Billy Stewart, I Do Love You | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 196th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I Do Love You” by Billy Stewart. 

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 196^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I Do Love You” performed by Billy Stewart.

“I do love you, yes, I do now.” Billy Stewart (1937 – 1970) makes his love for her ‘crystal clear’ throughout  “I Do Love You”.  Sadly, the R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist died in 1970 at only 32 years old as the result of a car accident that killed him and his three passengers.  Despite his youth, Stewart left behind some incredible songs. “I Do Love You” ranks among the crème de la crème.  The opener from I Do Love You, released in 1965, peaked at no. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Stewart penned it while Roquel Davis produced it.

“Because I love you so bad now

It’s about to drive a me

Mad girl, I said I do

Love you, I do love you.”

The love may be deep and pronounced in “I Do Love You,” but the songwriting is simple and uncomplicated.  “Why don’t you listen to me / I’m beggin’ you on my bended knee,” Stewart sings near the end of the song, adding, “Oh, I love you, I pray for your love / Woulda come to me a someday.” Word.  Even if it’s not the most poetic text, Billy eats! The melodies are tuneful. His vocal performance is playful and soulful.  What is most impressive are the things that the short-lived Stewart did with his voice. His falsetto is magnificent.  Furthermore, the backdrop supporting Stewart is awesome: organ, rhythm guitar, robust bass, and drums. All in all, “I Do Love You” is a delightful 1960s soul gem.

Billy Stewart // I Do Love You // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1965

Billy Stewart, I Do Love You: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 196 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]