Then Came You (song)
Encyclopedia
"Then Came You" is a 1974 Grammy-nominated hit for American soul
singer Dionne Warwick
and American R&B group The Spinners
, and credited to Dionne Warwicke and Spinners (from 1971–1975, Warwick added a final 'e' to her last name). The track was written by Sherman Marshall and Phillip T. Pugh, and produced by Thom Bell
.
Released during a time that Warwick's chart fortunes were at an ebb after moving to Warner Bros. Records
in 1972, the Philadelphia soul
single was a rare mid-1970s success for the singer. Sung as a duet with Spinners main lead singer Bobby Smith
and the Spinners, who were one of the most popular groups of the decade, the song became Warwick's first ever single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100
and also became her highest-charting R&B record reaching number two on that chart. It was also the first number-one pop hit for the Spinners. Spinners member Phillippe Wynne took over lead duties at the very end of the song, as he did on another one of the group's big hits, "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love
".
While Warwick was signed to Warner Bros. at the time, this release actually came out on Atlantic Records
, which was the Spinners' label, but also a sister label to Warner Bros.
Warwick eventually left Warner Bros. for Arista Records
in 1978 where she regrouped and found consistent success again as an artist.
, "Nothing From Nothing" by Billy Preston
, for the biggest fall from number one in the history of the Hot 100. Both "Nothing From Nothing" and "Then Came You" spent only one week at number one and then dropped all the way to number 15 the week afterward.
After recording "Then Came You" Bell quoted 'that Dionne made a face after the session and didn't care for the songs very much. So, Thom ripped a dollar in two and signed each half and exchanged them. Bell told her that if the song doesn't go to number one, I'll send you my half. 'Then Came You' b/w 'Just As Long As We Have Love' shot straight to number one spot on Billboard's Top 100 list and No. 2 R&B (Kool & the Gang
's 'Higher Plane' prevented it from the number one spot) making this Dionne's first No. 1 and the Spinners first and only No. 1 pop hit in October 1974. Dionne sent back the half torn dollar bill to Thom Bell with an apology.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
and American R&B group The Spinners
The Spinners (U.S. band)
The Spinners is a soul music vocal group, active for over 50 years, and with a long run of pop and R&B hits especially during the 1970s. The group, originating from Detroit, still tours regularly ....
, and credited to Dionne Warwicke and Spinners (from 1971–1975, Warwick added a final 'e' to her last name). The track was written by Sherman Marshall and Phillip T. Pugh, and produced by Thom Bell
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
.
Released during a time that Warwick's chart fortunes were at an ebb after moving to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in 1972, the Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
single was a rare mid-1970s success for the singer. Sung as a duet with Spinners main lead singer Bobby Smith
Bobby Smith (R&B singer)
Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
and the Spinners, who were one of the most popular groups of the decade, the song became Warwick's first ever single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and also became her highest-charting R&B record reaching number two on that chart. It was also the first number-one pop hit for the Spinners. Spinners member Phillippe Wynne took over lead duties at the very end of the song, as he did on another one of the group's big hits, "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love
Could It Be I'm Falling in Love
"Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" is a 1972 song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners . The song was co-written by Melvin and Mervin Steals who were two songwriter brothers working for Atlantic, who were sometimes credited as "Mystro and Lyric." It was produced by Thom Bell...
".
While Warwick was signed to Warner Bros. at the time, this release actually came out on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, which was the Spinners' label, but also a sister label to Warner Bros.
Warwick eventually left Warner Bros. for Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in 1978 where she regrouped and found consistent success again as an artist.
Trivia
"Then Came You" is tied with the record that preceded it at the top of the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, "Nothing From Nothing" by Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, for the biggest fall from number one in the history of the Hot 100. Both "Nothing From Nothing" and "Then Came You" spent only one week at number one and then dropped all the way to number 15 the week afterward.
After recording "Then Came You" Bell quoted 'that Dionne made a face after the session and didn't care for the songs very much. So, Thom ripped a dollar in two and signed each half and exchanged them. Bell told her that if the song doesn't go to number one, I'll send you my half. 'Then Came You' b/w 'Just As Long As We Have Love' shot straight to number one spot on Billboard's Top 100 list and No. 2 R&B (Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
's 'Higher Plane' prevented it from the number one spot) making this Dionne's first No. 1 and the Spinners first and only No. 1 pop hit in October 1974. Dionne sent back the half torn dollar bill to Thom Bell with an apology.
Personnel
- Lead vocals by Dionne WarwickDionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
, Bobby SmithBobby Smith (R&B singer)Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
and Philippé WynnePhilippe WynnePhilippé Wynne , born Phillip Walker, was an American R&B singer. Best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spinners , Wynne scored notable hits such as "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man",and "One of a Kind ",... - Background vocals by Linda CreedLinda CreedLinda Creed also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American singer-songwriter and lyricist who teamed up with songwriter-producer Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.-Career:Born in Philadelphia in 1949, Creed was raised in the...
, Barbara IngramBarbara IngramBarbara Jane Ingram was an American R&B singer-songwriter, who was active throughout the early 1970s until the mid-late 1980s, enjoying modest success a backup singer for almost two decades.-Career:...
, Carla Benson, Yvette Benton, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Pervis JacksonPervis JacksonPervis Jackson was an American R&B singer, noted as the bass singer for The Spinners, and was one of the group's original members.-Life and career:...
, Henry FambroughHenry FambroughHenry Fambrough is an original vocalist and current member of the R&B quintet The Spinners . He is one of two active original members of the Spinners...
and Billy HendersonBilly HendersonWilliam "Billy" Henderson was an English professional footballer. He was born in Whitburn, County Durham.Billy Henderson, a right-back, began his career with his local side Whitburn from whom he joined Brighton & Hove Albion... - Instrumentation by various Philadelphia area musicians
Chart history
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
2 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
29 |