This song started out as an instrumental entitled “Chaka” on David Foster’s first solo record, “The Best Of Me.” This album included many of his earlier hits like “Mornin” and “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me.” Given the title of the song, it was evident that Foster wanted Chaka Khan to record his composition. The producer’s wish came true just a few years later, in 1984, when the Illinois-born singer released her album, “I Feel For You.” It included songs like “Eye To Eye” by Michael Sembello, the title track (and giant hit) written by Prince, and “Through The Fire,” a Foster instrumental with new lyrics. “Through The Fire” is a timeless ballad, one of Chaka Khan’s trademark songs, and, without doubt, one of Foster’s best productions ever. The song is the meeting of the singer’s power and unique style with the pop sensibility and amazing talent of the Canadian-born songwriter/producer.

This tune was a big hit on R&B radio but it also crossed over to pop and adult contemporary charts where it reached the Top 20, giving Khan her first and only hit on that chart.
“Through The Fire” has been covered over the years by talented singers like Peabo Bryson, ‘Nita Whitaker and also as an instrumental by jazz players like Eliane Elias and Kirk Whalum. Recently, one worldwide hit entitled “Through The Wire” by hip hop artist Kanye West was built around Foster and Khan’s song. Another lesser-known but interesting cover was made a few years ago by one of its co-writers, Tom Keane, on his cd “Smoove and Juicy Covers.” Chaka Khan has recently released her biography. The title? “Through The Fire.” There’s also some talk of a Rufus & Chaka reunion. We really hope it happens because they really made some great music together in the past.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/through_the_fire_c.mp3|titles=Through the fire|artists=Chaka Khan]

All Vocals: Chaka Khan
All Keyboards & Synths: David Foster
Programming: Marcus Ryle
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: John Robinson
Guitar: Mike Landau
Arranged by David Foster
Vocals Produced by Arif Mardin
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

I look in your eyes and I can see, we’ve loved so dangerously
You’re not trusting your heart to anyone…
You tell me you’re gonna play it smart
We’re through before we start
But I believe that we’ve only just begun
When it’s this good there’s no saying no
I want you so I’m ready to go

Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For just to be with you I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever come what may
For a chance at loving you, I’d take it all the way…
Right down to the wire, even through the fire

I know you’re afraid of what you feel
Your still need time to heal
And I could help if you’ll only let me try
You touched me and something in me knew
What I could have with you,
Now I’m not ready to say goodbye
When it’s this good there’s no saying no
I want you so I’m ready to go

Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For just to be with you I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever come what may
For a chance at loving you, I’d take it all the way…
Right down to the wire, even through the fire
Through the fire, to the limit
(Repeat)

This isn’t just a song, it is a true musical event. In 1981, Chaka Khan and her producer Arif Mardin decided they wanted to pay a tribute to the great jazz players that have influenced black music’s world to this day. They wrote brand new lyrics to the classic jazz tune, “Night In Tunisia” and called an all star line-up of musicians to play on it. Mardin’s arrangement is superb, he has just won a Grammy this year for his work with Norah Jones but his career goes way back from working with, among others, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, the Average White Band and Chaka. He reworked this jazz pearl adding a contemporary vibe to it, putting a funky spin using Chaka’s unique voice. Chaka Khan is a singer in her own league, together with Aretha Franklin she’s one of the most powerful and talented singers ever and this song is one good proof of this statement.

The ice on this cake are the guest spots of the song’s co-writer (and jazz legend) Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock on the clavitar solo and Foster that drives the rhythm section ( together with Abe Laboriel and Casey Schelierell) with his mini moog bass and also plays some delicious prophet 5 synth to add some more colour to the groovin’ rainbow. At the end of this song another surprise is the brief Charlie Parker’s sax solo that was taken from the original recording of this classic. Foster and Chaka have worked together again, in 1984, when Khan sang Foster’s “Through The Fire” in her “I Feel For You” album, you can listen to that timeless ballad as one of the 5 songs in our “Poll” on this website.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/and_the_melody_still_lingers_on.mp3|titles=AND THE MELODY STILL LINGERS ON|artists=Chaka Khan]

Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
Clavitar & Oberheim Bells: Herbie Hancock
Mini Moog Bass & Prophet 5 Synth: David Foster
Electric Piano: Ronnie Foster
Bass: Abraham Laboriel
Drums: Casey Schelierell
Percussion: Paulinho DaCosta
Alto sax break: Charlie Parker
All Arrangements by Arif Mardin
Produced by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

A long time ago in the 40’s
Dizzy and Bird gave us this song
They called it “A Night In Tunisia”;
And the melody still lingers on

It was new and very strange
Blew the squares right off the stage
Few could play along
But the melody still lingers on

Max and Miles to name just two
Together they grew
The music was young and strong
And the melody still lingers on

They paved the way for generations
From Coltrane to Stevie
No one could stop the winds of change
Without them where’d we be?

The Duke and the Prez were there before
The past you can’t ignore
The torch is lit, we’ll keep the flame
And the melody remains the same

In the 40’s
A night in tunisia
In the 40’s
A night in tunisia
In the 40’s
A night in tunisia
In the 40’s
A night in tunisia