Underrated Pop Gems Revisited: Champaign - 'How 'Bout Us'

24 February 2020, 15:46

The latest in our Underrated Pop Gems Revisited series sees us head back to 1981 for an R&B soul favourite.

It was the debut single - and easily the biggest single - by American R&B band Champaign, and we still love hearing it nearly 40 years later.

1. Who wrote 'How 'Bout Us' and was it a hit?

   

   Champaign - How 'Bout Us (Official DVD Version)

   The song was originally released in 1975 by an earlier version of the group, named the Water Brothers Band.

   It was then re-recorded by the band when they morphed into Champaign, and it was their version that became a hit single.

   'How 'Bout Us' peaked at #12 in the US, and #5 in the UK in 1981.

   The song was written by band keyboardist Dana Walden. It was only one of two songs on their debut album of the same name written by Walden.

   Listen to the original version below:

   

   The Water Brothers Band HOW 'BOUT US

2. Who sings the track and where are Champaign now?

   

   The song is performed by Champaign's lead vocalist Pauli Carman.

   The band named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, and included Carman and Rena Jones on vocals, Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards, Leon Reeder on guitar, Michael Reed on bass, and Rocky Maffit on drums.

   In a romantic twist, members Rena Jones and Michael Day would eventually marry.

   Through various guises, Champaign have continued to record new music (their most recent album being 2014's Eyes of the Spirit), and tour around the world, with Carman being the main remaining star from the original group.

3. What is the song about?

   'How 'Bout Us' is a contemplative ballad that sees the singer ponder whether their relationship is on the way out.

   However, instead of giving up and ending the relationship, they attempt to reignite the spark by asking the eternal question: 'how 'bout us?'.

4. What are the lyrics?

   Ooh, short and sweet
   No sense in draggin' on past our needs
   Let's don't keep it hangin' on
   If the fire's out, we should both be gone
   
   Some people are made for each other
   Some people are made for another for life, how 'bout us
   Some people can hold it together
   Last through all kinds of weather, tell me can we
   
   Now don't get me wrong
   'Cause I'm not tryin' now to end it all
   It's just that I have seen
   Too many lover's hearts lose their dreams

   Some people are made for each other
   Some people are made for another for life, how 'bout us
   Some people can hold it together
   Last through all kinds of weather, tell me, can we
   
   How 'bout us
   How 'bout us, baby
   How 'bout us
   How 'bout us, baby
   
   Some people are made for each other
   Some people are made for another for life, how 'bout us
   Some people can hold it together
   Last through all kinds of weather, tell me, can we