Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots

Year Released: 1982
Genre: R&B, Funk, Soul, Post-Disco, Boogie.
Detailed Description Containing Key Facts: "Forget Me Nots" is arguably the most famous song by American R&B singer, songwriter, and musician Patrice Rushen. Released from her 1982 album Straight from the Heart, the song became a massive international hit, reaching the top of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and charting highly in the UK. The track is celebrated for its infectious, driving bassline, catchy synth melody, and Rushen's distinctive, smooth vocals. It perfectly captures the sound of early 1980s post-disco and boogie. Beyond its commercial success, "Forget Me Nots" gained significant lasting fame through its widespread sampling. Most notably, Will Smith's 1997 hit "Men in Black" heavily samples the song's instrumental, introducing it to a new generation and cementing its status as a foundational track in popular music and hip-hop. The song is a testament to Rushen's talent as both a performer and a sophisticated jazz and R&B musician.