probably name two dozen others. The man is truly missed and I am so glad I have his CDs to remember him by.
I saw him in concert twice and each time he never failed to put on an outstanding show. There may never be another Luther Vandross; but if Danny Clay is the truth, R&B music is all the better for it.
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Superstar
A House Is Not A Home
Dance With My Father
If This World Were Mine
The Closer I Get To You remake
Can I Take You Out Tonight
If Only For One Night/Creepin’
And numerous others whose names I can’t remember off the top of my head because I just woke up from a nap.
Luther will never be replaced. I remember where I was and what I was doing when I found out that he died. Every year, the local radio stations play his music on his death day and (I think) on his birthday.
May he. and now his mother, rest in peace.
@ tws- Thanks for jumping first 🙂 Like you, I had to stop myself. It’s virtually impossible to narrow down your faves from artists like Luther. I didn’t even get into his uptempo tracks. I would have been here forever. From your list, Dance With My Father (always makes me well up for personal reasons) and Never Too Much would be added to this list. Re: Danny Clay, agreed. I look forward to what he can bring to the table. He certainly has a testimony.
@ph – You did great just having woke up from a nap. Shoo, I wrote this having woken up from an extended nap! Everything you have on your list (that’s not already on mine) would be added too. Thanks for sharing in this celebration of his music.
Definitely gone too soon. My mom is crazy about that man.
My favorites:
So Amazing
Here and Now
Take You Out
A House is Not A Home
If This World Was World
Dancing With My Father (my heart)
wow, just so many. Remember I used to always have to “put my record on” for my moms. lol.
I’ve never heard of Danny Clay, but I will take your word for it and check him out.
Sidebar: do you have the link to the Soul Bounce shout? I couldn’t find it.
lmao @ prince giving the side-eye.
I was on my way out of my house to our Family Reunion when they jumped in on the radio and made the announcement…I was standing in my living room and just crumpled to the floor in tears…
I just miss him…there will never be another, period…
And the Prince side-eye?
::crying::
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I love Luther singing slow songs, but I also liked his fast ones too…
Power of Love/Love Power
Stop for Love
Mistletoe Jam (even when it’s not Christmas)
Love the One You’re With
Never Too Much
Wow! I have to find more Luther music to add to the collection! We miss you Luther….
(and Prince’s side eye is HILARIOUS!)
ok I fell out at the Prince side eye…
Not really trying to pimp myself in your comments but I did 3 mixes of Luther music during the week of my birthday…1 fast mix and 2 slow…go cop em…they free LOL
Happy birthday Luther…I will always miss and love u!
I see someone already listed Power Of Love/Love Power. I loved that song, couldn’t play it enough. Just thinking about the topic again I came up with a few more including the one mentioned above:
Second Time Around
I Wanted Your Love
If I Didn’t Know Better
Searching/The Glow Of Love (w/Change)
No one did it quite like Luther.
@ don – great list. we definitely share some faves. I love “Take You Out” with “Fancy” in the video.
@ Marvalus – loved the luther tribute over at your site. i think most people can remember where they were when they heard the news.
@sabrina – thanks for highlighting the uptempo tracks. Stop For Love and Never Too Much are definitely on my list.
@DJ Diva – Pimp on girl! We LOVE free music round these parts. I’m about to link them up on my post. Thanks for mentioning! I subscribe. Don’t know how I missed them!
@tws- I love Searching/Glow of Love as well. Thank you so much for your comments on this post and for celebrating Luther.
Heads up everyone: Stevie’s bday is rapidly approaching…a week before mine. 5/13. Start making your list. It will be a LONG post. After all, he is the reason for this blog!
Well then Ima have to do a podcast or two LOL you heard it here first.
Thanks for the love V….I made sure and added you to the list of “Musically Minded Folks” on my spot!
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