If You Feel The Funk

(images stolen from the Church of La Toya's brilliant discography)

It seems appropriate to start right at the beginning of La Toya's esteemed music career.

If You Feel The Funk was her first international single (and depending on differing reports - even the Church has conflicting information, her second in the USA after Night Time Lover which will be featured later on).

La Toya said in her biography La Toya: Growing Up In The Jackson Family that she was uncomfortable, being a devout Jehovah's Witness, with the sexual overtones to it, which are quite tame compared to her later works. However her father and manager Joe Jackson insisted she record it and we are glad she did!

It's an infectious slice of disco pop and the shrill second verse is pop heaven. However it arrived a little late to ride the disco wave, peaking just outside the Hot 100 in the USA (although it was a top 20 dance hit). In Europe it was received a better reception, making #42 in Germany and #18 in the Netherlands.

No video was made but she performed the song on a number of shows.

A great start to a great career!

Album version mp3

Official Church of La Toya promotional video for the 2006 album reissue.

Legendary Wellington Diva La Toya JackSin throwing down to a La Toya medley including If You Feel The Funk at an 80s night.