Let Me Tickle Your Fancy by Jermaine Jackson, featuring Devo

This song marked one of the more unusual collaborations in popular music. Velvet-voiced R&B star Jermaine Jackson teamed up with two members of the innovative new wave band Devo. For some odd reason, this unlikely pairing reaped winning results. The song is an infectious mélange of funk, rock, pop, and new wave. And Devo members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale’s robotic backing vocals provide a nice contrast to Jermaine’s smooth, rich lead vocal. The percolating groove features some cool synth parts and funky rhythm-guitar licks by acclaimed axeman/composer/producer Paul M. Jackson Jr., who also delivers a wicked guitar solo. The track is evocative of the funk/new wave/rock fusion experiments that Prince was recording at the time, but not quite as boldly creative or adventurous as his excursions into that area.

“Let Me Tickle Your Fancy” was the lead single and title track of Jermaine’s ninth studio album, released in July 1982 on Motown. It was the famed vocalist/bassist's final album with Motown before he signed with Arista Records the following year. The track was written by Jermaine, Marilyn McLeod, Paul M. Jackson Jr., and Pam Sawyer. Jermaine is also credited with the track’s funky rhythm arrangement. And it was his idea to have the Devo members provide backing vocals to enhance the song's new wave vibe. Mothersbaugh and Casale are credited as Spud and Pud Devo here. Neither of the Spudboys played instruments on the studio version of the song, but you can certainly hear their influence. Singer/songwriter Stephanie Spruill also helped out with the backing vocals, as did Jermaine.

The song performed well on the charts, peaking at #5 on Billboard's R&B singles chart, # 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #24 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. The song doesn’t get a lot of love these days and is not as recognized as some of Jermaine’s other hits as a solo artist. I’ve even come across some R&B music lovers who have never even heard of the song. But it’s a really great cut as well as quite an interesting collaboration between two very different artists.




Jermaine performing the song on a TV special with the Spudboys


Let Me Tickle Your Fancy at Amazon

Related blog entries:

Jermaine Jackson's "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming (Too Good To Be True)," Featuring Michael Jackson

Jermaine Jackson Gets Funky On The Arsenio Hall Show