Al Green, Simply Beautiful | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 90^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Simply Beautiful” by musical icon, Al Green. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 90^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Simply Beautiful” performed by Al Green. 

“If I gave you my love / I tell you what I’d do / I’d expect a whole lotta love outta you.” That makes perfect sense, Rev. When “Simply Beautiful” was released, Al Green wasn’t Rev. Al Green.  He was still firmly entrenched in secular music – that utterly sublime Memphis soul (can I get an amen?!).  “Simply Beautiful” was neither a single nor a pop hit from his 1972 album, I’m Still in Love with You. Those honors belonged to top-five hits “I’m Still in Love with You” and “Look What You Done for Me”. It also doesn’t include the beloved single, “Love and Happiness” 🤯.  Still, “Simply Beautiful” is as beautiful as its title suggests – an album track that ranks at the top of his illustrious catalog.

“Simply Beautiful” was written by Al Green and produced by the late, great Willie Mitchell. Green delivers stellar vocals in his signature style. There is a cool energy.  His middle register and falsetto are equally effective – potent despite exhibiting poise. Lyrically, “Simply Beautiful” is simple, and that is part of the charm.  Green doesn’t have gargantuan demands for his lover. He requests lots of love, and states, “You gotta be good to me / I’m gonna be good to you.” To Al, the state of their relationship is, “Simply beautiful.” “What about the way you love me / And the way you squeeze me / Hey / Hey, simply beautiful.” Also, beautiful is the instrumental, steeped in that glorious Memphis sound (rhythm section, and strings). Another selling point is the fact that “Simply Beautiful” never feels forced or rushed – it feels easy.  “Simply Beautiful” is, indeed simply beautiful.

Al Green // I’m Still in Love with You // Hi / Fat Possum // 1972

Al Green, Simply Beautiful: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 90 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Hi / Fat Possum; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]