Joe Simon, Power of Love | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 207th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Power of Love” by southern soul singer extraordinaire, 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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 207^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Power of Love” performed by Joe Simon.

“Ever since that day we met / My whole life been full of joy and happiness.” Hence, the power of love.  One of soul’s greatest yet underrated singers, Joe Simon, brilliantly touted the power of love on his song, “Power of Love”. “Power of Love” is the eighth track from his 1973 album, The Power of Joe Simon.  Powerful indeed! Simon, Kenneth Gamble, and Leon Huff composed “Power.” Gamble & Huff also produced it.  Another hit for Joe, just missed the top 10 on the pop charts, peaking at no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Ooh-wee, Joe Simon! Like many of Simon’s songs, “Power of Love” is drenched in Southern soul.  This fits Joe to a tee. “Power” is super groovy from the onset – a catalyzing force to hit the dancefloor and celebrate love! Simon is the star, delivering incredibly soulful vocals.  Beyond bringing the tuneful melodies to life, Joe delivers epic ad-libs, specifically on the sensational vamp and fade-out that conclude the ‘powerful’ classic.  In the verses, he confirms and professes his love… and lust.  In the first verse, excerpted above, Simon continues singing, “Oh, when you kiss me it burns to my soul / Seven days later, my body I can’t control.” That leads to sheer power:

“You got

You got power in your twist

You got power, power, power

Oh-oh!”

Simon elaborates more on the effect that she has on him: “Sometime, baby / I wanna scream about your love / Sometimes, baby / I just a-wanna say oh, I’m glad / I’m glad, I’m glad, I’m glad.” Noted! Beyond love-driven lyrics and elite vocals, the musical accompaniment is the sugar honey iced tea.  The rhythm section is lit while the horns provide a magnificent spark.  Simply put, “Power of Love” is powerful!

Joe Simon // The Power of Joe Simon // Ace // 1973

Joe Simon, Power of Love: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 207 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ace; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]