If You Should Ever Be Lonely- Val Young

Dance and R&B singer Val Young's most popular hit song If You Should Ever Be Lonely released in 1986.
Background: She was discovered by George Clinton, who hired her as a background vocalist in 1977 for The Brides of Funkenstein, one of the many acts in his Funkadelic stable. In 1980, she recorded background vocals on the Roy Ayers/Wayne Henderson LP, Prime Time. Young became a background vocalist for The Gap Band the same year and was featured with the group on the funk classic hit "I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head)". She recorded five albums with the group and also toured with them. It wasnt until she met Rick James that she became popular. James promoted her as the "Black Marilyn Monroe" and brought Young to Berry Gordy, who signed her to Motown Records on James' recommendation. Rick James produced her debut album Seduction which was released in 1985, it included the singles "Mind Games" and the title track "Seduction", as well as "Piece of My Heart" and "If You Should Ever Be Lonely", which were successful follow-ups in 1986.

[@lan-julie4111]

If you lived in the New York area when this song came out you were listening to it on WBLS! Or you were dancing to it in any one of the great clubs we had here. This was the genuine music of that era. It doesn't get more real than this. Thank you, Miss Val Young!

[@andyagostinucci3423]

WBLS

[@exxerton5688]

Agree, heard a lot on Kiss FM back in the day!!! That’s probably 1 of the 1st tunes that got me into house music!!!

[@ChrisMallon-lt6ig]

You know it.Brooklyn in the building.

[@libertycity4life]

WPLJ Power 95

[@jamieanser93]

You know it 🖤.

[@edranieri5273]

There will never be an era like this again.............R&B club music was the absolute best !!

[@sharondiggs273]

She's coming back seen her on cbs news this morning

[@jjsmith7091]

7

[@luiscolon3699]

Your absolutely right best times, best friends, best music.

[@khaledbenotmane1991]

6

[@shermanw711]

Not enough best year of my life 60 year old now boy did I enjoyed these pain misery and suffering was there but these tunes made it easier to bare .

[@user-vf4pb9dt1r]

If you're over 40 this song will give you goose bumps.

[@williamscaetano5136]

and it does!!!

[@Newblessedgrl76]

It does! Gets into my bones!

[@Newblessedgrl76]

We were babies when this came out

[@annjean8709]

Indeed it does!

[@GO-wx8dh]

If you like good music then this song will give you goose bumps.

[@Grgaforniateezy]

I was chatting with this lady the other day at the bar of a restaurant and as we were talking she starts telling me that she's a singer. I asked her if she's done anything I would know and she was like google me, my name is Val Young. You talk about a mindfuvk, she was so cool and easy going you'd never know she was a legend. Very cool lady

[@olrikkleiner7265]

I first heard this song on Kiss FM in NYC in 1985. Never stopped loving it!

[@nancyvalenti3656]

YESSSSS!!!

[@lawlaw1]

Same . & or WBLS

[@jeninepalladino]

Who’s listening in 2024?

[@Dresknowsbest]

damn, this was when radio actually played good music.

[@thesiciliannyc]

I wish it was 1986 again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Themercy1971]

ikr....i do too,i was 15 then😊😊

[@FireitupBedford]

1985

[@RangerPete1994]

The summer of 86 was great...

[@thesiciliannyc]

@@RangerPete1994 For us Met fans it sure was

[@ryneemeah332]

Me too

[@jennykedi3850]

You had to live in the 80's to feel it . Words just can't explain it. . I love you NYC.

[@tinylove3309]

Rightttt love it 😍

[@charissecamacho8028]

NYC summers in the 80's..the best!!

[@jamela6357]

Yes!!!

[@darklight7452]

@@charissecamacho8028 pizza..coconut icy the heat the energy. The city was so alive

[@paulthomas5590]

I FULLY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY, CONCUR!

[@junecat1597]

Val Young was recently interviewed on the news, so I had to listen to this song after so many years. This may sound crazy, but this brought tears to my eyes thinking of those days in the 80's. So many people are gone; have passed on...😿💔...God bless ya'll...🙏

[@LiteracyNation]

Yes this song makes me want to cry also

[@RaphaelLevante]

@@LiteracyNation Ditto!

