Our top 10 Mother’s Finest songs list looks at the body of work of an American band distinguished for its epic and soul-catching funk-rock ballads. The band was formed in the early 1970s by the husband-wife duo Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock. Joyce (Baby Jean) and Glenn (Doc) teamed up with bassist Jerry Seay (Wyzard) and guitarist Gary Moore (Moses Mo) to complete the band’s lineup. Mother’s Finest followed the footprints of the San Francisco funk/psychedelic soul band Sly and the Family Stone becoming yet another successful multi-racial band.
The story of the band began when Glenn and Joyce met in the early 70s. Initially, Glenn Murdock was a member of the R&B/Soul group The Vondells, which was active in 1964 and 1965. Glenn and Joyce started playing as an R&B duo, ultimately getting married and starting Mother’s Finest. Mother’s Finest established its musical career as a funk rock band. However, elements of R&B, pop-rock, psychedelic soul, and hard rock can still be felt in most of the band’s releases.
Mother’s Finest’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
After its formation, Mother’s Finest went on to sign a recording contract with RCA Records. Other artists who made RCA Records their home at one point include Helloween, Van Morrison, Jimmy Eat World, Natalie Imbruglia, Odetta Holmes, ZZ Top, and Velvet Revolver. Under RCA Records, Mother’s Finest released its eponymous debut studio album in 1972.
Mother’s Finest, the band’s debut release, catapulted the band to neither mainstream nor commercial success. The cover of the song “Feeling Alright” by the English rock band Traffic and the hit “You Move Me” are some of the best Mother’s Finest songs from the band’s debut album. “You Move Me” was covered in 1974 by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on her twenty-first studio album, With Everything I Feel in Me.
Following the poor reception of its debut album, the band cut ties with RCA Records. Mother’s Finest was already working on a sophomore release through RCA Records when it parted ways with the record label. Some of the songs from the abandoned sophomore project later surfaced on the band’s later releases. Mother’s Finest signed a recording contract with Epic Records, once home to AC/DC, Black Sabbath, The Clash, Ginuwine, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, and LaBelle.
Mother’s Finest went on to release its sophomore eponymous studio album in 1976. The album catapulted the band to mainstream success. “Fire,” and “Give You All The Love (Inside of Me)” are some of the popular songs by Mother’s Finest from the album. The 1976 sophomore album helped Mother’s Finest redeem its musical career after a dismal start at RCA Records.
Mother’s Finest’s Album Releases over the Years
After the release of the band’s groundbreaking sophomore album, Mother’s Finest returned with its successful third studio album, Another Mother Further. Issued in 1976, Another Mother Further was the band’s first album to be Gold-certified. The album was a success on the charts, peaking at number one hundred and thirty-four. Another Mother Further also charted on the Dutch Albums chart, peaking at number thirteen.
The album is home to some of the best Mother’s Finest songs, including “Baby Love,” “Piece of the Rock,” “Truth’ll Set You Free,” and “Thank You for the Love.” Mother’s Finest also covered the songs “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley and “Mickey’s Monkey” by The Miracles.
In 1978, the band returned with its fourth studio album, Mother Factor. The album was also a success, achieving Gold certification in the US. Some of the best Mother’s Finest songs from Mother Factor include “Love Changes,” “Don’t Wanna Come Back,” and “I Can’t Believe.” Mother’s Finest later issued its fifth studio album, Mother’s Finest Live, in 1979.
Mother’s Finest Live marked the band’s last Gold-certified LP. “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Somebody to Love” are some of the most popular songs by Mother’s Finest from the album Mother’s Finest Live. The success of Mother’s Finest’s third, fourth, and fifth LPs saw the band tour/open for Black Sabbath, AC/DC, The Who, Ted Nugent, and Aerosmith.
