This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of a 1985 film clip of Patti Labelle and the New Jersey Mass Choir performing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at New York's Apollo Theater.
This post also documents some examples of comments from that video's discussion thread and another YouTube video of that film clip that include examples of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) words, phrases, or sayings. No definitions or notes about these AAVE words, phrases, or sayings are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II,the composers of "You'll Never Walk Alone" for their 1945 musical Carousel. Thanks to Patti Labelle and the New Jersey Mass Choir for their rendition of this song. Thanks to Mavis
Staples, Al Green, and Little Richard who joined Patti Labelle and that choir in singing that song towards the end of this video.
Thanks to pianist Billy Preston and the other musicians who are featured in this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I'm not a linguist. I'm an African American who is interested in the use of African American Vernacular English by African Americans, by other Americans, and by other people throughout the world. Comments about this topic from are very welcome.
I believe that almost all of the comments in this compilation were written by African Americans. It's possible that a few of these comments were written by Black people who aren't African American and an even fewer number of these comments were written by people who aren't Black.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/puttin-on-black-viewer-comments-about.htmlfor a 2012 pancocojams post on this subject entitled On The Black" - Viewer Comments About Patti Labelle
Singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" At The Apollo Theater (1985). An explanation of what I meant by "putting on the Black" is found in the comment section of this pancocojams post.
**** SELECTED VIEWER COMMENTS FROM PATTI LABELLE VIDEOSTHAT INCLUDE AAVE Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.
DISCUSSION THREAD #1 From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh4A0OATN9g&t=1s
This is the video that is embedded in this pancocojams post. 2009
1. @PHILOULOW "Praise the Lord !!!!"
**** 2010 2.broncofangj "cant nobody do it like Ms Patti you betta sang mama!"
** 3. @Marvelous001 "I remember watching this the night it aired and I taped it
(VHS). I still have it on tape and I
love it as much, if not more today, as I did when I first saw it. This for me is arguably Patti's best
televised performance and she did GOD and herself proud. The choir was off the chain too. LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT!!!!!"
**** 2011 4. misscinderella "LOL cut up girl!"
** 5. guiana1000 "WANTED,The POLICE,FBI CIA. and INTERPOOL, are all looking for patty,she is a bad.baddd girl,OMG WOOO"
** 6. cosmicurious522 "Does anyone else realize that Patti's voice is more powerful than the choir and Mavis Staples, Al Green and Little Richard combined!!!!!! Woooooow!!
Take us to church Miss Patti."
** 7. scampbell04 "Ms. Patti singing...Billy Preston on the piano....YAAASSSS!"
** 8. kwilcox1126 "SANG IT
LET THE LORD USE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
**** 9. 163jnard "This is whats called Sangin !"
** 10. @silversleep731 "I love how she just side-steps onto the stage after holding
that note for an eternity and a day! Go
Ms. Patti!"
****
2012 11. EyeLook2U ..."Gone are the true singers that use to rivals anything but a God Given Talent, and today we are left with Striptease and Pole dancers. Back then i knew couldn't make it in show business because as much as I knew i could sing. I knew i couldn't "SANGGGGG". Anybody can be a star today...just bring your Auto-tune and you're good to go!!!!"
** Reply 12. stillwill2215 "@EyeLook2U u know u tellin' the truth; i don't think we'll ever see a performance of this magnitude from any performer in this life time. loooooooves me some patti."
** 13. jespitos "JEEEEEEEEZAS!!!!
PRAYZZZZZ DA LAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWRD!"
** 14. TheCameronmama "I am 40 years old and I saw this the day that it aired.....this is one of my favorite performances by Patti Labelle....and it still has the same affect that it had on me so many years ago....I love u Patti...u r one of the last real singers left....this is when choirs really sang like this....I give a big shout out to Tucker Baptist Church back in the day....you know that u did your thing!"
** Reply 15. @donjohnson5702, 2019 "This was the New Jersey Mass Choir."
** 16. @mzztyma "omg I lov this women so much God bless her over and over and
over!!! wwhoooaaahhaa Jesus she blessed my soul !!!"
** 17. @LISATAYLORB171 "I can watch this a million times and still get misty eyed.
Sing Patti!!!
As Seen On: Maybe it's just me..."
****
2013
18. @ShawnCCook "I am not a fan of gospel music but this performance is
everything. Everything!!!! I remember seeing it live back in 1985 and
have sang her performance in my head for almost 30 years because it made that
much of an impression on me. 30 years
later, it still touches me a great deal.
This is still unmatched and full of emotion and power as it was when it
originally aired back in 1985. Amazing
performance. Absolutely amazing."
** Reply 19. @kwasimseven, 2021 "Yo couldn't say it better. I remember watching this as a
child sitting on the floor with my cousins about 10 of us, My parents aunts and uncles were sitting on the couch of course in watching
the tv with the rabbit ear antennas.
Still remember my parents going crazy over patti when she hit those
notes."
**** 2014
20. @FonzeOnterell "That entrance alone (the spectacular range) . . . and the
woooh's at 1:28-1:29, 1:42-1:45, 2:53-2:55, 3:18-3:21, 4:28-4:30, That's Patti
Labelle! Operatic Marian Anderson
talent. and I always say this is why she is not Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight,
Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Dionne Warrick, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand,
Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, or Diana Ross! Those powerful steady woooooh's
NONE of them can do this! and thats why they respect her talent. Praise Jah! I
love this lady! Cissy Houston can but she is not a lead singer."
** Reply 21. @yaphettaylor808,2017 "Fonze Knight AMEN....Mama is one of a kind!!!"
**** 2015
22. @MrChoirDirector87 "Chile! Momma Patti's entrance alone had me slayed!! Oh she
shut that show DOWN!!!!!! I feel sorry for whomever had to follow up after
her.....My God!"
** Reply 23. @kreseananmarie6434, 2016 "Emmanuel Jones Yasssssss🙌"
** 24. @robwatsoniii4141 "I've noticed-after years of watching- that whenever Queen
Diva pulls that mic off the stand she 'bout to get footloose and vocal free!
THAT'S when the show starts! She roams the stage and the vocals get REAL!"
**** 2016
**** 2017
25. @justinwantou9145 "I was at the BET Awards when Patti performed. Her voice,
fills the entire theatre..she ain't NO JOKE. Clarity and Volume! This
performance gives me chills.."
**** 2018
**** 2019
26. @MalcolmAli "Didn’t even wait to make it on the stage before
she started going off 😂 Legend"
**** 2020
****
2021
27. @librnx1988 "Patti was handing out vocal beatdowns this Epic
night. Never again will Diana pass the
mic to a powerhouse singer😂😂"
**** 2022
**** 2023
28. @gayrightstransrightsmyrights "When she snatched that damn mic off that doggone mic stand
and it stayed in place, I got my complete life! And so did the lady in the
choir."
