Champaign were an R&B band with adult contemporary leanings from the 1980s,… Read Full Bio ↴Champaign were an R&B band with adult contemporary leanings from the 1980s, best known for their 1981 hit "How 'Bout Us." The interracial septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, USA, included Pauli Carman and Rena Day on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Howard Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffitt on percussion/drums. The title track in their 1981 album, How 'Bout Us, was a hit single, reaching Top Five in the United Kingdom and on the United States R&B charts (also #12 U.S. Pop). Their second album, Modern Heart, was released in 1983 and contained the Top Ten R&B track "Try Again." Another follow-up, 1984's Woman in Flames, contained the Top Ten R&B song "Off and On Love." Other songs include "Party People" and "Walkin'".
In the mid 80s Carman left the band to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986, scoring an R&B hit with the title track. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. This follow-up effort proved less successful.
In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. While it was not a smash hit, it did herald a brief return to the R&B chart with the single "Trials of the Heart."
In 2003, a 'greatest hits' compilation album was released that included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent.
Band member Michael Day died of cancer in 2001.
In 2008, Pauli Carman original lead singer continues to represent the group "Champaign". The Carma album, released in 2008, included original songs along with a remake of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" and the Stevie Wonder track "I Love, I Love".
In 2010, Get Back 2 Love was released (included a remaster of "How 'Bout Us"). The title track "Get Back 2 Love" made reference to Champaign's top hits.
In 2010, the single "Mercy" was released (a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit "Mercy Mercy Me)". This single was to assist those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds was donated to various agencies assisting with the clean up and restoration in the area.
In November 2010, Carman produced The Pauli Carman Show (a TV pilot online show).
In 2011, the single "Share" was released from the album (The Kind) to be released in 2012.
In the mid 80s Carman left the band to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986, scoring an R&B hit with the title track. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. This follow-up effort proved less successful.
In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. While it was not a smash hit, it did herald a brief return to the R&B chart with the single "Trials of the Heart."
In 2003, a 'greatest hits' compilation album was released that included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent.
Band member Michael Day died of cancer in 2001.
In 2008, Pauli Carman original lead singer continues to represent the group "Champaign". The Carma album, released in 2008, included original songs along with a remake of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" and the Stevie Wonder track "I Love, I Love".
In 2010, Get Back 2 Love was released (included a remaster of "How 'Bout Us"). The title track "Get Back 2 Love" made reference to Champaign's top hits.
In 2010, the single "Mercy" was released (a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit "Mercy Mercy Me)". This single was to assist those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds was donated to various agencies assisting with the clean up and restoration in the area.
In November 2010, Carman produced The Pauli Carman Show (a TV pilot online show).
In 2011, the single "Share" was released from the album (The Kind) to be released in 2012.
Lighten Up
Champaign Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Lighten Up' by these artists:
Andy Fairweather Low I've blazed across this city Broken through the flames Sold …
Aura Zorba Lighten up, never lighten up You're on the verge of your…
Beastie Boys Lighten up, gotta lighten up, gotta lighten up right now Got…
Beastie Boys - Check Your Head [1992] Lighten up, gotta lighten up, gotta lighten up right now Got…
Brothers Osborne There's a roadside bar with a neon sign When the sun…
Chickenfoot Why you workin' so hard, baby You could be makin' it…
Citizens Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up …
Citizens! Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up Lighten up …
Collective Soul Oh, you think it but you can't believe So you say…
Emily James Now I′m sitting here in the corner of my room Staring…
Kitsune² Hey, miss, you look kind of sad If you give me…
Morcheeba I can feel a storm brewing over nothing We were having…
Shaina Taub Life will drive you up the wall so, lighten up You'll…
Shirley Manson You say I should lighten up, loosen up and have…
★Morcheeba I can feel a storm brewing over nothing We were having…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Champaign:
How Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How 'Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How 'bout Us? Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How About Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How `Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How ‘Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How ’Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How' Bout Us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
How'bout us Ooh, short and sweet No sense in draggin' on past our…
Try Again I been starin' at your photograph Wondering where you're at …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Dolores Castillo
One of my favorites back then and still now.
nightimelady
yep, i'm buying this album! thanks for this one
nigel hammond
I was 11 years old and my late great father used to play n play n play again this awesome album in he's primrose yellow totally mint vauxhall sports cavalier coupe . I followed him like he's shadow in he's car and loved he's music played loud and proud . Thank you for putting the champaign album tracks up on here , esp how bout us , I tingled from head to toe with fond memory's of this great song and my late great father . R.I.P dad . Xxx
Sam W
Lighten up.... Love this
MultiJazmo
tight fonk!.how can u listen 2 this & not dance yr ass off?!
Michael Williams
love dis tune reminds me of the continental wine bar wandsworth road late 80s
UBZUKKI
Niceness.....
71crown gt
Good times in kuwait back in 1981
ep784
This song is nasty!
Jose Maria daSilva
real center são Caetano do Sul 1985