"My Pledge of Love" is a song written and performed by singer-songwriter Joe Stafford, Jr. of the American rhythm-and-blues band Joe Jeffrey Group. It was released in April 1969, as the group's first single, and was produced by Jerry Meyers and Alan Klein. It appeared on the group's only album My Pledge of Love, which was released in 1974.
| "My Pledge of Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Joe Jeffrey Group | ||||
| from the album My Pledge of Love | ||||
| B-side | "Margie" | |||
| Released | April 1969 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:43 | |||
| Label | Wand / Scepter | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Stafford, Jr. | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Joe Jeffrey Group singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and composition
editThe 2-minute-43-second song is in the key of C major with a tempo of 75 beats per minute.
The song, presumably sung to Stafford's significant other, is about how he "felt so fine" thinking about her one morning, how badly he needs and loves her, and how the song acts as his "pledge of love". In the bridge of the song, Stafford repeats the words "Baby I need your loving, got to have all your loving," which intentional or not, is an interpolation of the chorus from the Four Tops' 1964 hit "Baby I Need Your Loving".
On the B-side is a song titled "Margie".
Reception and commercial performance
editBillboard called the record a "driving rhythm ballad by a potent group, given an exceptional vocal workout,"[1] while Record World wrote of it, "Teens will be feeling fine when they hear this pick-me-up rock. Joe and [the] gang are infectious," referencing the song's lyrics.[2] Cashbox described it as "pretty kind-of-an-oldie, with an easygoing beat and fine vocal showing that gives the newcomer act a solid piece of hit material."[3]
The song was initially sent to radio stations in Vancouver, (CKLG) and Cleveland, Ohio, before it took off nationally in May and June, entering the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number 26 for the week of May 31, 1970, and the Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 for the week ending June 7, 1970, going on to peak at number 14, and spending a total of 12 weeks on the chart. It also charted in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. It was the group's highest charting hit, and only hit to reach the Hot 100, and as far as known, any of the five other charts, with the exception of their cover of White Plains' "My Baby Loves Lovin'". However, they did reach the Bubbling Under chart with a few future releases, following the success of "My Pledge of Love."
Cover versions
edit- Tirso Cruz III on his debut studio album, 1969
- James Darren on his album Mammy Blue, 1971
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (1969) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Go-Set)[A] | 40 |
| Brazil (São Paulo) (IBOPE)[B] | 3 |
| Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) (IBOPE)[C] | 1 |
| Canada (RPM)[4] | 6 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[5] | 18 |
| Philippines (Hits of the World)[6] | 8 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[7] | 13 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 14 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1969) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[9] | 120 |
References
edit- ^ "Billboard - May 17, 1969" (PDF). Billboard.
- ^ "Record World - May 17, 1969" (PDF). Record World.
- ^ "Cashbox - April 26, 1969" (PDF). Cashbox.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "Top 40 week 40 van 1969". Top40.nl. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ "December 13, 1969 - Hits of the World - Billboard Magazine - Page 75" (PDF). Billboard / worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 8/16/69". Cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. 1969-08-02. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
Notes
edit- ^ “My Pledge of Love” charted at No. 40 on the Go-Set week of October 4, 1969
- ^ According to the "Hits of the World" section of Billboard magazine, "My Pledge of Love" peaked at number 1 in Rio de Janeiro for the week ending January 24, 1970, while it peaked at number 3 in Sao Paulo for the week ending March 14, 1970.
- ^ According to the "Hits of the World" section of Billboard magazine, "My Pledge of Love" peaked at number 1 in Rio de Janeiro for the week ending January 24, 1970, while it peaked at number 3 in Sao Paulo for the week ending March 14, 1970.