**** DISCUSSION THREAD #2 From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szhTtl6CuO8 Patti Labelle - You'll Never Walk Alone (LIVE) HD, published by Andranik Azizbekyan; Nov 26, 2010; Apollo Theatre, New York City; 4 May 1985
2014
1. @d2197v "What I think people miss in general is a Spiritual singer.
Patti will get up and sing her song and the spirit hits her all the time. She
then takes it to church. Folks always say, why is she shouting all the time. It
is nice to see her free in her element. She is my favorite because she has no
boundaries. Her talent is raw and never the same ever. This performance is just
a wow"
** Reply 2.@gene1536 "I just love me some Mama Patti!"
** Reply 3. @ethelstevenslove2957 "Yes she put her foot in this song......."
** Reply 4. @stonedmermaid679, 2017 "Dan Vasquez totally correct. And she's a living testimony.
That's why she sings the way she do."
** Reply 5.@deniseowens6574, 2017 "Amen brother Amen true that it's been a long journey to Follow since I was a little girl Amen she's still my Girl OK God Bless Us all Amen toGod Be All His Holiness Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Bless Him luv HimAmen
****
2015
6. @drethomas1678 "she can hit the highest notes and still stay on key "Go
Patti" "
**** 2016
**** 2017
7. @stormcloud7305 "That entrance alone with her huge voice and in synch
movement with the choir was pure slayage
She started off in 10th gear and went on up...
Powerful chest and head voice
She blew through an entire choir and then made 3 legends
into her background singers
#amazing"
** 8. @skinnerboyz "I remember watching this program the night it aired. Patti
owned this song and the show that night ! Outstanding job. When Patti sings a
song you can take it to the bank that the song has been sung ! Nobody else even
need to try. It belongs to Patti !"
** 9. @travischristmas98 "Miss patti came out harmonizing before the song even started😂"
** Reply 10. @BLACK8PHOENIX, 2020 "Aunti Patti is carrying on!"
** Reply 11. @brandonburrell8517,2020 "She's not harmonizing. Harmonizing is singing a
complimentary part with the melody. She's ad libing, and it is wonderful
indeed."
** Reply 12. @mreynol1,2020 "@brandonburrell8517 Right..lol. It takes more than one voice to
harmonize."
** Reply 13. @victoriamichaels6930,2021 "Yesssss Yassssss Yassssssssss SHE DID IT! Tore the house
down 🏡"
** Reply 14. @michellemiller4759, 2021 "All I can SAY is, MS. PATTY LABELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
** Reply 15. @user20mil38, 2022 "Snatching wigs from the backstage 🤣"
****
2018
****
2019
16. @mojobanks1398 "I like the way the choir was looking at her, they knew she
was getting ready to blow the roof off the Apollo Theater."
****
2020
17. @Thetruuuuuth "The ONLY singer nowadays who I'm still excited to see perform. She ain't no national treasure...She a GLOBAL treasure!!!!!!!! Love and treasure her.....a living legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
****
2021
18. @artisttemple8268 "You can hear her before you see her... Ms. Patti came to sing and praise, Y'all.
It's 2022 and this song still touches my spirit. Thank you, Ms. Patti. Bravo! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💖✨🙏🏾☀"
** 19. @carlosramireziii183 "that scream is mighty empowering.. can feel it in the soul!
go head patti."
** 20. @fareshajjar1208 "Patti starts a song at the intensity that most people would
love to end it. By the close of the first verse the audience is blown away.
Then she just soars.."
** 21. @queenvirgo "My God, she don't even need a choir or background singers!!!
Powerhouse! Come thru Patti!!"
** 22. @mary-ks5kc "Everything on her is Iconic, She built her legacy with her
unique talent, her voice is powerful as thunder, we all respect her, nothing
can touch Mama Patty ❤️"
****
2022
**** 2023
23. @mr.c.6620 "Everyone was shook, the band, the choir, Al Greene, Mavis,
Lil Richard and the audience, even the mic stand understood the assignment. I
watched this when it originally aired, shook then and I'm still amazed
and shaken!!!"
** Reply 24. @maverickstyles9126 "🤣🤣🤣 that
mic stand did get right, right after his homie got snatched up like a bad ass 6
year old."
This pancocojams post showcases the song "Lady Marmalade" as sung by LaBelle in 1974.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the music group LaBelle for their musical legacy and thanks to Patti Labelle for her music legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "LADY MARMALADE"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Marmalade
... Background and release
The song ["Lady Marmalade"] was written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, and was inspired by Crewe's experiences in New Orleans and the sex workers in the area.[citation needed] A demo of the song was first recorded by The Eleventh Hour, a disco group made up of studio musicians fronted by Nolan on vocals.[4] It was released in 1974 as a track on the Eleventh Hour's Greatest Hits LP which did not chart.[5][6] Crewe showed the song to Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, and Toussaint then decided to record the song with Labelle.[7]
Labelle's version of "Lady Marmalade" was produced by Allen Toussaint and Vicki Wickham. It was released in November 1974 from Nightbirds, their first album after signing with Epic Records.[8] Patti LaBelle sang lead vocals on "Lady Marmalade" with backing vocals being contributed by bandmates Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. The song is best known for the slang French lyric "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" (English: "Would you like to sleep with me tonight?") in the refrain.[9] "Lady Marmalade" is a song about a prostitute, although Patti LaBelle, the lead female vocal of the band, was completely oblivious to its overall message, saying: "I didn't know what it was about. I don't know French and nobody, I swear this is God's truth, nobody at all told me what I'd just sung a song about."[10]
Reception
Steve Huey from AllMusic selected the song as one of the best tracks on Labelle's 1995 compilation Lady Marmalade: The Best of Patti and Labelle.[11] Critic Robert Christgau described it as "great synthetic French-quarter raunch."[12]
"Lady Marmalade" is billed as the song that made Labelle one of the "hottest girl groups" of the 1970s.[13] It was a number-one hit for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States during the early spring of 1975, and charted at number one for one week on the Billboard Top Soul Singles chart.[14] Along with the track, "What Can I Do for You?", "Lady Marmalade" peaked at number seven on the disco/dance charts.[15] The single was also a major hit in the United Kingdom, where it charted at number seventeen."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Labelle - Lady Marmalade (Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi Ce Soir ) • TopPop
TopPop, Nov 25, 2015
"Lady Marmalade" is a song written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. The song is famous for its sexually suggestive chorus of "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?", which translates into English as "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?". The song first became a popular hit when it was recorded in 1974 by the American girl group Labelle. Labelle held the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week, and also topped the Canadian RPM national singles chart.
It reached #1 in the Dutch Top 40 on 8 February 1975 and stayed at the number one spot for 4 consecutive weeks. A classic!
