Flashback: The Story Behind C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat”

WelcheMusic takes a trip down memory lane and honors C+C Music Factory in this blogpost. “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” was initially released back in 1990, but didn’t break until 1991. It eventually became a Billboard Hot 100 No.1, and reached the top spot in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The track peaked at No.5 in Sweden.

The men behind the C’s were actually producers David Cole and Robert Clivillés. Little did they know about the controversy that they were going to cause. Vocalist Martha Wash was replaced in the video by Zelma Davis. Let’s just say that one looks like a supermodel, the other doesn’t. Wash was one of the members of The Weather Girls (“It’s Raining Men”) and this wasn’t the first time she was replaced by a model. Back in 1989, Italian Katherine Quinol fronted Black Box on hits such as “Everybody Everybody” and “I Don’t Know Anybody Else.” It’s important to stress that she did not sing the vocals on “Ride on Time,” which was based on Loleatta Holloway’s “Love Sensation.”

“Gonna Make you Sweat” did not only launched the career of C+C Music Factory, it also made the producers the talk of the town. In 1992, the team produced Whitney Houston’s Chaka Khan cover “I’m Every Woman” from The Bodyguard and they also produced Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need a Friend” and “Now that I Know.” Throughout their career they produced artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Deborah Cooper.

The track was followed by “Here We Go (Let’s Rock’N’Roll)” and “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…” Sadly, David Cole passed away in 1995, only 32 years old. Cole’s death inspired Mariah Carey to record “One Sweet Day” with soul group Boyz II Men.

Download vol.4 of the WelcheMusic Compilation Playlist

It’s time for the fourth compilation of “Welche Music.” The latest set includes current US hits from Orianthi, Kris Allen and Rob Thomas. We’re excited to include Glee Cast’s latest top ten hit where “Halo” and “Walking on Sunshine” has been melded into one. Also, Justin Bieber teams up with rapper Ludacris on “Baby.” Do you remember Star Pilots, whose “In the Heat of the Night” became a pan-European hit. Listen to “I’m Alive” and know that they’re back.

David Guetta has enjoyed phenomenal success with Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland and Akon. Guetta teams up with Kid Cudi on his latest hit “Memories.”  We’re also glad to see that Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Rihanna and Ne-Yo producers Stargate has helped Lemar on his new track “The Way Love Goes.”

In true style, we’ve added two bonus tracks. Taio Cruz had a hit with “Break Your Heart” – we found his cover of Keane’s “Everybody’s Changing.” The other bonus comes in the form of Bimbo Jones’ remix of Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone.”

• Click here to download the WelcheMusic vol.4 playlist
• Click here to download the WelcheMusic vol.3 playlist
• Click here to download the WelcheMusic vol.2 playlist
• Just right-click on the image to download the cover art
• Click here to download the WelcheMusic vo.1 playlist

Will Beyoncé Return Soon?

Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins was the hottest producer awhile back when hits such as Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay,” Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” and Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” ruled the charts. Now he’s reportedly in the studio with Beyoncé, working on new material which is scheduled to be released sometime later this year. Released in October 2008, her I Am…Sasha Fierce album spawned eight hit singles. Some were only released in certain territories. “Broken-Hearted Girl” was never officially issued in the US, but charted anyways due to strong downloads. Rodney Jerkins co-wrote and produced the upcoming Lady Gaga single “Telephone,” where Beyoncé sings guest vocals.

R. Kelly Looked to Whitney Houston

“I Look to You” marked Whitney Houston’s comeback this summer. WelcheMusic found this clip on YouTube which has circulated for a while. It shows R. Kelly in an MTV interview about writing the track. He says it’s for Whitney Houston, but this was shot before her comeback was announced.

To date, the song has been issued almost all around the world. It premiered in North America at the end of July, where it peaked at No.19 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It also peaked at No.70 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was, however, issued as a double A-side single with “Million Dollar Bill” in Germany, where it peaked at No.41.

For some reason, the single release of “I Look to You” was delayed until Dec.14 in the UK. Instead, “Million Dollar Bill” reached No.5 back in October. The singer even performed a dance remix of the track live on X-Factor. “I Look to You” only managed to reach No.115 on the singles track on the back of the December release.