15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 8 | Playlist 🎧

1. Four Tops, “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got)”

💿 Keeper Of The Castle • 🏷 Geffen • 🗓 1972

🎙 Four Tops are one of the truly great, soul collectives hands down.  Sadly, Four Tops are among many acts that have NEVER been awarded a 🏆 Grammy! The group has plenty of hits on the R&B and pop charts, with 🎵 “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” being one of their biggest. Written by 🎼 ✍ Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert, it was originally recorded by 🎙 Hamilton, Joe Frank  & Reynolds 🤯! Of course, it was Four Tops that made it a hit on their 1972 album, 💿 Keeper Of The Castle.  It peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 – impressive to say the least.

“Every day the sun comes up around her

She can make the birds sing harmony.”

So, what makes this record a surefire classic?  It starts with the music honestly – that gorgeous introduction sets the tone.  Overall, the instrumental backdrop can be described as chill, lush, and smooth (Potter and Lambert produce alongside 🎛 Steve Barri).  This gives 🎙 Levi Stubbs and company fuel for the fire, though, the collective always seemed to be on autopilot, didn’t they? Four Tops deliver celestial vocal harmonies, while Stubbs serves up commanding, soulful lead vocals.  The verses shine, as the excerpted lyrics suggest, but it is the chorus – among soul music’s catchiest – that solidifies the hit status of “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)”.  The core of the chorus is the eight-letter title, along with stellar ad-libs by 🎙 Lawrence Payton, 🎙 Obie Benson, and 🎙 Duke Fakir.  All told, 🎵 “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” is the cat’s meow!

Appears in 🔻:

• Four Tops, “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 136 (2022)

2. Kool & The Gang, “Cherish”

💿 Emergency • 🏷 UMG Recordings Inc. • 🗓 1984

“Let’s cherish every moment we have been given / For time is passing by.” So true, 🎙 Kool & The Gang.  The R&B collective is responsible for a host of hits, including 🎵 “Cherish”, which just missed the top spot on the pop charts in 1985. It was the highest charting of the two top 10 hits from the group’s 1984 album, 💿 Emergency.  “Cherish” is an exquisitely produced, mid-tempo ballad that encourages cherishing love. “If you receive your calling before I wake / Could I make it through the night?” It is, indeed, food for thought.

The chorus, of course, serves as the centerpiece of “Cherish,” repeating the titular lyric a total of five times:

“Cherish the love we have

We should cherish the life we live

Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the love.”

The words are simple but absolutely prudent – sound, sound advice.  The second verse focuses on an ever-changing world highlighting the fact that “Love will stand the test of time.” Good stuff! Also great is the following lyrics: “The next life that we live in remains to be seen / Will you be by my side?” We can only hope, right? 🎵 “Cherish” is a solid representation of the adult contemporary brand of R&B that evolved in the 1980s. While it sounds characteristic of the era, it certainly does NOT sound like an anachronism in the 2020s.  This is an epic R&B joint!

Appears in 🔻:

• Kool & The Gang, “Cherish”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 130 (2022)

3. Bobby Womack, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out”

💿 Facts of Life • 🏷 The Right Stuff • 🗓 1973 

🎵 “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” marvelously commences 💿 Facts of Life, the 1973 album by the late, great soul artist, 🎙 Bobby Womack.  While it is Womack that brings the lyrics and song to life, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” was written by 🎼 ✍ James (Jimmie) Cox (it is a transformation of the blues standard, 🎵 “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out”). Man, oh, man, did Mr. Cox write an epic track! Womack produces the gem, which features an electrifying soul groove, led by the drums and a robust bass line.  Of course, one of the biggest selling points is none other than the nuanced, playful, and soulful vocals by Womack. It is safe to say that he delivers ample personality on this classic.

What is the premise of this no. 29 pop hit? Honestly, it is just as the title suggests. Once you are lacking success – influence, money, in particular, or whatever it may be – NOBODY wants you.  Womack (the character he portrays) recounts affluence – “I lived the life of a millionaire” and “Drinkin’ that good gin, champagne and wine.” Of course, he came down and his ‘friends’ dried up alongside the money and that bougie alcohol. As the chorus states brilliantly, “Cause, I found out / Nobody wants you when you’re down and out.” Of course, Womack makes a wise observation later: “But just let you get up on my feet again / Here they all come tellin’ you / All are you long-lost friends.” It is true what can be said about fake, Fairweather friends. Ultimately, 🎵 “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” ranks among the crème de la crème of the Bobby Womack collection.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bobby Womack, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 131 (2022)
• Nobody: 5ive Songs No. 80 (2022)
• 13 Notable Nobody, No One Songs (2022)

