The Spinners, Sadie | Throwback Vibez

In the 16th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Sadie” by the iconic Philly soul collective, The Spinners.   

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 16^th  edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Sadie” performed by The Spinners.

“In a world like today / It’s a rare occasion to be able to see young mothers / Like the ones that were around when I grew up,” Philippé Wynne (1941 – 1984) speaks in the intro of “Sadie”.  The late, great former lead vocalist of The Spinners, continues speaking, touchingly, “But they live on in memory to quite a few of us / And this song is dedicated to those who cherish that memory.” The intro sets the tone for one of the iconic Philly soul collective’s best songs.  Sure, the sixth track from their 1974 album, New And Improved, performed modestly on the pop charts (it peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100), but the song thrives from its high level of musicianship, poignancy, and sophistication. “Sadie” was written by Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons, and Joseph B. Jefferson. It features a fine harmonic progression that extends behind basic I, IV, and V.  Thom Bell produced it. As always, the music oozes in Philly soul. The opening instrument riff during Wynne’s spoken intro is quite memorable.

The songwriting is one of the biggest selling points of “Sadie.” The lyrics show gratitude for Mama.  “Filled with her load of glory / We learned the holy story,” Wynne reminisces in the first verse, continuing, “She’ll always have her dreams / Despite the things / This troubled world can bring.” In the second verse, he characterizes Sadie as “Sweeter than cotton candy / Stronger than papa’s old brandy / Always that need smile.” While the verses superbly characterize the awesome woman she was, the section to beat is the tuneful chorus.

“Oh, Sadie

Don’t you know we love you, sweet Sadie

Place no one above you, sweet Sadie

(Living in the past)

Sometimes, it seems so funny

But no money will turn your life around.”

Here, Wynne is supported by top-notch backing vocals, including The Spinners (Bobby Smith, Pervis Jackson, Henry Fambrough, and Billy Henderson) and additional background vocals by Linda Creed and The Sweethearts of Sigma. The blend is nothing short of harmonious – celestial to the nth degree.  The final chorus is extended, with Wynne marvelously ad-libbing and riffing, backed by these stunning vocalists.  “Sadie” is nothing short of sensational.  R. Kelly covered it on 12 Play in 1993.  2Pac sampled it in “Dear Mama”.  Timeless, timeless, timeless!

The Spinners // New And Improved // Atlantic Recording Corporation // 1974

The Spinners, Sadie: Throwback Vibez No. 16 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corporation; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]