Post by erik on Mar 12, 2022 13:19:25 GMT -5
One of the many hits of Barry White that defined 1970's pop and soul is in this week's Pop Music Hits Spotlight.
WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU? (Barry White; 20th Century; 1975)—With some of his style borrowed from the basso-profundo spoken musings of Memphis R&B legend Isaac Hates, Barry White was at the forefront of a smooth style of R&B, based on lush disco-like rhythms and orchestral stylings, courtesy of his Love Unlimited Orchestra, that found considerable success for much of the 1970’s among both Top 40 pop audiences and urban R&B audiences. His hit-making skills also included the female R&B vocal trio Love Unlimited, who had had hits with “Walking In The Rain (With The One I Love)” in 1972, and “I Belong To You” (in 1975). During 1974, he managed to be the only artist ever to have two #1 hits, one vocal (“Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe”) and one instrumental (“Love’s Theme”, with the Love Unlimited Orchestra). The following year of 1975 turned out to be a sizeable year, which kicked off when “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” peaked at #2 in January. Then, during the spring of 1975, he hit again with the more vigorous, but still romantic, “What Am I Gonna Do With You?”. Done in a highly energized disco arrangement, complete with White’s own multi-tracked vocals and the Love Unlimited Orchestra’s string section, “What Am I Gonna Do With You?” became yet another addition to White’s distinguished radio hits output, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975, as well as #1 on the R&B chart. Proving that his hit-making capacities could go far beyond America, the song also peaked at #5 in England in the early summer. Although White’s success would diminish once the 1970’s became in 1980’s, he continued to record up until his passing at the age of 58 on July 4, 2003.
WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU? (Barry White; 20th Century; 1975)—With some of his style borrowed from the basso-profundo spoken musings of Memphis R&B legend Isaac Hates, Barry White was at the forefront of a smooth style of R&B, based on lush disco-like rhythms and orchestral stylings, courtesy of his Love Unlimited Orchestra, that found considerable success for much of the 1970’s among both Top 40 pop audiences and urban R&B audiences. His hit-making skills also included the female R&B vocal trio Love Unlimited, who had had hits with “Walking In The Rain (With The One I Love)” in 1972, and “I Belong To You” (in 1975). During 1974, he managed to be the only artist ever to have two #1 hits, one vocal (“Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe”) and one instrumental (“Love’s Theme”, with the Love Unlimited Orchestra). The following year of 1975 turned out to be a sizeable year, which kicked off when “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” peaked at #2 in January. Then, during the spring of 1975, he hit again with the more vigorous, but still romantic, “What Am I Gonna Do With You?”. Done in a highly energized disco arrangement, complete with White’s own multi-tracked vocals and the Love Unlimited Orchestra’s string section, “What Am I Gonna Do With You?” became yet another addition to White’s distinguished radio hits output, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975, as well as #1 on the R&B chart. Proving that his hit-making capacities could go far beyond America, the song also peaked at #5 in England in the early summer. Although White’s success would diminish once the 1970’s became in 1980’s, he continued to record up until his passing at the age of 58 on July 4, 2003.