4. Peaches & Herb, “Reunited” 

🎙 Peaches & Herb • 💿 2 Hot • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. / Motown • 🗓 1978

“Reunited / And it feels so good / Reunited / ‘Cause we understand,” R&B duo 🎙 Peaches & Herb memorably sing in chorus of 🎵 “Reunited”.  They continue singing, “There’s one perfect fit / And sugar, this one is it / We both are so excited ‘cause we’re / Reunited / Hey, hey.” “Reunited,” which appears on the duo’s 1978 album, 💿 2 Hot!, was a huge hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.  The nearly six-minute, slow but energetic, love-centric ballad was penned by 🎼 ✍ Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren.

On “Reunited,” The listener is treated to authentic, dedicated vocal performances by both members. While they sing with confidence, neither seems to perspire, performing with a cool energy which is – wait for it – cool 😎. Their chemistry is undeniable – nothing short of remarkable.  “I was a fool to ever leave your side / Me minus you is such a lonely ride” Herb (🎙 Herb Fame) sings in the first verse, singing about a breakup and ultimately, realizing how special the relationship is. Peaches (🎙 Linda Greene at this time) confirms the same sentiment: “I sat here starin’ at the same old wall / Came back to life just when I got your call…”  Further fueling the fire on this late 1970s classic, beyond the theme of breaking up and reuniting, is incredibly lush and refined production (Perren). The awe-inspired orchestration includes woodwinds, horns, strings (including harp), and of course, keys.  🎵 “Reunited” is one of those once in a lifetime gems that NEVER grow old.  No anachronism here on this 🏆 Grammy nominated masterpiece!

Appears in 🔻:

• Peaches & Herb, “Reunited”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 2 (2023)

5. Edwin Starr, “Twenty Five Miles”

💿 25 Miles • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1969

“Come on feet, start movin’ / Got to get me there.” From the onset, 🎙 Edwin Starr is on autopilot on the 1960s soul gem, 🎵 “Twenty Five Miles”.  “Twenty Five Miles” commences his 1969 album, 💿 25 Miles with a surefire bang.  Honestly, could 25 Miles be named after something else beyond this top-10 pop hit (no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100)? NOPE – it is his second-highest charting single behind his best-known record, 🎵 “War”.

In this hella funky soul cut, Starr is “Twenty five miles from home,” and has “been walking for three days / And two lonely nights.” Oh, nap!  Ultimately, despite his hurting feet and the time consumption, the fact that Edwin has an awesome woman waiting for him makes the journey worthwhile.  By the second verse, Starr has only fifteen miles, admitting, “I’ll be so glad to see my baby / And hold her in my arms one more time.” By verse three, he counts down from ten, reaching the five mile mark, asserting, “Although my feet are tired / I can’t lose my stride / I got to get to my baby again.” Clearly, this woman is the sugar honey iced tea! Of course, the crème de la crème, the crowning achievement of “Twenty Five Miles” is the infectious chorus. Also, those authentic, expressive, and high-flying vocals by Mr. Starr do not hurt the cause either, especially backed by lit vintage production work (those horns) .

Appears in 🔻:

• Edwin Starr, “Twenty Five Miles”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 133 (2022)

6. The New Birth, “Wild Flower”

💿 It’s Been a Long Time  • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 1973

“Let her cry, for she’s a lady / Let her dream, she’s a child / Let the rain fall down upon her / She’s a free and gentle flower growing wild.” 🎙 The New Birth covered the 🎙 Skylark classic, 🎵 “Wild Flower”, on their 1973 album, 💿 It’s Been a Long Time. If the record sounds familiar to a younger audience, it’s thanks to 🎙 Jamie Foxx, who sampled for his 2005 hit, 🎵 “Unpredictable”). The gorgeous, symphonic introduction exemplifies the 1970s soul sound.  It is often this opening portion that has been marvelously repurposed with a string of more contemporary hits.  That said, “Wild Flower” deserves all of its flowers now for being a truly stupendous classic. “Wild Flower,” which runs six-and-a-half minutes, earned some success on the pop charts, peaking at no. 45.  It fared better on the R&B charts, peaking at no. 17.