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
All of these comments are from 2020
1. Vincent Richardson
"I remember as a kid asking my mom what they were saying in this song. Her reply: stay in a child’s place! Ha! I see why now."
**
REPLY
2. Terry Hawkins
"😂😂😂👍"
**
REPLY
3. Imani M
"I've loved this song since I was little listening to the oldies. I had no idea what I was singing 😂"
**
REPLY
4. Merita merita
"Imani M me too.dancing with the tune though i don't understand the lyrics.😄😄😄"
**
REPLY
5. Karen Presley
"Me too! I had no clue but would sing it!! Lol!"
**
6. sarrel48
"I was but a mere youngster when this song came out and my mother did not let us play or listen to this song, she never told us why just said what she would do to us if we did...Thankfully there was always someone older than you to tell you the real reasons why LOL...oh the old days of innocent were you heard about the world by from the older children's in the neighborhood"
**
7. Rosalyn
"They all chocolate ladies & I love the Afro Futurism style even though back then it probably wasn't called that.🙌🎶🌹💋😍😘💗💄🌷🎤👏"
-snip-
"Chocolate ladies" here means that they are all dark brown skinned.
**
8. Zondalyn Noble
"Sing it Patti! This song is dedicated to me cuz I AM A Creole Lady born and raise in Nawlins! I Love U Patti!!!!!! 504 Fah Lyfe ya heard meh!"
-snip-
"504 Fah lyfe ya heard meh"= [504 [New Orleans telephone area code] for life. You heard me!"
**
9. Donya P
"Soul Sisters Long Live the 70's!"
****
Example #2 Patti LaBelle -- Lady Marmalade Video HQ
Mystic Plug Records II, Oct 23, 2016
Patti LaBelle -- Lady Marmalade :: Lyrics ::Lady Marmalade" is a song written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. The song is famous for its sexually suggestive chorus of "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?", which translates into English as "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?" The song was originally recorded in 1974 by the group Eleventh Hour. It first became a popular hit when covered by the American girl group Labelle. Labelle held the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week, and also topped the Canadian RPM national singles chart...
Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Go Sister
Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Go Sister
He met Marmalade down in old New Orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said 'Hello,
Hey Joe, you wanna give it a go? Mmm, mmm
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here
Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets where oh I swear he started to freak
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here
Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more
Now he's back home doing 9 to 5
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here
Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Creole Lady Marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here
Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here......
-snip-
Here are selected comments from the discussion thread of another video of LaBelle singing "Lady Marmalade"
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
Labelle - Lady Marmalade (1975) | Afrofuturistic Funk Live
reelblack, Jan 14, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbzhmgzEwU
1. Mikal Smith, 2019
"I love this song and LaBelle and those out fits"
**
2. Kevin Sadler, 2019
"I was "Blessed" to have been raised in that Era.(70's and 80's). And being the youngest male in a family of 7 Sisters and 4 Brothers. (Including myself made 11).😁 So,I git to see the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Beautiful Black Soul Singing Groups. And Velvety and Silky Smooth Soul Singing Brothers. And I have to tell you: Those were some Beautiful Days. All of us (Including Both Biological Parents)😁 Sitting. All huddled up together. Watching. "MIDNIGHT SPECIAL." WITH "WOLFMAN JACK." "AMERICAN BANDSTAND." WITH DICK CLARK" or Saturday Morning. "SOOOOULLL TRAAAAAIN!!!!!(SOUL TRAIN). WITH "DON CORNELIUS." We had Sych a Var3 of Great Beautiful Music. I Wish I could've out some of those times in a Bottle. And about now. Take the cap off, and see how much all of you youngins would Be In Love with those Beautiful Peaceful Days. I Promise. You Would NOT Want to come back. (I Truly Apologize It was Soo Long. Once I Started Writing. I Just Couldn't Stop. 😁😁😊😀😃😄😌😁"
**
3. stephan omarr, 2019
"Pattie labelle, WHAT a MARVELOUS Message in HER performance, LOTS of MELINAN SOUL, 5,*****,musical telant....."
**
4. Garry Watts, 2019
"Best Female Harmony Since the The Supremes and Like them Broke Up an Broke My Heart 💓"
**
5. Derrick C . Kramer, 2020
"Gone PATTI..........SHE WAS FEELING THAT!!!!
Patti was shonuf working it"
-snip-
"Gone" = here means "Go on" [an affirmation that means "Keep (on) sanging" i.e. singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well]
"shonuf" = "Sure enough" (really)
I believe that this commenter (and a number of others on that discussion thread) are purposely using "downhome" Black vernacular English to evoke a flavor (spirit/attitude) of African American "country" realness to their comments. I refer to this as "puttin[g] on the Black". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/puttin-on-black-online-black-talk-code.html for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Puttin On The Black - Online Black Talk & Code Switching"
**
6. Terrell Lewis, 2020
"Patti was dancing her ass off! That’s called giving 150% fr"
-snip-
"dancing her ass off" = really dancing energetically (hard), particularly switching her butt while dancing
**
"fr"= really
****
Example #3: Patti LaBelle - Lady Marmalade (Live)
This pancocojams post presents comments about award winning vocalists Patti LaBelle's and Fantasia Barrino's custom of kicking off their shoes or taking off their shoes during their performances some aspects of church services, and particularly during some aspects of Pentecostal church services.
One video of Patti LaBelle and one video of Fantasia are also included in this post.
Excerpts from three articles about Patti LaBelle and her custom of going shoeless for portions of her performances are included in the Addendum to this post that is found after these selected comments.
****
The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to Patti Labelle and Fantasia for their musical legacy nd thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT
Some commenters in these two videos' discussion threads suggest that taking off her shoes has become an expected feature of Patti LaBelle's "over the top" performances which also used to include rolling on the stage while continuing to sing.
A number of commenters write that Fantasia takes off her shoes because she is modeling her performance style after Patti LaBelle.
A few commenters wrote that the reason why these singers take off their shoes is to get comfortable.
At least one commenter wrote that Fantasia takes off her shoes because she's a country gal (from High Point, North Carolina). But, the "country gal" theory doesn't fit Patti LaBelle who is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
However, many commenters in these two featured discussion threads believe that Patti LaBelle and Fantasia remove their shoes because it is a Pentecostal church custom to do so. If I correctly understand what was written, those commenters indicated that people who take off their shoes are either feeling the Holy Spirit or they are getting ready to feel the Spirit, i.e. getting ready to "shout", "getting happy”, “going in”.
