1970s, R&B

Thin Line Between Love and Hate

June 22, 2014

First recorded by The Persuaders (US #15/R&B #1 1971).
Also recorded by B.B. Seaton (1972).
Other hit versions by The Pretenders (US #83/UK #49 1984), H-Town (US #37/R&B #6 1996).

From the wiki: “‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’ was first recorded by The Persuaders (‘(‘You’re the) Best Thing That Ever Happened‘, ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck‘), written and produced by the Poindexter brothers (‘Backfield in Motion’), Robert and Richard, and also co-written by Persuaders producer Jackie Members. It proved to be the group’s biggest hit song, spending two weeks atop the Billboard R&B chart in late 1971.”

(You’re the) Best Thing That Ever Happened

June 6, 2013

First recorded by Danny Thomas (1973).
First single release by Ray Price (C&W #1 1973).
Also recorded by Dean Martin (1973).
Hit versions by Gladys Knight & The Pips (US #3/R&B #1/UK #7 February 1974), The Persuaders (US #85/R&B #29 March 1974).

From the wiki: “‘You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’ — also known simply as ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’ — is a song written by Jim Weatherly, and enjoyed two runs of popularity, each by an artist in a different genre. The song’s first run of popularity, as ‘You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,’ came in 1973. That’s when Country singer Ray Price took the song to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on October 6, 1973.

Some Guys Have All the Luck

March 17, 2013

Originally recorded by The Persuaders (US #39/R&B #7 1974).
Also recorded by Nikki Wills (1981).
Other hit versions by Robert Palmer (US Rock #59/UK #16 1982), Rod Stewart (US #10/UK #15 1984), Louise Mandrell (as “Some Girls Have All the Luck” C&W #22 1985), Maxi Priest (UK #12/IRE #15/BEL #18 1987).

From the wiki: “[Jeff] Fortgang wrote many songs during his three years in the music business after graduating Yale in 1971, but sold only this one. He went on to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and still works in the mental health field in the Boston area. By the time ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’ became a major hit (by Rod Stewart) in 1984, Fortgang had long before abandoned his dreams being a popular songwriter and was already well into a career as a psychologist.

Tagged: Persuaders