Wilson Pickett, Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 149^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” by Wilson Pickett.

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 149^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” performed by Wilson Pickett.  

“Girl, try to remember / When we didn’t have no shoes / We stuck together, just me and you.” Remember those lyrics from the first verse of the Wilson Pickett (1941 – 2006) soul classic, “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You”. “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” is the fifth track from Pickett’s 1970 album, In Philadelphia. Notably, it’s one of only two gold-certified singles by the legendary soul musician. “Grass” peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Victor Drayton, Reginald Turner, Johnny Bellmon, and Jerry Akines penned it, while the Hall of Fame songwriting and production duo of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff produced it. The musical accompaniment is exquisite: exuberant, funky, groovy, and oozing with S-O-U-L. Among the sounds that shine the brightest are the guitar, organ, and those biting horns.

What has happened between Wilson Pickett and this nameless girl? She appears to be leaving for greener grass… Another man! Pickett tries to convince her otherwise. “It took a long time to get what we got today,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “Now you wanna give it all up for another guy?” My, my, my. Devastated, in the second verse, Pickett asserts, “‘Cause if you leave / Leave me this way, baby / You know what? / I may not live to see a brand new day.” That is a big-time bummer! In the chorus, the centerpiece of this golden oldie, he gives her life advice that all of us can heed:

“Oh, baby, don’t let the green grass fool ya

Don’t let it change your mind

You know why?

It may be greener on the other side, baby

But right in my arms is where you belong.”

Sometimes, things that appear greener don’t end up that way. That doesn’t only apply to relationships, either! Wilson Pickett, one of the most dynamic singers of all time, brings it.  He sounds commanding and gritty, showing off the power of his instrument.  He hoops, hollers, and screams something fierce, singing with incredible authenticity and sincerity.  Surely, given his convincing performance, his baby strongly reconsiders their relationship! “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” is nothing short of marvelous.