from LIVING IN THE STREETS/THERE’S A STAR FOR EVERYONE (single)
written by Rod Temperton
“Living In The Streets” was an irresistible dance tune included in Aretha Franklin’s 1981 album “Love All The Hurt Away.” Written by hit pop/R&B songwriter Rod Temperton, this catchy song and the entire album was produced by the legendary Arif Mardin. “Living In The Streets” presented a deluxe instrumental track arranged by Temperton with Jerry Hey and delivered by some of the most amazing musicians of that era.
There were the superb talents of the late Jeff Porcaro and David Williams on drums and guitar respectively, Louis Johnson on bass, Greg Phillinganes on synths and David Foster on the electric piano. In those days, Foster was a fixture on Mardin’s productions and considered the Turkish-born music-maker one of his mentors. Given the noteworthy caliber of this composition and the song’s magnificent musical flavor, the legendary “Queen Of Soul” only had to let her fantastic voice fly high to create an up-tempo moment that sounds as fresh today as it did more than thirty years ago. “Living In The Streets” was released as a single early in 1982. It was backed up by another beautiful song entitled “There’s A Star For Everyone,” a tender ballad co-written by master songwriters Allee Willis, David Lasley and Don Yowell. Again, Aretha owns that song with her spectacular voice and the benefit of Mardin’s top-notch production and arrangement.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/livin_in_the_streets.mp3|titles=Living In The Streets|artists=Aretha Franklin]
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Louis Johnson
Guitar: David Williams
Electric Piano: David Foster
Synthesizer & Synthesizer Solo: Greg Phillinganes
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals: Aretha Franklin, Mark Stevens & Marcy Levy
Rhythm & Background vocals Arranged by Rod Temperton
Brass & Strings Arranged by Jerry Hey & Rod Temperton
Produced by Arif Mardin
Lyrics
People workin’ night and day
You need to take some time out to get away
Life is just a one way ride
There ain’t no second chance that you can try
Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight
Yeah, I know you sure feelin’ low
It’s time to get on up and steal the show
Leave your worries all behind
You’ve got to make your smile the bottom line
Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight
Do just what you want to do, you know that you can try
Get the groove and take it to the sky, here on dancin’ night
Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight
Do just what you want to do, let no one pull you down
Join the party, people let it last, all night to party
Spread the feelin’ through the land
We’ve got to share this action while we can
No more talkin’, no more chat
We’re gonna make this evenin’ come alive
Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight
Livin’ in the streets tonight, livin’ in the streets tonight
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on, out we’ll smoke this town together