1967 single by Arthur Conley
| "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 |
| Studio | FAME, Muscle Shoals, Alabama |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:20 |
| Label | Atco |
| Songwriter(s) | Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley and Otis Redding |
"Sweet Soul Music" is a soul song first released by the American singer Arthur Conley in March 1967. Written by Conley and Otis Redding, it is based on the Sam Cooke song "Yeah Man" from his posthumous album Shake; the opening riff is a quote from Elmer Bernstein's score for the 1960 movie The Magnificent Seven.
In the US, "Sweet Soul Music" reached the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 (behind "The Happening" by The Supremes), and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. Overseas, it peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. "Sweet Soul Music" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
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.
Lyrics
The 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".
At the end of the song, Arthur Conley sings, "Otis Redding got the feeling."
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000 |
|
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ The Muscle Shoals Sound CD Liner Notes, Rhino Records, 1993
- ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 417. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
- ^ 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.