Donna Summer ~ State Of Independence 1982 Funky Purrfection Version

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Happy 4th of July!

After her platinum success of "Bad Girls", the sound of hit music changed in 1980 and Donna really did stretch artistically with the new wavish "The Wanderer" ending up with a #3 Hot100 hit. Still, her subsequent turn towards a more rock approach was not as successful as her balanced disco rock of "Bad Girls".


Her next project entitled "I'm A Rainbow" was recorded, completed and then sent to Casablanca executives who promptly shelved it after teasing two songs; "Romeo" on the "Flashdance" soundtrack and "Highway Runner" on the "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" OST.


As a result, Donna still owed her old label one more LP, but she had already signed with David Geffen's new label and went back into the studio to record the album with Quincy Jones spending the next year in the studio right alongside Donna's pregnancy, which made it a challenge for her.

The album was a success, driven by the lead off single the very sleekly funky "Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger) a #10 pop hit. The album showcased Donna vocals with a variety of solid songs, like the Bruce Springsteen penned "Protection" and "State Of Independence", originally written and performed by Jon & Vangelis. "Independence" was an album track on their collaborative effort "Friends Of Mr Cairo".


Under Jones direction, the song becomes an anthem as it builds and builds until the All Star Chorus chimes in at the very end with a message to love others and yourself. That All Star Chorus is Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, Dionne Warwick, Dara Bernard, Donna Gaines, Chris Geppert (Cross), Dyan Cannon, Peggy Lipton, Quincy Jones and Steveland Morris who is better known as Stevie Wonder. With all that star power one would have thought that it should have done better than peaking at #40.

The original by Jon & Vangelis never charted in the US. Her follow up was the #33 "The Woman In Me" in the spring of 1983. Her next LP produced by Michael Omartian put her back in the Top 5 with #3 pop hit "She Works Hard For The Money" also became a #1 R&B hit for three weeks. Her version of "State Of Independence" has become a cult favorite since them and the positive lyrics sung with her voice, is the sound of higher love today.

Miss you much, Miss Donna.
Category
Funky