One interpretation of those comments* could be that when women feel like they are getting ready to "go in" i.e. "get happy", they take off their high heel shoes** so that they can do the Holy dance better (without less restraints). An explanation for this precaution is that when people are feeling the Spirit, in the "heat of that moment", they might hurt themselves or hurt someone else if their shoes go flying because they have "danced out of their shoes" (because they are dancing so energetically). To prevent this from occurring, a person who feels the Spirit coming on might prevent these mishaps by taking off their shoes.
-snip-
*As a Baptist from the Northern region of the United States, I have a few recollections of (mostly) women being supported by church nurses because they felt the Spirit. However, I've seen very few people (in my home church or any other Baptist of Methodist churches that I've attended) doing a holy dance, with or without their shoes on.
**The comments in those discussion threads about taking off your shoes when you are about to feel the Spirit appear to refer only to women (who presumably are wearing high heels, since that is almost always the shoe fashion for church or other formal occasions.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS AND SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THEIR DISCUSSION THREADS
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
Fantasia's video is presented first because the comments in that discussion thread include more information about the tradition in African American Pentecostal churches of women kicking off or taking off their shoes when they are feeling the Holy Spirit.
Definitions for most of the religious based African American Vernacular English words and phrases that are used in these comments can be found by clicking http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and.html .This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean" (A-L). The link for Part II (M-Z) of that series is found in that post.
Video #1: Fantasia Performs Musical Tribute (Aretha Franklin Memorial)
MrTreknation, Published on Aug 31, 2018
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
All of these comments are from September 1, 2018 and are given in relative chronological order based on their posting time (except for replies).
This is only a portion of the comments that mention Fantasia singing with no shoes on. Notice that some commenters disagree that Fantasia's custom of taking off her shoes has anything to do with feeling the Holy Spirit or her church background.
1. xxx562
"Wow wow wow👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Just curious, why was she barefoot?"
**
REPLY
2. SleepyNever 561
"xxx562 better to jump up & down them shoes hurt"
**
REPLY
3. J W.
"She didn't come to play"
**
REPLY
4. Lady K
"It's a Fantasia thang!! She's done that from the time she was on American Idol. Her shoes off she's about to sing us to heaven!!!"
**
REPLY
5. Andrea Mccray
"💯country gal like me!!! Sing sis ❤❤❤❤❤❤We don't need 👠 just Jesus!!!!"
**
REPLY
6. Hope Jones
"We do that in church. Shoes and wigs will come off when the Lord Himself touches your mind, heart and spirit."
**
REPLY
7. Family First
"It’s equivalent to someone taking their earrings off to fight. She knew she’d snatch everyone’s edges with that anointed voice of hers. Even Jessie’s!"
**
8. Annie Lou
"She was t wearing her shoes. Any church going person knows what that means."
**
REPLY
9. Lady K
"Exactly!!"
**
REPLY
10. Hope Jones
"Yes we know all the mess we went through about to get a praise beat down."
**
REPLY
11. kjdnyhmghfvb
"Annie Lou she's now a vessel!
**
REPLY
12. Neicy Branner
"That's right! Means you bout to get some serious Spiritual Healing fpr whatever going in in ur life! Means we bout to Shout till We pass out and wake up and SHOUT SOM MO!! 👐👐👐👍👍👠👠👠"
**
REPLY
13. Briar Rose
"Right lol"
I saw shedidn't have them on and I literally started to brace myself.
She was the only one there who truly sung under the anointing."
**
REPLY
14. Cree K
"😂😂I'm tellin ya..that's when it gets real n tears rolling down my face the whole time.."
**
REPLY
15. RENEILWE MOHONOE
"Time for worship...🤗"
**
REPLY
16. YT street Chaplin
"Annie Lou nothing to do with church Fantasia takes her shoes off all the time"
**
17. P Smalls
"Mann she started with her 👠 off. This is what you call a home going service😘😍"
**
18. Audrey Reeves
"Baby when she comes out those shoes! Oh it's going all the way down!"
**
REPLY
19. Hope Jones
"I was at work didn't see the service, but I told everyone Tasia coming out them shoes. She did exactly what I said. Tasia doesn't play when she singing for the Lord."
**
REPLY
20. sharon curry
"This was not the setting to take your shoes off. Any other time I could care less, but here it is not a good look."
**
REPLY
21. shannon wilson
"It's not a black church service if someone does not come out of their shoes."
**
REPLY
22. Bobby Ruffin
"Sharon Curry she was in the spirit, so sorry that you didn’t like her taking off her shoes but she got her point across, she got a friend in jesus"
**
REPLY
23. J'NEEN J
"She should have kept them on....it was not the time to perform but to minister."
**
REPLY
24. D Lee
"+sharon curry Tasia, is not that type of singer. I am sure Aretha took them shoe off at one point in time. We either gone do it or we not. We can be fool in a many of ways, but this child brought to the alter, laid down and had a conversation."
**
REPLY
25. D Lee
"+J'NEEN J That what she was doing. Black folks have that effect on each other in regards to how we think it should be. She took if and ran with it, full of spirit and all. I love how she is filled with the spirit. This child can't do a song without you not knowing JESUS IS UP IN THERE AND HE IS NOT COMING OUT."
**
REPLY
26. J'NEEN J
"D Lee It's not always that a singer is full of the spirit....some folk can just rock your emotions....James Brown was one of the best at it. Some folk are just talented.....don't confuse the Spirit with mere showmanship."
**
REPLY
27. Crystal McDaniel
"+sharon curry when the spirit moves you any place is the right setting..she did what she was asked to do..I'm sure Aretha is proud.
**
REPLY
28. Crystal McDaniel
"+J'NEEN J you can minster barefoot.. She ministered just fine...The Heavens and Aretha are pleased"
**
REPLY
29. Crystal McDaniel
"+J'NEEN J you could see she was filled with the spirit.. Don't try to take away from the spirit moving in her and compare to James Brown."
**
REPLY
30. DJINN SQUAD
"sharon curry you must've never been to any old school church programs back in the day? When the spirit comes up on you and moves you; there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. And to be perfectly honest the pull pit is supposed to be sacred and/or anointed; therefore the removal of one's shoes should absolutely be permitted. (Let the congregation say "Amen.")👠👠🙌🏾✌🏾😉💯"
-snip-
"pull pit" = pulpit ["a raised platform or lectern in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon"].
**
REPLY
31. J'NEEN J
"Crystal McDaniel Look, I don't care who I'm pissing off....you included. Fantasia performs....it's nothing new.....she sings church songs in her concerts ...lip quivering and fake speaking in tongues...and then 10 minutes later is twerking and booty rockin' in the next song in a leotard. Everyone that squalls and screams "Lawd, Lawd" is not of the Spirit. There's just a lot of talented folk that are capable of rocking people's emotions...getting folks hyped and rattled with their showmanship.
Fantasia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NrLX2tSePU (taking off shoes and doing what she always does even when singing nongospel music.....has nothing to do with the Spirit).
