Joe Simon, Drowning in the Sea of Love | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 39^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Drowning in the Sea of Love” by southern soul singer, Joe Simon.

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 39^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on, “Drowning in the Sea of Love”, performed by Joe Simon. 

The introduction, with its recurrent riffs, signals a legendary soul classic. One of the biggest hits of the late, great Joe Simon is “Drowning in the Sea of Love”. “Drowning in the Sea of Love” commences his 1972 album, also titled, Drowning in the Sea of Love. Writing and producing this hit is the dynamic tandem of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, renowned for being proponents of the Philly soul movement of the 1970s. Like the best Philly soul songs, the instrumental is lush and refined.  The symphonic elements (horns and strings) are everything.  Combined with the rhythm section – rhythmic guitar, robust bass, colorful keys, and the drum groove – “Drowning in the Sea of Love” is ear catching to the nth degree. It’s worth noting, Simon, was born in the south, and fits into southern soul circles as opposed to northern soul.

Joe Simon delivers an awesome vocal performance, showing off his deep, masculine, and incredibly soulful pipes. He sings with ease on the verses, yet packs a punch, nonetheless. “I’ve been down one time / I’ve been down two times,” Simon asserts, confirming “But now, I’m drowning, drowning in the sea of love.” In the chorus, he gets a lift from sensational backing vocals, in addition to the dynamic, illustrious backdrop. In the verses, Simon sings ‘the blues’ regarding love. “Baby, when you came my way I thought I’d found my protection,” he asserts, adding, “But a strong wind came into my life, surely took me by surprise / And I can’t seem to control these tears that’s falling from my eyes.” Bummer! He adds, “But now you gone and deserted me, can’t you see that I’m in desperation.” Love will make you feel a range of emotions, something that Simon captures superbly.  The love can “Make me feel alright,” as well as “Make me cry all night long.” It goes with the territory. The greatness of “Drowning in the Sea of Love”, which reached no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, speaks for itself.

Joe Simon // Drowning in the Sea of Love // Ace // 1972

Joe Simon, Drowning in the Sea of Love: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 39 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ace; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]