The Delfonics, Ready Or Not Here I Come | Throwback Vibez

In the 46th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” by The Delfonics.   

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 46^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” performed by The Delfonics.

“Ready or not, here I come, you can’t hide / Gonna find you and keep you happy.” Classic! Speaking of classic, the classic lineup of Grammy-nominated Philly soul collective The Delfonics comprised lead singer/songwriter William “Poogie” Hart (1945 – 2022), Wilbert “Wil” Hart (1947 – ), and Randy Cain (1945 – 2009).  Among the classic songs from their catalog is “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)”, the opening track from The Sound of Sexy Soul, released in 1969.  The chorus, the centerpiece of “Ready,” excerpted above, continues, “Ready or not, here I come, you can’t hide / Gonna love you and make you love me.” Thom Bell (1943 – 2022) and William “Poogie” Hart penned “Ready or Not Here I Come.”  Bell produced it alongside Stan Watson. While the song was not a major pop hit, it peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

What makes “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” the sugar honey iced tea? It starts with the musical backdrop. The instrumental introduction is epic with its dramatic, driving, rhythmic strings.  The orchestrations are superb throughout, including strings and the symphonic brass. Additionally, the groove cooks – utterly sublime! The Delfonics delivers awesome singing as a group, as well as the dynamic high tenor lead of William. “You can’t run away / From this life I got, oh baby,” he sings in the first verse, asserting in the second, “Anywhere you go / My poor heart’s gotta know, baby / Hey baby, you can’t hide from my love, no.” Oh, snap! Short but sweet, “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” is superb. Notably, The Fugees sampled it in their hip-hop classic, “Ready or Not” from their 1996, Grammy-winning album, The Score.

The Delfonics, // The Sound of Sexy Soul // Arista // 1969

The Delfonics, Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love): Throwback Vibez ️ No. 46 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]