The Manhattans, It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad | Throwback Vibez

In the 171^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad” by The Manhattans.

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 171^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad”, performed by The Manhattans.

“Oooh, baby, the more I love you, the more I want to love you ‘cause loving you is all that’s on my mind.” Ooh wee! “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad” appears as the sixth track on Grammy winning, soul collective The Manhattans’ 1977 album, It Feels So Good.  “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad” was written by a trio of songwriters: Teddy Randazzo, Victoria Pike, and Roger Joyce. The amorous record dinted the pop charts, peaking at no. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed substantially better on the R&B songs chart, reaching no. 6.

“Oh baby, well / Loving you is all that’s on my mind.” That sums up “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad” – a heaping dose of L-O-V-E . The Manhattans go on to add, “You got an easy way of loving / And it’s the best that I’ve ever had /…And it feels, feels so good to be loved so bad.” The desire is lit throughout the course of the record, which is anchored by lush, soulful production courtesy of the band and Bobby Martin . “You fill me with desire / And it’s all gonna drive me mad.” Oh, snap ! It’s worth noting that award-winning musician, James Blake sampled the record in his own gorgeous song, “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow”.  It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out which portion of “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad” earned Blake’s attention: “And oh girl, I can’t believe the way we flow (we flow, we flow, we flow, we flow).” Another gem courtesy of The Manhattans – NO CAP !

The Manhattans • It Feels So Good • Sony Music Entertainment Inc. • 1977

The Manhattans, It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad: Throwback Vibez No. 171 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]