The Three Degrees, When Will I See You Again | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 172^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “When Will I See You Again” by The Three Degrees.

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 172^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “When Will I See You Again”, performed by 🎙 The Three Degrees. 

“When will I see you again? / When will we share precious moments?” R&B trio 🎙 The Three Degrees was comprised 🎙 Sheila Ferguson, 🎙 Fayette Pinkney, and 🎙 Valerie Holiday at the time they released their beloved, 1973 classic, 🎵 “When Will I See You Again”.  This no. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 💪 appeared as the fourth track on their Philadelphia International debut, simply titled, 💿 The Three Degrees. The record was written and produced by iconic Philadelphia soul architects 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.  With a lush backdrop (rhythm section, horns 🎺, strings 🎻), superb songwriting, and the compelling lead vocals of Ferguson, “When Will I See You Again” is epic.

As the excerpted lyrics suggest, matters of the heart drive the narrative of “When Will I See You Again.” This is always a great theme for a soul record.  The Three Degrees have questions regarding the state of the relationship… or lack thereof, possibly.  “When will our hearts beat together?” Ferguson asks, continuing, “Are we in love or just friends? / Is this my beginning or is it the end?” The lyrics are simple but ultra-relatable.  When it comes to someone you like in a romantic way, you want to see them frequently.  In this case, the trio isn’t sure exactly where things stand, hence why this utterly sublime joint is titled with a question, 🎵 “When Will I See You Again”.  At just about three minutes in duration, this song right here is the definition of three minutes of heaven 😇.

🎙 The Three Degrees • 💿 The Three Degrees • 🏷 Assorted Music, Inc. d/b/a Philadelphia International • 🗓 1973

The Three Degrees, When Will I See You Again: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 172 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Assorted Music, Inc. d/b/a Philadelphia International; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]