The orchestrations are one of the biggest selling points of The New Birth rendition of “Wild Flower” – the lush strings, the horn riffs, the locked-in rhythm section! The vocals are dynamic as well, including authentic, expressive lead vocals and sweet, harmonized falsetto backing vocals.  The songwriting continues to thrive in The New Birth’s hands. An underrated soul gem, 🎵 “Wild Flower”, in the hands of The New Birth is a prime example of sheer brilliance!

Appears in 🔻:

• The New Birth, “Wild Flower”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 134 (2022)
• Skylark vs. The New Birth: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 6 (2023)

7. L.T.D., “(Every Time I turn Around) Back in Love Again”

💿 Something To Love • 🏷 A&M • 🗓 1977

“Every time I move, I lose / When I look I’m in / And every time I turn around / I’m back in love.” Woo – what an incredibly catchy chorus, 🎙 L.T.D.! 🎵 “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” is easily one of the funkiest soul records of all time – NO CAP!  This top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaked at no. 4) appears as the third track from L.T.D.’s 1977 LP, 💿 Something To Love.  Both “Back In Love Again” and Something To Love earned gold certification by the RIAA.

So, what makes “Back In Love Again” so effing funky? The groove is electric, the bass line robust, while the guitar and keys are also absolutely sick 💪.  Furthermore, those horns are epic to the n^th  degree – the riffs are killer!  Beyond the backdrop, among the biggest selling points is the assertive, nuanced lead vocals by 🎙 Jeffrey Osborne, who would go on to have a successful solo career beyond L.T.D.  He shines on the verses, impressing most on the centerpiece, the chorus.  Beyond Osborne’s excellent pipes, he’s aided by superb of backing vocals which up the ante.  The theme of 🎵 “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” is simple: even though love can be hell, Jeffrey can’t help but find himself falling in love over and over again.  The same could be said about any of us, right? Right! 

Appears in 🔻:

• L.T.D., “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 5 (2023)

8. Michael Jackson, “Ben”

💿 Ben • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1972 

A decade before 🎙 Michael Jackson would unveil the likes of 🎵 “Billie Jean” to the world, the 13 year old was singing about a rat 🐀.  Not just any rat of course, but 🎵 “Ben”. Furthermore, his 1972 solo album was also titled 💿 Ben. “Ben, the two of us need look no more,” he sings sentimentally in the opening line of the first verse.  He continues, on his first no. 1 hit as a solo artist, “We both found what we were looking for / With a friend to call my own / I’ll never be alone.”

Because “Ben,” penned by 🎼 ✍ Don Black and Walter Scharf, is so thoughtful and focused on sincere friendship, the fact that the song is a soundtrack cut in a horror movie about a rat is unimportant. If you have never seen the 1972 film or read a synopsis, it is shocking how different it is compared to this sweet song by a teen music icon 🤯.  Jackson’s tone is absolutely gorgeous, showcasing him as the once-in-a-generation wunderkind that he was.  Besides bring the tender lyrics to life with his awe-inspiring instrument, the production and orchestration supporting him (🎛 The Corporation) – strings and rhythm section – are utterly stupendous.

“Ben, most people would turn you away

I don’t listen to a word they say

They don’t see you as I do

I wish they would try to

I’m sure they’d think again

If they had a friend like Ben.”

So sweet!

Appears in 🔻:

• Michael Jackson, “Ben”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 1 (2023)
• 13 Intriguing Songs That Reference Animals (2023)

9. Tyrone Davis, “Turn Back The Hands of Time”

💿 Turn Back The Hands Of Time • 🏷 Brunswick Record Corp. • 📅 1970

“But if I had a chance to start all over / I would be wishing today on a four leaf clover,” the late, great soul musician, 🎙 Tyrone Davis sings in the first verse of 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”. He finishes the verse, “And leaving would be the last thing on my mind / If I could turn back the hands of time.” Davis is filled with regret about a defunct relationship on this classic from his 1970 album, 💿 Turn Back The Hands Of Time. Davis didn’t write the song (🎼 ✍️ Johnny Moore and Jack Daniels deserve credit for the songwriting), but he does bring the relatable theme and lyrics to life.  🎛 Willie Henderson nails it in the production department.  As to be expected, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” is bright and spirited in sound, as Davis wishes for a rewind and showing he can be the man that she needs.