God is not impressed with talent...He knows the heart of men and has given some of His children the Spirit of discernment. I discern the difference between showmanship and true worship. Everyone doesn't have the spirit of discernment...so maybe that explains some of you all's frustration. I stand by my comment. Fantasia didn't take off her shoes because of "holy ground"....it's part of her act just like the cape was a part of James Brown act......just like Patty is known for taking off her shoes to "sho nuf" sang. Like I said, a funeral is not the time to sell yourself and give a good show.....and out sing the other singers. That's why I appreciated Shirley Caesar, Ronald Isley, and Smokey Robinson....there was a sense of sincerity in their tributes....it wasn't all bout "self".......Ronald and Smokey were secular artists...but seemed to be more sincere to the occasion than a lot of gospel artists or folk who claimed to have grown up in the Church....mostly everyone else was in "spotlight" performance mode."
**
32. Demeara Virgil
"When she come up out those shoes-she ain’t playing lol"
**
REPLY
33. AbSolutely AhMazeen
"At ALL!!!"
**
34. Wassup G
"We went to chuch ...that’s right not church ⛪ CHUCH bcuz that gul sang not sing SANG that song ...🙏🏾 anointed outta her 👠 and 👄 twitchn that GUL SANG that SONG periodt! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾"
**
35. Valerie Encinas
"My wig is snatched!!!! I’m SHook to the core yassss miss Tasia and Hudson owned it! 👏🏻👏🏻"
**
36. Aiyana Walker
"And walked off like "And THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT!".... YAAASSS, FANTASIA!!!"
**
37. Evelynwashere 1
"Tasia, Tasia, Tasia!!!!!! That girl took us to CHUUCH! Not church...CHUUCH!!!!!"
**
38. Sheila Hall
" "Can we take it up a notch?" I knew she was going in HARD!!! Jennifer was good but Fantasia was even better!!! She's anointed for gospel music n u can tell she been the choir leader as a child."
**
39. Kayy A
"Sis caught the Holy Spirit towards the end too!! CHILLS🙌🏾🙌🏾"
**
40. Miranda Brokenberry
"All I have to say is, what’s in a person will ALWAYS COME TO SURFACE! I love me some Fantasia, & even when she’s singing her very own songs she sings herself into a sanctified frenzy lol! She gets “happy” regardless of what genre of music she’s singing & it’s simply due to the fact that she’s ROOTED IN GOD ALMIGHTY! I’m claiming that one day she’ll bless us with a gospel album 🙌🏾. The thing that I admire most is that she’s never forgotten WHO SHE BELONGS TO... can anyone say “we belong to God”. Amen"
**
41. Vernon Moses
"Fantasia has be raised in a Church. Fantasia better sang.
When Fantasia came with no shoe on, let the Church say AMEN."
**
42. That Girl
"Down home black church experience... ain't nothing like it..."
**
REPLY
43. Daron Peoples
"That Girl Nothing! These experiences brought us a mighty long way...."
**
REPLY
44. Veronica Delarosa
"Sorry Jennifer Hudson..Fantasia had the Fire, the Power, and the Holy spirit! She brought Church! To its feet!"
-snip-
Jennifer Hudson sung "Amazing Grace" during this same homegoing services for Aretha Franklin. These two singers were mentioned in both of their videos' discussion threads as the two most powerful singers in that 8 hour memorial service. (Note that in my experience African American homegoing [funeral] services are usually about 1 1/2 hours.]
**
45. Raquel Angelique
"Real church."
**
46. divaquana
"now when Fantasia got her shoes off you know she bout to snatch a wig or 2 or THREE"
**
47. valerie johnson
"Fantasia and Jennifer took me to church. Man them ladies can sing."
**
48. Ruben Gutierrez
"North Carolina came to Detriot with the bare feet of a Tarheel, and turned it out for the Queen! RIP, Aretha Franklin!"
**
49. Ker Ker
"This girl is truly anointed!! Her praise is so sincere. I always get chills listening to her sing.
You know she means business when she kicks off her shoes."
**
50. Nadine Hall
"Tasia did that!!! But the back up singer took it over the edge! Praise Jesus for anointing these precious souls!"
**
51. Jessicunt
"Yes!!! When the shoes come off it means there’s going to anointing coming through that holy ground! She makes a sinner like me realize the goodness and blessings of the lord!!!! Sing Fantasia!! Amen!!!"
**
52. MAMA WRIGHT
"Now that's how you do a tribute!! And when she came out those shoes I knew she was going to bring it! Awesome job Fantasia!
R.I.P. Aretha Franklin."
**
53. RichFine Print
"Fantasia that was that country revival cause the air don’t work and we still donating for the building fund but yet ain’t got a door knob on the wooden door SANGING!!! Yeeeeesssss💖💖💖💖"
**
54. LEX GRAHAM
"SOOOOOO....FANTASIA SANG LIKE A LEGEND AND IT WAS A SHUT DOWN MOMENT. WIPEOUT. I FELT IT AT HOME LIKE THEY FELT IT IN THE BUILDING.🤦🏾♂️🙋🏾♂️😱"
**
55. Ms Chrys
"Started out with the shoes OFF...knew Tasia was going to turn it out!"
****
56. Tharp PhD
"I HAVE WATCHED THIS VIDEO AT LEAST 10 TIMES BACK-TO-BACK. Fantasia, Fantasia ---- the anointing was all over you! Thank you Jesus! My, my, my, my, my. This is the Fantasia I remember from American Idol. You look gorgeous too! Proud of you!"
**
57. Queen Ndinda
"LAWWWD! Bless you Fantasia! You brought the Spirit down here. Aretha must have smiled down at you.
**
58. 020ctmarie"
Fantasia and Jennifer SANG from their SOULS at this funeral. I haven’t heard singing like this in a while but my God this was amazing"
**
59. Penjani Nyirenda
"That choir knew what to DO! Even after Fantasia walked off staged like Jesus done raptured her out, they still knew how to close the show. And can we talk about 3:15???? 🙌🙌🙌"
**
60. phylicia J
"Wooooow! Hallelujah 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 she came out of them shoes and she sung that!! Ooooh myyyy LORD🙏🏽 and the choir OMG all was Superb! It ended to soon..Aretha,I hope she saw and heard Fantasia and Jennifer from heaven🙏🏽 she's resting in the arms of Jesus now🌺🌺🌺 Rest Queen "
**
61. Barbara Walker
"Girl after my heart❤ Kick off those shoes and put your everything into it✨❤✨ Fantasia!!😁"
**
62. Laurence Adams
"we got to STOP trying to mold folk into what the hell WE WANT THEM TO BE!...the tweets on how rude she was being, with regard to NOT keeping her shoes on?...JUST STOP!!...STOPPPP!...this woman is as authentic as they come, and she brought HERSELF to the table. She wasnt trying to be anything other than what she is any other time she performs. So, if paying tribute to one of her mentors, means taking her pumps off...SO BE IT!"
