Frederick Knight, I’ve Been Lonely For So Long | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 118^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long” by Frederick Knight. 

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 118^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long”, performed by 🎙 Frederick Knight.

“I’ve been lonely for so long / Don’t seem like happiness will come along.” Well, that’s depressing 😢.  However, what better than a 1970s soul record to capture those feels? 🎙 Frederick Knight is renowned for one hit and one hit only: 🎵 “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long”. “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long” was written by 🎼 ✍ Jerry Weaver and Posie Knight, his wife.  This Stax classic performed respectably on the pop charts peaking at no. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.  So, what makes it so awesome?

Well, the sound of the record is incredibly smooth – a classy and refined instrumental.  Interestingly, “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long” features a simpler backdrop compared to other soul cuts.  Even so, this more conservative palette is fitting – sufficient by all means.  As for Knight, he sings in a soulful manner without ever over-singing.  His upper register is incredibly sweet yet potent.  He packs the right emotions and expressions bringing the lyrics to life without a hitch.  In the first verse, Knight asserts, “Just can’t seem to get ahead in life / Oh, nothing I do ever turn out right,” before those memorable, contrasting, bassy vocal riffs enter: “Won’t somebody help me please.” In the second verse, he sings, “There’s got to be a better way I know / To shake this monkey off ‘cause he’s making me so…” It all comes down to the agony of loneliness, which is definitely a five-letter word beginning with a B and followed by an itch. Regardless, on 🎵 “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long”, Knight nails the agony of loneliness  from start to finish in a most pleasant way.

🎙 Frederick Knight • 💿 I’ve Been Lonely For So Long • 🏷 Craft Recordings / Concord Music Group, Inc. • 🗓 1973

Frederick Knight, I’ve Been Lonely For So Long: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 118 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Craft Recordings / Concord Music Group, Inc.; John Alan Sperry, PIRO from Pixabay]