Inspired by “Yeah Man” by Sam Cooke (1964).
Hit version by Arthur Conley, co-writer (US #2/R&B #2/UK #7 1967).
From the wiki: “‘Sweet Soul Music’ was written by Arthur Conley and Otis Redding, and was based on the Sam Cooke song ‘Yeah Man’ from his posthumous album Shake.
“J. W. Alexander, Sam Cooke’s business partner, sued both Redding and Conley for plagiarizing the melody. A settlement was reached in which Cooke’s name was added to the writer credits, and Otis Redding agreed to record some songs in the future from Kags Music, the Cooke–Alexander publishing enterprise. ‘Sweet Soul Music’ is an homage to soul music, with these songs mentioned in the lyrics: ‘Going to a Go-Go’, ‘Love is a Hurtin’ Thing’, ‘Hold On, I’m Comin”, ‘Mustang Sally’, and ‘Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa’.”