**
63. Jbug329
"Lord if there were rugs she cut em,if there were t’s she crossed them, if there were i’s she dotted them.....whew have mercy!!!!"
**
64. brenda watt
"Spirit flowing all through her, that wasn't a performance, that was a testimony! Glory hallelujah!"
**
65. Scorpion Queen
"It’s hard to say if Fantasia is a Mini Patti LaBelle or a Mini Aretha Franklin...I know Jennifer Hudson will star as Aretha in her life story & maybe they are reserving Patti for Tasia which would make sense but i dont know Fantasia could do both if you ask me!!! She got the shoes off like Mrs. Patti down to a T. I’m torn between the two can somebody please help me get a better perspective because the Baton was passed by Aretha to Fantasia so tell me why Jennifer Hudson has the role? I mean she is a better actor but with training I think she could perfect the role. Does she look more like a younger Aretha hmm maybe but Hollywood is the creator of illusions. I’m confused."
****
Video #2: Patti Labelle - Isn't it a shame
golden0eye, Published on Mar 10, 2007
Patti Labelle - Isn't it a shame [Live Rainbow tour 1985]. Unotouchable! Wwooww
-snip-
Selected comments, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
[Notice that many of these comments refer to Patti LaBelle's [former custom] during her concerts of rolling on the floor and singing.]
1. Margaux Gold, 2007
"OK, rolling on the floor and singing and being Pentacostal....this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen since Jimmy Hendrix burning his guitar on stage for the first time. She is performance artist all the way. SIng sister!!"
**
2. Yes, 2007
"When you can get on the floor and SANG that good, you are BADD to the Bone! Luv Ms. Patti"
-snip-
This is the earliest dated use that I've found of the word "sang" with its African American Vernacular meaning of "singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well."
**
3. timmy841212, 2008
"That's the classic "rolling around, kicking out her shoes" performance right there!!!"
**
4. Naturally70's, 2008
"The Empress of soul was not a shamed to kick off her shoes and roll on the floor. Love this live performance. She is the best, no one in the R&B world can touch her, not then and not now."
**
5. JayKG01, 2008
"DAMN! lol, she was feelin that song all the way to the core. jeez. she got some CHURCH goin though them bones. DAMN!"
**
6. Risse H, 2008
"In the words of the late gerald levert: Patti I love u cuz u taught me how to spread my wings n fly and u were never afraid to kick off ur shoes n drop down 2 ur knees and roll around n roll around etc. I love u patti."
**
7. sljjrphd, 2008
"Chile, chile, chile. Is all I have to say. Those were the days. Believe you me, if they sanged, "Chameleon, " I would lose my last marbles. GO IN PATTI"
**
8. Mocasso, 2008
"you better work it miss patti! shes sangin.."
**
9. unavailheart, 2009
"That's a good ole-fashioned 'catchin the holy ghost' in church display.
"Preach on Rev"!"
**
10. Tanya Lake, 2009
"I don't remember if I already posted a comment before, but I'm going to post another one anyway because that damn Patti deserves another comment. The second she dropped on that floor, started rolling around sanging *woo woo woo woo, woo woo woo woo* @ 4:36, you new she was really feeling it. And don't forget those background sangers. PATTI KNOWS HOW TO PICK HER SANGERS!!!!!!!!!"
-snip-
This comment is quoted as it was given in that discussion thread (including asterisks)
**
11. KcirP EloHssA, 2009
"Show these young girls how to do it patt.... rolling on the floor in a white dress without missing a note. go head with your bad self. work it work it work it honey"
**
12. Jody Pate, 2009
"classic Patti, gotta love her"
**
13. wy424, 2009
"Tear up the stage Patti! Tear it up! Patti doesn't play! lol"
**
14. trentnjones, 2009
"She was rolling on the stage! Sweet mercy that woman can perform!"
**
15. spardicka, 2009
"Thats some "vintage" LaBelle now isn't? With a Capital V!"
**
16. So Sad, 2009
"PATTI WENT OFF!! LMAO, there is not another singer alive who can even attempt to deliver a better Live Performance than Patti Labelle, she is consistant with what she, and only she can deliver. If you buy a ticket to her show you definitely wont regret it nor forget it. GO PATTI!!"
**
17. vanessa4u4evr, 2010
"This woman has the power to create universes by sheer will alone. Patti's connection to the creator's passion is almost too much for her body to contain at times - literally. No wonder she HAS to kick off her shoes and roll all over the floor from time to time. She has to distract the body and the blood pressure from exploding. What an inspiring entity inside that body of her's. We love you Patti. Thanks for all the chills you have given us."
**
18. skinnynicci, 2010
"She sang her heart out. She was tired, but she pushed it out. An amazing performer. I have never seen anyone kick off their shoes faster than her!!!!!"
**
19. vanessa4u4evr, 2010
"This woman has the power to create universes by sheer will alone. Patti's connection to the creator's passion is almost too much for her body to contain at times - literally. No wonder she HAS to kick off her shoes and roll all over the floor from time to time. She has to distract the body and the blood pressure from exploding. What an inspiring entity inside that body of her's. We love you Patti. Thanks for all the chills you have given us."
**
21. positiveposition, 2011
"High Drama with plenty of talent to back it up!
Wow how I enjoyed this performance...it made me jump up in my office and stomp and throw my hands up...how is that for a peformance that moves it's audience. Nobody can bring it like Patti Patti...nobody...case closed."
**
22. abenjam2, 2011
"The infamous "roll on the floor" thing she does... I love it!"
**
23. B More, 2011
"this where fantasia get it from patti started kickin her shoes off 1st"
**
24. victoramosjr, 2012
"You had better kick those shoes off and SANG that muthafu&kin song, Patti! YASSSSSSSS GAWD HUNTEE!! :::takes off running in the spirit:::"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
25. tkay825, 2012
"thank you so much for posting this...the first time I saw this I realized so many things, it touched me in so many ways, first of all, i realized that i can't sing, second, i realized what an amazing performer patti labelle truly is. it changed the way i viewed her, and it changed the way i viewed music, period. she poured her heart and SOUL into this performance, not only did she sing her a#$ off, but she kicked off her shoes, dropped down to the floor and rolled around, never missing a note."
-snip-
This comment is quoted as it was given in that discussion thread (including computer key symbols.)
**
26. hprm33t, 2013
"Patti during her "rollin across the stage years" was a force to be reckoned with. Thank God this was captured on video. ."
**
27. Fabian Zamora, 2013
"She had me thinking I was in revival!!!! Oh shananananana a!!!!"
