This week’s final classic early ’70s song of the day is “Turn Back the Hands of Time” by Tyrone Davis. This classic Chicago soul track debuted in February of 1970 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
“Turn Back the Hands of Time” was written by Jack Daniels and Johnny Moore (using the name of his girlfriend, Bonnie Thompson). Willie Henderson produced. (Henderson was more well known as an arranger for Chicago-based soul acts such as the Chi-Lites, the Artistics, Barbara Acklin, and Jackie Wilson.)
I love the arrangement on this song. It’s got a hip little bass line, some funky drumming, a cool vibes part, and sweet call-and-response background vocals. Add some sophisticated orchestration, a hot lead guitar part, and Mr. Davis’ soulful vocals and you have a sure-fire hit.
Tyrone Davis had a previous top ten mainstream hit with 1968’s “Can I Change My Mind.” He also had a number of top ten hits on the R&B chart, including “Is It Something You’ve Got,” “I’ll Be Right There,” “Could I Forget You,” “I Had It All the Time,” “Without You In My Life,” “There It is,” “Turning Point,” “Give It Up (Turn It Loose),” “This I Swear,” “In the Mood,” and “Are You Serious.”
Mr. Davis continued recording and performing on the soul and oldies circuits until his death in 2005, aged 67. He’s a terrific example of the Chicago soul style—lighter, sweeter, and a little more sophisticated than either Motown or Stax at the time. It’s a sound that included performers such as Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, the Impressions, Betty Everett, Dee Clark, Gene Chandler, Billy Stewart, Etta James, Fontella Bass, Major Lance, the Chi-Lites, Barbara Acklin, and Jackie Wilson. You’ll recognize it when you hear it.
