John Morrison on ‘80s R&B for Black History Month, with host Raina Douris

February is Black History Month, and each week on the World Cafe, you can hear correspondent John Morrison’s roundup of R&B through the decades! Coming up, it’s the ‘80s…When R&B’s influence was increasingly being felt in popular music. John will discuss the creativity and innovation among Black artists of the time and how it touched the broader community. We’ll hear music from Michael Jackson, Prince, and one that’s particularly special to John, a band called Guy.

Stream the complete show here

*Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” I Do Not Want What I Have
Maze “Before I Let Go” Live In New Orleans
Michael Jackson “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” Thriller
Prince “I Would Die 4 U” Purple Rain
Guy “I Like” Guy
Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney
Janelle Monae “Dance Apocalyptic” The Electric Lady
Steve Lacy “Bad Habit” Gemini Rights
Jazmine Sullivan “Pick Up Your Feelings” Heaux Tales
D’Angelo “Chicken Grease” Voodoo
U2 “I Will Follow” Boy
The Killers “All These Things That I’ve Done” Hot Fuss
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “Fortune Teller” Raising Sand

Hour Two
*Sheryl Crow “Superstar” Sheryl Crow
Dave Matthews Band “Madman’s Eyes” Walk Around The Moon
Mt. Joy “Evergreen” Orange Blood
Caroline Rose “Miami” The Art Of Forgetting
Sarah McLachlan “Building A Mystery” Surfacing
Arlo Parks “Weightless” My Soft Machine
Kirsty MacColl “Walking Down Madison” Electric Landlady
July Talk “When You Stop” Remember Never Before
INXS “Never Tear Us Apart” Kick
The Swell Season “Young Hearts Run Free” Levi’s Pioneer Sessions
Suzanne Vega “Solitude Standing” Solitude Standing
Neko Case “Hold On, Hold On” Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
R.E.M “Lotus” Up

*Optional Song