[@719kai719]

Yes music gas that effect on me too. It really takes you back with the memories.

[@johnredavid4397]

Bay Ridge 3am ! LIT Every one in the club was rocking this!

[@719kai719]

I have always loved this song. It got a whole lot of airplay back in the day in NYC.

[@Antertainment531]

How could I forget about this classic? I miss the 80s.

[@smakdad01]

I have looked for an extended version of this song for years. Take my word on this, get this entire cd! With cuts like "Mind Games" and "Seduction" you'll be reaching for it on a regular basis. Val Young is known in my house as well as Diana Ross! There is absolutely no excuse for this lady to not be putting out new releases right now! She's the BOMB! (now to find a 12 inch version of this!)

[@professormause]

I've the album on vinyl & CD. 3 copies of this on 12'' and her other great track Seduction on 12'' too. Motown are sound asleep on the expanded re-issue front.

[@user-vf4pb9dt1r]

this makes me sad when I think back of the good days. growing old sucks, but then again growing old is a privilege denied to many. just embrace it.

[@dawnmariedemidio57]

Amen, I was 19 when I heard this song and I fell in love with it!! I still love it!! This is when music was music!!

[@KamLife1]

Well said, Damm, embrace it no doubt!

[@singlefella2008]

I TOTALLY AGREE!!

[@allanjelenjelen7559]

We all live on in heavens again gods will death is nothin to fear just part of life i work at coroners.Death is my business fear nothin baby.

[@elderherrera2238]

Think of the time..think of the time. Sadness....sure.....happiness.....not. Oh but the meaning!!

[@ironmike5754]

I'm born in 1986, i listening this song in 2000 ... 2024 i'm still here ! Forever💯 Val Young i love you❤ The Funk never die👊

[@thesiciliannyc]

Good 4 u

[@WELOVEUSELENA]

SAME HERE!!!!💯

[@ironmike5754]

@@WELOVEUSELENA me too georgous

[@nathanhaynes7412]

U should have been born earlier. Think of the times moments we shared ❤️

[@gina72916]

A forgotten gem.

[@bgoode1807]

Rediscovered!

[@mikenianiouras7848]

B Goode Lmao !

[@thomasturbo7555]

So right man

[@michaelbruno1330]

Not forgotten Mariah Carey brought it back to life through her mash up of heartbreaker remixed by junior Vasquez!

[@boudusaved4719]

49 years old and today was the first time I heard this song on Sirius XM 80s channel.

[@MsManda66]

Miss this type of music

[@SonicCatharsis2012]

You should check out this slammin' new artist, "Karly C". Her songs "The Only Reason" and "DNA on Me" are totally 80's Freestyle retro! Her producer came out of the C&C music factory camp. www.karlycmusic.com

[@42pleasant]

Val is a very talented singer and a very beautiful person. Her long impressive resume goes back to George Clinton/Parliament -Funkadelic as she was a "Bride of Funkenstein". Then she went out on her own and created some very good music herself. And her voice is very distinctive. One of a kind. I love Val and I had the opportunity to go out to dinner with her when she was living in Buffalo NY many years ago........Much props and much love to Val.......Haters keep hatin cause that all yall can do.

[@kennethsteele6808]

Like the previous person commented, I wish it was 1986 again, too! I miss those days! It was a special time for me. I was in-love with my high-school sweetheart, planning to marry her. But it didn't work out that way. But it's all-good! I enjoyed the memories with her. And this song reminds me of those times. Peace!

[@haniffdaniel4929]

I remember hearing this song on the radio everyday as a kid..what a great era 80s and early 90s❤️❤️

[@Heyde1979]

I loved hearing this song on 103.5 WKTU in New York

[@virginialeibrick3563]

92 KTU too 😅

[@tommyo2333]

@@virginialeibrick3563 With Paco

[@antonkern639]

Val young gave us so many great funk music moments - just bought her 2 solo cds - both re so timeless good and u can play it without skipping a track...😍. its 2023 to discover music again - what a great talent

[@calvin9999999999]

I'm listening to this because I wanted to hear the original as Mariah Carey samples this song in her "Heartbreaker/If You Should Ever Be Lonely" Remix.

[@dafuture93]

Calvin!!!! Where have you been??? I've missed your Mariah vocal range videos! Do you not make videos anymore?

