Tell Me Something Good – Rufus | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop & R&B (#3); 1974
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
One of the hottest groups of the 1970’s took its name from a column – “Ask Rufus” – in the science/technology/home construction project magazine, Popular Mechanics. Later shortened to “Rufus,” the so-named Chicago ensemble released three unsuccessful singles before Whoever’s Thrilling You (Is Killing Me) and Feel Good flirted with the R&B Top 40.
Then, in 1974, Rufus’ funk-meets-rock (and just about every other musical genre) mix met the perfect song. Rufus covered Stevie Wonder‘s Maybe Your Baby on their first album, so when he walked into a studio session and offered up a song for them to record, they were thrilled.
Well, not exactly; a point singer Chaka Khan made clear. Unfazed, Stevie sat down at the clavinet and knocked out another one – Tell Me Something Good – and coached Chaka on her vocals.
Stevie’s song gave Rufus its first big hit and snagged them a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Group.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- The Band Rufus
- Bob Monaco
Lyrics Written by:
- Stevie Wonder
Awards:
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus in 1975
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).