While Detroit is maybe the center of the Soul Music Universe, there are two other important centers of Soul music, Philadelphia and Memphis. Philly’s reputation as a Soul music center is largely due to Philadelphia International Records, the record label founded by songwriters and producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as well as Thom Bell, their long-time collaborator. What distinguishes Philly Soul from Motown are funk and jazz influences and rich orchestration. A good example is "If You Don’t Know Me By Now" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. They were signed to Philadelphia International in 1971, and after several singles released the song in September 1972. It rose quickly on the R&B chart, peaking at #1, as well as peaking at #3 on the Hot 100, and was certified Gold by RIAA, who also chose it as one of the "Songs of the Century." It was covered by the British band Simply Red in 1989 and reached #1 on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts that year.
Beautiful song. Another one of my favorites from what seems today to be so, so long ago.
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Wonder what went wrong between then and now?
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I LOVE “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” but I had no idea it originated with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. You taught me something.
Love,
Janie
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See? Not just entertaining, but educational, too!
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What a great song. Who’s covered it, because I have another version in mind, but I can’t think who it could be?
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Simply Red covered it, and quite well.
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Ah yes, that’s who I was thinking of. Thank you!
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Another great era song for me. Nice find on this chilly Monday.
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Glad you like it!
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This is an excellent song and brings on fond memories. Love it!
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When you hear it, you know it didn’t come out of Motown. We’ll spend this week in Philly and next in Memphis, with a stop in Chicago at some point…
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My kind of music and I look forward to it.
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This is a truly nice song to listen to on a Monday morning.
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Gorgeous, ain’t it?
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I’ve always loved this song. My dad is an even worse singer than me (and that’s saying something) but when this came on the radio he would sing. I think that’s endeared the song to me even more.
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It’s one of those songs that practically begs you to sing along.
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My favourite boy band!
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Never thought of it that way…
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