BY Mario Weir
Thirty years after proclaiming “It’s Raining Men!” Martha Wash is still going strong. In a career that has spanned nearly four decades, Martha’s voice can be heard singing some of the biggest hits in dance music, including the chart-topping “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” and the inspirational “Carry On.” However, as Wash once put it, “Unless you are a die-hard fan, you wouldn’t know who I was.” Now, the diva is reclaiming her legacy. After earning eight #1 hits and an additional eight Top 10s on various Billboard Charts, she is releasing Something Good, her first collection of all-new material in almost 20 years. She’ll perform the first release from the new album – along with “It’s Raining Men!” and “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” – at Industry Bar on November 7.
Will fans ever tire of “It’s Raining Men”?
“It’s Raining Men” is a fun, campy song. I think everyone gets a kick out of singing it. It’s generational.
Can you believe it’s been out 30 years?
It’s amazing. You know, it was a hit in the clubs long before it went mainstream.
How was it to perform it on “Late Show with David Letterman” earlier this month?
It was a great experience. Paul Schaffer co-wrote the song, so it was the perfect show to celebrate the song’s 30-year anniversary.
It’s been 20 years since you released an album of all-new material. Why now?
The time was right to move my career forward. I’ve been working all along, but people weren’t really seeing me unless they were coming to my shows. People know the music, but they need to see me. I would get asked all the time, “Where have you been?” [laughs] I’ve been right here—working!
Is there a reason you chose to move away from dance on “Something Good”?
I think the feeling you get when you dance and feel free for that moment in time is the best. I always encourage people to “dance as if no one’s watching.” But on this album, I felt it was time to spread my wings and move in another direction. As long as you live you’re going to get a little older. Are you going to keep doing the same things you were doing in your twenties when you get into your fifties? It’s about advancing and moving on.
It’s an empowering album.
It’s meant to inspire people to find their inner strength and follow their destiny. Whatever song on the album people listen to, I hope they get something positive out of it. I want them to think about themselves and about helping others.
Do you have a message for fans?
You may stumble and fall, but you’ve got to get up. You can’t stop moving. Finding your path is the journey. Along the journey you have the highs and the lows, but you can’t stop because time will keep on going, with or without you.
Martha Wash celebrates the release of her new album, “Something Good,” at Industry on November 7. The CD will be available on iTunes at the end of the year. For more information on Martha Wash, visit facebook.com/themarthawash
