I was listening to the N*E*R*D* album, “Fly or Die,” and the song “Maybe” in particular. It is a very good song, a Beatles-meets-funk feel. The bass line hinted at another song that I couldn’t remember. The chord progression seemed the same as an old funk song that I half knew. I remembered the bass line but not the singing or the artist.
After going through my WMP collection and looking on YouTube I finally found the inspiration. It was a Sly and the Family Stone song called “If You Want Me to Stay”. Here is the video for “Maybe” so you can compare.
I am glad that I solved the riddle. YouTube is good for researching songs. I can go to sleep now.
Update: Pharrell wrote about Sly in the New York Times in 2003.
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