The Soul Children, Hearsay | Throwback Vibez

In the 40th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Hearsay” by The Soul Children.   

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 40^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Hearsay” performed by The Soul Children.

“You keep buggin’ me and naggin’ me about / Some hearsay and jive / Oh, yeah-yeah.” John “Blackfoot” Colbert is perturbed by the hearsay against him in the soul classic, fittingly named, “Hearsay”. What is not hearsay is how awesome this gem from The Soul Children is. Who was part of this Memphis, Tennessee-based group? Lead singer Colbert, Anita Louis, and Norman West. “Hearsay” is the third track from the collective’s 1972 album, Genesis. Colbert and West penned the song while Al Jackson Jr. (1935 – 1975) produced it.  “Hearsay” was a modest hit on the pop charts, peaking at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached the top five on the R&B charts. 

“Hearsay” remains one of the funkiest songs your ears will ever hear.  The musical accompaniment is superb. The song thrives off sickening guitar licks, biting horns, fat bass lines, and electrifying drum grooves.  The inspiration is nothing short of inspiring.  Colbert shines with his distinct, gritty, soulful vocals. He brings the heat and energy from the get-go.  He also brings memorable songwriting and tuneful melodies to life.   

“And you tellin’ me about what Shirley said
Honey, that ain’t true
But did Shirley tell you
What she was really tryin’ to do?
I know she didn’t, baby.” 

The section to beat is the infectious chorus:

“You’ve never seen me do nothin’ wrong

When I get my check

I bring it home

And you still runnin’ me with that

He said, she said, you did it.”

One of the most epic moments of “Hearsay” is the spoken word back and forth between Colbert and Anita Louis. Blackfoot had already exhibited ample personality, and Louis matches him (“… Well, I’m the one that’s tired of that hearsay jive, baby / Every time I walk out of my door, I’m staring Shirley right in the face / And she’s tellin’ me about some woman you were with the night before”). Their vocal chemistry is sensational. Also sensational are the background vocals that highlight the hearsay! There are far bigger hits in the soul catalog than “Hearsay”, but The Soul Children deserve wider recognition for this surefire, supremely funked-out bop!

The Soul Children // Genesis // Craft Recordings. / Concord // 1972

The Soul Children, Hearsay: Throwback Vibez No. 40 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Craft Recordings. / Concord; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]