[@calvin9999999999]

MikeJMCarey93 Ah thank you. I didn't realise so many people missed them! It's the time now. I have a job and that lol

[@dwaynesmith3842]

calvin9999999999 the original is a classic...

[@noylmusip]

soundcloud.com/nichantube/heartbreaker-if-you-should-ever-be-lonely

[@vincentthomas7142]

calvin9999999999 YASSSS

[@cryonsjr]

For some strange reason I woke up this morning thinking about this song. I haven't thought of this song in decades, so glad things buried deep resurface into your mind.

[@mariecampbell3373]

Songs don't get old. They get better.

[@SteadiStick]

Rick James is a genius who doesn't get the full respect that he deserves.

[@tauruswilliams3923]

Did Rick James put this woman out if so wowww???

[@gritzgravy1760]

He really doesn't

[@tracyskins7854]

Totally agree 💯💯💯

[@professormause]

Yeah. Anyone can parrot a certain 'b' word. Just shows they know nothing about his actual music.

[@georgerudawsky861]

Club favorite in palisade park soap factory disco smoke machines and this tune had everyone on the dance floor.

[@MrTsampson100]

A NEVER ENDING CLASSIC 🎶

[@LydgiaOfHarlem]

What great musical memories! NYC 80's radio!

[@bigmike690smc]

No joke......Going back in the day !

[@mannygarcia8496]

If your 40 you got to know this song

Mariah Carey covered it :D

[@bigmike690smc]

I've got it and Seduction on 12 inch single kicking around here somewhere..

[@vichyssoise80]

So did Real McCoy!

[@cedbigby5456]

i sort of remember this on the air back in the day

[@stevecolombo420]

Manny Garcia im. 40. And. Remember. This. Well. Great. Memories

[@user-vf4pb9dt1r]

I forgot all about this song. I used to love this song, and still do.

[@jeimuzufernandis6870]

Such an underrated artist of her generation. She would have been great. Her vocals, her approach... Such a shame. Her album Seduction is really really good... If you haven't heard it. Please do give it listen. Worth a listen. 💖💖💖👂👂👂😊😊😊

[@RAYCHAPA]

I remember her in those days, she was outstanding.

[@thesiciliannyc]

She got the dance floor movin'

[@mrsunshineshines]

Just another great classic from the endless number of wonderful dance songs from The 80's...

[@travisaddison1169]

Hellrazor brought me here. And im not dissapointed🎧🔥

[@jonise2524]

This song is so 80s,i love it

[@user-oy5py6wo8q]

Pure 80’s dynamite

[@donnielayzie1972]

MASTERPIECE !!!!! GREAT VOICE !!!!! KILLER INSTRUMENTAL !!!!

[@zendmar-shin7561]

& she's a helluva looker too

[@dwayne4576]

86 my moms liked this record alot.. underrated classic from the 80's

[@feetfixations]

Wow Val Young is awesome! This song came out when I was a freshmen in HS in 1986! Awesome, awesome, awesome! Brings back awesome times and days playing basketball on the southside of the chicago with the legends of the time in HS, Nick Anderson, Marcus Liberty, Donell Thomas etc, awesome!

[@Movale216]

Love this song.Good music. Please let this type of music come back.

[@allanjelen2365]

Valerie Moore maybe in a place called heavens.

[@SonicCatharsis2012]

You should check out this slammin' new artist, "Karly C". Her songs "The Only Reason" and "DNA on Me" are totally 80's Freestyle retro! Her producer came out of the C&C music factory camp. www.karlycmusic.com

[@ceofounder]

Summer of 1986 Empire Roller Skating Rink on Empire Blvd in Flatbush/crown heights Brooklyn! I was a little kid trying to skate and dance with the teenagers. I so miss the 1980's! Great song from a beautiful singer! Music was fun and had a message in the 1980's!

[@Mookaron]

Lol

[@RadioMetrixNews]

The late great Rick James worked with her and produced her big hit Seduction.

[@ILUVNY80]

Love her voice & song just reminiscing on my youth & what amazing time to be young & have this music that cannot be replaced.

[@Mitzi73]

I forgot this song existed! Lost track, reminds me of my childhood. Mariah Carey brought me here.

