Yesterday, the 5th Dimension hosted a “Stoned Soul Picnic.” Today, Arthur Conley gives us some “Sweet Soul Music.”
Written by Arthur Conley and Otis Redding, “Sweet Soul Music” was recorded at Muscle Shoals’ famous FAME Studios. Released in March of 1967, this sweet soul single climbed all the way to #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B charts.
“Sweet Soul Music” is an ode to some of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s. Over the course of the single’s 2 minutes and 20 seconds, Mr. Conley puts the spotlight on:
- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and their hit “Going to Go-Go”
- Lou Rawls and his hit “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing”
- Sam & Dave and their hit “Hold On I’m Comin'”
- Wilson Pickett and his hit “Mustang Sally”
- Otis Redding and his hit “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)”
- James Brown—”the king of them all”
Throughout, Mr. Conley emulates some of the singing styles of the artists he mentions. It’s a trip down memory lane—and, if they really listened closely, an education in soul music for the millions of white kids who heard this song on the radio.
“Sweet Soul Music” was the only real mainstream hit for Arthur Conley, who had a few more singles pop onto the R&B charts. He released his first single (“I Believe”) in 1963 and kept recording through the mid-70s. Unfortunately, Arthur Conley passed away in 2003, aged 57, of intestinal cancer.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, a very energetic live performance of “Sweet Soul Music” by Arthur Conley back in 1967. Spotlight on Arthur Conley, y’all!
