The song was originally declared a flop by executives at Rushen's record label. It took 3 weeks of independent promotion to get the record in front of radio programmers and their audiences.[3] She told in an interview with SoulMusic, "We believed in 'Forget Me Nots' so I took most of my life savings – which was not a lot – and [the track's producer] Charles Mims took some of his and we hired an independent promoter to take it and run with it. We had good reason to believe the record company might be wrong. I toured that year also and man, the record took off so fast, faster than ever before and faster than what we expected. 'Forget Me Nots' took off like wildfire."[4]
The lyrics are from the point of view of one professing her longing for a rekindling with an ex-lover. In one part of the music video, the girlfriend of the ex turns her attention to another man. As the singer reunites with the ex, they vacate the premises, leaving the now-ex-girlfriend forlorn. She ruminates on the romance's end and sends the lover forget-me-nots, a flower that since medieval times has been given and worn to symbolize enduring love despite absence or separation.[6]
There's no better evidence of her refined style than on the album's seminal lead single, "Forget Me Nots". Co-written by Rushen, Freddie Washington, and Terri McFaddin, the propulsive dance-funk classic boasts layers of effervescent synthesizers and lively percussion, all anchored by scintillating handclaps, fingersnaps, and Washington's explosive bass work. After the song's irresistible drum-cum-bass break, noted jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright provides a steamy solo that ascends the infectious groove to new heights. A light, airy toned Rushen reminisces on a dissolved relationship between two lovers. With every emotion and desire she explores in her poised phrasing, she longs to rekindle their union by sending her lover 'forget me nots'—a flower that symbolizes enduring love—in hoping that he won't forget the love they once shared.[7]
The single's success culminated in Rushen's scoring her first nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1983 Grammy Awards. In October 2000, VH1 ranked "Forget Me Nots" No. 34 in their 100 Greatest Dance Songs special, and in 2009 the song was ranked No. 85 in their 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 1980s special.[12] In 2019, NME ranked it among "The 20 Best Disco Songs of All Time".[4] In 1988, it was featured prominently in Big, starring Tom Hanks, and in 2020, it was featured in the No. 1 Netflix movie Fatal Affair, starring Nia Long.[3] In 2024, Forbes ranked it No. 4 in their list of "The 30 Greatest Disco Songs of All Time".[13]
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Cover versions and sampling
The song has been covered directly by several artists.
In 1991, electronic band Tongue 'n' Cheek recorded a dance version of "Forget Me Nots", which reached #26 on the UK Singles Chart.[22]
In 1995, Eurodance/dance-pop duo La Bouche covered it on their debut album Sweet Dreams. It was included on their remix album All Mixed Up.[citation needed]
In 2006, jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour collaborated with Patrice Rushen and South African singer Zamajobe on a cover version of the song for his album Smoke 'n Mirrors. Zamajobe sang the lead vocal, with Rushen on background vocals, Rhodes piano, and an organ solo. The version featured a brief African rhythm interlude.[23][24]
^"Backdoor Man MP3". pandora.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2019-07-01. Retrieved December 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
