Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song)

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“Sweet Thing”
Single by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
from the album Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
Released February 3, 1975
Recorded November/December 1974
Genre R&B
Length 3:19
Label ABC
Writer(s) Chaka Khan, Tony Maiden
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan singles chronology
"Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend"
(1975)
"Sweet Thing"
(1975)
"Dance Wit Me"
(1976)
“Sweet Thing”
“Sweet Thing” cover
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album What's the 411? and its spin-off
Released April 3, 1993
Format Single, Maxi single, Promo
Recorded July 1992
Genre R&B
Length 3:44
Label MCA
Writer(s) Chaka Khan, Tony Maiden
Producer Sean "Puffy" Combs
Mark Morales
Mark C. Rooney
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"Reminisce"
(1993)
"Sweet Thing"
(1993)
"You Don't Have to Worry"
(1993)

"Sweet Thing" is a soul single that was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975 eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop side. The song was co-written by Khan and Rufus band mate Tony Maiden and became the band's and Khan's signature songs.

17 years later, in 1992, the song was covered by then up-and-comer R&B crooner Mary J. Blige, whose own unique version reignited into a top forty hit on both sides for a second time with it reaching number twenty-eight pop and number-eleven R&B.

Initially Khan disliked the fact that Blige covered it but eventually Khan befriended Blige and the two singers later sung the song together during a VH-1 Divas Live concert in 2003.

Khan and Blige have since recorded the duet, "Disrespectful", for Khan's recent release, Funk This.


[edit] Rufus version chart positions

Charts Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 5
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 1


[edit] Mary J. Blige version chart positions

Charts Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 28
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 11


Preceded by
"Inseparable" by Natalie Cole
Billboard's Hot Soul number one single (Rufus featuring Chaka Khan version)
February 21 - February 28, 1976
Succeeded by
"Boogie Fever" by The Sylvers