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BOARDSIES DECIDE: Best Song Ever By Black/Partly Black Music Act.

Reberetta

Welcome to Boardsies decide the greatest song by a black/mixed (whatever you want to call it, let's not quibble!) music act.

256 songs to whittle down to one winner; most nominated by members, the rest chosen by me.

Rest assured, I haven't just gone to my record collection and chosen my favourites (wanted to-but couldn't see a way to pass Barry Manilow off as black), I've been doing my research-reading about the most influential coloured artists, looking at the biggest sellers, finding the No.1 hits and recognised classics amongst the rubble, and I've decided to create an epic extravaganza of music that will take so long to complete you may be dead before the end.

Try as I may, I couldn't fit every important song and artist into the competition, but you will find a lot of them here. You will have heard some before, you will discover new gems, you will have to endure the horrors of Milli Vanilli once again, but it will all be worth it so please take time to listen and vote.

First off a preliminary round for the last 6 places in the main draw. Some of these artists have other songs in the main draw; some don't.

6 Matches, vote for ANY SIX you want to vote for-even if they're in the same match. I will decide any draws.

MATCH A

Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NfPdu1sl4A

Erykah Badu On and On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CPCs7vVz6s

Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t8eoA_1jQ

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg

MATCH B

Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8hqGu-leFc

Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mecNrIaWOA

Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtwOeoeWhoo

Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI6MWZrl8v8

MATCH C

Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6RNptsBorM

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6tdlmx_GO4

Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRN_LkCa_o

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nntd2fgMUYw

MATCH D

Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194

Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

All 4 One I Swear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25rL-ooWICU

Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxRyNvTPr8

MATCH E

Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq6Q_uaJF4k

Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w6IY0v-0pA

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Py37G9qsfY

Donna Summer Hot Stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqS4aNi0HQY

MATCH F

Miles Davis Blue In Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLDflhhdPCg

Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8uxrypkqv4

OMC How Bizarre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY

Boney M Rasputin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnVYJDxu2Q

I will leave voting open for a good while, then the main tournament will get underway...

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Also Starring LeVar Burton

Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now

Wyclef Jean - Gone Til November

Eagle Eye Cherry - Save Tonight

Donna Summer - Hot Stuff

OMC - How Bizarre

Boney M. - Rasputin

Zaph

Robert Johnson - Sweet Home Chicago

Prince Nico Mbarga - Sweet Mother. Delighted to see this here, I'm a big fan of African music.

Buddy Guy - Baby Please Don't Leave Me

Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle

Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign

Louis Jordan - Choo Choo Ch'boogie

Some truly great music in this round (and Boney M), I think Donna Summer was the most recent track I even considered. Probably would have gone with Leadbelly if it had been a different song, really not a fan of Goodnight Irene.

Necro

Reberetta wrote:

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now

Reberetta wrote:

Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything

Reberetta wrote:

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight

Reberetta wrote:

Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day

Reberetta wrote:

Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low

Reberetta wrote:

OMC How Bizarre

Votes above

The J Stands for Jay

MATCH A

Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full

MATCH B

Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago

MATCH C

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me

MATCH D

Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing

MATCH E

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

MATCH F

Boney M Rasputin

Irish Aris

Erykah Badu On and On

Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

Donna Summer Hot Stuff

the purple tin

Leadbelly: Goodnight Irene
Big Joe Williams: Baby Please Don’t Go
Koko Taylor: Wang Dang Doodle
Albert king: Born Under A Bad Sign
Robert Johnson: Sweet Home Chicago
Buddy Guy: baby Please Don’t Leave Me

Declan A Walsh

My votes in Bold below.

MATCH A

Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NfPdu1sl4A

Erykah Badu On and On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CPCs7vVz6s

Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t8eoA_1jQ

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg

MATCH B

Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8hqGu-leFc

Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mecNrIaWOA

Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtwOeoeWhoo

Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI6MWZrl8v8

MATCH C

Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6RNptsBorM

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6tdlmx_GO4

Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRN_LkCa_o

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nntd2fgMUYw

MATCH D

Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194

Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

All 4 One I Swear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25rL-ooWICU

Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxRyNvTPr8

MATCH E

Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq6Q_uaJF4k

Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w6IY0v-0pA

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Py37G9qsfY

Donna Summer Hot Stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqS4aNi0HQY

MATCH F

Miles Davis Blue In Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLDflhhdPCg

Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8uxrypkqv4

OMC How Bizarre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY

Boney M Rasputin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnVYJDxu2Q

It's basically blues and jazz nearly all the way with my votes in this selection, with the exception of Eric B and Rakim!