**
28. Johnathan Clark, 2013
"Pattie took them to church during a funeral and sang the spirit home with that ROFS (ROLLING ON THE FLOOR SINGING)."
**
29. Zevil Gehannivani, 2014
"omg she was feeling the holy ghost ahahhahaa sang and role on that floor lol"
**
30. Bee Doe, 2014
"WHEN PATTI CAUGHT THE HOLY GHOST AT 3:18 & 3:40! I WAS ROLLLLIINNNNNNN!! LMAOOOOOOO OMG HAHAHAHAHAHA"
**
31. traboe, 2015
"I dont think we will ever see any body roll around on the ground and still SANG smh...."
**
REPLY
32. Donovan Phillips, 2018
"traboe Perhaps Fantasia some day? She already kicks off her shoes."
**
33. dante parker, 2016
"ms Patti went to church on yoll if u don't no what that is u need to change churches r start going"
**
34. Isaac Ortiz, 2017
"This was so good.She kicked off those shoes,rolled on the floor and was still on key.And those high notes haha.There will never be another grand singer and vocalist like Patti."
****
ADDENDUM- EXCERPTS FROM TWO ARTICLES ABOUT PATTI LABELLE PERFORMING WITHOUT SHOES DURING PARTS OF HER CONCERTS
Excerpt #1:
From https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/20/arts/music/barefootin.html
ARCHIVES | 2005; Barefootin' by JOE BRESCIA
..."PATTI LaBELLE Why: She's just more comfortable barefoot, a representative said. Footnote: Style is still important: she often takes the stage in fashionable shoes and removes them during the show."
-snip-
This is the complete portion of this short article about American vocalist who perform shoeless. The other singers mentioned in this article are Joss Stone, Linda Ronstadt, and Deanna Carter.
****
Excerpt #2
From https://madamenoire.com/400447/many-patti-labelle-talks-favorite-singers-queen-latifah-show/ Patti Labelle On Which Singers Inspire Her: “Not Many”; February 13, 2014; By Veronica Wells
"Last month we told you about how Patti Labelle came for “all the little heifers” out here referring to themselves as divas. When in reality, they can’t sing all that well. Yikes. She didn’t name names though, so were left guessing about who she was referencing.
But today, on “The Queen Latifah” show she spoke about the singers she actually admires today. See who she named and who she called a mini version of herself.
Queen Latifah: What performers inspire you today?
Patti: “Who’s awesome? I think Fantasia is awesome. She’s a mini me. You know, she kicks her shoes off before she starts the show. I said ‘Baby girl, wait until at least the seventh song.’ She says, ‘Mama, I like to kick em off when I get out there like you do.’ She is one of the people that you should watch. Of course, Christina Aguilera. Of course…umm not many. There are a lot of people that call themselves whatever. But we know best. You know, Dana.”
The shade.
And then she went back to Fantasia again:
“I love Fantasia. Fantasia is a baby Patti LaBelle. When I see her, I see me when I was younger. But even though I’m not as young as she is, we can still stand strong together. She’s phenomenal. She does what she does. She takes her shoes off. She doesn’t think about what she’s doing on stage, and that’s what I love about her. When I’m on stage I never think about anything. I just sing.” ”...
****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/2013/11/prince-patti-shoe-black-awesomeness.html Prince and Patti’s Shoe: This Moment in Black Awesomeness; Awesomely Luvvie — November 5, 2013
"My girl VEG is a Prince fan and most importantly, a foolery enthusiast. And I’m tryna convince her to be writing for me once a week, in a column called “This Moment in Black Awesomeness.” Anywho, she wrote me the post below on request because she had me cackling in Facebook. Enjoy.
—–
There are some moments that are so awesome – and so awesomely BLACK – that every time we mention it, any black person within earshot will chime in with a “Mmmhm, yep. I remember that.”
The time Prince caught Patti LaBelle’s shoe is one of THOSE moments.
Luvvie: “Yup. I surely remember that. It was a glorious moment.”
It was the 2010 BET Awards show and, as they do every year, BET honored a music legend. In this case, Prince. And, as is usually the case during these types of tributes, the network asked a very diverse group of performers to honor Prince by singing his songs to him. A very pregnant Alicia Keys writhed around on a piano (not hitting every key), Janelle Monáe did her quirky cool Monáe thing…and then Patti came out.
Patti LaBelle…in all her down home, wing flapping, note shattering glory. She SANG and Prince paid attention. When Patti was in the middle of ‘Purple Rain’ and started kicking off her shoes – because that is what she does – Prince got up and CAUGHT ONE…..
It’s not often that we get to see two music legends – legends who just happen to be black – play off of each other in this way. Because of that, and because Prince and Patti are both so fabulously flashy, this moment is definitely an Awesome Moment in Blackness.”…
-snip-
This blog post includes photograph of the award winning vocalist Prince holding up the shoe that Patti LaBelle threw into the audience and he happened to catch.
This is Part II of a two part series that showcase selected videos of African American vocalist Patti Labelle. These videos focus on Ms. Labelle's extraordinary singing voice and her distinctive hairstyles - two features that she is known for.
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.
My thanks to the Ms. Patti Labelle, and the other vocalists and musicians who performed in these videos. My thanks also to the videographers and uploaders of these featured videos.
****
PART II FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Patti LaBelle Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Uploaded by kiakasha on Mar 26, 2011
****
Video #2: Patti Labelle Live – You Are My Friend – What A Friend We Have
Uploaded by AIKAN74 on Oct 16, 2008
PATTI PATTI BLEW THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE IN 2000.
****
Video #3: Patti LaBelle,Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick
Uploaded by TheGreatPattiLaBelle on Oct 12, 2008
Patti LaBelle,Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick Together Sings At the hbo special sisters in the name of love
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
"STOP ASKING WHATS ON PATTI'S HEAD! ITS THE POWER AND THE GLORY THAT ALLOWED HER VOICE TO SWOOP AND SWIRL CIRCLES AROUND THE WORLD WITH JUST A FEW NOTES! NOW GIVE THANKS AND BE GRATEFUL YOU LIVED TO WITNESS THE POWER!"
-STORMYB; 2011; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47lZvE_BQ20&feature=related
****
Video #4: Patti LaBelle and Gerald Levert - Wind Beneath My Wings
Uploaded by phillysongbird64 on Aug 23, 2008
Patti and Gerald duet to the song she would later sing as a tribute to his life.
****
Video #5: Gladys Dionne Patti - That's What Friends are For
Uploaded by mixedgrill on Oct 7, 2010
****
Video #6: Patti LaBelle - "Two Steps Away" (Concert For Hope @ Kennedy Center) [HQ]
****
Video #7: Patti - Never Walk Alone - Motown (High Quality)
Uploaded by ramsdenrik on Dec 15, 2008
Rare - Patti Labelle sings You'll never Walk Alone at motown returns to the apollo, Digitally Enahanced for High Qaulity.
