Teddy Pendergrass, Love T.K.O. | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

Reading Time: 3 min read

In the 28^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Love T.K.O.” by Teddy Pendergrass.

“Looks like another love T.K.O.” 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 that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 28^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Love T.K.O.”, performed by Teddy Pendergrass.

“Think I’d better let it go / Looks like another love T.K.O.” Woo! The definitive version of “Love T.K.O.” belongs to the late, great soul singer, Teddy Pendergrass (1950 – 2010). Teddy Pendergrass was the man – he had some serious pipes! Even after a devastating automobile accident, Pendergrass managed to reclaim his voice. That said, “Love T.K.O.,” a no. 44 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from his 1980 album, TP, was NOT originally recorded by him ! The original version of this classic, penned by Cecil Womack and Eddie “Gip” Noble, was recorded in 1980 as well by the late David Oliver (1942 – 1982). Even though Oliver recorded and released “Love T.K.O.” first, it is the Teddy Pendergrass version that is most well-known.

classic As far as the sound of “Love T.K.O.” it continues to bear the lush, smooth, symphonic elements that dominated the 1970s. Sure, the 1980s would usher in a different sound for R&B, but the Philly soul sensibilities remain well intact. With the plight of love as the central theme, Teddy Pendergrass has the perfect inspiration – prime fuel for the fire. In the first verse, he lays out how agonizing love is, yet, despite many Ls, “Told myself time and time again / This time I’m gonna win.” Honestly, that’s how many of us, particularly hopeless romantics, view the chase that is love. Sadly, in the second verse, TP is “Tryin’ to hold on, faith is gone / It’s just another sad song.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, which is simplistic but telling. Pendergrass knows he must move on from this romance which is clearly going nowhere. Sure, he’s on the struggle bus with love, but there is no struggle when it comes to the sheer magnificence of “Love T.K.O.”