Clarence Carter, Slip Away | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 134^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Slip Away” by Clarence Carter.

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 that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 134^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Slip Away”, performed by 🎙 Clarence Carter.

“What would I give for just a few moments / What would I give just to have you near.” So far, nothing that blind blues/R&B musician 🎙 Clarence Carter sings on 🎵 “Slip Away” sounds far-fetched.  He continues singing in the first verse, “Tell me, you will try to slip away somehow / Oh, I need you darling, I want to see you right now.” Now, this is where things have crossed the line, Clarence! On this no. 6 hit on the Hot 100 from his 1968 album, 💿 This Is Clarence Carter, Mr. Carter tells her to cheat! Clarence, don’t you know that cheaters never win!

Ultimately, why Carter so passionately sings on the chorus, “Can you slip away, slip away, slip away,” is because he wants to be with her.  Clearly, she’s spoken for, but CC doesn’t care! “Now I know it’s wrong, the things I ask you to do / But please, believe me darling, I don’t mean to hurt you,” he sings in the third verse, adding, “But could you just slip away without him know you’re gone / Then we could meet somewhere, somewhere we’re both unknown.” Oh, the unfaithful greatness! Besides memorable songwriting, there are plenty of reasons why “Slip Away” is a classic.  It begins with the sound: a magnificent groove carried by the rhythm section, sensational guitar playing, a robust bass line, idiomatic of soul, and those exuberant horns.  Of course, what about the incredibly gritty, nuanced, soulful lead vocals by Clarence Carter! It is easy to buy what he’s selling with his vocals, even if it is cheating. Of course, the crowning achievement is the memorable, catchy chorus.  Ultimately, 🎵 “Slip Away” is the second biggest hit of Carter’s career only behind his ace in the hole, 🎵 “Patches”.

🎙 Clarence Carter • 💿 This Is Clarence Carter • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1968

Clarence Carter, Slip Away: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 134 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]