Garland Green, Jealous Kind Of Fella | Throwback Vibez

In the 82nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Jealous Kind Of Fella” by Garland 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. All genres of music are welcome. In the 82^nd edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Jealous Kind Of Fella” performed by Garland Green.

“Jealous kind of fella… / Hey, hey, hey…” Soul singer and pianist Garland Green (1942 – ) delivered a hit song with his classic, “Jealous Kind Of Fella”. “Jealous Kind Of Fella” is Green’s only single to impact the pop charts. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Jealous” is the opening track from his 1969 album, also titled Jealous Kind Of Fella. Green, Jo Armstead, Maurice Dollison, and Rudolph Browner wrote “Jealous Kind Of Fella.” Armstead and Mel Collins produced it.

“Jealous Kind Of Fella” is set in a lilting, compound duple meter. It exemplifies the late 1960s sound (strings and rhythm section).  The record benefits from a robust bass line, sickening drum groove, sweet string riffs, and fantastic piano playing.  Garland Green delivers silky smooth vocals, singing soulfully with ease.  It’s not all butter, though. Green also brings some grittiness, too. It makes sense given the fact he’s an admitted jealous kind of fella.  “Hello, baby, please don’t be too mad at me / Because I punch that guy last night,” he asserts in the first verse, adding, “I want you to know this is one sign that I love you / Love you, I’m a jealous kind of fella.” In the second verse, he admits to embarrassing her, but asserts that the things he does are because of love. “You’ve given me more happiness than any man can claim,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “You’ve got me out of my head / ‘Cause I love you, love you / I’m just a jealous kind of fella.” Of course, the chorus is the centerpiece of this 1969 classic.  Garland Green never reached the same heights as “Jealous Kind Of Fella”,  but he scored on that one!

Garland Green  // Jealous Kind Of Fella // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1969

Garland Green, Jealous Kind Of Fella: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 82 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]