Tell Me Somethin’ Good

The Zoo Crew is spinning the funky vibes of "Tell Me Somethin’ Good" by Lee Aaron from her 1991 album Some Girls Do, and the Zoo Freaks are grooving along. This track, a cover of the 1974 Rufus and Chaka Khan classic, showcases Aaron’s ability to blend her rock roots with soulful, upbeat energy. In a 1991 interview on Japanese TV, Aaron described the song as a “fun, danceable tune” that she chose to reflect the album’s playful yet empowering vibe. She noted that the recording process involved layering her vocals with backing singers like Phil Naro and Andy Curran to capture the song’s gospel-infused spirit, giving it a fresh twist while honoring the original’s groove. The song’s inclusion on Some Girls Do, which hit No. 38 on the RPM Canadian Albums Chart, helped solidify Aaron’s versatility, earning the album a Juno Award nomination for Rock Album of the Year in 1992.

Trivia about "Tell Me Somethin’ Good" reveals its live performance impact. During her 2017 Fire and Gasoline tour in Germany, captured on the live album Power, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll – Live in Germany, Aaron performed the track with a raw, energetic edge, blending it seamlessly with her harder rock hits like "Metal Queen". A Facebook post from 2020 shared a fan story from a Vancouver show where a 77-year-old fan, Marianne, danced for hours to the song, later receiving Aaron’s entire CD catalog as a gift, highlighting its cross-generational appeal. On X, Aaron once mentioned that the song’s lyrics, with lines like “What I got will knock your pride aside,” resonated with her as a message of confidence and empowerment, tying into her recurring themes of feminine strength.

Lee Aaron, born Karen Lynn Greening on July 21, 1962, in Belleville, Ontario, kicked off her musical journey at a young age. By five, she was singing in school musicals, and at 15, she joined a local rock group in Brampton, Ontario, which she and her bandmates named “Lee Aaron.” Her official bio details how a car accident at 17 left her with a broken nose and bruised face, but she pushed through, undeterred. Her debut album, The Lee Aaron Project, dropped in 1982 on Freedom Records, featuring Toronto scene heavyweights like Rik Emmett of Triumph. The album’s success led to a multi-album deal with Attic Records, and by 1984, her iconic Metal Queen album propelled her to international fame, with tours supporting acts like Bon Jovi in Europe.

Aaron’s early career wasn’t without challenges. A controversial decision to pose topless for OUI magazine in 1983, as noted in her Wikipedia bio, sparked debate and, she later admitted on her website, hurt her musical credibility. Despite this, she forged ahead, releasing hits like "Whatcha Do to My Body" from the double-platinum Bodyrock (1989). Her evolution continued with forays into jazz and opera, including 2000’s Slick Chick and a 2002 role in a baroque opera. Fans can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where she shares updates like her 2023 Canada’s Walk of Fame induction. Fan communities thrive on platforms like the Lee Aaron Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can join discussions and share their love for her music.