I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
Encyclopedia
"I Keep Forgettin'" (also known as "I Keep Forgettin'") is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael McDonald
, from his debut album If That's What It Takes
. It was written by McDonald and Ed Sanford. Its similarity to the earlier song "I Keep Forgettin'
", by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
, resulted in Leiber and Stoller also being given a songwriting credit.
. Released as a single, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard Pop Singles
charts, and #7 on the Billboard R&B
chart. Greg Phillinganes
, Steve Lukather
and Jeff Porcaro
of the band Toto
played the clavinet, guitar and drums respectively. Noted bassist Louis Johnson
laid down the song's pronounced bassline.
by Warren G
on his hit 1994 single "Regulate
", featuring Nate Dogg
, and by Jadakiss
on "Kiss Is Spittin'", which also features Nate Dogg. The song's bassline is also sampled in the track "Bistro" by critically acclaimed MF Doom
/Madlib
collaboration Madvillain
. The song's chorus is interpolated by Moloko
in an acoustic mix of their 2003 hit single "Familiar Feeling".
The song has been covered by soul singer Patti LaBelle
, and Julia Fordham
has covered it in a duet with McDonald himself.
dance segment on You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush
.
The song is the primary plot device of, and gives its name to, an episode of Yacht Rock
, which comedically fictionalized the events leading to Warren G
sampling it.
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
, from his debut album If That's What It Takes
If That's What It Takes (Michael McDonald album)
If That's What It Takes is the name of Michael McDonald's debut solo album, released in 1982.-Side one:# "Playin' by the Rules" – 4:55 # "I Keep Forgettin'" – 3:39...
. It was written by McDonald and Ed Sanford. Its similarity to the earlier song "I Keep Forgettin'
I Keep Forgettin'
"I Keep Forgettin'" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in the early 1960s, and it was originally recorded by Chuck Jackson. It reached #55 on the Billboard Top 100 and remained on the chart for 7 weeks. It did not chart on the R&B chart...
", by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
, resulted in Leiber and Stoller also being given a songwriting credit.
Background
Michael McDonald recorded it, with his sister Maureen providing background vocals. It was featured on If That's What It Takes, his first solo album away from The Doobie BrothersThe Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
. Released as a single, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard Pop Singles
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts, and #7 on the Billboard R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. Greg Phillinganes
Greg Phillinganes
Greg Phillinganes is an active session keyboardist in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, Detroit Michigan....
, Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather
Steve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
and Jeff Porcaro
Jeff Porcaro
Jeffrey Thomas "Jeff" Porcaro was an American session drummer and a founding member of the Grammy Award winning band Toto. Porcaro was one of the most recorded drummers in history, working on hundreds of albums and thousands of sessions...
of the band Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
played the clavinet, guitar and drums respectively. Noted bassist Louis Johnson
Louis Johnson (bassist)
Louis Johnson is an American bass guitarist.Johnson is best known for his group The Brothers Johnson and his session playing on several hit albums of the 1970s and '80s including the "best selling album of all time" Thriller...
laid down the song's pronounced bassline.
Influence, covers, and sampling
McDonald's song was heavily sampledSampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
by Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
on his hit 1994 single "Regulate
Regulate (song)
"Regulate" is a 1994 song performed by Warren G and Nate Dogg. Released in the summer of 1994, the track appears on the soundtrack to the film Above the Rim and later Warren G.'s album Regulate...G Funk Era. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart...
", featuring Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
, and by Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
on "Kiss Is Spittin'", which also features Nate Dogg. The song's bassline is also sampled in the track "Bistro" by critically acclaimed MF Doom
MF Doom
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
/Madlib
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
collaboration Madvillain
Madvillain
Madvillain is a hip hop group consisting of MF DOOM and Madlib . Their debut album Madvillainy was met with wide critical acclaim for its unique approach—short songs, obscure lyrics, few choruses and a sound which was generally unfriendly to commercial radio.In 2006, Madvillain was featured on...
. The song's chorus is interpolated by Moloko
Moloko
Moloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
in an acoustic mix of their 2003 hit single "Familiar Feeling".
The song has been covered by soul singer Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, and Julia Fordham
Julia Fordham
Julia Fordham is a British singer-songwriter based in California. Her professional career started in the early 1980s, under the name "Jules Fordham", as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde.-Career:...
has covered it in a duet with McDonald himself.
In popular culture
The song was also used during the Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
dance segment on You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush
You're Welcome America
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush is a comedic Broadway play starring Will Ferrell as George W. Bush. It was broadcast live on the HBO cable channel, as well as in Canada, on March 14, 2009, at 9:00PM EST. Ferrell, who has famously depicted Bush on Saturday Night Live, also...
.
The song is the primary plot device of, and gives its name to, an episode of Yacht Rock
Yacht rock
Yacht Rock was an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American soft rock stars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series debuted on Channel 101 at the June 26, 2005 screening. It placed in the top five at subsequent screenings until the June 25, 2006 screening,...
, which comedically fictionalized the events leading to Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
sampling it.