Reberetta

Remember you can change your votes tactically any time you want. Voting open for another 42 hours at least.

Scores so far

>

MATCH A
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
3
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
1
Erykah Badu On and On
1

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
1
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
1
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
1

MATCH C
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
4
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
3
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
2
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
1
All 4 One I Swear
0
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
0

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
5
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
2
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
2
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
OMC How Bizarre
2
Boney M Rasputin
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1
Miles Davis Blue In Green
1

Declan A Walsh

It's interesting to see that all the old blues and jazz songs have got at least one vote.

Sawduck

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
All 4 One I Swear
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
Boney M Rasputin

[Deleted User]

Eric B and Rakim

Barry White

Big Joe Williams

Carey and Boyz 2 Men

Koko Taylor

Boney M

ShaneU

Can I vote for Rasputin six times?

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now

Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight

Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

Boney M Rasputin

[Deleted User]

In order of preference

Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother

Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle

Erykah Badu On and On

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

the purple tin

Could I Switch some of my vote please, Reba

the purple tin wrote: »

Leadbelly: Goodnight Irene to Johnny Nash: I can See Clearly Now
Big Joe Williams: Baby Please Don’t Go to Miles Davis: Blue In Green
Koko Taylor: Wang Dang Doodle
Albert king: Born Under A Bad Sign
Robert Johnson: Sweet Home Chicago
Buddy Guy: baby Please Don’t Leave Me

Reberetta

Scores so far

>

MATCH A
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
6
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
4
Erykah Badu On and On
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
0

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
2
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
1

MATCH C
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
5
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
5
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
2
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
2
All 4 One I Swear
1
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
1

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
7
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
4
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
3
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
Boney M Rasputin
5
Miles Davis Blue In Green
2
OMC How Bizarre
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1

the purple tin

I will switch my vote for Albert King over to Duke Ellington.

[Deleted User]

TPT with all the tactical manoeuvres.

Reberetta

Voting closes at 5pm tomorrow.

Scores so far

>

MATCH A
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
6
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
4
Erykah Badu On and On
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
0

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
2
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
1

MATCH C
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
5
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
5
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
3
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
2
All 4 One I Swear
1
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
1

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
6
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
4
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
3
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
Boney M Rasputin
5
Miles Davis Blue In Green
2
OMC How Bizarre
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1

Voting closes at 5pm tomorrow.

JP Liz V1

One Sweet Day

How Bizarre

Paid in Full

JP Liz V1

Save Tonight

Gone Till November

Reberetta

Voting closes at 5pm.

Scores so far

>

MATCH A
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
6
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
5
Erykah Badu On and On
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
0

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
2
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
2

MATCH C
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
6
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
5
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
3
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
3
All 4 One I Swear
1
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
1

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
6
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
4
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
3
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
Boney M Rasputin
5
OMC How Bizarre
3
Miles Davis Blue In Green
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1

Voting closes at 5pm.

[Deleted User]

Is this the time I start bartering?

I am happy to trade up to 5 of my votes to ensure koko Taylor gets through.

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

In order of preference

Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother

Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle

Erykah Badu On and On

Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

Kolido

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now

Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November

Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight

Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day

All 4 One I Swear

OMC How Bizarre

Reberetta

10 mins left.

Scores so far

>

MATCH A
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
7
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
5
Erykah Badu On and On
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
0

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
3
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
2

MATCH C
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
7
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
5
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
4
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
3
All 4 One I Swear
2
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
1

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
6
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
4
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
3
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
Boney M Rasputin
5
OMC How Bizarre
4
Miles Davis Blue In Green
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1

10 mins left.

Declan A Walsh

Reberetta wrote: »

10 mins left.

