John Morrison on ‘80s R&B for Black History Month, with host Raina Douris

February is Black History Month, and each week on the World Cafe, you can hear correspondent John Morrison’s roundup of R&B through the decades! Coming up, it’s the ‘80s…When R&B’s influence was increasingly being felt in popular music. John will discuss the creativity and innovation among Black artists of the time and how it touched the broader community. We’ll hear music from Michael Jackson, Prince, and one that’s particularly special to John, a band called Guy.

Stream the complete show here

*Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” I Do Not Want What I Have

Maze “Before I Let Go” Live In New Orleans

Michael Jackson “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” Thriller

Prince “I Would Die 4 U” Purple Rain

Guy “I Like” Guy

Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney

Janelle Monae “Dance Apocalyptic” The Electric Lady

Steve Lacy “Bad Habit” Gemini Rights

Jazmine Sullivan “Pick Up Your Feelings” Heaux Tales

D’Angelo “Chicken Grease” Voodoo

U2 “I Will Follow” Boy

The Killers “All These Things That I’ve Done” Hot Fuss

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “Fortune Teller” Raising Sand

Hour Two
*Sheryl Crow “Superstar” Sheryl Crow

Dave Matthews Band “Madman’s Eyes” Walk Around The Moon

Mt. Joy “Evergreen” Orange Blood

Caroline Rose “Miami” The Art Of Forgetting

Sarah McLachlan “Building A Mystery” Surfacing

Arlo Parks “Weightless” My Soft Machine

Kirsty MacColl “Walking Down Madison” Electric Landlady

July Talk “When You Stop” Remember Never Before

INXS “Never Tear Us Apart” Kick

The Swell Season “Young Hearts Run Free” Levi’s Pioneer Sessions

Suzanne Vega “Solitude Standing” Solitude Standing

Neko Case “Hold On, Hold On” Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

R.E.M “Lotus” Up

*Optional Song