Joe Simon, Glad to Be Your Lover | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 71^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Glad to Be Your Lover” by the late 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 71^st edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Glad to Be Your Lover” performed by Joe Simon.

“I’m so glad / I’m so glad to be your lover.” Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels! The song to beat on the 1972,  Joe Simon album,  Drowning in the Sea of Love is… “Drowning in the Sea of Love”, of course.  However, the second track, the non-single “Glad to Be Your Lover” is well too. “Glad to Be Your Lover” was composed by Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt.  They give the Southern soul musician superb music and lyrics to work with.  Like in “Drowning in the Sea of Love”, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff produce.

So, what makes “Glad to Be Your Love” the vibe that it is? Joe Simon, first and foremost, delivers exceptional vocals.  He is commanding and gritty without ever overindulging or over-singing.  The balance of his performance speaks to his musicianship – a blend of poise and letting loose.  The songwriting – the source material – also makes “Glad” a song any soul enthusiast will gladly put on repeat.  The theme is simple: love.  It is relatable and, hence, speaks volumes even though the lyrics are uncomplicated. “I spent half a lifetime / Running around from girl to girl,” Simon sings, continuing, “I never knew I was lonely / Girl, until you brightened my world.” Aww! The final piece that contributes to the excellence of “Glad”? The music! The bass line is active and fat, the horns are colorful, and the drums and percussion groove hard.  The rhythm section is ‘in the pocket’ sensationally fueling Simon’s fire. Rightfully, “Drowning in the Sea of Love” gets the love – it is a killer record! But, “Glad to Be Your Lover” is marvelous too – an underappreciated soul gem.

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

Joe Simon, Glad to Be Your Lover: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 71 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ace; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]