Best use of "Call and Return" in a disco song

**Behind Mars** · November 17th, 2002, 09:00 AM

I was listening to "Love and Desire" and was wondering what other songs you guys could think of that uses "call and return".

Arpeggio's - "Love and Desire" The timings on CD are at:
3:50 to 4:35
6:10 to 7:15

**BrunoRepublic** · November 17th, 2002, 11:14 AM

Village People: San Francisco (You've Got Me)

**NickNack** · November 17th, 2002, 03:05 PM

:oops: Ummm... "Call and Return"... what is it? :oops:

Sorry, more stupid today than usual. :roll:

**BrunoRepublic** · November 17th, 2002, 05:17 PM

"Call and return" is a vocal arrangement widely used in certain African genres of music. For the performance, there will be one main singer, and a chorus. The singer will perform one line (the "call"), and the chorus will then respond with a different line (the "return"). The chorus are not backing vocalists, as they are there to counter the main vocalist instead of blending in underneath or harmonizing.

So, using "San Francisco" as an example, when Victor shouts "freedom", that's the call. The chorus responds with "searching for what we both treasure -- pleasure". (Actually, the way this song is arranged, the chorus does most of the calling and Victor the responding... but anyway, you get the point.) Notice that unlike almost all other VP songs, the chorus and Victor are almost never singing at the same time on this one. From "In Hollywood" onward, the other guys are for the most part, performing as standard backup vocalists.

So there you've got it -- the basis for a thesis on the influence of traditional African music on the music of Jacques Morali. 8)

**NickNack** · November 17th, 2002, 06:40 PM

Graham,

As usual, a wealth of information. Thanks. I've heard the expression before but nothing was coming into this old brain.

So, if I understood you correctly, would the Jackson 5's stylizing of Forever Came Today fit the criteria?

AT LAST/AT LAST
(My forever came today)

MAKE IT, MAKE IT LAST
(forever! forever!)

COME ON MAKE IT LAST
(forever and ever and ever)

What do you think? :D

**BrunoRepublic** · November 17th, 2002, 07:20 PM

I haven't heard the track in question, but from your description, I'd say yes.

**Boodikka** · November 21st, 2002, 07:46 PM

"Point Zero" by Voyage.

**Funky Dude** · November 21st, 2002, 08:05 PM

One great "call-return" song that isn't mentioned above I can think of is:

Jimmy Castor Bunch - Potential 1975

Towards the end of this Jimmy Castor asks people "how do you spell P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L" and they respond with "Potential!" except for one who said "Possibilities", Jimmy is a legend :D !

**peppertree5706** · November 28th, 2002, 05:01 PM

From early rock and roll, Bill Haley and the Comets used Call and Return in most of their records. They were the only early rock and roll grou[ to use it (that I know of).

**Nano** · November 28th, 2002, 06:26 PM

Not a disco song, but a funny call-and-response song nonetheless and was a reggae hit on those days:

"Cocaine in my brain" (Dillinger)

**NickNack** · November 30th, 2002, 03:59 PM

"Peace Pipe" by B. T. Express.

After playing this to help identify a song for ada1984, I realized it's an excellent example of what we're talking about. On this song, the background takes 'lead' while Barbara Joyce 'returns' their 'call' to SMOKE IT ON OUT!.

Now I've got it!! :D