I've Got the Music in Me - Kiki Dee Band (1974) 5/6/21

Whenever I hear today's "Great Song of the '70s," the term "tour de force" immediately comes to mind. And then I crank up the radio!

In 1974, Kiki Dee--who, for years, had been a staff singer for the BBC--cut loose with a song that kicked into high gear from the get-go...and never stopped!

In fact, "I've Got the Music in Me" gets better and better until it ends with a bang...and then starts over! (Songwriting credit goes to Kiki's keyboardist Bias Boshell.)

For some reason, the song was NOT a Top 10 record. It did, however, make it to #12 on Billboard's Hot 100, and in UK, it reached #19.

Perhaps they should have released the longer LIVE version. Click the link below and WATCH Kiki REALLY kick it!

In any event, it certainly gave a HUGE boost to Kiki's career: In 1976, she was tapped by Elton John for "Don't Go Breaking my Heart," which we highlighted just a few weeks ago: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/300700424736745

After that, she was one of the most sought after background singers in the UK, appearing with Elton several times, as well as The Alan Parsons Project and others.

Under her real name, Paulene Matthews, she became the first British singer to sign with Motown Records. She even tried her hand at musical theatre, appearing in London West End productions like "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "Blood Brothers," which led to an Olivier Award (The British Tonys) nomination for "Best Actress in a Musical."

Note; "I've Got the Music in Me" has been covered dozens of times by some mighty big names, including Aretha Franklin, Thelma Houston, Heart, Sheena Easton, Tina Turner, Cher, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez...and the list goes on!

Recently, the song was covered by the cast of "Zoey's Incredible Playlist!"

It's obvious that Kiki Dee had the "music in her," and her "Great Song of 1974" was just the beginning!

STUDIO Version:

LIVE Version:

Zoey (Jane Levy):