Super Freak

Super Freak” is the fifth track on American singer Rick James’ fifth studio album “Street Songs”, which was released in 1981. “Super Freak” was written and produced by James, with song-writing credits also mentioning Alonzo Miller. The track is considered to be James’ signature song. Rolling Stone magazine has ranked the song at #477

“Super Freak” is a eighties new wave pop song detailing the kind of woman that James “don’t take home to mother”. The term freak in this context also means sexually adventurous. Nine years later, MC Hammer sampled “Super Freak” in his 1990 hit “U Can’t Touch This”.

The music video for “Super Freak” was released in 1982 and directed by Nick Saxton. The video shows James dancing with different women in a plain setting with white backdrops, taking the occasional look at the camera sings. At the end of the pre-chorus, we are shown a large group of both men and women singing up into the camera which is now at a higher angle. The video was uploaded to Rick James’ official YouTube channel in December 2009. As of June 2020, the video has 76.5 million views.

Release Date: 10th July 1981

Songwriter/s: Rick James & Alonzo Miller

Producer: Rick James

Label: Gordy

Music Video Release Date: 1982

Music Video Director: Nick Saxton

Chart Rankings & Certifications: In its year of release, “Super Freak” charted at #26 in Australia, #2 in Belgium, #40 in Canada, #2 and #3 in the Netherlands, #4 in New Zealand, #16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, #3 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles, #17 on the US Cash Box chart and #14 on the US Record World chart. “Super Freak” is certified Gold in the US.

The lyrics to “Super Freak” can be accessed here: LINK