"Sweet Soul Music" is a soul song first released by the American singer Arthur Conley in March 1967. Written by Conley and Otis Redding,[3] it is based on the Sam Cooke song "Yeah Man" from his posthumous album Shake;[citation needed] the opening riff is a quote from Elmer Bernstein's score for the 1960 movie The Magnificent Seven.[citation needed]
| "Sweet Soul Music" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Arthur Conley | |
| from the album Sweet Soul Music | |
| B-side | "Let's Go Steady" |
| Released | March 1967 |
| Recorded | January 1967[1] |
| Studio | FAME, Muscle Shoals, Alabama[1] |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:20 |
| Label | Atco |
| Songwriter(s) | Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley and Otis Redding |
In the US, "Sweet Soul Music" reached the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 (behind "The Happening" by The Supremes),[4] and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. Overseas, it peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.[5] "Sweet Soul Music" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[3]
J.W. Alexander, Cooke's business partner, sued both Redding and Conley for appropriating the melody. A settlement was reached in which Cooke's name was added to the writer credits, and Redding agreed to record some songs in the future from Kags Music, a Cooke–Alexander enterprise. [citation needed]
Lyrics
editThe song is an homage to soul music. The following songs are mentioned in the lyrics:
- "Going to a Go-Go", by the Miracles; the group is not explicitly mentioned.
- "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing", by Lou Rawls
- "Hold On, I'm Comin'", by Sam & Dave
- "Mustang Sally", by Wilson Pickett
- "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)", by Otis Redding. A brief instrumental version of the chorus for the song is quoted, after Conley says, "Hit it, Otis".
Additionally, James Brown is described as "the king of them all".[6]
At the end of the song, Arthur Conley sings, "Otis Redding got the feeling."
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b The Muscle Shoals Sound CD Liner Notes, Rhino Records, 1993
- ^ a b Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 417. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
- ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 218. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "The Hot 100: the week of May 13, 1967". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley | Official Charts". UK Singles Chart. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 51 – The Soul Reformation: Phase Three, Soul Music at the Summit. [Part 7]: UNT Digital Library" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ "British single certifications – Arthur Conley – Sweet Soul Music". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 21, 2023.