‘Everything Marvin Gaye does is sexy’: Kathy Sledge’s honest playlist
The first time I heard myselfSister Sledge never got any airplay in the US until We Are Family in 1979. I was this goofy 16-year-old with braces, and I’d follow [producer] Nile Rodgers around the studio saying: “Will they ever play our record?” Then He’s the Greatest Dancer came on the radio and woke me up for school one morning.
The first single I bought I had a massive crush on Michael Jackson, so my older sister Carol took me to a record store in Market Street in West Philly to buy I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5 on 45.
The song that I do at karaoke I’ve only done karaoke once, with my friends and sister-in-law in the Caribbean. After quite a few piña coladas, I performed We Are Family. Everyone said how much I sound like the record, so I had to forfeit and say: “That really is me.”
The song I inexplicably know every lyric toGod Bless the Child, because one of my favourite jazz artists is Billie Holiday.
The best song to play at a partyI’m not much of a dancer, because that’s what I do for a living. I don’t hang out and party because I am the party! I love Essence by WizKid featuring Justin Bieber and Tems, and Le Freak by Chic. But no matter where I am, if Got to Give It Up by Marvin Gaye comes on, I’m on the dancefloor.
The song I secretly like but tell everyone I hate Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyoncé.
The song I can no longer listen toYou can’t say the words We Are Family without the melody. It’s so haunting, I never want to listen to it because I sing it so often.
The best song to have sex toHow Sweet It Is (to Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye. Everything Marvin Gaye does is sexy.
The song I wish I’d written Come Give Your Love to Me by Janet Jackson. It’s also another good song to have sex to.
The song I want played at my funeralPeople often ask me to sing There’s Something About That Name by Bill and Gloria Gaither at funerals. Something about it is very comforting. But in my faith, funerals are more like a celebration, so I’d like something upbeat like Goin’ Up Yonder by Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir.