Curtis Mayfield, “The Makings of You” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 123^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “The Makings of You” by Curtis Mayfield. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 123^rd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “The Makings of You”, performed by 🎙 Curtis Mayfield.

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“Add a little sugar, honeysuckle and / A great, big expression of happiness / Boy, you couldn’t miss with a dozen roses / Such would astound you,” the late, great, soul icon 🎙 Curtis Mayfield sings on 🎵 “The Makings of You”. “The Makings of You” appears as the third track on Mayfield’s 1970 debut album, 💿 Curtis, one of the truly great soul albums of all time. Curtis would ultimately peak at no. 19 on the Billboard 200 and be certified gold by the RIAA.  “The Makings of You” wouldn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100 – it was not a single – but it is ultimately considered one of the Chicago soul legend’s crème de la crème.  He continues singing, “The joy of children laughing around you / These are the makings of you / It is true, the makings of you.”

The lyrics are one of the biggest selling points from “The Makings of You.” Curtis Mayfield paints a radiant picture of her. He goes on to say, “You’re second to none.” Furthermore, Mayfield tries to find the right words – perfect words – but even at his best, he cannot because she is so perfect to him:

“The love of all mankind

Should reflect some sign

Of these words I’ve tried to recite

They are close, but not quite

Almost impossible to do

Reciting the makings of you.”

So, so poetic! Of course, the lyrics are not the only reason why “The Makings of You” is one of the truly elite soul classics.  Mayfield sounds terrific, blessing us with one of the truly distinct voices of all time.  His instrument is sweet; his falsetto is incredibly ripe.  Even beyond epic vocals, the production, with its lush orchestration, makes “The Makings of You” even sweeter.  Just as those words aspire to capture her perfection, so does the production and orchestration.

Final Thoughts 💭 

Perhaps it is cliché, but they simply do not make songs like 🎵 “The Makings of You” anymore.  The aesthetic, the ambiance, and the vibe are all once-in-a-lifetime.  Curtis Mayfield was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, one who was electric as a member of 🎙 The Impressions and as a solo artist.  It is not surprising why “The Makings of You” has been covered by the likes of 🎙 Aretha Franklin and 🎙 Gladys Knight & The Pips. Furthermore, it is an incredibly popular source for sampling. Well into its fifth decade, “The Makings of You” is nothing short of awesomeness exemplified.

🎙 Curtis Mayfield • 💿 Curtis • 🏷 Warner Strategic Marketing • 🗓 1970

Curtis Mayfield, “The Makings of You”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 123 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, Warner Strategic Marketing]