Very Special (song)


"Very Special" is a song by Debra Laws. Released as a single in 1981, it is the title track of her first album, and features her brother Ronnie with call and response backing vocals.
The song reached #90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 during the summer of the year. It peaked at number 11 on the R&B chart. On that chart, it ranks as the 64th biggest hit of 1981.
"Very Special" has been most notably covered and/or sampled by Big Daddy Kane and Jennifer Lopez, and has been the subject of lawsuits in this regard.

Big Daddy Kane cover

"Very Special" was covered by Big Daddy Kane featuring DJ Spinderella in 1993. It was the second single released from his fifth studio album, Looks Like a Job For.... Produced by Kane, the song is a duet between Kane and Salt-n-Pepa member DJ Spinderella. The chorus was performed by vocalists Karen Anderson and Laree Williams.
The song became an American Top 40 hit, becoming Big Daddy Kane's first and only single to crack the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 31.

Track listing

A-side

  1. "Very Special" – 5:05
  2. "Very Special" – 3:03
  3. "Very Special" – 3:53

B-side

  1. "Stop Shammin'" – 3:57
  2. "Stop Shammin'" – 3:57

Chart history

;Debra Laws version
Chart Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 10090
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles11

;Big Daddy Kane version
Chart Peak
position
Billboard Hot 10031
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks23
Billboard Hot Rap Singles9
Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales24
Billboard Rhythmic Top 406

Other cover versions and sampling