Honey Cone, Want Ads | Throwback Vibez

In the 86th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Want Ads” by Honey Cone.   

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 86^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Want Ads” performed by Honey Cone.

“Wanted, young man single and free / Experience in love preferred, but will accept a young trainee.” Ooh-wee! Whatcha gon’ do Honey Cone? “Oh, gonna put it in the want ads.” Word. Honey Cone comprised Edna Wright (lead vocals, 1945 – 2020), Carolyn Willis, and Shelly Clark (1947 – ).  The group is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 number one hit, “Want Ads”. The gold-certified single was written by Greg Perry (1948 – 2023), Barney Perkins, and General Norman Johnson. Perry also produced the track. It appeared as the sixth track off their 1971 album, Soulful Tapestry. Notably, Honey Cone experienced additional top 40 success with singles from Soulful Tapestry with “Stick Up” (also certified gold), “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”, and “The Day I Found Myself”.

“Want Ads” is ultra-funky groove from the get-go; it cooks! Backed by a soulful backdrop, Edna Wright delivers high-flying lead vocals. She oozes with soul as she sings about her desire for a good, dedicated man. After all, “My man is playing the field, the thrill is gone / He stays out all night, says he’s with the boys / But lipstick on his collar, perfume on it too / Tells me he’s been lying, tell ya what I’m gonna do.” Uh-oh! Kick him to the curb! Incredibly tuneful melodies and entertaining lyrics satisfy the ears. Edna gets superb background vocals from Willis and Clark, who provide marvelous harmonies.  The chorus is the crème de la crème – the section to beat. That is where those ads come into play!

“I’m gonna put it in the want ads, this girl’s in misery

Gonna put it in the want ads, somebody rescue me.”

What more can you say but, “Extra, extra – read all about it!”  Notably, Mary Mary sampled “Want Ads” on their contemporary gospel gem, “Heaven”. Good taste because this joint right here is a certified soul classic!

Honey Cone // Soulful Tapestry // Demon Music Group Ltd // 1971

Honey Cone, Want Ads: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 86 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Demon Music Group Ltd; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]