Davis would earn two top five pop hits in his lifetime.  His highest charting pop hit is, you guessed it, “Turn Back The Hands of Time” which peaked at no. 3.  On the R&B charts, Davis reached the penthouse.  Take one listen and it is understandable why this was a crossover hit.  “Oh darlin’, I can’t hold out much longer / But the pain is getting deep,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “But if I just had one more try / I would be yours alone, until the day I die.” We have all made mistakes in life, specifically in love.  The message, in addition to the catchy chorus and ear-catching instrumental, solidify the success of this five decade old gem.  Sure, music doesn’t sound like this anymore but 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” certainly does NOT sound anachronistic, and the message rings true.

Appears in 🔻:

• Tyrone Davis, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 3 (2023)

10. Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”

💿 The Man Who Invented Soul  • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2000 

Apparently, the late, great 🎙 Sam Cooke didn’t know much about various things – academics specifically. See Exhibit A 🔎: “Don’t know much about history / Don’t know much biology / Don’t know much about a science book / Don’t know much about the French I took.”  So, is the iconic soul musician totally inept on 🎵 “(What A) Wonderful World”? Absolutely not! While the soulful Cooke may not be well-versed in the things mentioned throughout this highlight, he probably isn’t interested in learning either. Why? The focus is love.  Why? The focus is love.

See Exhibit B 🔎:

“But I do know that I love you

And I know that if you love me, too

What a wonderful world this would be.”

Yes, Cooke makes it clear that he is no genius, but he understands the power of love above all! Ultimately, “(What A) Wonderful World” is a bright, optimistic sounding vintage soul classic.  It has a simplistic vibe and sensibility yet feels potent to the n^th degree. The lyrics are memorable and catch, while  the backdrop is terrific, too.  Cooke penned “(What A) Wonderful World” alongside 🎼 ✍ Lou Adler and Herb Alpert – yeah, that Herb Alpert!  This gem would peak at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1960, among Cooke’s highest charting hits.

Appears in 🔻:

• Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 7 (2023)
• 11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through (2023)

11. Enchantment, “Gloria”

💿 Enchantment • 🏷 Roadshow • 🗓 1976

“Gloria / My Gloria / Things ain’t been the same / Since you went away.” Ah, those pesky matters of the heart – they always seem to be perfect fuel for the fire for a song! 🎙 Enchantment thrived from the success of 🎵 “Gloria”, which peaked at no. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, the five-and-a-half-minute ballad marked the biggest single of the R&B collective’s career.  The vocals – lead and background – are epic, the production is lush (strings, winds, and keys), and the songwriting is memorable.

“It seems like / Only yesterday / I beheld your sweet face / And in my lonely room / My memories of your embrace.” Clearly, Enchantment is sentimental about Gloria – she’s one special girl. “Isn’t it funny / How time can change / All the things you want to believe,” lead singer and co-writer 🎙 Emanuel Johnson asserts, adding, “But time won’t change / The way I feel / Cause in my mind / It’s you and me / You and me.” Johnson penned “Gloria” alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Michael Stokes, who is also responsible for that silky smooth production that’s idiomatic of the 1970s soul sound through and through.  What more is there to say about 🎵 “Gloria”?  This gem from 💿 Enchantment, the 1976 album by Enchantment, speaks for itself. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Enchantment, “Gloria”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 4 (2023)
• 13 Songs That Feature Names, Vol. 3 (2023)

12. The Dramatics, “In The Rain”

💿 Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get • 🏷 Concord Music Group • 🗓 1971

“I wanna go outside in the rain / It may sound crazy, but I / Wanna go outside in the rain.” It does sound crazy to some extent but there is nothing crazy about the biggest hit of 🎙 The Dramatics’ catalog. 🎵 “In The Rain” earned the soul quintet a top-five hit on the pop charts, their second top-10 hit following 🎵 “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”.  Both songs appeared on The Dramatics’ debut LP, 💿 Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get. “In The Rain,” which was written by 🎼 ✍ Tony Hester, peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Hester’s pen is tremendous. Furthermore, so is his production, which famously features rain, thunder, and lightning effects.  Furthermore, the instrumental sounds are awesome too, with the gorgeous keys, robust bass line, horns, and strings – this is 1970s soul after all! Besides the instrumental ear candy, the late, great 🎙 William “Wee Gee” Howard brings the heat on vocals.  So, why does Howard want to go outside in the rain? “‘Cause I, I think I’m gonna cry / And I, I don’t want you to see me cry.” There you go.  Later, he states the rain will camouflage those tears, of which, “I’m crying, because of you.” Woo! He does speak about better days BUT right now, he’s going through it – the rain of those pesky matters of the heart, that is! The Dramatics’ rain is our listening pleasure – one of the truly great soul classics of the 1970s.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Dramatics, “In The Rain”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 9 (2023)