[@barryg4927]

Mitzi73 I never even heard it until the other day on studio 54 on Sirius... how did I miss this as an 80s nut?!!?? This rocks!

[@denisep6966]

By far, one of my favorite hits from the 80's!!

[@georgerudawsky861]

A classic Jam at all nyc and jersey clubs back in the day smokemachines pumping while this played dance floor packed great times . Lady rocked it . great times back then. Era was the best .

[@mlw2001]

Classic Throw Back Track! Goose bumps! I want to go back in time!!!

[@1dennissparacio]

Outstanding Track, I have this on 12 inch...Great Hustle Track...

[@yonnaj5231]

This is one of my all time favorites. There was talk years ago about Beyonce remaking this song, but it never happened. I don't think anyone could top this. She has the right amount of sorrow and desperation in her voice when she's singing this. She is the best.

[@Charlesbjtown]

Beyonce needs to leave this one alone.

[@l.christinejones8164]

@@Charlesbjtown Thank you. Yes. No one can step back in time and bring Val Young's energy.

[@drewkhandi2312]

I love that Mariah worked this into her dance remix of Heartbreaker. That’s how I discovered this song. It makes me think of Miami Vice and the 1980’s cop dramas

[@keeneboy7700]

The Real McCoys version is pretty great too. That's what brought me here.

[@georgerudawsky861]

A classic Jam back in the day . A club favorite at all the clubs in nyc and elsewhere . Smokemachines pumping while this Jam was on had tha dance floor packed great times great era of music .

[@taranbains8535]

I can move to the first minute of this in a club in New York in the 80s and I’m Tony Montana !

[@444drive]

Love this song. It brings back great memories of a classic era in music.

[@eptrile]

i love val young, she has the most amazing voice, this song is a pure classic, thanks for posting it

[@09181975]

Val Young be sooooo damn PROUD OF HERSELF for recording this one! Even Mariah Carey remade this song. That's how much of a LEGACY she has. Go girl!

[@ssmi636]

She did the chorus on "to live in die in L.A." on the Makaveli (2pac) album, "don't act like that" by Too Short, and other hip hop tracks.

[@zendmar-shin7561]

Wow that's tight asf

[@l.christinejones8164]

Wow she sure did

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Val Young is Mama to these new school chicks

[@cedricreid1062]

Big up !! CHARLOTTE NORTH Carolina!! Raise up!!! Happy Mothers Day!! To all the lovely queens!!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Charlotte NC! Mother's Day 2024 and we still at it

[@charlessalas5294]

If This Was Released Today it'd Be Hot 🔥

[@rangerrick7729]

All I wanna say is, Mariah ate this up when she covered it and merged it with a remix of her song Heartbreaker. I love the original, tho, I knew of it before I came across Mariah’s remix/cover/interpolation, lol.

[@TrainMan2004]

Straight up 80s jam!!!!! 😊😊❤️❤️

[@JosephArroyo-ii5sr]

Sung effortlessly . every song she has ever sung!!!

[@jcholiday]

This song and her other one (seduction) were two of favorites back in the 80's and still now ... I love Val Young. I wish she made more !!!!!!

[@FireitupBedford]

Still jamming on this in 2017........

[@moonraker30]

Aww man, a truly forgotten gem!!!, I saw Val Young on Unsung the other night and wanted to see what she had done, and had NO idea she was the one singing this and Seduction!!!, great memories!!!

[@thesiciliannyc]

I remember going to St.Croix spring break 1986 with about 10 tapes I mixed & everyone coming to sit around us at the beach as I played this on my BOOM BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Guayaco007]

Awesome track this music takes me high

[@HarlemHyena]

This is why I love 1-hit wonders like this. They're done so perfectly, that it's almost impossible to recreate such treasures. I'll admit, Real McCoy's rendition was incredible as well, but giving these rarities new life is tricky.

[@thesiciliannyc]

She had 2 hit's,Seduction was her other hit

[@Aurora_Tom_Renton]

reminds me of when i was a teen, running the streets of Brooklyn, my first girlfriend ever. goosebumps the size of raisns

[@georgerudawsky861]

The club favorite. The good old days smoke machines always were on during this jam

[@syokusanagi]

Omg I haven’t heard this song in years.

