Released: August 1977
Genre: Soul
Label: Spring
Producer: Brad Shapiro ∙ Millie Jackson
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Millie Jackson is one of the most legendary soul artists of all time, and I’ll never not remind you of it. Give my living legend her flowers while she can smell them damn it! Mildred Virginia Jackson is the blueprint and a trailblazer of the genre that is now know as hip hop with the introduction of her lengthy style “raps.” The raps might have been humorous, but they spoke about relationships, social issues and sexuality.
Millie’s innovative spoken words gave her the title of the “mother of hip hop,” and influenced a generation of artists…especially Black women. Becoming a household name by 1977, Millie Jackson gave us QUALITY concept albums that started with 1974’s Caught Up, which told the story of a woman having an affair with a married man..and one side of the album told us the mistress’ point of view, and the other side is told from the wife’s perspective. This concept continued with the subsequent albums, with amazing hit songs to follow.
Millie’s seventh studio LP Feelin’ Bitchy was released in the summer of 1977 by Spring Records. When I think of the word “bitchy,” I think of the definition textbook: malicious, spiteful, vicious, etc. However, I do not think of those words when I listen to this album. I think of brilliance. I think of the iconic album cover of Millie close up with her tongue out, and how it was so controversial and provocative to the point where most record stores hid the album behind their counters.
Feelin’ Bitchy captures the essence of a Millie Jackson album: REMARKABLE SINGING, stellar songwriting and production and her awesome spoken word raps that she is known for. The album still resonates with music fans until this day. Selling over 500,000 copies, the album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums and 34 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts respectively.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you Millie Jackson’s Feelin’ Bitchy.
All the Way Lover
Written by Benny Latimore
It’s a cryin’ shame
Millie Jackson, All The Way Lover, 1977
Low down dirty shame
And I’m feelin’ bitchy, yeah!
I’m feelin’ bitchy about it, yeah!
The album opens with Millie’s spectacular cover of Latimore’s All The Way Lover, and it was so iconic! From a lyrical perspective, Millie’s version tackles topics like men who refuse to perform oral sex on their partners, encouraging men to deal with “sissies” instead of the women because of how messy and delusional they can be. A classic record!
Lovin’ Your Good Thing Away
Written by George Jackson ∙ Raymond Moore
Lovin’ Your Good Thing Away has the singer holding men and women accountable as a collective, reminding them of their flaws in their relationships. It’s crazy because I hear and see things this song discuss in today’s world. People push loving and caring folks away, and be surprised that they are gone.
Angel in Your Arms
Written by Clayton Ivey ∙ Terry Woodford ∙ Tommy Brasfield
The angel in your arms this morning, is gonna be the devil in someone else’s arms tonight.
Millie Jackson, Angel in Your Arms, 1977
Angel In Your Arms is a SONG and I love Millie’s vocals on this record. From a lyrical perspective, the singer figures out her man is with someone else. I love the usage of that lying and cheating man being described as an angel to one woman and the devil to the woman he has at home. That is a metaphor honey!
A Little Taste of Outside Love
Written by George Jackson
A Little Taste of Outside Love has the narrator answering her phone telling someone stories of what she was told from her girlfriend about leaving her man who has cheated on her. The storytelling in this song is so immaculate to depict something that’s so traumatic like a marital affair. Millie’s mind is so captivating for seeing things from the man and woman’s perspectives.
You Created a Monster
Written by Lamont Dozier
You Created a Monster is a song which is lyrically about the narrator continuing the story from the prior song, stating how while she comes to the conclusion that she’s holding the wife accountable for why her husband stepped out on her based upon her actions…his actions plays a huge role too. He introduced her to a life she didn’t experience before, and now she’s out of control. His spoiling her turned her out, and now he’s getting told by the narrator that you caused this and have to face the music. Most importantly, she did not want to hear that shit. Lol.
Cheatin’ Is
Written by Rafe Van Hoy
The remarkable and iconic Cheatin’ Is song is lyrically about the definition of what it is about, and the consequences that occur because of it. Again, Millie’s storytelling and vocals are truly stellar. I think Cheatin’ Is should have been a hit single for the singer, because it totally went number 1 in my mind for sure.
***Cheatin’ Is was originally recorded by Barbara Fairchild.
***Cheatin’ Is was sampled for:
- I’m A Thug by Trick Daddy.
If You’re Not Back in Love by Monday
Written by Glenn Martin ∙ Sonny Throckmorton
If You’re Not Back in Love by Monday picks up where the narrator left off in the prior song, suggesting that the troubled couple go on a weekend trip and try to save their marriage. If it isn’t salvaged by the time the weekend is over, then they can just go their separate ways. The song was a hit record for Millie, peaking at number 5 on the Hot Soul Singles and 43 on the Hot 100 charts respectively.
***If You’re Not Back in Love by Monday was originally recorded as If We’re Not Back in Love by Monday by Merle Haggard.
Feelin’ Like a Woman
Written by David Sackoff ∙ Randolph Klein
The album closes with Feelin’ Like a Woman and is one of my favorite Millie songs vocally. A top tier soul record from the living legend!
Feelin’ Bitchy is an album that I’ll love to always revisit because the emotions Millie must’ve felt recording this masterpiece is still how I feel almost 50 years later. Concept albums are amazing to me, and this one was no exception. I think discussions about relationships not being perfect are needed, because everyone loves to portray the image of affairs occurring in romantic relationships…but the work that needs to be done if it’s going to be a dealbreaker or not for the betrayed partner. Millie Jackson has done a great job at showcasing how men and women can be right, wrong or justified in her music. That is what REAL artists do for sure! -MW.
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