By Doug D. Sims for The Liquid Lounge Radio Show
Some songs don’t age—they mature. They marinate. They become deeper the more life you live. And Patrice Rushen’s “Remind Me”? That’s one of those timeless joints. First dropped in 1982, but here we are in 2025, and it still sounds like tomorrow.
Let’s be clear: Patrice wasn’t just a singer. She was (and is) a musician’s musician—classically trained, jazz-rooted, and funk-certified. When she dropped “Remind Me,” she wasn’t chasing trends. She was creating something lush, layered, and emotionally rich—long before it was fashionable to blend vulnerability with groove.
The track opens with this shimmering synth line that feels like morning light through half-open blinds. The drums are subtle but confident. And then—boom—that bass line drops. It doesn’t just walk; it glides. Funky, fluid, undeniable. It’s the kind of groove that makes you scrunch your face and nod before you even know what the song’s about.
But then Patrice steps to the mic—and suddenly you know exactly what this song’s about. It’s about yearning, not in a messy, dramatic way—but in that grown, introspective kind of way. She’s not begging; she’s reminiscing. She’s not bitter; she’s honest. “Remind me / Do you remember me?” she asks, soft but direct. That line hits because we’ve all been there—wondering if someone out there still carries our echo.
Production-wise, it’s pristine. Patrice had full creative control, and it shows. The layering is elegant. The background harmonies wrap around her lead vocal like a silk scarf. The keys drift in and out like thoughts you try to shake off but can’t. It’s sophisticated, soulful, and effortlessly cool.
Now here’s the kicker: “Remind Me” became even more iconic after its original release. It’s one of the most sampled R&B tracks ever—flipped by everyone from Mary J. Blige to Faith Evans to hip-hop heads digging in the crates. Why? Because it’s got that magic—that emotional current you can’t fake.
At The Liquid Lounge, this track is part of our foundation. It’s more than a slow jam—it’s a soul blueprint. Whether you’re winding down after a long week, sipping something smooth, or just in your feels late at night, “Remind Me” is the kind of track that holds you right where you are.
In a world full of noise, Patrice Rushen gave us a moment of clarity. A groove you don’t just hear—you feel. And decades later, it’s still reminding us why R&B, when done right, never leaves you.
Until next time—stay classy, stay groovin’.
Doug D. Sims
The Liquid Lounge Radio Show – The World’s Dopest R&B and Neo-Soul Show