Isaac Hayes, By The Time I Get to Phoenix | COVERS

In the 24^th edition of COVERS (2024), Isaac Hayes delivers a compelling rendition of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” originally performed by Johnny Rivers.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers instead of the original/most famous performer.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 24^th edition of COVERS (2024), Isaac Hayes delivers a compelling rendition of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, originally performed by Johnny Rivers.

“I’m talking about the power of love now / I’m going to tell you what love do /… Love can make you or break you / It can make you laugh. It can make you cry…” Facts! Nearly 19 minutes in duration.  Folks, that’s how long the Isaac Hayes classic, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” runs. The late, great soul icon had much to say on the prolific fourth and final track from his 1969 album, Hot Buttered Soul.  In Hayes’ hands, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” sounds like a Hayes original.  Isaac puts in plenty of work to make this song sound like his.  However, it was composed by Jimmy Webb. Hayes gives Webb a shout-out:

“Now we should attempt to do a tune that is very popular it was written by one of the great young songwriters of today / Now I don’t know what he was thinking about or what inspired him to write this tune, but it is a deep tune.”

Hayes is one of many coverers, following the first release by Johnny Rivers and a renowned take by the “Rhinestone Cowboy”, Glen Campbell.  He didn’t write or record it first, but Hayes delivered a soul masterpiece for the ages.  Before getting into the meat of the song, he says, “Now I should attempt it to do it my way, my own interpretation of it /… I’m gonna bring it on down to Soulsville / Now I want you to bear along with me for a few minutes while I set it up.”

As a reminder, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” runs nearly 19 minutes long. Hayes’ self-described ‘set-up time’ – a prolonged storytelling session – takes a while. Even so, all aspects of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” are the sugar honey iced tea.  Hayes mesmerizes with his masculine, sultry baritone.  The story is captivating, even given the long runtime.

“Three times he started to turn back before he reached the outskirts of the city, but he kept on going

Oh, I don’t wanna go, but I’ve got to leave you, mama

…I guess it was around 3:30 in the morning

He could not hardly see the road with tears in his eyes

That’s right, he was crying

There were meaning in his tears

He cannot barely see the sign that read on the side of the road, the next town is 125 miles away

And these very words came into his mind. He said…”

You can fill in the ellipsis. By the time he sings (about eight-and-a-half minutes in), he oozes with soul. He marvelously shapes the melody and adds sick ad-libs and riffs. Helping him to ooze is a lush backdrop, including a tight rhythm section and an utterly sublime orchestra (woodwinds, brass, and strings). Adding to the buttery soul is organ accompaniment including a dope solo. So much more can be said of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”. However, this transformative cover by Isaac Hayes is best experienced by listening – letting the music speak for itself.

Isaac Hayes // Hot Buttered Soul // Concord Music Group, Inc. // 1969

Isaac Hayes, By The Time I Get to Phoenix: Covers No. 24 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Concord Music Group, Inc.; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]