Throwback Thursday: TLC – “What About Your Friends”
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes would’ve been 50 years old today, so it is only right that we honor her life with this week’s TBT selection.
“What About Your Friends” was the third single from the group’s debut album, Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip, and the first TLC song I can remember singing along to. In fact, when I picked this song for this post, I was under the impression that it was their very first single.
Written by Dallas Austin and Left Eye, “What About Your Friends” samples James Brown’s “Blues & Pants,” a hip-hop favorite. The song talks about friendships and how they can be affected by changes in circumstances — in particular, when a friend goes on to become rich and famous. The not-so-funny part about the lyrics is that the members of TLC — while definitely famous — were by no means rich and wouldn’t be for another six years or so.
“What About Your Friends” would become the group’s third top 10 single and one of their signature hits. And nearly three decades later, it feels just as fresh.
In honor of Left Eye, click play and get your life.
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