Forget Me Nots

“Forget Me Nots” is the opening track from American disco and R&B singer Patrice Rushen and her seventh studio album “Straight from the Heart”, which was released in 1982. “Forget Me Nots” was written by Patrice Rushen, Terri McFaddin and bass player Freddie Washington, with Rushen also producing the track.

“Forget Me Nots” was a new sound for Rushen, who was used to singing more R&B tracks, however “Forget Me Nots” was so successful, that Rushen decided to carry on producing and creating music that was primarily disco or post-disco. “Forget Me Nots” features Rushen singing about an ex-lover, longing to be back with them. In the hopes that they don’t forget her, she sends them forget-me-nots, a flower that has long symbolised strong love despite absence or separation. The track was originally deemed as a flop by Rushen’s label executives, however ended up being extremely successful and a well-loved song.

The music video for “Forget Me Nots” was released in 1982, and uploaded to YouTube in July 2019 by “Strut Records”. The video the consists of Rushen singing the track in a dark room with couples dancing, smoking and laughing. The iconic saxophone solo is played by Gerald Albright, who also appears in the video. As of early June 2020, the music video has 2.7 million views with well over 46 thousand likes.

Release Date: 2nd April 1982

Songwriter/s: Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington & Terri McFaddin

Producer/s: Patrice Rushen

Label: Elektra

Music Video Release Date: 1982

Chart Rankings and Accolades: In its year of release, “Forget Me Nots” charted at #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, #4 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, #2 on the US Billboard Dance Music/Club Play chart, #8 on the UK Singles chart, #19 on the Irish Singles chart, #29 on the Australian KMR Singles chart, #8 on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles chart and #24 on the Dutch Singles chart. “Forget Me Nots” has been ranked by VH1 as #34 on their 2000 list “100 Greatest Dance Songs”, and #85 on their “100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 1980s” in 2009.

The lyrics to “Forget Me Nots” can be accessed here: LINK