Mother’s Finest went on to sign a recording deal with Atlantic Records through which the band issued its sixth studio album, Iron Age. Iron Age was issued in 1981 and has maintained the reputation of being Mother’s Finest’s heaviest album to date. “Luv Drug,” “All the Way,” and “Movin’ On” are some of the musical gems from the album Iron Age.
In 1983, Mother’s Finest released its seventh studio album, One Mother to Another. The album saw the band work once again with Epic Records. “Secret Service” is the most sought-after hit from the album. Unfortunately, Mother’s Finest went on a hiatus after the release of One Mother to Another.
Mother’s Finest later returned with its eighth studio album, Looks Could Kill, issued through Capitol Records. However, the band has since failed to rekindle its successful ways. Goody 2 Shoes & The Filthy Beasts, issued in 2015, marks the band’s most recent studio album. The album was issued through SPV/Steamhammer, featuring notable hits including “My Badd” and “Angel.”
Mother’s Finest’s Other Musical Pursuits
After the band went on hiatus in 1983, vocalist Joyce Kennedy went on to launch her solo career. Some years back, Joyce had released several singles under the mentorship of the late R&B singer Andre Williams. Lookin’ for Trouble marked Joyce’s debut studio album. Some of the best Joyce Kennedy songs include “Stronger Than Before” and “The Last Time I Made Love.” The latter is a duet by Joyce and Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Jeffrey Osbourne, formerly of the R&B/funk outfit L.T.D.
Mother’s Finest’s Accolades and Legacy
Mother’s Finest remains one of the most impactful multi-racial outfits in the mid-1970s funk-rock scene. The band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, alongside Toni Braxton. Other artists that have been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame include Isaac Hayes, Ray Charles, Ray Stevens, William Bell, Sugarland, and Indigo Girls, to name a few. Mother’s Finest was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Black Rock Coalition. The band is best remembered by its fans for its engaging and energetic live performances. Here we present the ten best Mother’s Finest songs of all time.
# 10 – Secret Service
Opening our top 10 Mother’s Finest songs list is the brilliant hit “Secret Service.” The song serves as the opening track to the band’s seventh studio album, One Mother to Another. “Secret Service” brings the best of the band’s psychedelic soul/black rock sound influences. Credit to Jerry Seay, aka Wyzard, for composing the song. Unfortunately, the song comes at a time the band had lost its edge in the music scene, struggling to rekindle its once glowing impact.
# 9 – Truth’ll Set You Free
“Truth’ll Set You Free” is one of the best Mother’s Finest songs from the Gold-certified album, Another Mother Further. The song brings the best of the band’s amalgam of funk and soul sonic influences. “Truth’ll Set You Free” is one of Mother’s Finest’s concert staples that allow the band to deliver its signature energetic performances.
The song title and refrain reference the Bible verse, John 8:32. Joyce Kennedy makes an enthralling vocal delivery in this hit. This monster hit was covered in 2008 by Nona Hendryx’s all-female singing group LaBelle. “Truth’ll Set You Free” was also sampled in the 2000 hit “Truth” by Damita Haddon feat. Toby Mac.
# 8 – I Can’t Believe
Coming in at number eight is the magnificent hit “I Can’t Believe.” The song is among the musical gems featured on the band’s fourth studio album, Mother’s Finest. Joyce Kennedy establishes herself as a true vocal powerhouse in this soft-tuned hit. “I Can’t Believe” is a heart-breaking song about the singer’s bitter past following unrequited love.
The singer’s significant other seems to have fidgeted with her emotions even though she had fallen head over heels for him. “I Can’t Imagine” serves an as anthem for people whose soulmates were just a figment of their imaginations. The song was sampled in the 1996 hit “Live and Die for Hip Hop (DJ Clark Kent Mix)” by Kris Kross featuring Da Brat.
# 7 – Thank You for the Love
“Thank You for the Love” is yet another great classic hit whose influence lives on to date. The song is featured on the band’s first Gold-certified album, Another Mother Further. “Thank You for the Love” finds the singer appreciative of all the things that his significant other brings on board in their love.
