Throughout his prime, Quincy Jones helped write, compose, and organize a number of the biggest pop hits in fashionable historical past for some legendary artists, together with Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, and plenty of extra.
As a solution to keep in mind Jones, the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences will honor Jones on the 2025 Oscars.
Because of this it’s good that we revisit the playlist of a number of the most important Quincy Jones songs that symbolize the unbelievable mark he left on a era of music followers. We’ll attempt to maintain it to 1 music per artist since Jones produced total albums for a number of the singers on this checklist.
Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
It’s onerous to decide on only one Michael Jackson hit for this checklist, contemplating Jones produced lots of them, together with “Don’t Cease ‘Til You Get Sufficient,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Soiled Diana,” and “Unhealthy.” However with Halloween simply passing, this felt like an ideal selection.
USA for Africa – “We Are the World”
Sure, that’s proper. Quincy Jones produced the music that helped deliver the world collectively in 1985 to assist increase cash for the famine occurring in Ethiopia on the time.
George Benson – “Give Me the Night time”
Launched on the album of the identical identify, “Give Me the Night time” was one of many first albums Jones launched on his new label Qwest Data. Whereas Benson sounds nice on this file, the manufacturing on this music is immaculate.
Ray Charles – “One Mint Julep”
It speaks to Jones’ longevity that he produced a music for the Weekend as lately as 2022 and a music for Ray Charles again in 1961. Few folks in any business have had the privilege of having the ability to create artwork for that lengthy.
The Brothers Johnson – “Strawberry Letter 23″
The quilt of Shuggie Otis’ 1971 is probably going simply as widespread as the unique due partially to Jones’ up to date manufacturing. He doesn’t do something out of the bizarre but it surely simply exhibits that Jones wasn’t afraid to take inspiration from the previous and enhance on it.
Donna Summer season – “Love Is in Management”
Quincy Jones had the pleasure of manufacturing Donna Summer season’s self-titled tenth studio album. This specific music not solely showcases Summer season’s unbelievable voice but in addition embodies all the pieces the 80s was about. Simply pay attention and also you’ll perceive.
Aretha Franklin – “Angel”
Jones does an unbelievable job of mixing Franklin’s voice with the manufacturing, which makes it troublesome at instances to decipher her voice from one other instrument. It’s the signal of a real musical genius.
Donny Hathaway – “Little Ghetto Boy”
This 1972 soul music is wonderful not solely as a result of it sounds nice, however as a result of it speaks to those that grew up underprivileged and fought to do higher in life.
Richard – “Cash Is”
One other instance of Jones’ versatility. He might produce songs for R&B and soul artists with a hand tied behind his again, however his means to create a file for somebody as distinctive as Little Richard actually exemplifies how particular Quincy was.
Lesley Gore – “You Don’t Personal Me”
In the midst of The Beatles reign as the most well-liked act in music, Jones produced “You Don’t Personal Me,” which went on to turn out to be one in all Lesley Gore’s most memorable hits and his since been lined a number of instances by many different artists.
Patti Austin – “Child Come To Me”
Whereas this music might not be as widespread as different information on this checklist, it’s beloved by longtime followers of the favored ABC cleaning soap opera “Normal Hospital. When it was launched in 1982, it didn’t carry out properly. However when it grew to become the theme music for Luke Spencer, a personality on the present, the file grew in recognition.
Quincy Jones – “Soul Bossa Nova”
It’s finest we finish this checklist with a file that has no vocals. Few producers can create a music that wants no phrases however but can say a lot. That’s what this upbeat music does.