SONG OF THE WEEK

The song I chose for ‘Song of the Week’ this week is by the ‘Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul’ – Mary J. Blige.

Mary J. Blige was born in The Bronx, New York, USA on January 11, 1971.  She has amassed album sales of over 50 million worldwide and over 15 million singles.  Billboard has ranked her the most successful R&B artist of the past 25 years.  Billboard has also named her 2006 hit single “Be Without You” as R&B song of the 2000’s, as it spent a unparalled 15 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Mary wears many different hats – entrepreneur, philanthropist, actress, entertainer, diva, artist and songstress.  Whatever hat she wears – she can do no wrong.  Her live performances leave you breathless and wanting more.  There have been talks of Mary J. Blige portraying Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic – I would be very interested to hear Mary J. Blige performing the Nina Simone’s classic hits.

Albums (not including Greatest Hits/Compilations) – Chart:  Billboard 200

• What’s The 411? (1992) – # 6 (3.4 million US)
• My Life (1994) – # 7 (2.8 million US)
• Share My World (1997) – # 1  (3.5 million US)
• Mary (1999) – #2 (2.1 million US)
• No More Drama (2001) – # 2 (3.1 million US)
• Love & Life (2003) – # 1 (1 million US)
• The Breakthrough (2005) – # 1 (3.1 million US)
• Growing Pains (2007) – # 1 (1.6 million US)
• Stronger with Each Tear (2009) – # 2 (900,000 US)
• My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1) (2011) – # 5 (625,000)

The song I chose from Mary J. Blige is an Elton John cover written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin called, “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”.  I first saw her perform this song during a telecast of the Fashion Rocks show in 2004.  The song was included in the soundtrack of the move, Bridget Jones:  The Edge of Reason.  Here is the Fashion Rocks live performance of Mary J. Blige singing “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”.  Enjoy!

Audio:

For more information (latest news, tour, merchandise, complete discography), please visit Mary J. Blige’s official website: