Soul Oldies: Vol. IV | Playlist 🎧

6. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., “Nothing Can Stop Me”

💿 I Hope We Get to Love in Time • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 🗓 1976

Soul duo + married couple 🎙 Marilyn McCoo and 🎙 Billy Davis Jr. are best known for 🎵 “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)”.  That’s understandable – it’s an awesome 70s R&B classic that won a Grammy 🏆! This ace in the hole commences their 1976 album, 💿 I Hope We Get to Love in Time.  That said, there’s another marvelous gem from the same album,  🎵 “Nothing Can Stop Me”, that’s become a popular source for sampling, fueling the fire on the 🎙 Jaheim standout, 🎵 “Could It Be” (💿 Ghetto Love, 2001) and the 🎙 Halsey joint, 🎵 “Alone” (💿 hopeless fountain kingdom, 2017).  Anytime a song is a source for sampling, that means it’s special – there’s something ear-catching worth repurposing.

Thematically, McCoo & Davis Jr. tackle love. Of course, they do – it’s 1970s soul, people! On the centerpiece, the chorus, they lay it all out:

“Nothing in the whole wide world can keep me from you
Nothing and nobody can stop me from loving you.”

That’s about the size of it.  McCoo & Davis Jr. take turns professing their love for one another on the verses.  “If I have to climb a mountain / I’m gonna climb that mountain,” Davis Jr. sings on the first verse.  McCoo responds: “If I have to swim the ocean / I’m going to swim the ocean.” You get the idea, and it’s a total vibe.  While the songwriting is relatable and those vocals are buttery smooth and idiomatic of 70s soul, arguably the biggest selling point of “Nothing Can Stop Me” is the lush production work (🎛 Don Davis).  It’s beautiful with the refined sounds of horns, strings – that orchestral treatment! No wonder those riffs have been sampled, particularly the strings. “Nothing Can Stop Me” is a timeless classic that still sounds fresh in the 2020s.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., “Nothing Can Stop Me”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 14

7. The Undisputed Truth, “Smiling Faces Sometimes”

💿 The Undisputed Truth • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

“Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / They don’t tell the truth,” 🎙 The Undisputed Truth asserts on the chorus of the classic, 🎵 “Smiling Faces Sometimes”. The memorable, timeless chorus of this minor-key gem continues, “Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / Tell lies and I got proof.”  Woo! Penned by the dynamic Motown duo 🎼✍ Barrett Strong and 🎼✍ 🎛 Norman Whitfield, “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is actually a COVER! Shock and awe, folks!

What’s interesting about the fact that “Smiling Faces Sometimes” wasn’t it was originally recorded by 🎙 The Temptations.  The Temptations did a marvelous job on the 12 ½ minute original, but The Undisputed Truth earned the biggest hit of their career, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It probably also helps that The Undisputed Truth version runs just over three-minutes-long, while capturing the marvelous tune and exceptional production and orchestration. TUT get right to the point, which is more readymade for airplay on radio. Take one listen and you’ll see the hype and can’t resist smiling at the truth the collective serves up! The lush production intact with fat bass line, the memorable songwriting – #SICKENING! While you don’t get those epic lead vocals from 🎙 Eddie Kendricks, the performances by committee are awesome, nonetheless.  This 1971 song from 💿 The Undisputed Truth is an undisputed bop to this day!

“The truth is in the eyes
Cause the eyes don’t lie, amen
Remember a smile is just
A frown turned upside down
My friend let me tell you.”

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 More Songs Sure to Make You Smile
🔗 🎧 The Undisputed Truth “Smiling Faces Sometimes”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 10
🔗 🗣️ The Temptations vs. The Undisputed Truth: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 39

8. Archie Bell & The Drells, “Strategy”

💿 Strategy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1979

“Said it’s up to me / To come up with a strategy / To make you mine / To make you mine.” Woo! When R&B collective 🎙 Archie Bell & The Drells is mentioned, the first song that comes to mind is the no. 1 Hot 100 gem, 🎵 “Tighten Up”.  It’s a terrific 1960s soul classic.  That said, 🎙 Archie Bell and company have another gem in 1979, seven-minute-long funk joint, 🎵 “Strategy”, which appears on the 1979 album of the same name.  It’s not every day that the word strategy is used within a song title, but it works out perfectly for Bell and company.

So, what is the strategy for the Texas collective exactly? Well, as the chorus states, Archie is trying to come up with a strategy to earn this girl’s love.  He goes on to sing, “Girl why you wanna make me sweat / Standing there playing hard to get / All the time / All the time.”  Man, oh man does Archie Bell & The Drells have the hots for their respective women.  Interestingly, over this exquisite, lush, groovy production on this 🎼✍ Gene McFadden / 🎼✍ Jerry Cohen / 🎼✍ John Whitehead-penned joint, Archie states that the ball is in her court.  Does he guilt trip her? Of course, he does, particularly moments like, “There’s no need in teasin’, well / When I know what I need / Girl I need you, I need you / And woman, woman, woman you need, you need me, Hey!” Also, he’s incredibly horny, even if that’s not the appropriate way to put it in 1979!

“Girl, my body’s achin’, well
Just to feel the pleasures that you hide, that you hid
And girl, my body’s waitin’, waitin’
Waitin’, waitin’, waitin’ to get inside-side-side.” 

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Archie Bell & The Drells, “Strategy”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 12

9. The Main Ingredient, “Let Me Prove My Love to You”

💿 Shame on the World • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 1975

Is sampling a good or bad thing? Depends on who you ask, of course.  Sampling does yield one positive, however.  It leads a new generation to a musician, musical group, or song they might not have ordinarily listened to or never heard.  For example, 🎙 Alicia Keys introduced 🎙 The Main Ingredient classic, 🎵 “Let Me Prove My Love to You”, to an entirely new generation – the millennials!  How so? Well, Keys’ no. 3 Billboard Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “You Don’t Know My Name” sampled “Let Me Prove My Love to You.”  Back in the day, or the early-mid aughts, I didn’t pay as much attention to the sample – I was enamored by Keys.  Revisiting the song, nearly two decades later (!), Cuba Gooding Sr. and company deserve love.

“I bet you don’t know how much I love you so
I’ve been trying hard
Not to let it show
I bet you don’t know how much I need you now
I know what to say
But I don’t know how.”

“Let Me Prove My Love to You” is a prime example of soul music at its best.  The production is stellar – lush, warm, and ear-catching.  With a backdrop with so many thoughtful details, there was no way that The Main Ingredient wouldn’t deliver excellence.  Among the ear candy are rhythmic keys, a robust, present bass line, and an anchoring groove that could only hail from the 1970s.  Specifically, “Let Me Prove My Love to You” appears on the collective’s 1975 album, Shame on the World, as the third track.  It is the showstopper, period.

Besides the genius production and fantastic harmonic progression, the vocals are elite.  The late, great Cuba Gooding Sr. kills it, shining with his distinct tenor. His tone is clear and his approach easy – intimate yet commanding. Furthermore, the backing vocals shimmer, amplifying the soulful vibes.  These vocals are one of the key features Keys incorporates into 🎵 “You Don’t Know My Name”.  Specifically, the section from circa 1:45 is lifted explicitly – sped up and pitched up, of course! Also, can’t mention this gem without focusing on theme & lyrics – that’s what you came for, right? It’s simple yet complicated matters – L-O-V-E.  As the titular lyric states, the band just wants to “prove [their] love to you.”

“I bet you don’t know how I really feel
So let me prove my love to you.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 The Main Ingredient, “Let Me Prove My Love to You”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 9

10. Teddy Pendergrass, “Turn off the Lights”

💿 Teddy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1979

“Turn off the lights and light a candle / Tonight I’m in a romantic mood, yeah.” Ooh-la-la! Back in the day, 🎙 Teddy Pendergrass’ music oozed with sex.  “Let’s take a shower, shower together / I’ll wash your body, and you’ll wash mine,” he sings on 🎵 “Turn Off the Lights,” adding, “Rub me down in some hot oils baby, yeah / And I’ll do the same thing for you.” Aww Sugar.Honey.Iced.Tea!!! “Turn Off the Lights” stands out from his platinum-certified album, 1979 LP, 💿 Teddy.  Mr. Pendergrass never says sex, but he doesn’t have to – it’s obvious (“Girl I just wanna give you a special treat, you’re so sweet”).

The lushness of the production was enough to make “Turn Off the Lights” a hit.  Those warm, sensual sounds and the orchestration – LIT.  🎼✍ 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and 🎼✍ 🎛 Leon Huff constructed nothing short of musical excellence for TP.  Pendergrass is the star, of course, with his voice drenched in soul and bearing ample authenticity.  He sounds dedicated to his lover, expressively constructing this romantic, sensual evening vocally.  You buy what he’s selling when he dramatically sings, “Turn ‘em off.” One of my favorite moments is the outro section. He’s supported by backing vocals (“Tell me what you wanna do / Tell me what you wanna do baby”), while professing his love (+ sex) to her.  “Anything that you want / Anything that you need / I got it!” Woo!

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Songs You Surely Must Turn Up
🔗 🎧 Teddy Pendergrass, “Turn Off the Lights”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 8

11. Quincy Jones, “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)”

Ft. Barry White, Al B. Sure!, James Ingram & El DeBarge

💿 Back on the Block • 🏷 Qwest Records, Inc. / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 1989 

🎙 Quincy Jones is the definition of an icon. The legendary musician and producer has been nominated for 80 🏆 Grammys and won 28.  While 🎵 “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” wasn’t nominated for a Grammy, its 1989 parent album, 💿 Back on the Block, cleaned up at the 33^rd Annual Grammy Awards, winning the highly coveted Album of the Year award.  The star-studded, ultra-smooth, sensual “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” contributed to the success of the LP.  Joining Mr. Jones: 🎙 Barry White, 🎙 Al B. Sure!, 🎙 James Ingram, and 🎙 El DeBarge.

“The Secret Garden” commences seductively with the bass vocals of Barry White, establishing the bedroom vibes.  From there, on the first verse, Al B. Sure! Blesses our ears, spitting game to his girl.  “I wanna read your mind,” he sings at the beginning, adding, “Know your deepest feelings / I wanna make it right for you / Baby, show me.”  Then, James Ingram swoops in the for second verse, asserting, “I know a melody that we could sing together / I’ve got a secret key to you, baby.” Ooh la la! Later, the third verse is tackled by the sweet pipes of El DeBarge, who states, “I can keep you satisfied, baby.” As for the fourth, of course it belongs to the once-in-a-lifetime voice of Barry White (“Let your hair down, let me get you in the mood”).  The centerpiece of this slow jam, of course is the chorus:

“Here in the garden, where temptation feels so right
Passion can make you fall for what you feel
In the garden, we can make it come alive
Every night, oh woman.”

“Secret Garden” was a moderate success on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 31 in 1990.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Quincy Jones, “The Secret Garden”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 15
🔗 🎧 12 Songs Where Secrets are Revealed

12. Gladys Knight & The Pips, “If I Were Your Woman”

💿 If I Were Your Woman • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

“If I were your woman / And you were my man / You’d have no other woman / You’d be weak as a lamb.” Ooh wee, 🎙 Gladys Knight! Say that, say that! 🎵 “If I Were Your Woman” marks one of the greatest soul classics of all time.  It ranks near the top of timeless gems recorded by 🎙 Gladys Knight & The Pips.  Who penned this juggernaut, you ask? Why 🎼✍ Pam Sawyer, 🎼✍ Clay McMurray, and 🎼✍ Gloria Jones.  Knight and company would be nominated for the 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group (deservingly).  Furthermore, “If I Were Your Woman” would peak at no. 9 on the Hot 100 in 1971.  What I’m saying is, “If I Were Your Woman” was a big-time pop hit by a soul collective 💪.

Vocally, Gladys Knight & The Pips sound utterly sublime. With Knight on lead, that alto is lush, rich, and dynamic.  It’s a perfect match for the passionate lyrics that grace “If I Were Your Woman.”  Where this man has had a lousy woman, Gladys asserts she’d be his everything and treat him the way that he should be treated. “You’re like a diamond (shining) / But she treats you like glass,” she asserts on the memorable second verse, continuing, “Yet you beg her to love you / But me you don’t ask.” Ooh wee! What a fool that man is! Helping to sell her case are those harmonized supporting vocals by The Pips, on autopilot like the front woman.  You know what else is on autopilot? That vintage soul production that made the 1970s lit AF! That syncopated bass line, the keys, the strings, the groove – ear catching and awe-inspiring.  Even the underpinnings – the harmonic progression – make “If I Were You Woman” one of the best of all time.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Gladys Knight vs. Alicia Keys: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 31

