GWEN GUTHRIE (R.I.P.) ---- Arnt nothin going on but the rent.

Gwen Guthrie (July 14 [some sources say July 9], 1950 February 3, 1999) was an American singersongwriter, who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, and Madonna, among others, and who wrote songs made famous by Ben E. King, and Roberta Flack.




Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma and raised in Newark, New Jersey.[1] In school, she studied classical music, and her father began teaching her piano when she was eight years old. By the early 1970s, she had joined vocal groups such as the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers, meanwhile working as an elementary school teacher. When a backup singer scheduled to sing on Aretha Franklin's 1974 single "I'm in Love" fell ill, Guthrie took the vocalist's place beside Cissy Houston; thus Guthrie would happily state that her career on record began "at the top".

Guthrie soon began moonlighting as a singer of commercial jingles, sometimes with her friend Valerie Simpson (of the Ashford & Simpson fame). A songwriting partnership with her then boyfriend, trombonist/bassist Haras Fyre (professionally known as "Patrick Grant") resulted in Ben E. King's comeback single, "Supernatural Thing", and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", covered by numerous artists. Together they wrote seven tracks on the Sister Sledge's 1975 album Circle of Love: "Cross My Heart", "Protect Our Love", "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes on Me", "Don't You Miss Him Now", "Pain Reliever", "You're Much Better Off Loving Me", and "Fireman". She was also the writer of Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like Ugly".

As Guthrie's solo career developed, she worked extensively with Sly and Robbie on dub-influenced club cuts, and began racking up dance hits. She was dubbed "The First Lady of the Paradise Garage" as several of her songs became anthems at the venue, helped by the frequent and dynamic performances she gave there. She soon teamed musically with famed Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan, and recorded her first major landmark hit, "Padlock" in 1983 with the Compass Point All Stars in Nassau, Bahamas, which became a club and radio hit two years later.

Guthrie is probably best known for her 1986 dance anthem "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent", a self-written and -produced track which garnered some controversy for its misandric and materialistic lyrics such as: "You've got to have a j-o-b if you want to be with me/No romance without finance". A literal reading suggests a man only require the finances to make a relationship work. However, Guthrie's lyrics intend to motivate her partner into being responsible for maintaining equality and financial stability.

"Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent" was later sampled by numerous dance and hip hop artists, notably by Foxy Brown in her 1998 song "JOB" featuring Mýa and by Utah Saints for the original version of their hit "What Can You Do for Me". The song is referenced in the Eddie Murphy monologue "No Romance Without Finance", in his Eddie Murphy Raw concert and film (also available on DVD). Guthrie also had a hit in 1986 with a cover of "(They Long to Be) Close to You", which reached number twenty-five on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

Her single "Can't Love You Tonight" boldly addressed AIDS at a time when the disease was a taboo subject, and she was an ally to the gay community, and people with AIDS long before the masses caught up. Proceeds from the single went to the AIDS Coalition.

Other club hits of hers include the Compass Point All Stars-produced "Seventh Heaven", "Peanut Butter", and "Peek-a-Boo". "Padlock" was later covered by M People, who included it on their 1995 album Bizarre Fruit, featuring vocalist Heather Small.

Death
Guthrie died of uterine cancer on February 3, 1999, at the age of 48, and was interred in Fairmount Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey.

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Music

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• DISCO. Reggae.new jersey Jazz

[Forevermineeeeeee]

You should not take it to heart, this just a song and sometime it dose hit home. Like other song that people love to listen to. If you dont like it that you and it other songs that other people might not like other song. All i say the the writers, keep writing whats in your heart. and keep it real. Because this song is REAl.

[Getrealpeeps]

OH MY GOD, I REMEMBER THIS SONG.... (THE MEN HATED THIS SONG) ROFLMAO

RIP Gwen, you left a KICK ASSED SONG!!!

[TheBargar]

I played and played this ... love it and her to ....RIP and thanks

[karameldreem]

@feeleffect1 I am just reciting song lyrics. You don't know me that well to talk to me like this if I was it's not any of your business, Get out of my business. I have my own money if you knew me you wouldn't have said this to me.

[feeleffect1]

@karameldreem If his is the first thing your looking for,you will be one unhappy woman. You fall into the "Gold Digger" category. At the same time all relationships require finances on BOTH sides usually.

[feeleffect1]

A woman needs romance just like a man. The reality is NO woman should talk to a man who initially has no finances coming to the table AND a man should look for this as well. This should not be the FIRST thing you look for. If money comes first, then yes Its gold digging. Compatibility and attraction should be first then you look at the careers of each other! That's coming from a man. Oh yea! Men gold dig as well.

[PatsBooks]

@Heftron I guess that includes your mama or was she was one of those stupid women who let a man do anything for free and takin' care of his sorry butt?.

[kof79]

@TheErica71 uterine cancer 

[OldGoldSoul]

GWEN GUTHRIE DIED IN 1999 R.I.P.

[TheErica71]

How did she die?