Sweet Thing (Rufus song)
"Sweet Thing" is a song performed by American funk and R&B band Rufus with vocals by band member Chaka Khan. As a single, it peaked number five on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in 1976. Mary J. Blige recorded her version, which charted in the United States and New Zealand in 1993. Rufus featuring Chaka Khan version. Initially recorded and released a single in late 1975, it was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975, eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on  the pop chart. The song was co-written by Khan and Rufus bandmate Tony Maiden and became one of the band and Khan's signature songs. The record appears on the band's fourth album "Rufus featuring Chaka Khan" (1975). Khan re-recorded it for the 1998 soundtrack "New York Undercover: A Night at Natalie's". In 2009, "Essence" magazine included the song in their list of the "25 Best Slow Jams of All Time". Mary J. Blige version. In 1992, American singer Mary J. Blige recorded a rendition for her debut album "What's the 411?" (1992). It became  Blige's third top 40 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100, reaching number 28. In addition, it marked Blige's first entry on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Blige also performed the song live on the eighteenth season of "Saturday Night Live" on March 13, 1993. Critical reception. Daryl McIntosh from Albumism stated that Blige's "savory rendition" of the Rufus song "helped provide depth to her groundbreaking album". Stanton Swihart from AllMusic described it as "gospel-thrusted", stating that songs like "Sweet Thing" "are and will remain timeless slices of soul even after their trendiness has worn off". Larry  Flick from "Billboard" said that the singer's version is "a faithful rendition of the Chaka Khan & Rufus classic. A shoulder-swaying rhythm base firmly supports an appealing, diva-style vocal and familiar funk guitar chords." He added, "Watch this one glide onto pop and urban playlists within seconds." The Daily Vault's Mark Millan noted that "Sweet Thing" "is probably the most "pop" of all the songs on offer here. It's another love song and Blige softens her tone a little to keep everything sweet." Havelock Nelson from "Entertainment Weekly" called it "a jazzy remake". Credits and personnel . Credits adapted from the "What's the 411?" liner notes. Track listing. US cassette/7" vinyl single US CD promo US 12" vinyl promo Side one Side two Other cover versions. In 1997, contemporary jazz saxophonist Boney James did another remake of the song; it was included on the album titled "Sweet Thing". The album's title track included background vocals by original co-writer Tony Maiden. UK soul singer Beverley Knight has also recorded a version of the song. Knight's version was recorded for a BBC Radio 2 session and was included as the B-side to her 2004  single "Not Too Late for Love". Due to the popularity of Knight's version with her fans, it was later included on her "Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight" (2006) compilation. Knight has since been invited to perform the song at Khan's London O2 Arena date on her UK tour, after collaborating with the singer on her Blige duet "Disrespectful" at the Montreux Jazz Festival.