A Song for You (Temptations album)
Encyclopedia
A Song for You is a 1975 album by The Temptations
. The album features two R&B number-one hits, "Happy People
" (originally intended for recording by its authors, The Commodores), and "Shakey Ground
", one of the group's final R&B number-one songs.
It features then lead singer Dennis Edwards
on the title track written by Leon Russell
.
Also featured are Richard Street
and Melvin Franklin
on the track "Firefly".
This album features a familiar device of the time used to exhibit the versatility of 70s soul groups: one side features up-tempo cuts and the other side focuses on ballads. Several songs on side one such as "Glass House" and "Shakey Ground" featured P-Funk
-backed dance grooves and even a writing credit for former Funkadelic
guitarist Eddie Hazel
, while side two had tracks such as "I'm A Bachelor" and "Memories", which showcased a more subdued style of soul.
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
. The album features two R&B number-one hits, "Happy People
Happy People
"Happy People" is a 1974 single by The Temptations, co-written by Lionel Richie. The song was the first single from the A Song For You album. In the United States, the single went to number one on the R&B chart and number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Happy People" also peaked at...
" (originally intended for recording by its authors, The Commodores), and "Shakey Ground
Shakey Ground
"Shakey Ground" is a 1975 R&B single by The Temptations. It was co-written by Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel, who plays lead guitar on the song. Original Funkadelic bassist Billy "Bass" Nelson also plays on the song...
", one of the group's final R&B number-one songs.
It features then lead singer Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards is a soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of Motown act The Temptations' lead singers replacing David Ruffin. He is the father of Issa Pointer, whose mother is Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.-Career:...
on the title track written by Leon Russell
Leon Russell
Claude Russell Bridges , known professionally as Leon Russell, is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music....
.
Also featured are Richard Street
Richard Street
Richard Allen Street is an American soul and R&B singer, most notable as a member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1993...
and Melvin Franklin
Melvin Franklin
David Melvin English better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin, was an American bass singer. Franklin is best known for his role as a member of Motown singing group The Temptations from 1960 to 1994....
on the track "Firefly".
This album features a familiar device of the time used to exhibit the versatility of 70s soul groups: one side features up-tempo cuts and the other side focuses on ballads. Several songs on side one such as "Glass House" and "Shakey Ground" featured P-Funk
P-Funk
P-Funk is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed...
-backed dance grooves and even a writing credit for former Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
guitarist Eddie Hazel
Eddie Hazel
Edward Earl "Eddie" Hazel was a guitarist in early funk music in the United States who played lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic...
, while side two had tracks such as "I'm A Bachelor" and "Memories", which showcased a more subdued style of soul.
Track listing
- "Happy PeopleHappy People"Happy People" is a 1974 single by The Temptations, co-written by Lionel Richie. The song was the first single from the A Song For You album. In the United States, the single went to number one on the R&B chart and number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Happy People" also peaked at...
" - "GlasshouseGlasshouse (The Temptations song)"Glasshouse" is a 1975 R&B single by The Temptations. It was written by Motown songwriting team Charlemagne, which consisted of James Carmichael, Ronald Miller and Kathy Wakefield. The song appeared on the album A Song for You. All five Temptations alternate lead vocals, singing about how people...
" - "Shakey GroundShakey Ground"Shakey Ground" is a 1975 R&B single by The Temptations. It was co-written by Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel, who plays lead guitar on the song. Original Funkadelic bassist Billy "Bass" Nelson also plays on the song...
" - "The Prophet"
- "Happy People (Instrumental)"
- "A Song for YouA Song for You"A Song for You" is a soulful love song written and originally recorded by rock singer-songwriter and pianist Leon Russell for his first solo album 'Leon Russell', which was released in 1970 on Shelter Records. A slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover, the tune...
" - "Memories"
- "I'm A Bachelor"
- "Firefly"
Personnel
- Dennis EdwardsDennis EdwardsDennis Edwards is a soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of Motown act The Temptations' lead singers replacing David Ruffin. He is the father of Issa Pointer, whose mother is Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.-Career:...
: vocals - Damon HarrisDamon HarrisDamon Harris is a three-time Grammy Award-winning African-American soul and R&B singer. He is most notable as a member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1975. Twenty years old when he joined the group, Harris was the youngest member of The Temptations during his tenure in the group...
: vocals - Richard StreetRichard StreetRichard Allen Street is an American soul and R&B singer, most notable as a member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1993...
: vocals - Melvin FranklinMelvin FranklinDavid Melvin English better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin, was an American bass singer. Franklin is best known for his role as a member of Motown singing group The Temptations from 1960 to 1994....
: vocals - Otis WilliamsOtis WilliamsOtis Williams is an American baritone singer. Nicknamed "Big Daddy", he has also acted as a sporadic songwriter and record producer. Williams co-founded the Motown vocal group The Temptations in early 1960 as The Elgins, a group in which he continues to perform...
: vocals - Berry GordyBerry GordyBerry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
: producer - Jeffrey BowenJeffrey BowenJeffrey Bowen was a songwriter and record producer, notable for his work at both Motown Records and Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus and Hot Wax labels. He is best known for his work with the Detroit male vocal groups Chairmen of the Board and The Temptations...
: producer - Donald Charles BaldwinDonald Charles BaldwinDonald Charles Baldwin is a United States musician, arranger and composer who achieved significant commercial success with recordings he wrote, arranged and performed for Motown Records and Invictus/Hot Wax Records from 1970 to 1980...
: Co-Song Writer:("Happy People", "Memories"), Piano, Clavinet, Moog and Soprano Saxophone solo on "Shakey Ground"
- The Commodores: Tape Loop on "Happy People"
- Eddie HazelEddie HazelEdward Earl "Eddie" Hazel was a guitarist in early funk music in the United States who played lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic...
: Co-Song Writer: ("Shakey Ground"), Guitar - Melvin "Wah-Wah" Ragin: Guitar
- Ollie BrownOllie E. BrownOllie E. Brown is an American drummer, percussionist and record producer. A prolific session musician, Brown has performed on over a hundred albums in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Brown was also half of the American dance-pop duo Ollie & Jerry, which had a Top 10 hit with "Breakin'.....
, James Gadsen & Zachary Frazier: Drums - William "Billy Bass" NelsonBilly Bass NelsonWilliam "Billy Bass" Nelson is a U.S. musician, who was the original bassist for Funkadelic. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic....
: Bass