[@kieshahunter8583]

I was just driving and this song came on SiriusXM Groove and I pumped this song going all the way home and yes this brought back memories I wanted to cry and I am 42yrs young wow.. I miss and loved this era of great music.

[@likluv6599]

Love this song;)

[@TheJazzyjeff333]

Brooklyn, NYC 1985.... all the way... :-)

[@marchbabi323]

Yessir!

[@hatsos79]

TheJazzyjeff333 I came of hanging out age in Brooklyn 1996-present, could only imagine what better times (and MUSIC) there was in Brooklyn those years, my older cousins tell me all the time... People, styles, the times, music like this..... Just cooler!!!!

[@Drackleyrva]

I tell my younger friends the same thing all the time---the 80s were soooooo fun.

[@hatsos79]

Dwight R I guess you could say every generation has its good music, there are young ones saying that they wished they grew up in the 90's, I did, music was cool also, Different... I guess everyone wants what they can't have or couldn't get....

[@hatsos79]

manfocused Do or Die bed-stuy in the house.... That's what's up, I was jut in that neighborhood 2 days ago.....

[@cheriseharris7293]

Great dance classic!

[@JiggyJiggyWitIt]

I'm 52 and LOVING this right now. 2018

[@williamtighe9978]

Remember listening to this song in 85.

[@19Osiris71]

I heard this on Chicago radio only a couple of times in the spring of '86; but it has always been with me. Thanks for the post!!

[@wonderland1979]

+19Osiris71 I remember this song also. I'm from Chi-town too. They used to play this song from time to time. I fell in love with it. I can't believe it 30 years later it still takes me back to 1986 :)

[@kevindavis9815]

damn, haven't heard this song since h.s 1985, damn

[@deemama66]

What good music was all about! Think of the time!

[@TheAteeyah]

Ms.Val Young was so beautiful.I just had my daughter recently married my Dutch mommy had the biggest baby shower for me this song was number 1 on the list.

[@LexDuarte]

There's a reason so many people cover this song, it's timeless!

[@mariadillingham4109]

Just recently heard this fantastic tune at the Black Tap NYC and it hit me like a lightening bolt, bringing me back to the 80s

[@essiefinch1356]

you go girl!

[@miguelfigueroa6444]

Love this song.

[@bernieuricheckjr.7914]

Still love this song!!

[@charlessalas5294]

The Jam Of The DAY !!!!

[@cindyj6140]

Oh my!!!! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS SONG!!! It reminds me when my daughter just turned 1 years old!! Long Island NY days!!

[@yelnats21]

Val is very active, she is now the lead vocalist for the Mary Jane girls, we did a concert this past friday in Houston Texas, this is my gurl, as real as they come!!

[@DetroitLives313]

Ms Val Young of Detroit!!!

[@santinosciortino2337]

Brings me back to my high school days. Great times, great memories

[@cedricreid1062]

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! To all you BEAUTIFUL Queens!! Massive respect! Blessings!! Be unto you all!!. C.A. REID

[@718blue1]

Wonderful song. Just pure class

[@whirlaway05]

Have you heard Mariah sing this in the remix of 'Heartbreaker/If you Should Ever Be Lonely?' It's SICK!!!!! When I 1st heard Mariah singing it- I couldn't STAND IT! Love her! But love Val's vers. too- it WAS the original after all, but when Mariah does ANYBODY'S version of ANYTHING- well that's another story- Mariah owns it ALL!

[@trveney5498]

Take me back to the 80’s. Simpler times

[@stangman1268]

in the 80's there was endless genre of music to please everybody arguably the best decade for music.

[@crystallinerose8155]

Genuine music right here. Thanks for keeping it alive. :)

[@briandutille9649]

I can't believe Rick Jane's produced this?? Brilliant ..one of my fave oldies to dance to!

[@COACHCLCHEER]

If I had the money I spent to get in the clubs, drinks every time I danced to this song--I would have a huge savings...…..1986!!!!

[@Mookaron]

Yes sir

[@user-xr2bh2uo2r]

My beloved sister Dawn Marie Ward absolutely loved this song 😢

[@johnnygillespie6763]

Always liked the guitar solo in this song!

[@domineeksanford8043]

Old skool Memories... Classic....