This is Part I of a two part series that showcase selected videos of African American vocalist Patti Labelle. These videos focus on Ms. Labelle's extraordinary singing voice and her distinctive hairstyles - two features that she is known for.
INFORMATION ABOUT PATTI LABELLE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_LaBelle
"Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards (born May 24, 1944), better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry."
-snip-
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.
My thanks to the Ms. Patti Labelle, and the other vocalists and musicians who performed in these videos. My thanks also to the videographers and uploaders of these featured videos.
****
PART I FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Labelle Lady Marmalade 1974
(Patti) LaBelle - Lady Marmalade (1975) HD 0815007
Olga0815007, Uploaded on May 18, 2011
LaBelle - Lady Marmalade, released 1974, ein Hit 1975. Audio-CD-Sound zu Video-Material aus TV-Show. HQ-Video
****
Video #2: Patti LaBelle - Lady Marmalade
Uploaded by Bennediict on Sep 26, 2008
Kicking off with one of her greatest hits!
****
Video #3: Solid Gold (1985) Season 5 - Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude"
ronafer69 Published on Apr 26, 2012
Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude", featuring The Solid Gold Dancers:
****
Video #4: Patti LaBelle - Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)
Uploaded by PattiLaBelleVEVO on Oct 7, 2009
Music video by Patti LaBelle performing Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is). (C) 1991 Geffen Records
****
Video #5: Patti LaBelle - If You Asked Me To
Uploaded by PattiLaBelleVEVO on Dec 24, 2009
Music video by Patti LaBelle performing If You Asked Me To. (C) 2000 Geffen Records
****
Video #6: Patti LaBelle - On My Own ft. Michael McDonald
Uploaded by PattiLaBelleVEVO on Oct 7, 2009
Music video by Patti LaBelle performing On My Own. (C) 1986 Geffen Records
As Seen On: Maybe it's just me... Rare - Patti Labelle sings You'll never Walk Alone at motown returns to the apollo, Digitally Enhanced for High Quality
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a three part series on using African American English on purpose in YouTube videos viewer comment threads.
This post showcases a video of Patti Labelle and choir performing a gospelized version of "You'll Never Walk Alone". This post also features selected viewer comments from that video's viewer comment thread that I believe are examples of "puttin on the Black".((African American vernacular).
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/puttin-on-black-side-eye-videos.html for Part III of this series. That post focuses on the use of examples of "puttin on the Black" (African American vernacular) in the comment threads of two videos about the Black originated body gesture "side eye" ("cut eyes"). .
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II,the composers of "You'll Never Walk Alone" for their 1945 musical Carousel. Thanks to Patti Labelle for her rendition of this song and for her musical legacy. Thanks to Billy Preston, pianist, and thanks to the other musicians and singers who are featured in this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip-
Disclaimer: I'm not a linguist. I'm an African American who is interested in the use of African American Vernacular English. Comments about this topic from linguists and others are very welcome.
**** WHAT IS "PUTTIN ON THE BLACK"?
"Puttin on the Black" is a term that I coined for the conscious use of African American vernacular in certain settings. My definition of "puttin on the Black" is "to purposely use African American vernacular to signal to others (including other Black people who may be present) that you are Black, and/or to show off your Blackness". I'm particularly interested in the use of Black vernacular by bloggers & person who add comments to YouTube video comment threads. I believe that using Black vernacular is one way that people online can signal that they are Black without directly identifying themselves using a racial referent.
"Puttin on the Black" is the conscious, often prideful, and usually fun use of Black vernacular. That usage is in stark contrast with the act of purposely hiding one's identification as an African American culture by consciously refraining from using any Black slang, Black sayings, or Black grammatical constructs, unless that African American originated vernacular has been widely accepted by the mainstream American culture.
It should also be noted that many African Americans, some other Black people, and some non-Black people use African American vernacular as part of their natural, everyday verbal and non-verbal communication and not for the purposes that I suggested above.
**** SELECTED VIEWER COMMENTS
Warning: Some comments on this YouTube viewer comment thread contain profanity and therefore may be inappropriate for children. If any of these comments are included in this compilation, they are given with amended spelling.
2010
"cant nobody do it like Ms Patti you betta sang mama!"
-broncofangj
Editor: Notice the run-on sentence and relative lack of capitalization. This is representative of a lot of text messaging and internet blogging where speed is much more highly valued than punctuation or other grammatical rules.
"Sang" here means "sing very well". It is not the past tense of "sing".
I noticed a number of bloggers on that particular viewer comment thread and other Patti Labelle videos used a title with Patti Labelle's first name (such as Miss Patti, Ms Patti, and Mama Patti). This custom isn't necessarily an example of "puttin on the Black". Instead, I think it's an example of everyday African American English where a title is used to address an elder and/or show respect for the person who is so referred.
**** 2011
"LOL cut up girl!"
-misscinderella
****
"WANTED,The POLICE,FBI CIA. and INTERPOOL, are all looking for patty,she is a bad.baddd girl,OMG WOOO"
-guiana1000
****
"Does anyone else realize that Patti's voice is more powerful than the choir and Mavis Staples, Al Green and Little Richard combined!!!!!! Woooooow!!
Take us to church Miss Patti."
-cosmicurious522
***
Ms. Patti singing...Billy Preston on the piano....YAAASSSS!
-scampbell04
{Note that "YAAASSSS!" isn't a typo. It's a purposely variant spelling for "Yes". The additional letters mean that the word when pronounced is elongated, and the word's meaning is intensified).
****
"SANG IT
LET THE LORD USE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
-kwilcox1126
****
"This is whats called Sangin !"
-163jnard
2012
..."Gone are the true singers that use to rivals anything but a God Given Talent, and today we are left with Striptease and Pole dancers. Back then i knew couldn't make it in show business because as much as I knew i could sing. I knew i couldn't "SANGGGGG". Anybody can be a star today...just bring your Auto-tune and you're good to go!!!!"
-EyeLook2U
****
"@EyeLook2U u know u tellin' the truth; i don't think we'll ever see a performance of this magnitude from any performer in this life time. loooooooves me some patti."
-stillwill2215
****
"JEEEEEEEEZAS!!!!
PRAYZZZZZ DA LAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWRD!"
-jespitos
["Jesus, Praise the Lord!"]
****
"I am 40 years old and I saw this the day that it aired.....this is one of my favorite performances by Patti Labelle....and it still has the same affect that it had on me so many years ago....I love u Patti...u r one of the last real singers left....this is when choirs really sang like this....I give a big shout out to Tucker Baptist Church back in the day....you know that u did your thing!
-TheCameronmama
