There are some songs that make you feel a particular season. Minnie Riperton's "Lovin' You" certainly evokes the feeling of spring time, beauty, dewiness and the perennial newness of love. This release from her second studio album Perfect Angel (1974) climbed the US Billboard 100 charts to #1 in April of 1975 and was certified gold that same year. She co-wrote the honeyed love song with her husband Richard Rudolph and it was produced by hitmaker and ever-so-talented Stevie Wonder.
The Chicago-native was famous for her "whistle" register and 5-octave soprano range. Many think Mariah Carey was the first to have this range but Minnie was the originator. Her clarion vocals and pristine instrumentals insured a hit with "Lovin' You." Like many ballads of the 70s, the poignant lyrics were also essential in making it a great song. Great songwriting combined with a singer who had an out-of-this-world register created an enduring classic.
You can learn more about Minnie Riperton here
About the Curator - Sonya Alexander
After graduating from UCLA, Sonya trained to be a talent agent. After realizing she belonged on the creative end, she started freelance writing, covering film festivals for Los Angeles local papers. She's written about film, video games, global affairs, wildlife conservation and, most recently, music. She specializes in classic rock, classic soul, blues, classic country, classical and world music and is tri-coastal, residing in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans.
