Jerry Butler, Ain’t Understanding Mellow | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 79th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Ain’t Understanding Mellow” by Jerry Butler. 

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 79th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Ain’t Understanding Mellow”, performed by 🎙 Jerry Butler.

🎙 Jerry Butler is best known for his gold certified single, 🎵 “Only The Strong Survive”.  It is a soul masterpiece.  However, Mr. Butler has also experienced success beyond his ace in the hole, including his epic ballad, 🎵 “Ain’t Understanding Mellow”.  On this gem penned by 🎼 ✍ Herscholt Polk and Homer Talbert from his 1971 album, 💿 The Sagittarius Movement, he collaborates with 🎙 Brenda Lee Eager.  Their vocal chemistry is amazing.  Furthermore separately, both Butler and Eager are compelling in the lead role.  Because of the sound of this record (more on that to come), and the high-flying vocals, “Ain’t Understanding Mellow” scored a pop hit, as the single peaked at no. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Thank God for you,” Butler sings early on, continuing, “You were woman enough / Girl, not to try to hide / Didn’t try to hide your love / For this other guy.” Woo! Brenda Lee Eager paints a similar picture, asserting, “Thank the angels for you / You’re the kind of man you are to be so understanding.” So, basically, there’s a break-up in play but they don’t hate each other! “Wherever you go, you have but to call on me / I’m gonna be right by your side.” Fittingly, this 1970s soul classic sounds churchy – to some extent.  The gospel piano and robust bass line go a long way! Furthermore, what about those lush, warm strings and those horns! The arrangement (James Mack) is terrific, as is the production by Butler and  🎛 Gerald Sims.  Another fine moment on this five star masterpiece is the outro, which marks a change of pace, and keeps 🎵 “Ain’t Understanding Mellow” incredibly fresh.  

🎙 Jerry Butler • 💿 The Very Best of Jerry Butler • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 🗓 1992 

 Jerry Butler, “Ain’t Understanding Mellow”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 79 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Island Def Jam Music Group; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]