You've Got It Bad Girl
Quincy Jones · 1973
42 min · 10 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk, soul, and jazz that showcases Quincy Jones' masterful orchestration and eclectic influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Summer in the City Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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You've Got It Bad Girl — The title track combines lush instrumentation with heartfelt vocals, making it a defining piece that illustrates Jones’ mastery of blending soul and jazz.
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Superstition — This track stands out as an iconic cover of Stevie Wonder's classic, showcasing Jones' ability to reinterpret contemporary hits with his unique flair.
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Manteca — An instrumental powerhouse that fuses Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz elements, highlighting the diverse musical influences that permeate the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and funk with strong arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow across its diverse tracks.
- 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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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- late-night contemplative moods
- layered, dense sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album followed a commercial success and showcased Jones' evolving sound.
- Themes
- Afro-Cuban rhythms· 1970s soul evolution· jazz-infused funk
- Career context
- Released in 1973, You've Got It Bad Girl was Quincy Jones' first album after his commercial breakthrough with the soundtrack for The Italian Job. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from a prominent arranger and producer to a celebrated solo artist, expanding his soundscape while experimenting with various genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Stevie Wonder· George Benson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You've Got It Bad Girl
The bridge features a poignant shift where the singer reflects on vulnerability amidst love's challenges.
This moment deepens the emotional complexity of the song, revealing layers of intimacy often overlooked in straightforward love songs.
Tracklist
- 1 Summer in the City Start here 4:07
- 2 Eyes of Love 3:30
- 3 Daydreaming 3:35
- 4 First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 3:34
- 5 Love Theme From "The Getaway" 2:35
- 6 You've Got It Bad Girl 5:38
- 7 Superstition 4:51
- 8 Manteca 8:33
- 9 Sanford & Son Theme (The Streetbeater) 3:09
- 10 Chump Change 3:22
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Shares a vibrant fusion of funk and soul with intricate arrangements and introspective themes.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Combines jazz and funk with innovative grooves, reflecting the same era's adventurous spirit.
The Need of Love
Earth, Wind & Fire
Merges lush orchestration with Afro-Cuban influences, echoing the rhythmic complexity of Quincy’s work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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