Joe Tex, I Gotcha | Throwback Vibez

In the 69th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Gotcha” by southern soul great Joe Tex.   

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 69^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Gotcha” performed by Joe Tex.

“I gotcha / Uh-huh, uh / You thought I didn’t see you now, didn’t ya, uh.” Gifted but short-lived southern soul singer/songwriter Joe Tex (1935 – 1982) delivered an R&B bop for the ages with “I Gotcha”. Fun and energetic to the nth degree, Tex ‘gives his all.” “Uh-huh, uh / You tried to sneak by me now, didn’t ya?” he continues in the epic chorus, concluding, “Now give me what you promised me, give it here / Come on.” Tex penned the two-and-a-half-minute gem, which was originally intended for another southern soul legend, King Floyd (1945 – 2006). Buddy Killen produced it. “I Gotcha” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA.

There are many reasons why “I Gotcha” is the bop that it is. Joe Tex delivers assertive and playful lead vocals.  There is ample energy, personality, and spirit. In the bridge preceding the first verse, Tex has us all screaming, “Good God!” He is gritty when he sings, as well as the ‘rapped’ (spoken word) vocals. “You promised me the day that you quit your boyfriend / I’d be the next one to ease on in,” he sings memorably in the first verse, continuing, “You promised me it would be just us two, yeah / And I’d be the only man kissin’ on you, yeah.” Both verses are followed by a delightful bridge, which is followed by the potent chorus.  The best iteration of the chorus is the final one: “Good God, I gotcha, ha-ha-ha / Oh, I gotcha / Give it up, I gotcha / Give it on here, I gotcha.”  Beyond the songwriting and electrifying singing, “I Gotcha” is funky as hell. It has one of the most kick-ass bass lines that you’ll ever hear – it’ll change your life! Also, those exuberant, articulated horns are the sugar, honey, iced tea.  If you have never heard this scintillating, southern soul class, you are missing out!

Joe Tex  // Greatest Hits // Curb // 1991

Joe Tex, I Gotcha: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 69 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curb; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]