What Cha' Gonna Do for Me
Chaka Khan · 1981
42 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz-infused rhythms and soulful melodies that showcase Chaka Khan's powerful vocal prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Cha' Gonna Do for Me — The title track features an infectious groove and showcases Khan's ability to blend soulful vocals with poignant lyrics about personal agency.
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We Can Work It Out Start here — This cover of the Beatles classic transforms the original into a soulful anthem of reconciliation, highlighting Khan's versatility and emotional depth.
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I Know You, I Live You — This track combines smooth jazz influences with rich harmonies, reflecting the intimate connection explored within its lyrics and Khan's vocal delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends funk and jazz effectively, highlighted by strong vocals and intricate arrangements.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a strong rhythmic foundation with layered brass and prominent bass lines, establishing a funk-driven sound.
- Chaka Khan's vocals are often accompanied by call-and-response patterns with backing singers, enhancing the emotional delivery of the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that showcase jazz improvisation, particularly in 'And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia)'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow for reflective moments
- powerful vocals for emotional release
- uplifting energy for social gatherings
- engaging melodies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike cohesive listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Khan's status as a solo artist with commercial success.
- Themes
- personal agency· intimate connections· soulful reconciliation
- Career context
- Released on April 15, 1981, 'What Cha' Gonna Do for Me' was Chaka Khan's third solo studio album, following her successful self-titled debut in 1978. At this point in her career, Khan was firmly establishing herself as a leading voice in the R&B and pop genres, building on her previous acclaim from her time with Rufus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Stevie Wonder· Annie Lennox
Tracklist
- 1 We Can Work It Out Start here 3:43
- 2 What Cha' Gonna Do for Me 3:54
- 3 I Know You, I Live You 4:29
- 4 Any Old Sunday 3:37
- 5 We Got Each Other 3:56
- 6 And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia) 5:04
- 7 Night Moods 4:21
- 8 Heed the Warning 4:32
- 9 Father He Said 3:52
- 10 Fate 3:14
- 11 I Know You, I Live You (reprise) 1:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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