Lenny Williams, ‘Cause I Love You | Throwback Vibez

In the 39th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “‘Cause I Love You” by Lenny Williams.   

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 39^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “‘Cause I Love You” performed by Lenny Williams.

“Girl, you know I, I, I, I love you / No matter what you do / And I hope you understand me / Every word / I say is true / ‘Cause I Love You.” One of the most heartfelt and dramatic songs from the soul catalog comes courtesy of Lenny Williams (1945 – ).  At one time, Williams was the sweet-voiced, dynamic lead singer of Tower of Power – oh, “So Very Hard To Go”. Williams went on to have a solo career, including a song many consider his ‘ace-in-the-hole,’ “‘Cause I Love You”. “‘Cause I Love You” is the fifth track from his 1978 album, Spark Of Love. Williams penned “‘Cause I Love You” with Michael Bennett. Set in a lilting compound duple meter, “‘Cause I Love You” is a lengthy number that runs north of seven minutes. It is worth every second of its duration.

Why is “‘Cause I Love You” so special? It is EVERYTHING, period! The record thrives off lush, soulful production and sublime orchestration. The strings are particularly gorgeous.  Lenny Williams delivers expressive and nuanced vocals that ooze with soul.  He shows his velvety middle register, as well as a stellar falsetto.  The personality and drama that Williams brings to this performance sounds authentic – utterly sincere.

“Some men needs lots of women

For their passions to fill

But I

Want only you, girl

If it’s in

If it’s in

If it’s in

God’s will.”

Much like Williams’ vocals, the musical accompaniment has its fair share of dramatic moments. Williams gets support from background vocals. Notably, there is a spoken word section where Lenny continues to be vulnerable regarding love.

“But I found myself waking up a few hours later

And the tears were running down my face And my friend told me

He said, ‘Lenny, you just oughta forget about her.’

But I told my friend, I said

‘You know, maybe you’ve never been in love like I’ve been in love

And maybe you’ve never felt the things that I’ve felt.’”

At around the 4:45 mark, Williams begins picking up the singing, continuing his heartfelt, dramatic performance, supported by background vocals and silky smooth musical accompaniment. Matters of the heart drive this extraordinary ballad. The excellence of “‘Cause I Love You” speaks for itself. Williams’ gem is a popular source for sampling, including fueling the fire for Coco Jones’ Grammy-nominated song, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)”.

Lenny Williams // Spark Of Love // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1978

Lenny Williams, ‘Cause I Love You: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 39 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]