13. Shuggie Otis, “Me & My Woman”

💿 Freedom Flight • 🏷 Sony • 🗓 1971

🎙 Shuggie Otis is an underrated R&B musician.  However, Mr. Otis is responsible for writing and originally recording one of the best R&B hits of the 1970s, 🎵 “Strawberry Letter 23”.  “Strawberry Letter 23” appears on his 1971 album, 💿 Freedom Flight, which was released when he was only a teenager. Sure, 🎙 The Brothers Johnson recorded the ‘hit’ version after Otis, but he still penned it. “Strawberry Letter 23” appeared on 🎧 15 More Soul Oldies That Tickle My Fancy (Vol. 2), FYI.  Another awesome gem performed by Shuggie, 🎵 “Me and My Woman”, appears on the same album.

“Me and my woman
We don’t get along
But one day at a time
... One day we’re fussing and fighting now
And the next day, we’re doing fine.”

Despite his songwriting chops, Shuggie Otis didn’t write “Me and My Woman.” Instead, the bluesy soul record was composed by 🎼✍ Gene Barge.  In Shuggie’s hands, he drops one of the funkiest recordings you’ll ever hear, period.  Sadly, so many folks have never heard this gem, which possesses an electrifying groove, killer keyboard and guitar riffs, and a kick a$$ bass line. A travesty if your ears haven’t previously heard this decadent ear candy! The cherry on top, of course, is Otis’ soulful, gritty voice, which sounds much more mature than a teenager.  ‘Course, that guitar soloing is epic too!

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Shuggie Otis, “Me and My Woman”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 1

14. Prince and the Revolution, “Kiss”

💿 Parade – Music from the Motion Picture Under the Cherry Moon • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1986

“You don’t have to be rich, to be my girl / You don’t have to be cool to rule my world.” That’s an awesome message to a potential lover, 🎙 Prince! Those iconic lyrics hail from The Purple One’s beloved no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Kiss” (💿 Parade) among the greatest kiss-related songs of all time.  This 1986 gem is nothing short of awesome: “Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with / I just want your extra time and your… KISS!”

🎙 Prince and the Revolution outdo themselves on “Kiss.” The groove is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.  Prince gives a dynamic performance that oozes with personality and showcases his ripe, flawless falsetto.  Essentially, thematically, Prince speaks about what his potential girlfriend must do to be with him, and it’s more sophisticated than not.   “You got to not talk dirty, baby, if you wanna impress me,” he sings on the second verse, continuing, “You can’t be too flirty, mama, I know how to undress me.” “Kiss” is sexy to the nth degree.  It should come as no surprise that Prince and the Revolution won the 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Kiss.” Rest in prince, Prince.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Kisses: An Intriguing Compendium of Kiss Songs 💋
🔗 🎧 15 K Songs: No Rhyme or Reason

15. The Village People, “YMCA”

💿 Cruisin’ • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 🗓 1978 

“Young man, there’s a place you can go, I said / Young man, when you’re short on your dough,” 🎙 The Village People assert on 🎵 “Y.M.C.A.”, the biggest hit of their career.  The collective continues, on the first verse, singing, “Stay there and I’m sure you will find / Many ways to have a good time.”  They have a point considering the Young Men’s Christian Association or simply, “The Y” is a place to have fun without the expense. However, “Y.M.C.A.,” which appears on the collective’s 1978 LP, 💿 Cruisin’ (😏), isn’t thought of celebrating “The Y” for its moral endeavors.

It’s no secret that The Village People were gay. “Y.M.C.A.” was intended to celebrate “The Y” but instead, it’s become one of the preeminent gay anthems.  Nothing wrong with that, of course! Young men having a good time playing sports? They can, of course, but the read into this place of fun is one for those young men hooking up.  Again, it probably didn’t help Village People that the album was titled Cruisin’, a term that’s slang for seeking out sex.  Worth noting, Ys were a spot for gay men to meet. It’s hard to believe that the collective wasn’t referencing sex, particularly on the high-flying chorus:

“It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel.”

The biggest message on “Y.M.C.A.” isn’t hooking up but rather acceptance.  Yes, plenty of gay men ended up at the Y, and yes, they hooked up, but, ultimately, the song is about a positive place.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🌈🎶 Village People, “Y.M.C.A.”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 No. 2
🔗 🎧 15 Gay Anthems That Exude Joy (Vo1. 1)
🔗 🎧 13 Y Songs: No Rhyme or Reason