The song feels like a love anthem to Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock, who were still in love following their marriage in the early ‘70s. “Thank You for the Love” was sampled in E’ “Regolare” by Il Turco and “Pan Pal Hambriento” by Sharif.
# 6 – Somebody to Love
Number six on our top 10 Mother’s Finest songs list is the charming hit “Somebody to Love.” The song is featured on the band’s fifth studio album, Mother’s Finest Live. “Somebody to Love” was penned by Darby Slick and originally issued by the rock band The Great Society. However, it was Grace Slick’s killer vocal on the version she recorded with Jefferson Airplance who she left The Great Society to join that tuned the song into one of the 1960s most iconic rock songs.
Mother’s Finest covered Jefferson Airplane’s version of this song, which was more popular than the original version. While the song might not have made it to the charts, it became one of Mother’s Finest’s concert staples. Other artists who have covered the song include Boogie Pimps, The Ramones, and W.A.S.P.
#5- Don’t Wanna Come Back
Mother Factor, the band’s fourth studio album, remains one of the band’s most sought-after releases of all time. This Gold-certified album featured some of the best Mother’s Finest songs, including “Don’t Wanna Come Back.” The song is one of the band’s most commercially viable funk-rock ballads.
Wyzard delivers some amazing bass solo on this hit. The song went on to peak at number fifty-four on the Black Singles chart. “Don’t Wanna Come Back” was sampled in the 1997 hit “I Got the Power” by Puff Daddy feat. The Lox.
#4- Piece Of The Rock
“Piece of the Rock” is a 1977 hit released on Mother’s Finest’s album, Another Mother Further. Joyce and Glenn team up on this song to showcase to the world what a powerful duo they are on the vocals. The two exchange roles on the lead and backing vocals. “Piece of the Rock” is among the finest hits released by the band’s classic lineup, which also included bassist Wyzard, guitarist Gary Moore, keyboardist Mike Keck, and drummer B.B. Queen. The song sampled the 19th-century song “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by Sarah Josepha Hale. “Piece of the Rock” was sampled by “Piece of Rock” by Urban Dance Squad.
#3- Fire
The third pick on our top 10 Mother’s Finest songs list is the ravishing hit “Fire.” “Fire” is among the musical gems featured on the band’s sophomore studio album. The song strikes a balance between the band’s funk-rock and hard rock influences. “Fire” brings the best of Joyce and Glenn’s vocal delivery. Other than an impressive vocal delivery, “Fire” also features outstanding instrumentation, which adds a groovy feel to the song. “Fire” peaked at number ninety-three on the Pop Singles chart.
#2- Baby Love
“Baby Love” is one of the best Mother’s Finest songs and a fan favorite to the band’s fans. The song is featured on the band’s 1977 studio album, Another Mother Further. This incredible hit brings out the best of Joyce Kennedy’s timeless vocals. “Baby Love” attracted several artists, including ADC Band, Tony Terry, Siyou‘n’Hell, Reset (Euro House), and Prince ft. Shelby J., all who covered the song. The song peaked at number seventy-nine on the Black Singles chart, rising to number fifty-eight on the Pop Singles chart.
#1- Love Changes
Number one on our top 10 Mother’s Finest songs list is the phenomenal hit “Love Changes.” The song was penned by the late Louisiana-born songwriter Skip Scarborough. Skip Scarborough is also reputable for penning hits for Anita Baker, L.T.D., Bill Withers, Nancy Wilson, and Earth, Wind & Fire. “Love Changes” is featured on the band’s fourth studio album, Mother Factor.
The song rose to become one of the most sought-after hits by the band and a fan favorite in 1978. “Love Changes” went on to peak at number twenty-six on the Black Singles. The song was covered by The Sequence in 1982, Kashif and Melissa Morgan in 1987, and Jamie Foxx and Mary J. Blige in 2005.
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