The Temprees, Dedicated To The One I Love | Throwback Vibez

In the 34th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Dedicated To The One I Love” by Memphis R&B/soul trio, The Temprees.   

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 34^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Dedicated To The One I Love” performed by The Temprees.

“Each night before you go to bed (ooh, baby) / Whisper a little prayer for me (ooh, baby),” Jasper “Jabo” Phillips (1949 – 2001) sings in a dedicated fashion, continuing, “And let’s tell all the stars above / This is dedicated to the one I love.” Phillips was the lead singer of the Memphis, Tennessee vocal trio, The Temprees.  Besides Phillips, The Temprees originally comprised  Harold “Scotty” Scott and Deljuan “Del” Calvin. The song at hand, “Dedicated To The One I Love”, appeared on their 1972 debut album, Love Men, later reissued as Dedicated to the One I Love. “Dedicated To the One I Love” is a cover. Originally recorded by The “5” Royales in 1957, The Shirelles made it a hit in 1959.  The Temprees’ version performed modestly on the pop charts (number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100).  It had a stronger showing on the R&B charts, peaking at number 17.

The ‘long version’ of “Dedicated To The One I Love” runs shy of seven minutes.  It’s a glorious musical experience, whether abbreviated or running the full length. It commences with a memorable introduction. Musically, the chromatic lines shine.  The musical backdrop is gorgeous – superbly orchestrated and produced. Instrumentally, the rhythm section and lush, warm strings stand out.  Adding to the sheer beauty is that lilting compound-duple meter – the perfect time signature for soul.  Phillips delivers dynamic lead vocals.  His falsetto is ripe.  Calvin and Scott provide decadent background vocals, specifically on “ooh, baby.” The melodies are quite tuneful.  One of the best moments is the incredibly bluesy bridge at the two-minute mark, with The Temprees choral vocals taking the lead initially before the Phillips retakes the reins:

“Life can never be exactly like you want it to be

But I can be satisfied, girl, just knowing that you love me

There’s one thing I want you to do, especially for me

Hey, that’s something everybody needs.” 

The Temprees ‘put their foot’ into “Dedicated To The One I Love”.  Yes, it’s a cover, but it’s a mean, mean, mean cover! The song has been sampled a lot. Looking at you Shareefa (Shareefa Cooper) and the underrated, Bobby V featuring “Hey Baby (Give Me Ya Lovin’)”. 

The Temprees // Dedicated to the One I Love // Fantasy, Inc. // 1972

The Temprees, Dedicated To The One I Love: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 34 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Fantasy, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]