13. The Stylistics, “People Make The World Go Round”

💿 The Stylistics – The Original Debut Album • 🏷 Amherst • 🗓 1971

“But that’s what makes the world go round / The ups and downs, a carousel.” True, 🎙 The Stylistics – you’ve got a legitimate point on 🎵 “People Make The World Go Round”. “People Make The World Go Round” appears as the seventh track on the epic 💿 The Stylistics – The Original Debut Album.  Although The Stylistics featured bigger, more renowned hits, this gem highlighting a turbulent world – “Buses on strike want a raise in fare / So they can help pollute the air” – still managed to peak at no. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

🎼 ✍ Thom Bell ( R.I.P. ) and 🎼 ✍ Linda Creed are responsible for composing this utterly terrific gem (Bell also produces). Musically, it is impressive from the start. First, there is an enigmatic introduction which sets the tone for the record.  Soon enough, electric keys establish a groove, with a hi-hat heavy groove delivered by the drums later.  Of course, the orchestration is breathtaking as well.  The listener is spoiled with tremendous ear candy: ripe falsetto lead vocals by 🎙 Russell Thompkins, Jr., strings, horns, and a tight rhythm section.  Honestly, what isn’t there to love about this late single from The Stylistics? 

Appears in 🔻:

• The Stylistics, “People Make The World Go Round”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 6 (2023)
• World: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 12 (2023)

14. The Platters, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”

💿 Remember When? • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 1959

“They asked me how I knew / My true love was true / I of course replied, something here inside / Cannot be denied.” Oh, the nostalgia! Early, renowned R&B/vocal collective 🎙 The Platters landed the biggest hit of their career with 🎵 “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” (💿 Remember When?), which peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.  Even though this record was recorded and released more than six decades ago, it remains potent – a once in a lifetime recording. “Smoke” features a gorgeous, truly celestial backdrop.  That backdrop is comprised of strings (including harp), piano, drums – it sounds sophisticated and vintage through and through.  Beyond the refined supporting instrumental, the lead vocals are marvelous by 🎙 Tony Williams.  While Williams is the engine that made this seminal hit by the Platters go, the supporting vocals by the rest of the collective are brilliant too.

“When your heart’s on fire, you must realize

Smoke gets in your eyes.”

“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was NOT an original by The Platters despite the fact that the collective made it sound that way – speaks to their tremendous musicianship. The tune is a jazz standard, from the 1933 musical, Roberta, written by 🎼 ✍ Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach in 1933.  While The Platters greatly owe Kern and Harbach for a stellar song, they made that stellar song even bigger.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Platters, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 8 (2023)
• Smoke 🚬 💨: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 5 (2023)

15. Wilson Pickett, “Hey Jude”

💿 Hey Jude • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1969

Many musicians have covered 🎙 The Beatles. The band has no shortage of classics and surefire hits. 🎵 “Hey Jude” is one of the band’s best – epic to the n^th degree (“Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad / Take a sad song and make it better”).  Had no one else recorded it ever again, the original version would be sufficient.  Of course, then came soul icon 🎙 Wilson Pickett with his gritty, powerful pipes, delivering 🎵 “Hey Jude” like we’ve NEVER heard before. Pickett’s cover, which appeared on his 1969 album, 💿 Hey Jude, impacted the pop charts, peaking at no. 23.

Pickett puts every ounce of himself in his soulful rendition of “Hey Jude.” From the onset, Pickett breathes new life into a song that kicked some serious butt already.  The backdrop embraces soul, his wheelhouse, with its use of organ, ripe guitar, a robust bass line, and punchy horns.  All of this provides the inspiration for the once-and-a-lifetime singer to serve up an authentic, ultra-inspired take of this 🎼 ✍ John Lennon and Paul McCartney gem.  Pickett is most true to self during the breakdown section, which, was one of the best moments of the original too.  Wilson goes wild, flaunting that signature wail that made so many of his own songs great, not to mention showcased a bigger-than-life personality. The Beatles are untouchable – we know this.  That said, Wilson Pickett showed the world how you absolutely slay when covering a big hit – specifically one of the band’s most dominant number one hits.

Appears in 🔻:

• Wilson Pickett, “Hey Jude”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 124 (2022)
• The Beatles vs. Wilson Pickett: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 49 (2022)