Rare Earth, (I Know) I’m Losing You | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 199th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “(I Know) I’m Losing You” by the successful Motown rock band, Rare Earth.   

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 199^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I Know) I’m Losing You” performed by Rare Earth.

“Your love is fading.” Rare Earth was a rarity – an all-white rock band signed to Motown.  Like many Motown artists, covering rostered artists’ songs was a common occurrence.  For Rare Earth, two of their biggest hits were covers. “(I Know) I’m Losing You”, the song at hand, is a cover of the 1966 Temptations classic.  It is the third track on the band’s 1970 gold-certified album, Ecology. “(I Know) I’m Losing You” earned Rare Earth a second consecutive top 10 hit following their most popular song (and cover), “Get Ready”.  “(I Know) I’m Losing You” peaked at no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Ah, woman, woman, your touch! Your touch has gone cold / As if someone else controls your very soul.” Oh, snap! The music is electrifying on “(I Know) I’m Losing You.”  Rare Earth successfully transforms the beloved soul cut into a funky, psychedelic rock cut.  “I’m Losing You” thrives off sick guitars (Rod Richards), a robust bass line (John Persh), powerful, pummeling drums (Pete Rivera), and awesome percussion – congas (Eddie Guzman) while Kenny James provides color on keys. There are plenty of cool instrumental moments (solos).  But, bigger than Rivera’s pummeling drums are his spirited, soulful lead vocals.  He continues singing in the first verse, “I’ve fooled myself long as I can / Can feel the presence of another man.” In the second verse, Rivera asserts, “I’m hurt, down-hearted and worried, girl / ‘Cause that face doesn’t belong to me.” The chorus sums it up perfectly: “Ooh, babe – I’m losing you!” “(I Know) I’m Losing You” in the hands of Rare Earth – sweet, sweet, sweet! Fun fact: Kanye West sampled the classic on his song, “Fade”, which appears on his 2016 album, The Life of Pablo.

Rare Earth // Ecology // Motown // 1970

Rare Earth, (I Know) I’m Losing You: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 199 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]