Scores so far
>

MATCH A
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
7
Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
5
Erykah Badu On and On
2
Leadbelly Goodnight Irene
0

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
4
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4
Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus Gone Til November
3
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
2

MATCH C
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
7
Buddy Guy Baby Please Don't Leave Me
5
Big Joe Williams Baby Please Don't Go
2
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga Loyal
0

MATCH D
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
4
Duke Ellington It Don't Mean A Thing
3
All 4 One I Swear
2
Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M
1

MATCH E
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
6
Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle
4
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
3
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Low
1

MATCH F
Boney M Rasputin
5
OMC How Bizarre
4
Miles Davis Blue In Green
2
Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'boogie
1

10 mins left.

Okay: Match A : switching from Eric B and Rakim to Leadbelly. He shouldn't go out without a vote!

Reberetta

Advancing to the first round

>

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
Boney M Rasputin

I have to decide this match. I'm going to give it to Robert Johnson-a better song, a blues staple and probably a more influential musician.

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
5
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4

Fun Facts:

Prince Nico Mbarga's Sweet Mother is one of the top ten selling singles of all time; one of the most popular songs in Africa.

Eric B.and Rakim's album Paid In Full is regarded as pioneering in terms of sampling in hip hop.

Big Joe Williams popularized the song Baby Please Don't Go and it has since been covered by many artists, including Van Morrison.

All 4 One's I Swear is one of the most successful singles in American chart history.

Louis Jordan, known as "The King Of The Jukebox", dominated the 1940s R&B charts, or (as they were known at the time) the "race" charts. In this period Jordan had eighteen number 1 singles and fifty-four in the Top Ten. According to Joel Whitburn's analysis of the Billboard magazine charts, Jordan ranks fifth among the most successful musicians of the period 1942–1995. From July 1946 through May 1947, Jordan had five consecutive number one songs, holding the top slot for 44 consecutive weeks.

Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, & Flo Rida are some of the biggest sellers of all-time so I had to include them-but boardsies have decided they're rubbish and none will feature later.

Declan A Walsh

Reberetta wrote: »

Advancing to the first round
>

Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now
Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight
Mariah Carey & Boyz 2 Men One Sweet Day
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign
Boney M Rasputin

I have to decide this match. I'm going to give it to Robert Johnson-a better song, a blues staple and probably a more influential musician.

MATCH B
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
5
Barry White You're The First My Last My Everything
4

Fun Facts:

Prince Nico Mbarga's Sweet Mother is one of the top ten selling singles of all time; one of the most popular songs in Africa.

Eric B.and Rakim's album Paid In Full is regarded as pioneering in terms of sampling in hip hop.

Big Joe Williams popularized the song Baby Please Don't Go and it has since been covered by many artists, including Van Morrison.

All 4 One's I Swear is one of the most successful singles in American chart history.

Louis Jordan, known as "The King Of The Jukebox", dominated the 1940s R&B charts, or (as they were known at the time) the "race" charts. In this period Jordan had eighteen number 1 singles and fifty-four in the Top Ten. According to Joel Whitburn's analysis of the Billboard magazine charts, Jordan ranks fifth among the most successful musicians of the period 1942–1995. From July 1946 through May 1947, Jordan had five consecutive number one songs, holding the top slot for 44 consecutive weeks.

Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, & Flo Rida are some of the biggest sellers of all-time so I had to include them-but boardsies have decided they're rubbish and none will feature later.

Love the facts - keep them coming! Are there any other entries by Barry White, aka "The Walrus of Love"?

Reberetta

No, the Walrus has disappeared for good-a bit like Sullivlo's Walrus.

Reberetta

Thinking of posting some first round matches at 6.30pm.

The first round will go at a leisurely pace; I'll count the votes fifty minutes after the matches are posted. It gives everyone a chance to listen to them. Also, I want to gauge interest as I know there ain't many black folks around here. I might change rules depending on how things go.

First of all however, I have a question: should I include R. Kelly? I reckon no one will vote for him and I have another big song in mind that can replace him; so I'll probably leave him out unless there's any objections.

[Deleted User]

I can see why sweet mother is such a popular song. It’s was my first time to hear it and I loved it.

You fit get another wife
you fit get another husband
but you fit get another mother? No!