Today’s long lost classic soul song of the day is “Nothing But a Heartache” by the Flirtations. Released in 1969, it only made it to #34 on the Billboard Hot 100. It should have been higher.
“Nothing But a Heartache” was written by British songwriters Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington. Bickerton was a fairly successful producer for acts like Petula Clark and Tom Jones, and later became an executive for England’s Performing Right Society and Chairman of performing rights group SESAC International.
Why was this classic American soul tune written and produced by a couple of English gents? It’s the because the Flirtations, three young ladies from South Carolina originally known as the Gypsies, had little success in their native land. After winning a local talent contest to see who could sound most like the Supremes (they definitely did), the girls packed their bags and moved to England. In 1968 they signed with Deram Records, hooked up with Bickerton and Waddington, and recorded “Nothing But a Heartache.”
That tune was a minor hit in the U.S., the UK, and the Netherlands. Deram dropped them in 1971, then they recorded for a variety of labels throughout the 1970s. They were still recording on minor labels and performing at small venues well into the 2000s.
“Nothing But a Heartache,” however, had a second life thanks to Britain’s Northern Soul scene. The top Northern Soul clubs made a habit of digging up obscure American soul sides, which led to a new generation discovering the tune. (It was even used in an ad for KFC, if you can believe that.) It’s a wonderful track, starting with its powerful brass intro and building with its exhilarating Supremes-like vocals. Many consider it a true soul classic, and I would agree.
Interestingly, the Flirtations recorded a promo video for the tune, in living color, something quite unique at the time. (It was shot at Tinturn Abbey in Wales, if you care.) Watch and enjoy!
