The David and Marty Paich produced debut song for Going Show winner Cheryl Lynn which rose to “Number 1 “ in practically every country in the free world; “Got To Be Real,” penned by Lynn, along with David Paich and David Forster, not only became a national dance club anthem, it achieved the number one position in Billboard Magazine, and was recently named the #2 dance song of all times.
The former Columbia Records label recording artist went on to record a string of hits for CBS Records, including the classic duet produced and performed by Luther Vandeross, “If This World Were Mine.” The recording was supported by a cross country tour featuring the dynamic couple. The musical marriage of Cheryl Lynn and guitarist/producer Ray Parker yielded the hit single, “Shake It up Tonight,” which further embodied Cheryl Lynn in the dance clubs of America and around the world.
New comers Jimmy and Jam and Terry Lewis who went on to produce mega hits for super star Janet Jackson, had their first number one record when they produced “Encore,” recorded by Cheryl Lynn in 1984.
“Got To Be Real,” has become a mainstay in Pop culture. The song has been featured in such films as “Paris is Burning,” “Carlito’s Way,” “KeepingThe Faith,” and “Shark Tale.” Cheryl was also requested by movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg to pen the song’, “Sweet Kind Of Life,” which was also included in the “Shark Tale” Soundtrack. The inclusion of “Got To Be Real,” in a episode of the popular TV show, “Sex in the City” won a prestigious Golden Globe.
The hip hop/rap era could not ignore the popularity of “Got To Be Real.” The Number One hit has been sampled by a list of artist that include YoYo, Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, Fat Joe, and Father MC. It was hip hop queen Mary J. Blige who covered the song for the “Shark Tale” soundtrack.
A Proven “world” artist Cheryl Lynn has successfully toured Japan for the past twelve years. Her recording, “Good Times” produced by Teddy Riley, and remixed by Jr. Vasquez released in Japan, was a mega hit on the Japanese charts.
Often referred to “the song that won’t go away,” “Got To Be Real,” has been featured in such national commercial endorsements as Clairol, Hanes, and KIA. It’s been a long way since the initial recording of “Got to Be Real,” and who would have known that it would have taken on a life of it’s own! Yes…IT’S GOT TO BE REAL!
